They're running a bracket over at Wired--no, not the NCAA Tournament! It's a bit late in the year for that. Remember, Wired is a geek/tech enthusiast site/magazine. The bracket is for The Greatest Gadget of All Time! (time...time...time>).
Yes, it's a bit silly. Some of the match-ups are a bit outrageous (AK-47 vs nail clippers?), but it's fun. You can fill out a bracket, and actually win an Apple iPhone (although I'm not holding my breath).
I voted for the ball-point pen myself. Simple, but useful--otherwise we'd still be writing with quills.
Thursday, July 26, 2007
Monday, July 23, 2007
They're Not Just For Kids Anymore
With the recent success of the Harry Potter movies it seems like everyone's trying to come up with the next big children's movie franchise. Recently, there's Narnia, which went on a bit too long for my taste and was often dry; and Bridge to Terabithia, which is in my Netflix queue. I'm not sure you can count Stardust, but I'll go ahead and count it anyway.
Coming up? The Golden Compass, which is certainly an interesting choice, given the fact the the author, Philip Pullman has been said to be the anti-CS Lewis; The Water Horse, which is basically the life story of Nessie, and then The Dark Is Rising.
Artemis Fowl has also been optioned, as well as The Bartimaeus Trilogy.
Hey, if they don't mess it up and can remain faithful to the source, more power to them. I'm certainly looking forward to Compass, as I'm very curious as to how they'll address the whole controversy around it--if at all. I'm not sure how they can avoid it though.
Coming up? The Golden Compass, which is certainly an interesting choice, given the fact the the author, Philip Pullman has been said to be the anti-CS Lewis; The Water Horse, which is basically the life story of Nessie, and then The Dark Is Rising.
Artemis Fowl has also been optioned, as well as The Bartimaeus Trilogy.
Hey, if they don't mess it up and can remain faithful to the source, more power to them. I'm certainly looking forward to Compass, as I'm very curious as to how they'll address the whole controversy around it--if at all. I'm not sure how they can avoid it though.
Watchlist 2007
Two "family" movies and one Denzel actioner today...
Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix. It was pretty much Harry Potter all day, all the time this past weekend as we took in Harry Potter: OOTP, and I began to read Harry Potter: DH. I'm only a few chapters into the book, but already JKR is yanking my chain as to who allegedly dies.
Anyway, with regards to the movie...not bad. In fact, I'd say it's the best Harry Potter movie I've seen, certainly better than Goblet. The acting by the adults certainly helped; Dolores Umbridge in particular was spot-on. There were some unfortunate pauses during some of the dialogue with Harry, Ron and Hermione but overall the kids handled themselves well.
The best part? The fight at the Ministry of Magic, of course! Everything else was just filler.
Ratatouille. I had my doubts about this movie, especially after the so-so Cars. I was worried that Pixar had lost its touch, and had produced a clunker. A rat...as a cook? Did they run out of ideas?
Remind me never to doubt Brad Bird again. Such a simple story, brought to life by Pixar. I've read that chefs are calling it the best food movie ever made, and who I am I to disagree with them?
Definitely not a kids' movie, though...oh, sure, it's animated, and they tried to make Remy cute, but that's where it ends. The rats were lifelike, and when there are a whole mess of them in the kitchen...ew.
Deja Vu. Haven't I seen this movie before?
Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix. It was pretty much Harry Potter all day, all the time this past weekend as we took in Harry Potter: OOTP, and I began to read Harry Potter: DH. I'm only a few chapters into the book, but already JKR is yanking my chain as to who allegedly dies.
Anyway, with regards to the movie...not bad. In fact, I'd say it's the best Harry Potter movie I've seen, certainly better than Goblet. The acting by the adults certainly helped; Dolores Umbridge in particular was spot-on. There were some unfortunate pauses during some of the dialogue with Harry, Ron and Hermione but overall the kids handled themselves well.
The best part? The fight at the Ministry of Magic, of course! Everything else was just filler.
