Workout Update: Chalean Extreme Day 55

 Day 55 of CE was the Burn it Off workout. Honestly, it was a pretty crappy workout. I was tired and for some reason, my left knee decided to be sore again after being fine for a couple of weeks. So, I did what I could, but it was definitely not one of my better workouts.

DVD/TV Series Review: Dawson's Creek: The Complete Series

 

Dawson's Creek was a late 1990s coming-of-age teen drama set in the fictional town of Capeside, Massachusetts. It starred James Van Der Beek, Michelle Williams, Katie Holmes, and Joshua Jackson, as the main case members throughout the series, and pretty much launched all of their careers, and also included Mary-Margaret Humes, Mary-Margaret Humes, Mary Beth Peil, Nina Repeta, Kerr Smith, Meredith Monroe, and Busy Philipps as series regulars at different points in the run of the series. While it could be a bit cheesy with the teen drama and angst, especially with the will-they-or-wont they get together storyline between Dawson (Van Der Beek) and Joey (Holmes), or would Joey choose Dawson or Pacey (Jackson), it also tackled difficult and sometimes controversial subjects. For example, there were storylines that involved divorce and the effect on kids, a teacher sleeping with a student, the death of a parent, and a character dealing with their sexuality. The series finale was unique in that it did a time jump to show where the characters ultimately ended up and had a very emotional wrap-up to the series.

For those who get the complete series, the discs seem to be the same as those included in the individual seasons. The packaging is weird as all of the discs are stacked on top of each other in two large spindles. So, you should definitely check to see if you have any scratched discs. The extras include commentary tracks on selected episodes as well as a few featurettes and/or interactive items in seasons 1-4, and then a commentary track on the series finale. There are no extras on the season five discs. Then, there is a separate disc just with bonus features like deleted scenes and an interview with series creator Kevin Williamson. The extras vary in quality, but there is a decent amount of you who like watching them.

Chances are, most people are going to get this because they watched the show when they were growing up (or as a young adult). For anyone who has never seen the show before, as I said above, it can be a bit cheesy, but it does kind of suck you in, whether you want it to or not. Even if it was not always well written, it was well-acted and the issues that the characters faced were really many of the timeless issues that everyone faces to some extent growing up. I cannot say that everyone will love the show. If you have not seen it you probably want to check out a few episodes before buying the DVD set, but if you are a fan of the show this is a way to always have access to it and not risk it disappearing from the streaming services.

DVD/TV Series Review: Castle Season 4

 

+++Warning, this contains spoilers from the prior season, but no major season four giveaways+++

The fourth season picks up after Beckett is shot and Montgomery is killed. We see that Beckett has undergone extensive surgery, and then takes a three-month leave to recover from her injuries. Much of the season's larger arc deals with Beckett trying to find out who shot her, as well as Castle and Beckett dealing with their feelings for each other. The big addition to the main cast this season is Penny Johnson Jerald (probably best known for the series 24) who plays Captain Victoria Gates. She is not a fan of Castle's "assistance" and generally makes life miserable for everyone. The season ends on another cliffhanger (although not the same as the season three cliffhanger) with the future of Beckett and Castle in the balance.

The season has a strong supporting and guest cast including Michael Dorn, Geoff Pierson, Jennifer Beals, Meghan Markle, and Tahmoh Penikett. There is also a mini Firefly reunion as well. For those who get the DVD set, the extras include commentary tracks on selected episodes, bloopers and outtakes, deleted scenes, a feature on the stunts, and a couple of other behind-the-scenes features. A good amount of material for those who like the extras.

Overall, the series continues to be strong. The show has a good balance of stand-alone case-of-the-week stories and does a good job stretching out the larger storylines. It continues to be well written and acted, and all of the actors do a great job with their roles. Fillion and Katic continue to either have or fake good chemistry. Most fans of the show probably know the rumors that the two could not stand each other by the time the series ended, so if any of that animosity had started at this point, it was not apparent when watching the episodes. If you are a fan of the prior seasons then you will probably like this one. On the other hand, if the prior seasons did not do much for you, this is probably not going to change your mind about the show.

