As you all know from the previous review of Killer Puzzles and Bordergrams (see it here), I love puzzles. In case you haven’t seen that review, I’ll repeat I love all kinds of puzzles and I do puzzles all day long, both on my phone and in puzzle books. St. Martin’s Press sent me three very different puzzle books to review and this one is probably my favorite, but all three are in regular rotation.

Have you ever done a cryptic crossword puzzle? Instead of a plain definition, you’re given a wordplay clue that you have to decipher to get the answer. Generally, each cryptic clue contain the definition, the indicator (what type of cryptic it is), and fodder (the letters/words/phrases that give you the ultimate solution). Sounds complicated? They can be. To help you out, Angas Tiernan and Liam Runnalls have written a brilliant introduction book to cryptic clues: Minute Cryptic.

Start from the beginning. No jumping ahead with this one. The introductory pages give you a deep dive into what cryptic clues are and how to solve them. Then, each chapter teaches you how to determine which type of clue you’re looking at and takes you through several puzzles to help you learn how to solve them. Each page is a single clue, with a generous workspace, and the back of the page includes hints. And there are even letter clues, which tell you which hint letter fits in which spot of your solution. There are two “Lucky Dip” sections, where the type of clue isn’t defined for you, so you can get practice determining those types, as well. As you get more comfortable with solving clues, you can try the mini cryptic crosswords.

By the time you finish this book, you will be a master of cryptic clues and you will still find clues that challenge you. There’s even a Mega Crossword at the end of the book. Minute Cryptic puzzles are incredibly fun and clever. If you love them as much as I do, you can also download the Minute Cryptic app for more cryptic puzzle fun. It includes a daily single clue, with hints, a scribble space, and a link to the solution video by author Angas Teirnan, who talks through the clues, giving excellent explanations. They also post the puzzles on their website: https://www.minutecryptic.com/. I even watch videos of other content creators as they work through Minute Cryptic clues (but not until I’ve solved the clue myself, just in case). Hurry up with this one, because More Minute Cryptic will be out just in time for the holidays.

Buy it Now!

٭٭٭٭٭Highly recommended

The post St. Martin’s Press Minute Cryptic Review by George Gensler, @chocophilenyc @StMartinsPress @macmillanusa @LRxword @minutecryptic #puzzles #affiliate #gifted appeared first on Gay NYC Dad.

STAR WARS: THE MANDALORIAN AND GROGU opens exclusively in theaters on May 22, 2026! Link to purchase tickets here!

A few years back when the Mandalorian was introduced to us as a TV series, I was skeptical. A spaghetti western type show set in outer space? How silly. And then the first episode hit and I, and the rest of the world, were hooked. Absolutely captivating it is. And the creature we used to call baby Yoda is brilliant. I know more adults with Grogu plushes in their homes then kids! And that includes me and my brother!

Grogu as always is the standout, he is not just cute, he is wily and helpful to his foster dad, Mando. Their relationship is so sweet, and also well portrayed as the young Grogu is coming into his own and learning how to be a significant part of the team with Mando, sometimes troublesome, but also more and more helpful as he grows up. As with the many Marvel movies, there is just the right amount of comedy and humor to make the movie extra fun, without going over the top. The gremlin engineers are also a hit with a helpful and also comedic assist in this movie.

The movie is also full of action sequences, sometimes a bit over the top and hard to take in. I did not find the movie to be an elongated episode of the tv series, instead, it was a double story line full length movie that I felt flowed well throughout.

Not for the youngest kids due to the violent nature of some of the scenes, but for teens and up it should work. Still one of my favorite series, I look forward to more of the Mandalorian and Grogu, what a great summer movie this is!

Din Djarin and Grogu embark on their most thrilling mission yet in “Star Wars: The Mandalorian and Grogu.” The Empire has fallen, but Imperial warlords remain scattered across the galaxy. As the fledgling New Republic fights to protect what the Rebellion won, they enlist legendary Mandalorian bounty hunter Din Djarin (Pedro Pascal) and his young apprentice, Grogu. Directed by Jon Favreau and filmed for IMAX, “The Mandalorian and Grogu” brings the duo to the big screen for the first me.

Starring Pedro Pascal, Sigourney Weaver, and Jeremy Allen

Did I mention I interviewed Mando while he was out walking with Grogu?

Hurry and buy tickets now!

Social Media:

Website: http://www.starwars.com

YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/starwars

X: @DisneyStudios; @starwars

Instagram: @DisneyStudios; @starwars;

Facebook: @WaltDisneyStudios; @starwars;

TikTok: @DisneyStudios; @StarWars

The post Star Wars: The Mandalorian and Grogu Opens Exclusively in Theaters May 22, 2026! #TheMandalorianandGrogu @StarWars #StarWars @DisneyStudios #DisneyStudios @Disney #Disney appeared first on Gay NYC Dad.

Nancy M. won the $15 Cinnabon eGift Card Giveaway!

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$25 White Castle Gift Card Giveaway!

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These square burgers are somehow extra delicious!

GIVEAWAY:

One lucky reader of the GayNYCDad award winning blog, will receive a $25 White Castle Gift Card!
You must be a current subscriber to be eligible to win any contest. 

Contest ends 11:59 p.m. EST, June 7, 2026. Prizes must be claimed within 48 hours. Maximum winnings of 2 giveaways per every 90 days. See official rules for more information.

$25 White Castle Gift Card Giveaway!

Thanks, and good luck.

