2007 June Archive at Film, Gadgets, and Geekdom

Monthly Archive for June, 2007

A short thing while I’m sitting here

Published

on June 29, 2007

. Comments

I would like to declare my official position on Live Free or Die Hard. It was an awesome action movie, the choice of actor for the bad guy was very good, and Bruce Willis almost picked John McClane back up. Don’t get me wrong, I liked the character as Bruce Willis portrayed him. I definitely got a “This is John McClane” feel from the role. He was older and was shaved bald and I can deal with that. The PG-13 rating left me wanting more out of the movie. You didn’t quite get to hear the entirety of McClane’s catchphrase and he didn’t get nearly as bloody as he did in the previous movies. All I can deal with since it was rated PG-13. We can only hope for an unrated version or something like that which will bump it up to R standards, but never do “unrated” movies do such.

So, in terms of favorite Die Hard movie, Die Hard with a Vengence is still my favorite, followed by the first Die Hard, then Live Free or Die Hard, then the second movie. So, for those of you I thoroughly confused, the movies in order of most to least favorite:

1. Die Hard with a Vengence
2. Die Hard
3. Live Free or Die Hard
4. Die Hard 2

Now, I like all the Die Hard movies, so don’t think that since Die Hard 2 is on the bottom, that you can just skip it in a marathon. That would be worthy of asskickery.

In other news, I would like to render my official verdict in the PS3 vs. Xbox 360. I think that I like the PS3 a little more than the 360. Why? Well because the interface on the PS3 is much cleaner, less cluttered and easier to deal with. The ability to stream media content from my computer to the PS3 is not limited to Windows like it is with the 360. I can utilize the Cell Processor and help a good cause with Folding@Home on the PS3. I like how you can easily upgrade the HDD on the PS3 and it comes with Blu-Ray support out of the box, where you had to buy a separate unit for the 360 to get HD DVD (and even then it might not play everything). Also, the PS3 comes with HDMI out of the box for full 1080p goodness on Blu-Ray discs. You could argue that the 360 now has HDMI support, but I would disagree since I have a 1st generation 360 and am limited to 1080i out of my component cables. That will teach me to buy first gen in the future. The PS3’s power supply is all self-contained in the unit, whereas the 360 has this giant brick that you have to make sure stays ventilated along with the console itself. The PS3 is backwards compatible with all PS1 and PS2 games, while the 360 has to emulate the few games on it’s backward compatibility list. Sometimes games that are on the backward compatibility list don’t actually work on the 360. Though, I think the backwards compatibility on PS3 was a little over engineered in that they added a whole PS2 to the inside of the PS3. The PS3 also has a built in WiFi adaptor, whereas the 360’s is another $100. The PS3 is now an upscaling DVD player and upscales PS1 and PS2 games. I think I am seeing Microsoft’s pattern here. Sony is doing all of their unit upgrades with firmware updates that are free, for example DVD upscaling was added in 1.80. Microsoft is updating their unit with add ons you have to buy separately. Now, to be fair, the 360 has had some decent firmware updates that have added 1080p support and more accepted file types for streaming media, but on the whole, I like the things Sony is adding to their PS3 a little more. Oh, and the PS3 has motion sensitive controllers, which is ok.

However, there are some things I like about the 360 more than the PS3. I do like the 360 controller a hell of a lot more than the PS controller. It is much more comfortable and has rumble, which PS3 controllers don’t have (yet). I didn’t use PS3 controller because all the Playstations at one time or another had the PS3’s controller design. I kind of like the HD DVD add on because that doesn’t put that extra strain on the 360’s main drive, but that’s a mild concern. The PS3 does get a little hotter than the 360, but since I’m not playing right next to the machine and it has its own shelf, this is kind of low on the list. I like the game selection much more for the 360 (Gears of War and Crackdown, baby), but it has the advantage of being based on proven hardware and the console was released a year earlier. I foresee the PS3 overtaking the 360 in this field in the coming years. Once game designers really take advantage of the seven processors inside the PS3 and the Blu-Ray disc format, I personally believe the PS3 will win the console fight.

I’m sure I could spend more time thinking up reasons one is better than the other, but I think I have covered a good chunk of them. Take note that I love both of the systems and I am happy that I have both of them. I wish I could have waited for the 360 Elite, but then I don’t think I would have both systems. Maybe I’ll save up for an Elite and give/sell my existing 360 to one of my friends who doesn’t have one. We shall see.

