Archive for November, 2006

Prison Break Fall Finale

Wednesday, November 29th, 2006

When I go back thinking about the show I can hardly believe how it managed to reach this point. This is one of the best suspense/action/drama show. Of course my love has been lately shared with new comer Heroes but my loyalty towards Prison Break is unbreakable. The show has always been well written and the constant rebounds keep you on the edge of your seat from week to week. Last year, at the same time, I was sure Michael Schofield was breaking out and the show would end. I mean how far can the scope of the name PRISON BREAK go?

Prison Break Fall Finale

They did their job with the advertising saying that the escape just begins. This second season has been just has fun as the first. Unlike last year’s hiatus the fall finale break will resume in January instead of time killer March. This last episode was full of surprise and the finale was pretty un-expected. It opens new doors and the second half of the season will be promising. If you missed it or know nothing of Prison Break you can visit FOX.COM where you can view episodes online.

007: Casino Royale

Thursday, November 23rd, 2006

Casino Royale PosterI finally got to see the new Bond movie! I was building expectations for weeks and finally got relieved by the excellent work the production placed into Casino Royale and Daniel Craig. The movie title is a hint to the new direction the franchise is taking, new lead character, less high-tech gadgets more blunt force. This is truly an action movie witch takes you to an all new level. There were some long scenes but you also got a few surprises from time to time. One in particular (or two) made me jump off my seat. Even if most the action gravitates around card tables and that I don’t know much about these games I got around quite easily thanks to some characters making remarks here and then. Trailers do give in some spoilers but not much to “spoil” all the fun and twists. Overall Casino Royale and Daniel Craig pass the test and I’ll want to see him again as James Bond. This is the double-O-7 we should of had years ago. Not to shine away from previous incarnations but let’s admit it; the franchise evolves to stay on top and I think they did it considering box office. I’ll give it an 8/10. Read previous post for more information on the movie: Casino Royale: Bond Reborn

Mobile Phone Apps

Tuesday, November 7th, 2006

It’s nearly been a week now but now is a good time as any other to talk about Java applications for your cellphone. I own a Motorola v186, basic and entry phone. Never cared much about picture, video and music options but one important thing to me is functionality.

Opera  Mini 3 - RSSOpera Mini: I’ve been using Opera Mini for quite some time now and was glad to see that version 3 is not far away and is doing some testing with it. The Opera Mini browser allows “regular” phones to access the Internet by way of the Opera servers processing and rendering for you a small-size version of nearly any web page. You can follow the different features that were included in previous version via my posts. As far as new features go Opera Mini 3 will feature RSS feed support. You’ll be able subscribe to feeds as you browse the net thanks to an auto-discovery feature. Other features include now secure browsing (https) and photo upload. No release date as of yet but it can’t be too far since it seems to work quite nicely.

Gmail Mobile Java AppGmail Mobile: For quite some now Google email solution adapted it self to mobile browsing. It adopted a slim redesign for better viewing on small screens but they are now going a step further by leaving the constrains of your phones WAP browser or Opera Mini and reach out to be a standalone application. I would see how it could be useful and faster than a regular WAP browser but it does not match Opera Mini ease of use. The best feature they offer is intensive shortcut support specific to Google’s universe. In Opera Mini shortcuts are associated with the applications specific features; so in the case of Gmail you can archive, star, mark unread messages with a few clicks (or the press of one key). The only reason why I will not jump to the Gmail Mobile wagon is because of the default font size of my phone. It is huge and very little information fills the screen. Opera Mini on the other hand allows small font rendering similar to what you see on those screen captures. On my phone regular menus are really huge trust me (Menu and Refresh would be side by side with very little space between the two).

Halo Movie Paused

Wednesday, November 1st, 2006

Is there no better way to bring a game character to the big screen? The same way you can pause the fun from a game Hollywood studios got the idea to do the same with the Halo Movie Project. Some might be worried that they just decide to reset the console and start a new game. Well if that were the case I would mind. Who never did that? You’re game is getting messed up and you know you’ll die if you go on. So you reload to earlier and start over.

HaloBut for those now familiar on the subject here is a short summary. Long ago, due to the phenomenal success of Halo on the Xbox they decided they could make big bucks out of a full motion picture. The project got dormant but a few good news came by when the world learned that Peter Jackson would be involved at some point (Yes, the Lord of the Rings genius). Then came the news of using Neil Blomkamp as director. Should it be a good news? Knowing that he never directed or participated in the direction of a full length movie before… I’m not judging the situation, all I notice is that the studios involved where not satisfied at the current direction of the movie and decided to let it rest. Bungie, maker of the franchise will have to find someone else to support the project and if needed change the concept and start from scratch. If you want detailed information on the subject I recommend The Movie Blog (search term: Halo) which covered the issue from the start. I see Halo Movie as any movie with some potential, the trailer will tell me more; if they ever reach this point in production.

Thank You For Smoking

Wednesday, November 1st, 2006

Brian Eckart - Thank You for SmokingThis movie is not a comedy in the way you would think. It’s an intelligent, very intelligent movie, with lots of irony. Aaron Eckhart plays a spokesperson for Tobacco companies. He has to live with the fact that he is one of the most hated man out there. With all that is known about the dangers of tabaco he needs to defend their interests. He actually likes his job and says he does it “to pay the rent”. The movie made me take it down a notch and consider different perspective. I won’t spoil the movie but it is a critique of both sides of the story and is actually makes you spend a good time. The dialogue is omnipresent and is mixed up with some action (well, kinda of conspiracy wise). One negative mention to Cameron Bright that plays the child of the main character; he’s a fair actor but I’ve seen his face as a kid in too many times already! (Stargate, Ultraviolet, X-Men 3 and Running Scared)
It’s not a movie to buy or anything. Just be sure to catch it on TV or rent it some lazy Wednesday night! I’ll give it a good 8/10.