How's everyone doing? Obviously I've been away for quite some time from the blogging universe. School, traveling, and a wealth of other activities have prevented me from really being able to dedicate the amount of time I would have liked to the articles found within this blog. The articles that I have been writing in the past few months just seemed to feel rushed and shoddy. Rather than taint what I cherish, I decided to give everything a break until things calmed down.
Now here's the good news: things have calmed down and I am happy to say that there are so many things to be excited about.
I've got several articles that I am working on currently and as soon as they're ready I shall post them.
Be on the lookout for several highlights; which include, but are not limited to:
-Mozilla Firefox 4 Beta 1 vs. Safari 5: both claim tons of new features, but which one stands ahead of the pack? This will be a series of entries because Firefox 4 is currently in beta.
-A new iPad review (This one comes with about a month and a half of constant hands on usage)
-Thunderbird (Mozilla's Mail Client) vs. Mail (Apple's Mail Client): Which is better?
-Picasa vs. iPhoto: Google has released an app for OSX, how does it fair against iPhoto?
-Dropbox: Why this wonderful virtual storage utility might singlehandedly change the way we share files, as well as a review.
-Twitter clients for OSX: I'll review several of the most popular Twitter clients for OSX and let you know which one I think is the best.
-How is the internet changing the face of film?
-Late E3 Coverage: Why is Nintendo still the reigning champion of gaming?
Keep your eyes peeled. I'll be posting these articles as soon as I can publish them and of course you can find any and all posted on my Twitter page.
Thanks for being patient, everyone. It's good to be back.
Well, the iPad was officially announced today. This is the revolutionary product that Apple has been keeping a secret for approximately 2 years? A large iPhone? I mean, I am sure I am going to bite my tongue down the road when I get one, but for now, I cant help but marvel at how obscenely stupid this product is.
While I like where Apple is going with this (specifically about the idea behind an all touch slate computer with virtual keyboard), I can’t support their decision to put it on a more advanced iPhone OS. If I am going to invest that much money in an incredibly portable all purpose device I expect it to be running on something that’s more than a bit better then a phone I carry around in my pocket.
It’s spec’s aren’t bad, though. I feel as if they could operate a dumbed down version of OSX just fine. They seem to be a bit advanced for something that doesn’t even have flash... As usual Apple offers 3 different hard drive sizes: 16, 32, and 64 GB sizes are all available. You’ve got a standard 10 inch screen capable of displaying a maximum resolution of 1024x768 pixels. Nothing out of the usual there... But for as much trash talking I am doing I think I should be fair and really look at something that stands out about this iPad. The minds at Apple developed a remarkable little processor specifically for the iPad. The Apple A4 custom-designed processor clocks in at 1GHz and allows for extremely high-performance while using a very little amount of power. This contribute’s to the iPad’s outstanding battery life of 10 hours of browsing or video watching. That’s really quite impressive considering the whole screen is a backlit LCD capable of displaying up to 6 billion colors.
Obviously this iPad is capable of video, music, and web-surfing, but what about the one thing most people are really interested in from Apple, an eReader? Well it’s here, and it’s actually pretty great looking. The pages look crisp and seem to respond well to touch and manipulation. I could easily get lost in a book that looks as beautiful as the ones rendered in the iPad. The new eBook store that Apple is opening up seems to be very high quality, and could be just the thing that Apple needs to get people on board.
Now, I know that most people are expecting this to be a kindle killer, but let’s look at a couple things that will keep the iPad from really becoming a super success, a data plan for wireless 3g downloading and surfing (something that comes free with other eReaders), and its price.
Users in the USA will obviously be connecting through AT&T’s extremely fast wireless 3G/Edge network (as if AT&T wasn’t bogged dow enough...), but this comes with a data package that’s just as expensive as what users are already paying for their iPhones. That extra 30 bucks a month just to do some minor browsing and downloading of books is enough to turn people away from this product. 30 bucks a month doesn’t sound too bad until you realize that if you keep it up all 12 months out of the year it adds up to a total of $360 bucks a month. Thank god AT&T is not requiring a 2 year contract for this, at least that’s nice of them. You also have an option of 250 MB’s a month for $14.99, which should be good enough for most people who will use the iPad mainly as an eReader.