DVD/Study Aid Review: The Calculus Differential Equations Tutor: Volume 2 - Higher Order Equations

 

This is the second volume of Jason's differential equations tutor. Like the first volume, Jason introduces the concept of higher-order differential equations, discusses how to identify them, and then goes through solving the basic/elementary problems. That material takes up most of disc one, then on discs two and three, Jason goes through Homogeneous and Non-homogeneous ordinary differential equations, and goes through several examples of the various ways to solve them (depending on the types of problems). I heartily disagree with the one-star reviewer on Amazon who says Jason talks too much and takes too long to get to the point. If you already understand the material, then yes, it can be a bit long. But, if you are just learning the material, or do not have a good grasp of the material, then Jason gives you as much background as you need to understand the concepts and talks through the process of how to solve them, explaining each step along the way. It would not work very well for Jason to just be silently going through the problems on the board and expect most people to follow what he is doing. That said, you do have to take your learning style into account, and decide whether watching what amounts to a modified college lecture will work for you and hold your attention.

Between this set and the first volume of the differential equations tutor, you will see much of what you will see in a basic differential equations class (which is usually the version of the class people in engineering programs take). Of course, it depends on your school and how it sets up the curriculum, but in many schools, there is a class that either combines linear algebra and differential equations (in my school it was called Calculus 4), or there will be two separate classes called basic linear algebra and basic differential equations. And, in some schools, the differential equations material gets split up so that some of it is taught in Calc 2 and the rest in Calc 4). So, if you are currently in school, you need to figure out how the classes are set up to know what class corresponds to this material.

The only large subject that a differential equations class includes that this, and the first set, do not, is Laplace Transforms. However, Jason did create a Laplace Transforms Tutor that can really be thought of as the third volume of this set. Differential equations do pop up to varying degrees in more advanced classes down the line, so you really do need to understand this material if you are going on to take engineering classes, which, chances are, the vast majority of people looking at this are going to do. Jason makes the concepts very understandable and gives you the tools necessary to understand how to tackle solving differential equations problems.

Product Review: Unjumbly Over The Door Hook- 4 Pack Sturdy Metal Over Door Hook

 

This is a set of four metal over the door hangers. They are fairly small, but they are durable and can easily hold a shirt, bathrobe, towel, or the like. They are slim so you should have no problem shutting whatever door you hang them on (I have definitely had issues with not being able to shut a door using some plastic hangers). Also, the size of the "hook" is different on each side to accommodate the thickness of the door you are hanging it on. If your door is thicker you use one side, and if it is thinner, you just turn it around and use the other side, that way it will stay secure and not slide around as you open and close the door. They are definitely a good pick up and perfect for use on a bathroom or closet door.

DVD/Study Aid Review: The Matrix Algebra Tutor: Linear Algebra

 

The title on Amazon tying this to Linear Algebra is a bit misleading. The cover of the DVD set saying it is a Matrix Algebra tutor is far more accurate. This material is what college students are often taught during a College Algebra class, usually about halfway to two-thirds of the way through the semester. It is the material that is often reviewed during the first couple of class sessions of a linear algebra course (which is often taken after calculus and in some schools in a class that combines linear algebra and differential equations into a single class) but is what students are mostly expected to already know by the time they get to that class.

This course introduces the concepts of Matrices, discusses adding and subtracting matrices, and then the various techniques used to "solve" the matrices, which are used throughout the higher-level science and engineering classes to solve systems of equations. It also discusses calculating the inverse of a Matrix and determinants of a Matrix, each of which is used over and over in engineering classes (at least in electrical engineering classes) when solving problems. So, getting a good handle on this material is critical if you plan on taking higher-level classes.

Jason teaches this material in the same style as his other tutor sets. He provides enough of the "explanatory" material that you need to understand the concept, and then goes through several problems, step-by-step, and explains each step of the process in detail. It is, however, just Jason standing in front of a whiteboard working out problems. It is not exciting or flashy, and obviously, you cannot interact with Jason during the lessons. So, you have to figure out if this fits your learning style. If you are a visual learner, then Jasson's material is some of the best out there.