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May 24, 2026

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As you all know, I love puzzles. All kinds of puzzles. You might not know that I do puzzles all day long. My phone is full of puzzle apps, and I usually have several puzzles books going at once. So, of course, I was thrilled when St. Martin’s Press sent me three very different puzzle books to review.  These three are in regular rotation now. This review covers two of those books. The third book will be in a future review.

I was not expecting what I got with Killer Puzzles! I am a huge fan of Killer Sudoku (Sudoku puzzles that include summing sections within the Sudoku puzzle). I was expecting something along those lines. Instead, I received exactly what the title suggests. Killer Puzzles by Archer Thorne is a puzzle book about killers. Literally!

If you are a true crime fan, you will love this! I have been reading true crime stories since I was a kid and often listen to true crime podcasts, but even I don’t know all of these killers. Each chapter addresses a different type of killer (serial, spies, organized crime, etc.) and each chapter includes an assortment of the puzzle types, including word searches, crossword puzzles, matching puzzles (words, not pictures), scrambles, and more.

TOP TIP: Keep your phone handy. I had to look up some of these killers, because I hadn’t heard of them before. It’s not really cheating if you try to understand the clue without looking at the solution pages, right?

TOP TIP: Sometimes, you can find the answer you need by looking back at a puzzle you’ve already solved. That’s definitely not cheating. Right?

Buy it here!

*****Highly recommended

Bordergrams are the new puzzle sensation from the inventor of Murdles, which are challenging logic puzzles. (See my review of the Murdle jigsaw puzzle here.) Bordergrams is a story with puzzles that you have to solve to progress through the story. Each Bordergram puzzle is a single page spread (the story is on the left open page and the puzzle is on the right open page). And it’s not just a novel that you’re reading. You’re an integral part of the story, taking the role of the new Cadet who is helping The Division secure borders and establish peace by finding commonalities between districts.

For each puzzle, you get a sectioned-out map. Each section contains a word or phrase and you have to find the four different words and phrases that go together, so you can create peaceful borders without isolating any of the districts. If all this sounds confusing, don’t worry. The book is laid out excellently with precise instructions and you’re eased into the process so you can learn as you solve.

TOP TIP: Keep a bookmark in the solutions section. Even if you’re confident that you’ve solved the Bordergram correctly, the storyline progresses in the answer section, too, and you don’t want to miss anything. And use a pencil with an eraser, just in case.

Buy it here!

*****Highly recommended

The post St. Martin’s Press Puzzle Books Review by George Gensler, @chocophilenyc @StMartinsPress @macmillanusa @gregkarber #puzzles #trivia #affiliate #gifted appeared first on Gay NYC Dad.

New Regency’s groundbreaking cultural landmark Fight Club is out now and newly restored in stunning 4K! Fight Club receives the definitive treatment with a meticulous 4K Ultra HD restoration that enhances the film’s immersive soundscape and striking visual precision, delivering a renewed sensory experience for a generational touchstone. Whether it’s your first encounter with Tyler Durden or your fiftieth, the film’s legacy as a defining cult-classic remains as powerful and provocative as ever.

In this provocative drama co-starring Brad Pitt and Edward Norton and directed by David Fincher, a disaffected man and his charismatic friend organize brutal, bare-knuckle boxing matches.

Directed by David Fincher and adapted from Chuck Palahniuk’s gritty novel, Fight Club stands as a landmark of modern cinema. Featuring iconic performances from Brad Pitt, Edward Norton, and Helena Bonham Carter, the film redefined late-1990s filmmaking with its visceral style, razor-sharp social commentary, and subversive exploration of identity, consumerism, and modern masculinity.

Bonus Features*

4K ULTRA HD BONUS FEATURES

• Commentary by Director David Fincher
• Commentary by David Fincher, Brad Pitt, Edward Norton & Helena Bonham Carter
• Writers’ Commentary by Chuck Palahniuk and Jim Uhls
• Technical Commentary by Alex McDowell, Jeff Cronenweth, Michael Kaplan & Kevin Haug

BLU-RAY BONUS FEATURES

• Commentary by Director David Fincher
• Commentary by David Fincher, Brad Pitt, Edward Norton & Helena Bonham Carter
• Writers’ Commentary by Chuck Palahniuk and Jim Uhls
• Technical Commentary by Alex McDowell, Jeff Cronenweth, Michael Kaplan & Kevin Haug
• A Hit in the Ear: Ren Klyce and the Sound Design of Fight Club
• Flogging Fight Club Featurette
• Insomniac Mode: I Am Jack’s Search Index
• Work Behind-the-Scenes Vignettes with Multiple Angles and Commentary
• Deleted and Alternate Scenes
• Publicity Material Trailers, TV and Internet Spots
• PSAs
• Music Video
• Promotional Galleries
• Art Galleries
• And More!

*Bonus features may vary by product and retailer

Buy your copy now!

The post Fight Club Movie With Brad Pitt on 4K Ultra HD™ Now! #FightClub @20thCentury @Disney #Disney #gifted appeared first on Gay NYC Dad.

Mia L. won the $25 IHOP Gift Card Giveaway!

NOTE! All prize fulfillments may be delayed; we are not responsible for any USPS related delays or missing items. We mostly use the Gleam app to determine winners.

NOTE: Only Current Subscribers are eligible to win, all accounts are checked.

May 17, 2026

$15 Cinnabon eGift Card Giveaway!

May 24, 2026

$15 Lululemon Gift Card Giveaway!

May 31, 2026

$10 TJMaxx/Marshalls/HomeGoods eGift Card Giveaway!

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