Also, notice I said nothing of the Wii. She isn’t part of this fight. She is standing above both contenders, smirking her little smirk of ingenuity. She doesn’t fall into the same weight class as the 360 or PS3 (literally or figuratively), in fact she is in a class all her own. She doesn’t do much, but what she does do, she does very well. There are some issues that I have with her, but she can’t help it. She’s a video game console with a brand new look on how to play video games. There are some bugs to be worked out, but like any sickness, it will clear up in time. I can’t rightly say whether she will stand the test of time, but I can say that she will be fun while she’s around. If some new things are done with the Wii, she might be able to keep on running alongside her two bigger, fatter brothers.

Ok, that’s enough personification of a video game console. Keep in mind all of these statements are my personal opinion. If you don’t like something I said, please feel free to shove it. If you think I missed anything that you think is important or you just have a question, feel free to comment. You can also, just comment because you like what I said, or if you have your own two cents, or blah blah blah. You know what to do.

More iPhone jabber

Published

Anthony Thompson

on June 26, 2007

in Technology

. Comments

AT&T and Apple have agreed on and set three different pricing planes for the iPhone. The first starts at $59.99 a month for 450 minutes, then $79.99/month for 900 minutes, and finally $99.99/month for 1,350 minutes. That may seem a little high, but consider this. “The plans include unlimited data, visual voice mail, 200 SMS text messages, roll-over minutes and unlimited mobile-to-mobile calling, they said.” I’m thinking the $59.99/month sounds good to me. It’s kinda what I’d be looking for. It is still a little pricey for 450 minutes a month, I never use anything near that. Apparently there are also family plans available as well, so we can look into that too. I’ll have to sit down with Lexy and hammer this out when it comes time to get me an iPhone. If I have unlimited data, I will definitely be waiting for the 3G iPhone. Thank you AT&T for helping me make up my mind.

I got the information from here.

It’s 04:34 as of right now

Published

Anthony Thompson

on June 26, 2007

in Movies and Technology

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and I am thinking, “What better time for an update while I rock out to some DragonForce?”

Lexy and I saw 1408. It was actually pretty damn thrilling. It wasn’t really make-you-have-nightmares scary or now-holds-world-record-for-most-blood-use gory, but more of a sudden shock and spook here and there. It definitely falls into Thriller (and not the Michael Jackson song). A rather interesting thriller at that. I had read the short story, but it was actually a listen to the short story and it has been a while. During the Milwaukee trip, actually. There was one scene that was kinda iffy IMHO, but other than that, the movie as a whole is rather solid and John Cusack remains one of my favorite actors. He isn’t really all that diverse in his mannerisms, but he can play (believably) a rather diverse series of roles. So, I guess that does make him a diverse actor in that sense.

I found out an interesting feature of our Moxi DVR tonight. If you are watching one channel, the DVR (as everyone knows) records what you are watching so you can pause, rewind, what-have-you. Well, I found out that if you switch to another channel, it starts recording that channel (duh), but also keeps recording the previous channel you were on. So, you can switch back to the other channel and pick up where you left off. I thought that was rather nifty and cool and cool and nifty. Naturally, this wouldn’t happen if something was actually being recorded and it needed the other tuner to record the scheduled recording, but it’s still cool for people like me who are up late at night and switch between a couple of channels.

Wait just one motherfucking second. I guess I didn’t pay attention to the trailers because I just presumed this. I have just found out that Live Free or Die Hard is rating PG-motherfucking-13. Now, tell me if I’m wrong, but shouldn’t a Die Hard movie be rated a bitching R? Apparently it has been edited down to a PG-13, no doubt to increase it’s audience. I hate that shit. It’s the reason I hate Jerry Bruckheimer. He ordered the same fate to King Arther and I have never forgave him for it. Knocking a movie down a rating so there are more asses in the seats, while it is a sound money-making scheme, is just pathetic and I hate it. There better be a bitching R-rated or R-level unrated version of Live Free or Die Hard released in a high def format. If I don’t get to see a Die Hard movie in all it’s R-rated goodness, I will go buck wild straight tripping. In case you haven’t been able to tell, I am a firm believer that a movie should be released as it was intended. I also think the MPAA needs a complete overhaul. Me and movie ratings have a complicated relationship. We respect each other, sometimes say hello if we are in the same restaurant, but generally we just avoid one another. I don’t pay attention to them, they don’t pay attention to me. However, there are significant inconsistencies in the rating system. I already talked about a movie that chronicles these inconsistencies. Very interesting and I do suggest it.