Workout Update: Chalean Extreme Day 54

Day 54 of CE was the last regular lifting day of the push phase, which means it was the final Push Circuit 3 workout of this round. I was able to max out on a few of the exercises and on others hit just 6 or 7 reps. So, it was a mix for this workout. This is my second favorite of the Push workouts, with Push 1 being my favorite. By the end of the four weeks, I was using 30-40 lbs for most of the exercises in this workout, aside from the reverse grip rows, in which I used 22.5 lbs.  Next week will be the start of the Lean Circuit, which means three new workouts, which I am looking forward to.

Product Review: GreenPan San Francisco Frypan, 8-Inch

 

I got this after seeing the commercial for it showing food pretty much sliding around on it like glass. The pan definitely does not perform like that in the real world. I have two overall complaints about this pan. First is that you do not get a lot of size for the money. For the price, it should have been larger. Second, while it is nonstick, and that seems to get better after a few uses, I have yet to get it to be as nonstick as you see on TV. I have never had things be they eggs or pancakes just sliding around and right out. It does make good scrambled eggs, and yes they come out easier than on some pans, but they do not just fall right out. You do have to scrape them out a little bit and do have to wipe the pan down to get the remnants off. I mainly just use it for eggs and pancakes and it works fairly well for that. I have not tried other things in it, mainly due to the size.

It is more non-stick than a cast iron pan and does a good job on chicken breasts and things of that ilk, but in the 8" frying pan you do not have much room to cook enough for more than one or two people. And, things like eggs, for example, will definitely stick even if you use butter. That said, if you have reasonable expectations for it, it is a good option although I would be more inclined to look for a set where you can get a little better deal and get the full-size frying pan.

DVD/TV Series Review: The Incredible Hulk Season Four

 

Season four of The Incredible Hulk follows the same format that the prior seasons have. Mostly, one-shot and done stories of the week, with really the only arc running through the series is the fact that the reporter Jack McGree is following David/The Hulk around trying to find out who he is. As is the case with the other seasons, the quality of the episodes runs the gamut from kind of dumb to very good. The standout episodes this season include the two-part season premiere titled "Prometheus" involving a meteor that crashes to Earth and affects David's transformation into the Hulk, "King of the Beach", in which Lou Ferrigno has an actual speaking role, playing a bodybuilder and wannabe restaurant owner, the two-part episode "The First" in which David discovers another person who has undergone the metamorphosis, and "The Interview" in which David tells his story to a reporter who manages to track him down.

For those who get the DVDs, the extras include commentary tracks on both episodes of Prometheus by Kenneth Johnson, the series creator and executive producer, a feature called "Inside the Hulk" in which Johnson and some of the show's writers discuss how the show created the character of the Hulk and the process Bixby and Ferrigno had to go through to bring the character to life, and a photo gallery for the Prometheus episode. Johnson's commentaries are always informative, and the guy either has a photographic memory or uses copious notes when he does the commentaries because he knows the dates (and day of the week) scenes were filmed and can rattle off the filmography of nearly every member of the cast and crew. And, he gives a lot of insight into what the working relationship between himself, Bixby, and Ferrigno was like.

Overall, the show is mostly good but definitely has some "clunker" episodes. The writing and acting were both sometimes very cheesy, and there are definitely some episodes that do not hold up extremely well with the passage of time. Others, however, are very much timeless and tackle issues that are still very much relevant over forty years later. The show is much different from the superhero shows of today as the Hulk was not battling super villains, David always just found himself in the worst situation possible in whatever town he happened to end up in, and usually had to help someone being threatened by bad guys. And, the show was rarely ever concerned about continuity as it often recycled guest stars to play different roles/characters than they played before. Although Gerald McRaney did not have a guest-starring role this season as he did in the first three seasons, so, there is that. The show is definitely a "blast from the past" for those of us who grew up either watching it as it originally aired, or watching the re-runs when it aired in syndication. I cannot say that everyone who likes the superhero shows of today like the Arrowverse shows or the various Marvel series like Daredevil, Jessica Jones, Luke Cage, and Iron Fist will like this, but for those who are in their mid-forties and up, it is a pretty nice nostalgic trip down memory lane.