Ratatouille. I had my doubts about this movie, especially after the so-so Cars. I was worried that Pixar had lost its touch, and had produced a clunker. A rat...as a cook? Did they run out of ideas?
Remind me never to doubt Brad Bird again. Such a simple story, brought to life by Pixar. I've read that chefs are calling it the best food movie ever made, and who I am I to disagree with them?
Definitely not a kids' movie, though...oh, sure, it's animated, and they tried to make Remy cute, but that's where it ends. The rats were lifelike, and when there are a whole mess of them in the kitchen...ew.
Deja Vu. Haven't I seen this movie before?
Wednesday, July 18, 2007
Wii? Not Mii...=(
For the past week I've been playing with the Wii Locator, a handy tool that scans various sites for the availability of the Nintendo Wii. I've had the chance in the past to score a Wii; I saw it at sears.com, and even saw a couple in person at my local Target. I never bit, though, figuring I wouldn't have time to play with it.
After dusting off my Playstation 2 to play Kingdom Hearts 2, however, I've been looking for something that I can play with my daughters. No problem, I thought, the Wii should be easy to find by now...Turns out I was wrong. Dead wrong. Still shortages, unfortunately. Greedy store owners are also just bundling unwanted games with the console and jacking up the price.
Maybe it's just as well...save me the $250 and have my kids play properly outdoors. Still, though, I can feel my OCD kicking in. I know I'll eventually cave and buy one (if I can find one, that is).
After dusting off my Playstation 2 to play Kingdom Hearts 2, however, I've been looking for something that I can play with my daughters. No problem, I thought, the Wii should be easy to find by now...Turns out I was wrong. Dead wrong. Still shortages, unfortunately. Greedy store owners are also just bundling unwanted games with the console and jacking up the price.
Maybe it's just as well...save me the $250 and have my kids play properly outdoors. Still, though, I can feel my OCD kicking in. I know I'll eventually cave and buy one (if I can find one, that is).
Saturday, July 14, 2007
Jesus Phone
I finally got the chance to play with an iPhone at an Apple store today. The verdict: not bad. Solid build, glass, pretty graphics. Not sure why people are gushing about its form factor, though--it's pretty much a thin brick with rounded corners. The software is where it's at.
Interestingly, despite the fact that Apple touts simplicity in every facet of its design I had a hard time at first adjusting to the interface. I kept looking for a back button (finally figured out that the lone button on the phone took you to the Main Menu), and was a bit confused as to what "gestures" to use. After a couple of minutes, I finally got it, and was off and running. I looked at YouTube and a bunch of arctic photos. I called up Safari and started viewing sites, including Shelfari and Hotmail.
The keyboard is...interesting. Apple said to "trust it" and a lot of times trusting it did work, but using it to type in a URL was a painful experience. I liked the keyboard so much better when I was able to use it horizontally with two thumbs; I went to a restaurant website, tapped on the locator, entered a zip, called up a map, and did the "two fingers apart" gesture with my thumbs to expand the map. So much better. I guess Filipinos are genetically bred to only use thumbs when typing on a phone keyboard, virtual or otherwise.
My final impression of the iPhone: It's not really a phone, is it? I never even poked around to see how I could make a phone call, although clicking on a "Call" link on one of the websites brought up a call dialog with the number on the website (pretty slick). I can see myself using it as an iPod, and as a handy lookup whenever I need information from the web. Using it as a phone? No. As a camera? Maybe.
In other words, I wouldn't pay $600 for it, since my usage for it would be limited. Apparently some people think it's worth it; I saw three people walk out of the store with one (curiously, those three people just happened to be walking Apple stereotypes).
If someone gave me one, though, I wouldn't refuse it.