Pricing starts at $499 for the iPad. This is obviously for the 16 GB model, but what you might not know is that this is only for the Wi-Fi ready version. If you want to get an iPad with 3G capabilities be prepared for fork out another $130 because those models start at $629. It’s $599 for a standard 32 GB model, $729 for 3G, and finally $699 for the 64 GB model and $829 if you want that with 3G.
In conclusion, what have we learned today?
This is a pricy alternative to a Nook or Kindle or even a Net Book! (starting at $499) There is a price for a data plan ($14.99 for 250 MB, $30 for unlimited) It’s running on iPhone software It doesn’t have flash so you wont be able to properly display a lot of websites It is indeed an eReader Mac will probably slap a camera on it in 6 months and say it’s a revolutionary improvement.
I’d like to leave everyone with a thought from a friend of mine, “History has taught us that jumping onto first [generation] apple technology is a fool's errand.” Don’t buy into the hype people, let Apple really hone the tools it offers in this new product so there’s actually a reason to pay $499. For now, I remain incredibly disappointed.
Marcus Fenix and Dominic Santiago...? In a Lost Planet game? Someone tell me how the FUCK that makes any sense. My only guess is that they're just supposed to be unlockable characters, but if they are then this whole cross company character swapping needs to stop. Capcom, come up with some more original characters... You're good at it. I promise. Click the title for a link to IGN for more info. I'm still not so sure that this isn't just a joke...
Well, first I should say this: I know this review is quite a bit late. I'm sure by now many of you have seen it, and if you haven't then you probably wont, but I just got around to watching it a second time and I was still impressed by the film. Now, when I say that I enjoyed it, that doesn't necessarily make what I would call a good movie. I guess the better way of putting it is, when you've gotten to the point where you've given up on a series, any spark of creativity will impress. Sometimes you can just allow yourself to have fun with the material that's been presented and sit back and eat a big ol' back of popcorn. Anyways, here's my official review of Saw 6:
Well, after six films people tend know exactly where they stand with the Saw series. They either love it or hate it, I, was one of the few people that started off as a die hard fan of the series, then it took a turn for the worst with Saw IV and a turn for the UBER worst with Saw V. I almost decided to write a letter to Lionsgate begging them to stop while they were ahead, but Saw V showed me that, they really weren't ahead anymore. Anyways, after watching Saw VI, I am glad I didn’t.
Saw VI reminded me why I loved the first three films in this series, why I would look forward to October and prep myself for the next Saw film, and why I would marathon the ones before it so I stayed on top of my Saw trivia. Everything about this movie puts the last two films of the franchise to shame. Everything was on point: the plot, the gore, the trap ideas, and, for once, a twist that made some god damn sense. Best of all, they did away with a lot of the freakin’ flashbacks. The only problems I had with the film are that it still leaves some questions unanswered (what happened to the guy who cut off his foot in the first film!?), and the acting still needs work, but for every problem I notice, I found myself cringing in glee and indulging in a guilty pleasure that I had long forgotten and practically given up on much much more.
Saw VI starts with quite the graphic bang. The first scene starts with two unlucky victims waking up to find they have a device in their head that will bore into their skull if they don’t sacrifice their own flesh. The person with the most flesh cut off, will be allowed to live, the other will get a lobotomy. Gruesome! I found myself actually covering my eyes (granted I had the biggest smirk on my face while doing it)! Yes, I know, me, the man with the greedy eyes that eat everything they see without wincing and the iron stomach that has held down full lunches after watching films like, Cannibal Holocaust, and, Philosophy of a Knife, actually winced. It was an exhilarating feeling, to have to take my eyes off the screen during a Saw movie for a reason other than rolling them. Without giving too much more away I can honestly say that any gorehounds out there will definitely get a kick out of the opening scene and it sets a solid framework for what to expect out of the rest of the film.