DVD/TV Series Review: Community Season Three

 

The third season of Community was a turning point for the show. The series was plagued by low ratings and the on-set behavior of Chevy Chase, which would lead to series creator Dan Harmon being pushed out for a time. I think because the show was in danger of cancelation, they decided to kind of say screw it, we are going to pack in as many weird "novelty" episodes as possible, that really steer away from the actual concept of the study group at school and explored the quirkiness of the show's characters. So, there are episodes that have alternate timelines, a Law and Order spoof episode, an episode where the characters are inside a video game, and an episode in which the Subway sandwich shop takes human form. There is a plot that runs through multiple episodes in which Chang tries to get control of Greendale, and the season finale really feels like a series finale because it was definitely not clear that the show would be picked up for a fourth season (which it ultimately was).

For those who get the DVD set, the extras include commentary tracks on every episode, most of which include Harmon and various members of the cast and crew. Then there are three different gag reels, one on each disc, deleted scenes, a making-of feature on the Christmas episode, and a documentary about the documentary-themed episode, "This is War: Pillows vs. Blankets". So, a good amount of material, but we do not get the entertaining cast evaluations (because of the Harmon-Chase fallout most likely) and the Dj Porter remix of the season.

Overall, the show is still very good this season. The most notable cast moves are that Rim Rash was promoted to a series regular, and John Goodman was brought in for a major recurring role. Sadly, John Oliver did not reprise his role, but the show did bring in actors such as Michael K. Williams, Luis Guzmán, Rob Corddry, Michael Ironside, Giancarlo Esposito, French Stewart, and Malcolm-Jamal Warner. The writing was clever, if not a bit weird, and the acting was very good. So, if you are a fan of the series, you will probably enjoy this season.

Workout Update: Chalean Extreme Day 53

Day 53 of CE was the Burn Intervals workout. This was not much different than last week. I again had to do it in the evening because of work, which is not my preferred time of day to do the workouts, but I made it through okay.

DVD/TV Series Review: Fairly Legal Season One

 

Fairly Legal was one of the USA Network's original shows that ran from 2011 to 2012. It was a dramedy centered around the character of Kate Reed, played by Sarah Shahi (probably best known at that point for her roles on Alias and The L. Word) who is a former lawyer turned mediator. She works for a law firm that she was a partner in with her recently deceased father and is now run by her young stepmother (played by Virginia Williams). She lives on her father's boat and has an on-again-off-again relationship with her (almost ex) husband who is also an Assitant District Attorney (played by Michael Trucco). The show is mostly a procedural case of the week type of show with plots that do not really connect from episode to episode. Shahi is great in the lead role really doing a great job with the scattered kinetic energy of the character of Kate. The show also has a strong supporting and recurring cast including Baron Vaughn who plays Kate's assistant Leo, whom she constantly runs ragged, and Gerald McRaney as a judge who is easily irritated by Kate, but keeps assigning her cases (with the threat of holding her in contempt if she does not get the cases resolved).

For those who get the DVD set, the extras include commentary tracks on selected episodes that includes the series creator Michael Sardo, Shahi, Trucco, Williams, and Vaughn, then there are deleted scenes a gag reel, and alternate scenes from the pilot with commentary from Sardo and other producers. A good amount for those who like watching the bonus material.

Overall, the show is very good. It is well written and acted. It has a good blend of drama and comedy and the cast members seem to have good chemistry. The commentary tracks are actually pretty insightful and Shahi is funny as hell on all of them. It is definitely one of the lesser-known USA Network shows, but it is definitely worth a look.

DVD/TV Series Review: Burn Notice Season Five

 

+++Warning, this contains spoilers from the previous season, but no major season five giveaways+++

The fifth season of Burn Notice starts out with a brief time jump from the events of the season four finale. Michael is working for the CIA and is basically on a revenge tour to take out the members of the organization that burned him in season one. Of course, the organization fights back, trying to frame Michael for murder, and the season ends up being a game of cat and mouse through the rest of the season as Michael tries to take down the last members of the organization. The season ends on yet another cliffhanger, this time with Fiona's fate hanging in the balance as the season ends.

For those who get the DVD set, the extras include a commentary track on the season finale "Fail-Safe" that includes Jeffrey Donovan, Bruce Campbell, and the show's creator Matt Nix, deleted scenes, a gag reel, an extended version of the episode "Army of One", and a featurette on the villains that have appeared on the show. So, there are a decent amount of extras if you like going through the bonus material.