I watched Apple’s “guide” on the iPhone. Still want one. Really bad. I am flopping back and forth between the first gen iPhone because it is so cool and followup generations of the cellphone carved out of pure badass. There are rumors that once AT&T gets their shit figured out and gets their 3G launched on a national scale, there will be a 3G iPhone (possibly Jan or Q1 2008). Then again, according to things I just read, it appears that the 3G iPhone may be a model first offered to Euro customers. Not at all surprising. Orange (a major European wireless company) was advertising 3G when I was in London in 2005. Then there is also the possibility that the first gen iPhones may be able to download a firmware update that would enable 3G, but that’s just my theory and has no basis in fact and is probably very false. 3G would definitely be nice, but I doubt I would use it. Unless I checked out the price of the unlimited data package from AT&T. Hmm. The internet on my cellphone is kind of like the ability to SMS is for Dawn. Pretty damn essential. Though, I wouldn’t mind being able to SMS either. I’m fairly certain that ‘net access is slightly more wanted than the ability to SMS. I’ll figure out more when I get closer to my iPhone.

I found a new band

Published

Anthony Thompson

on June 25, 2007

in Music

. Comments

I went with Dawn to her friend Brandon’s birthday party last night and I met some interesting people. They showed me the band Dragon Force. They are pretty bitchin’. Their guitar playing and drum playing are so badass. I will post a couple of the music videos here. I warn you, prepare to get your face rocked off.

[youtube vDesqj7HOgA]

[youtube Ywxm6zLEjFY]

That lead singer totally sounds like the lead of Journey. Tell me I’m wrong.

What?

Published

Anthony Thompson

on June 22, 2007

in Interesting

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I was just looking at my site access stats and I saw that one of my most searched keywords (at one search) is “he seems impervious to my threats.” I am very confused. Did I say that in a post? I do not remember that.

I changed my search function to a Google search of my site. I used it and did the search and there was nothing. *shrug* I wonder who was searching for that and why. (and no, there was no sarcasm there. I am actually curious.)

I have kind of become Google’s bitch. If there is a Google version of something, I will probably use it over any other. Google Maps especially. I am loving the new StreetView feature they have in San Francisco, Miami, and New York. It will be a cool day when you can street-eye view of your destination no matter where you are wanting to go. That would help so much on long trips or in big cities. I am still kind of sad that I haven’t had a reason to use Google 411. I will someday.

Update: I found it. It was from about a year ago on one of my posts I imported from LJ. Dr. Cox on Scrubs said, “He seems impervious to my threats and that annoys me.” It was from an angry post. Life is so much simpler when you don’t get pissed off at the drop of a hat.

Some things you don’t need.

Published

Anthony Thompson

on June 22, 2007

in Drama, Movies and Site Dev

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So, Holly and John’s friend Lisa has been perusing both Lexy’s and my website. I sent her an email offering any other point of views of the BS that has been more or less saturating our life. I received no response, so I figured it wasn’t worth it. I deleted the account she made and turned off the ability for anyone but me to register with the site. I want all this crap to just float away into the past and move on with my life. Apparently John and Holly just can’t do that. They have to keep bringing people into this, pulling people onto their side of this shit. It isn’t worth it.

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I will do whatever it takes to ignore any more bullshit. If John and/or Holly want to reconcile, I will be more than happy to work on that. Otherwise, it isn’t worth my time or energy to keep trying to get back a friendship that is probably gone. As Steve eloquently put it, “[This is] some high school bullshit.” (It’s not exactly what he said, but I don’t think repeating exactly what he said works. Same idea, though.) Since I am no longer in high school, high school bullshit is not something I will tolerate nor spend energy on.

In other news, Lexy, Dawn, and I saw the Silver Surfer/Fantastic Four movie with Dawn’s boy-thingie, David. The Silver Surfer is the bomb. The Fantastic Four, eh. They are alright, but they can’t compare to the Silver Surfer. He just kicks too much ass. Now, they just need to make an Origin of the Silver Surfer movie. That would be cool. Lawrence Fishburne as the voice of the Silver Surfer was kinda weird, but it worked. Could have used some kind of effect to make it sound more metallic or something. Yeah, I know what I’m thinking of, but I can’t explain it. If you see it and aren’t one of those people I trained to stay for the credits, stay for just a little bit after the credits roll. You don’t have to wait long, but there is a little something extra.