For a series known for it’s brutality, this film finally starts to present itself as something more than a one trick pony. The writers bring fresh, heavy, sense of political and ethical drama into this film, and they do a damn good job of it. It gives the film another side and allows the viewer to feel a bit less dirty for liking a series that most blow off as ‘torture-porn’. I appreciated the smart new take on this movie, as well as it’s return to being ballsy and in your face with it’s gratuitous displays of blood and guts.
The director made some good choices with the set production and art direction as well. The scenes were wonderfully directed and the props didn’t look quite as recycled as they had in past films, even the return of a classic trap at the end of this film gets a drastic and very poignant overhaul. With all that being said, I think what shines the most about this film is it’s ability to tie up 90% of all the loose ends, and do it in a way that makes everything logical. I was impressed with the writers’ ability to clean up the mess that was Saw IV and Saw V and redeem the series with something that wouldn’t just keep current fans going, but help bring old fans back.
Overall, I am glad to see this saw isn’t as rusty as I thought, and I am finding myself looking forward to Saw VII. Cheers to our generations’ Friday the 13th.
Well, folks... Its been rumored for quite some time. Since last week I've been reading things about an Apple conference set to announce the supposed iSlate/MacTouch/iTablet/whateverthefuxyouwannacallit that was going to take place either the 27th or the 28th of this month. It seems these rumors are true! IGN has confirmed that Apple has begun to send out invitations for a special event taking place 1/27/10. Will Apple be revealing the tablet computer? Who knows. Other big speculations involve a new iPhone model or OS, New software, or simply a new plan for iPhone/iPod Touch gaming in the new year. Keep visiting for details, as soon as news breaks you can be sure to spot it here.
So the one and only Rob Zombie is set to direct an episode of CSI: Miami. There's a myriad of guest stars as well, including: Malcom McDowell, Paul Blackthorne, William Forsythe, and Michael Madsen. Of course it's got to have Malcom McDowell and Michael Madsen, apparently they're all a bunch of butt buddies since the Halloween reboot. Normally I hate CSI and all of it's spin offs, but since Mr. Zombie is taking the reigns I know I will be checking this episode out. First Tarantino now Zombie, that's pretty awesome. The episode is set to air March 1, 2010, make sure the mark your calendars. Anyways, click the image above for more info direct from Zombie's site.
So as the year 2010 dawns upon us I realize that it's time to look back at some of the most memorable movies that have come from the past decade. This is a list from 1999-2009. Why this time you ask? Because 2010 hasn't completed yet, (sorry folks, I can't see into the future and gather the best movies from a time that still unfolds each day we wake) so here's my list. Feel free to argue and squabble with me, but I won't budge. I've spent literally hours putting this together and scanning IMDB to ensure I haven't let any movies of the past 10 years slip through the cracks. Enjoy:
Loosely based on Upton Sinclair's novel Oil! this film stars Daniel Day-Lewis, in his Oscar winning role as Daniel Plainview. He owns a family oil business and strikes it rich after they acquire a property in California. The film follows the life of Daniel and his son and the trauma and stress they are under. This is one of the films on the list that I am SURE will cause quite a bit of backlash amongst anyone that reads it, but damn it, I loved it. Sure it has a pace that, to some, may seem slow, but I was intrigued the entire film. Daniel Day-Lewis has to be one of my favorite actors of all time. He towers over this triumph of a film with an iron hand that forces you to keep the viewers eyes glued to the screen. I challenge you to watch this film and see Mr. Day-Lewis as anything else but the character he portrays. The last 20 minutes of this film are some of the darkest put on film. The descent into madness by the character Daniel Plainview is brilliance!
I mean, this film's main antagonist is a guy who has one eye, is a butcher of both people and cows, has an awesome old fashioned American accent, sleeps with the US Flag draped around his body, and as if that wasn't enough, he is played by Daniel Day-Lewis. Epic. Need I say more? No.
This film is based off of one of my favorite books of all time. Cormac McCarthy laid the foundation for this film with his amazing novel and it was transferred almost flawlessly to film. Brilliant acting and direction make this dark, gritty, post apocalyptic drama into a world that feels alive and full of hopelessness. This is not a popcorn flick, this is a thought provoking film that leaves you feeling broken, fragile, and most of all, human.