Interestingly, despite the fact that Apple touts simplicity in every facet of its design I had a hard time at first adjusting to the interface. I kept looking for a back button (finally figured out that the lone button on the phone took you to the Main Menu), and was a bit confused as to what "gestures" to use. After a couple of minutes, I finally got it, and was off and running. I looked at YouTube and a bunch of arctic photos. I called up Safari and started viewing sites, including Shelfari and Hotmail.
The keyboard is...interesting. Apple said to "trust it" and a lot of times trusting it did work, but using it to type in a URL was a painful experience. I liked the keyboard so much better when I was able to use it horizontally with two thumbs; I went to a restaurant website, tapped on the locator, entered a zip, called up a map, and did the "two fingers apart" gesture with my thumbs to expand the map. So much better. I guess Filipinos are genetically bred to only use thumbs when typing on a phone keyboard, virtual or otherwise.
My final impression of the iPhone: It's not really a phone, is it? I never even poked around to see how I could make a phone call, although clicking on a "Call" link on one of the websites brought up a call dialog with the number on the website (pretty slick). I can see myself using it as an iPod, and as a handy lookup whenever I need information from the web. Using it as a phone? No. As a camera? Maybe.
In other words, I wouldn't pay $600 for it, since my usage for it would be limited. Apparently some people think it's worth it; I saw three people walk out of the store with one (curiously, those three people just happened to be walking Apple stereotypes).
If someone gave me one, though, I wouldn't refuse it.
Friday, July 13, 2007
Shelfari
Ever since I saw Delicious Library mentioned in a blog (cokeycyn, I think) I've always wanted to find a corresponding version that would work on a regular PC. Of course, being the cheap guy that I am I didn't want to spend anything on it. Which meant MediaMan was out. I then resolved to write something myself, but I found myself having no time to do it--what with the kids and just sheer laziness on my part.
This past week I came across Shelfari, an on-line equivalent of Delicious Library, but limited strictly to books. It's been a fun site to play with--I've been adding books left and right, with the total numbering more than 300. It's cool to see all the covers to the books you've read, all laid out nicely in a row.
The site also allows you to "personalize" the book, adding such information as date purchased and who borrowed it; sneakily, it also allows you to buy books from Amazon. There's also a community where you can share opinions.
Not to say that there aren't any problems with the site. It gets too slow sometimes, and not all books have the covers you know and remember. It's also frustrating not to be able to edit the cover of the book in a separate window, instead of having to leave your search screen. There's also the problem of too many book listings for the same title. Not surprising, seeing as their book database seems to come directly from Amazon.
The good outweighs the bad, though, and I thoroughly enjoyed the site. Here's a look at my Top 10 list:
This past week I came across Shelfari, an on-line equivalent of Delicious Library, but limited strictly to books. It's been a fun site to play with--I've been adding books left and right, with the total numbering more than 300. It's cool to see all the covers to the books you've read, all laid out nicely in a row.
The site also allows you to "personalize" the book, adding such information as date purchased and who borrowed it; sneakily, it also allows you to buy books from Amazon. There's also a community where you can share opinions.
Not to say that there aren't any problems with the site. It gets too slow sometimes, and not all books have the covers you know and remember. It's also frustrating not to be able to edit the cover of the book in a separate window, instead of having to leave your search screen. There's also the problem of too many book listings for the same title. Not surprising, seeing as their book database seems to come directly from Amazon.
The good outweighs the bad, though, and I thoroughly enjoyed the site. Here's a look at my Top 10 list:
Wednesday, July 11, 2007
Sellout
Transformers movie tie-ins with Burger King I understand (you have to sell toys, after all...and the ad's funny the first couple of times you see it), but...
Optimus Prime hawking Pepsi? Is Megatron gonna hawk Coke now?
I'm not kidding myself, though...that's a pretty cool toy. How much is it again?
Optimus Prime hawking Pepsi? Is Megatron gonna hawk Coke now?
I'm not kidding myself, though...that's a pretty cool toy. How much is it again?