Also, if you are ever in KC, do NOT check out the 54th Street Grill & Bar. The place sucks. If a place can’t make a decent chicken sammich, no thanks.

Oh, and we went by Bed, Bath, & Beyond. I found a set of knives that some of you will find unnecessary and others will find as cool as I found them. They are a style called Katana knives. You know, like the samurai sword? Yeah, the blades are folded just like katanas and even made of Damascus steel like katanas. Aww, they are so cool. They are totally going on my wedding registry list. I like kitchen gadgets. I am my father’s son more and more as I get older.

I changed the Gallery (again). Check it out, even though I don’t have any pictures loaded into it. It is self-contained and not part of Wordpress. This may be a good solution to what Natasha wants to do.

I think that about covers it. If you aren’t already registered here, email me with your wanted username and password. You can email me at who I am (think the title of this blog ) at Gmail.

I propose a boycott

Published

Anthony Thompson

on June 19, 2007

in Movies and Opinion

. Comments

I propose a boycott of Blockbuster. Why? Well, because they have decided to back Blu-Ray. Now, I don’t have a preference of one format over another, but I do have a problem with a company restricting their customer’s access to either format.

Read the info here. It clearly says that the only place you can get HD DVDs from Blockbuster are via those 250 stores that already carry them and online.

I have never been a fan of Blockbuster, especially since I got Netflix. True, you can get the same service from Blockbuster, but to me, it seems pointless to go to the store to get a new movie. I’m sure you can’t even do that unless you live in an area with a corporate store. Places like Jeff City, which has a franchise store, probably won’t let you do the exchange thing. Though, to be honest, I don’t really know.

I think I might get GameFly when I start my job in August. $16 per month for one game out at a time. Not great, but not terrible.

“Dum spiro, spero”

Published

Anthony Thompson

on June 18, 2007

in Drama, Sad and Self Realization

. Comments

So, I realized that my previous post may have made some of you go “Uhhh, what?” So, I will elaborate.

Dawn informed Lexy and Natasha this past weekend about how John and Holly have been blaming our moving to Warrensburg as a cause for their lack of sex life and other forms of relationship degradation. I was informed of this mostly by Dawn, but with some helpful interventions by both Lexy and Natasha. I was also informed that John has been my friend because “he felt obligated to.” He was tired of my “high-school” lifestyle and trying to hold on to my friends from high-school. He was my friend because he saw all these other people leave me and he felt like it was his obligation to remain my friend. He didn’t want to end the friendship because he was afraid that I would use the information of his affair with Dawn against him. I have to admit, I probably would have.

Personally, I find this information VERY troubling. It is a very bad basis for a friendship. Also, given that I had NO idea about this, it really hurt. If there is one thing that I could wish for it would be to talk to John about this and get these facts confirmed. However, I doubt that it will EVER happen. It appears that John has used the incident where I was upset and said things that I didn’t mean as a way out of the friendship. I have to admit, probably a very good use of situation. If there is one thing that I don’t like, it’s being friends with a coward. If you don’t have the testicles to let a friend how you really feel about them, don’t bother. If John didn’t have the balls to tell his wife he cheated on her, then I should have expected there was some shit he wouldn’t tell his friends. If you can’t tell your wife (or husband) something so rather important, how can you expect that same person to tell his/her friends what he/she really thinks of them.

So, here is what I would like from my friends: use your proverbial balls and let me know what you really think of me. Also, if you are being my friend because you feel obligated to, let me know. Fuck, tell me whether or not you consider me your friend. I’m tired of being deceived.

I have a new lot in life. To become more successful than John. Shouldn’t be hard. I will end up becoming more successful AND in the public eye. I will show him how much I don’t need him by living a good life.

“Revenge is a dish best served cold.”
– Pierre Choderlos de Laclos (credited)

“Living well is the best revenge.”
– George Herbert

Of course there is also:

“Revenge is a confession of pain.”
– Latin Proverb

That last one, I agree with and admit is true (at least for me).

Oh, and the title of this entry is Latin for “While I breathe, I hope.” I think it fits, but I’m not exactly sure how.

Lexy and I saw Pirates of the Caribbean: At World’s End last night. I liked it and thought it was best of the three. Ow, those daggers shooting out of your eyes hurt!