Guillermo Del Toro... God what an outstanding director. He manages to bring a child's fairy tale world full of wonder, magic, and delight and mold it with mature theme's, dark back story, and wonderful visuals. This movie is a wonder to behold and watch, and each time I've ever watched it, it's brought something new to the table to share. Films that can do that are rare these days. I applaud Del Toro for his ability to make a film that consistently leaves me breathless.
This is as close as a film will ever get to the novel it's based on. I say that as a salute to the Coen Brothers and as a sad testament to what is lost in transition from written word to film. The only thing that was not captured was the beautiful language that Cormac McCarthy pumps into his novels so effortlessly. This movie, does what most movies try to do so poorly: it captured the dreary pace of the book flawlessly. It was not bashful, necessarily violent, and absolutely gripping and full of tension without the use of a lot of mainstream Hollywood tricks. You may not have noticed, but watch the film, see how many seconds of music there are. (Almost nothing)
There are war movies, and then there are war movies. 'The Hurt Locker' is a film that doesn't focus on war on a massive scale, but at a very personal level. Part of the reason this movie is so amazing is because it doesn't force it's audience to try to identify with any of the characters, it just presents them for who they are, and allows the viewer to either choose to accept them and become attached, or walk away. I've found, in speaking with others about this film, that people have either REALLY LOVED this movie, or REALLY HATED it. I was one of the people that obviously loved it. It's a flawless depiction of the tensions in Iraq, and how scared the American Soldier truly is.
Let me start by saying that this film made me HATE Commodus (Joaquin Phoenix) so much that I could not watch another film starring Joaquin Pheonix until I saw the interview where he was clearly on drugs talking about rapping on Letterman (What a joke of a man he has become). I literally have yet to see any of the following films because of my loathing of Joaquin: Walk the Line, We Own the Night, etc. His acting in this film was so perfect that each despicable action that he made during the course of the movie was amplified dozens of times. I literally can not look at a film with Joaquin in it and not see an Sister-loving, backstabbing, sleazeball. Honestly, this is a compliment to his performance in this amazing film. Oh yeah, Russell Crowe does a decent job too.
Let's face it, Keanu Reeves is probably one of the worst big time actors since Nicholas Cage. He sucks, but let's look past that fact for a moment and look at what this film achieved. Not only did it set what is now a standard for CGI and action scenes in films, but it compliment it's epic visuals with a brilliant philosophical story that takes pieces from all walks of life and combines it with a really kick ass sci-fi motif. Nothing get's better then this. Remember children, "There is no spoon."
Alright, I feel this one is really going to have to be justified. A lot of you are probably saying, "What the fuck? This movie was great but number two?" I admit, I am biased. Batman is my favorite hero ever and The Joker is my favorite villain ever. To see such respect and life given to two of my favorite fictional characters makes me what can only be compared to a kid in a candy shop. I think that Heath Ledgers performance as the joker is truly one of the best performances in history of cinema. As a huge fan of the graphic novels, I've seen doezens of takes on The Joker. Writers everywhere have been reinventing him in their image, but only one Graphic Novel really captured the essence of evil that The Joker needed to be. It was in fact called "Joker". It was written by Brian Azzarello and illustrated by Lee Bermejo. This graphic novel was the inspiration for the visual reboot of The Joker in 'The Dark Knight'. To see my favorite depiction of The Joker brought to life on the big screen is a fanboy's dream. Especially when the actor playing him does it way too well. The saddest part is that he passed away, and no one, absolutely no one, will ever be as good as he was. (Rest In Peace Heath Ledger)
"In Tyler we trusted." This movie impacted me like no other film I've ever seen in my life. That's all I can say about it. It drastically changed what I viewed possible in cinema, and I will always cherish this film above all others for how much it opened my eyes to the world around me. Please, you wont often hear me beg, if you haven't seen this film do so. Now. Why are you still sitting down on your couch? GO RENT IT!
Honorable Mentions:
Juno Anchorman Kill Bill Volumes 1&2 Superbad Donnie Darko A History of Violence Children of Men The Green Mile The Orphanage The Audition The Lord of the Rings Trilogy