Thursday, July 05, 2007
LA Story
So the anchor of Telemundo just broke the news that the Mayor of Los Angeles, Antonio Villaraigosa, was having an affair. This affair caused the breakup of his twenty-year old marriage and put a serious damper on any political aspirations Villaraigosa had after his mayoral stint.
The interesting part? He was having an affair with the very same anchor who broke the story. Talk about having an inside source.
...sorry.
The interesting part? He was having an affair with the very same anchor who broke the story. Talk about having an inside source.
...sorry.
bookoftheweek: World War Z
When I was a kid I was unfortunate enough to catch the last ten minutes of Night of the Living Dead, when the zombies were breaking into the farmhouse. I'm still freaked out by it; needless to say, I'm not a big fan of zombie movies.
It was therefore quite surprising that I enjoyed World War Z by Max Brooks, cheesy title and all. It's the story of the Zombie War, as told by "interviewees" across the world. What starts out as a misbranded case of "African rabies" turns into a worldwide epidemic.
The storytelling approach is quite interesting, and helps in making the book extremely readable. Instead of one long narrative, you get short chunks and get an idea of just how different countries dealt with the Zombie war. It's all told in a matter-of-fact style, leaving the usual horror themes to the imagination of the reader. It could even be an account of the horrors of war, except this war is against the undead.
It's already been optioned as a movie by Brad Pitt's Production Company. I doubt I'll see the movie, though--the book already gave me nightmares (imagine zombies coming out of the ocean...I'll never go to a beach again without thinking of that).
Highly recommended. Braaaaaaaiiiiinnnnnnsssssss.
It was therefore quite surprising that I enjoyed World War Z by Max Brooks, cheesy title and all. It's the story of the Zombie War, as told by "interviewees" across the world. What starts out as a misbranded case of "African rabies" turns into a worldwide epidemic.
The storytelling approach is quite interesting, and helps in making the book extremely readable. Instead of one long narrative, you get short chunks and get an idea of just how different countries dealt with the Zombie war. It's all told in a matter-of-fact style, leaving the usual horror themes to the imagination of the reader. It could even be an account of the horrors of war, except this war is against the undead.
It's already been optioned as a movie by Brad Pitt's Production Company. I doubt I'll see the movie, though--the book already gave me nightmares (imagine zombies coming out of the ocean...I'll never go to a beach again without thinking of that).
Highly recommended. Braaaaaaaiiiiinnnnnnsssssss.
Wednesday, July 04, 2007
Watchlist 2007: Transformers Special Edition
Transformers. It lived up to the hype. Boy, it lived up to the hype.
We had the chance to see Transformers opening day. When we got to the theater, the line was already a hundred or so people long. I thought we were going to be the last people there, and was ready to go; ten minutes later, the line had doubled. Most of the people in line were my age, a lot of them guys, but a couple of fangirls mixed in (there was this girl who was in a Sailor Moon outfit!).
We finally got to our seats, and the trailers started rolling. Balls of Fury (looks funny). Some dumb Rock movie (ugh). I Am Legend (promising). Then, the most interesting one, an unnamed JJ Abrams flick. Godzilla, maybe? Or maybe it's Smokey the tree-crushing monster from Lost.
Then the Dreamworks logo comes up. Applause! Finally. Cheesy opening monologue. I cringed. Five minutes into the movie, Blackout transforms. Huge applause. I had this goofy grin on my face after that, which didn't go away until the end credits rolled.
Never mind that the robots didn't look like the Transformers I grew up with. Never mind that Megatron looked like the Shrike from the Hyperion novels. Never mind those silly flames on Optimus Prime and his "lips". Never mind the over-the-top acting by Jon Voight and John Turturro. This movie kicked all sorts of ass, and Optimus Prime was the number one ass-kicker.
The large crowd was into it as well. Applause when Blackout transforms and makes the classic transforming sound. Cheers when the phrases "More than meets the eye" and "Autobots, roll out!" were uttered (although there's this one phrase from the animated movie that people missed...watch out for it). But the biggest ovation was when Optimus Prime showed up and transformed, flames and all.
Hands down the best movie I've seen this year.
We had the chance to see Transformers opening day. When we got to the theater, the line was already a hundred or so people long. I thought we were going to be the last people there, and was ready to go; ten minutes later, the line had doubled. Most of the people in line were my age, a lot of them guys, but a couple of fangirls mixed in (there was this girl who was in a Sailor Moon outfit!).
We finally got to our seats, and the trailers started rolling. Balls of Fury (looks funny). Some dumb Rock movie (ugh). I Am Legend (promising). Then, the most interesting one, an unnamed JJ Abrams flick. Godzilla, maybe? Or maybe it's Smokey the tree-crushing monster from Lost.
Then the Dreamworks logo comes up. Applause! Finally. Cheesy opening monologue. I cringed. Five minutes into the movie, Blackout transforms. Huge applause. I had this goofy grin on my face after that, which didn't go away until the end credits rolled.
Never mind that the robots didn't look like the Transformers I grew up with. Never mind that Megatron looked like the Shrike from the Hyperion novels. Never mind those silly flames on Optimus Prime and his "lips". Never mind the over-the-top acting by Jon Voight and John Turturro. This movie kicked all sorts of ass, and Optimus Prime was the number one ass-kicker.
The large crowd was into it as well. Applause when Blackout transforms and makes the classic transforming sound. Cheers when the phrases "More than meets the eye" and "Autobots, roll out!" were uttered (although there's this one phrase from the animated movie that people missed...watch out for it). But the biggest ovation was when Optimus Prime showed up and transformed, flames and all.
Hands down the best movie I've seen this year.
Sunday, July 01, 2007
Watchlist 2007
Live Free or Die Hard. A couple of months ago I got nostalgic and saw the very first Die Hard, where Bruce Willis still had hair, and the "one-man-against-the-world" concept was still fresh and new. I got a kick seeing Severus Snape Hans Gruber again, and seeing gas for less than a buck. Surprisingly, it held up quite well.
Fast forward to iPhone Friday, and I was sitting in a movie theater watching the Mac guy pretending to be a hacker in the fourth installment (I actually prefer the alternate title, Die Hard 4.0). I always hate it when they use "hackers" as the bad guys in a film; they never get it quite right, and they dumb it down with multiple windows and fancy graphics (Swordfish, anyone?). Of course, if I worry too much about it, I'll never enjoy the movie, so I just pretty much turn my brain off.
With that mindset, I pretty much enjoyed LFDH. It doesn't quite compare to the first, but it's definitely better than the second and is somewhat on par with the third (which had Samuel L. Jackson lifting it up). Maggie Q was quite a talent. There are ridiculous stunts, and Bruce Willis has his trademark humor intact, although it seemed forced in some spots.
Two things ran through my mind after the movie, though:
(1) Why wasn't the Mac guy (Justin Long) using a Mac?
(2) Why was he using a Nokia instead of an iPhone?
Fast forward to iPhone Friday, and I was sitting in a movie theater watching the Mac guy pretending to be a hacker in the fourth installment (I actually prefer the alternate title, Die Hard 4.0). I always hate it when they use "hackers" as the bad guys in a film; they never get it quite right, and they dumb it down with multiple windows and fancy graphics (Swordfish, anyone?). Of course, if I worry too much about it, I'll never enjoy the movie, so I just pretty much turn my brain off.
With that mindset, I pretty much enjoyed LFDH. It doesn't quite compare to the first, but it's definitely better than the second and is somewhat on par with the third (which had Samuel L. Jackson lifting it up). Maggie Q was quite a talent. There are ridiculous stunts, and Bruce Willis has his trademark humor intact, although it seemed forced in some spots.
Two things ran through my mind after the movie, though:
(1) Why wasn't the Mac guy (Justin Long) using a Mac?
(2) Why was he using a Nokia instead of an iPhone?
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