Overall, the series continues to be good, but as the major "mystery" is resolved, answering the question "who burned Michael" the series does start to slow down. It does a good job introducing other story arcs to try and get viewers invested, which shows like "Twin Peaks" were not able to do effectively so that when the main mystery of the show was solved, Burn Notice had more staying power and did not end up fizzling out right away. While I do not think the show is as good as it was in the first couple of seasons, it is still strong in the fifth season and it sets up an interesting plot going into season six.

Workout Update: Chalean Extreme Day 52

Day 52 was the Push 2 workout. It went really well and was very challenging. I was only able to hit the 8 rep max on one of the nine exercises and was struggling to hit 6 or 7 reps on the other exercises. So, it was a very hard workout, but I managed to get through it. Shoulders tend to be the hardest muscles for me to work, especially the side and back, and doing the very slow reps really blast them. 

Blu-Ray/Movie Review: American History X

 

American History-X is a 1998 film about an ex-neo Nazi member played by Edward Norton named Derek Vinyard who joins a group of white supremacists led by Stacey Keach's character Cameron Alexander after his father is shot and killed by gang members. He becomes more and more violent under Alexander's tutelage and ends up killing a man and being thrown in prison. While in prison he befriends a black man and ends up reforming himself, and when he gets out he attempts to free his younger brother Danny (played by Edward Furlong) from Alexander's influence.

The movie is very well written and well-acted. Norton, who has a track record of great performances, gives one of his best in this movie. The movie has a strong supporting cast including Beverly D'Angelo, Avery Brooks, Elliott Gould, Ethan Suplee, and Fairuza Balk. It is in part a story of indoctrination into domestic terrorism (which is as relevant today as it was back then, if not moreso), reformation, and redemption. Norton plays a conflicted character very well, feeling sad about letting go of really the only friends that he has in order to save his brother, and prevent his brother from making the same mistakes he made.

For those who get the Blu-Ray, the movie looks and sounds good in HD. Of course, the movie is not special effects-laden so it is not necessarily a must-get in the HD format, but it does have a nice video transfer that is a big upgrade over the DVD version. The extras are very minimal, just deleted scenes and the trailer for the movie. Hopefully, sometime down the line a version will be put out with a commentary track and/or making-of documentary, but given how far we are removed from the movie's release and the physical media release the chances of that are probably small.

Overall, this is a grim and gritty film that tackles a very tough subject head-on. It does not try to glorify Noton's character at all, making clear that even the reformed version of Derek is a flawed person. It is very well written and acted, and if you are a fan of dramas this is really a must-see.

Workout Update: Chalean Extreme Day 51

Day 51 of CE was Recharge and Ab Burner. Both of them went fine today. I could tell that my hamstring flexibility is getting better since I can get deeper into the crouches at the beginning of the Recharge routine. Now that I am transitioning into the next phase of the CE workouts next week I decided I am going to do the P90X ab routine and x-stretch on one of the rest days and recharge and ab burner on the other. Just to mix it up a bit and get used to the ab-ripper routine again. I also think during the next round of P90x I am going to swap out yoga-x for Chalene's Recharge workout, which I much prefer to the 90 minutes of yoga. 

Workout Update: Chalean Extreme Day 50

Day 50 of CE was Push 1 again. It was a very challenging workout today, but I was able to reach a new max on almost all nine exercises in the circuit. I could only do six of the push-ups at the end on my toes and had to do the last two and the three breakdown push-ups on my knees. Not bad for the last of week of the Push workouts.

Blu-Ray/Movie Review: Black Snake Moan

 

Black Snake Moan is definitely not the movie you think it is if you just look at the promotional material that has Christina Ricci chained to Samuel L. Jackson with the tagline "Everything is Hotter Down South." The movie is actually about two broken people trying to fix each other. Ricci plays Rae, the town's Nymphomaniac and Jackson plays Lazarus, a blues guitar player whose wife ran off with his brother. One day Lazarus finds Rae beaten and bloodied outside his house, and sets to cure her of her "wickedness". While the movie does have a lot of sex and nudity in it, it is not a movie about sex, but about reformation.

For those who get the Blu-Ray, the movie looks and sounds great in HD, although the audio is not as good as it could have been if Paramount used lossless audio. The extras include a commentary track on the movie by the director, a making-of documentary, a couple of featurettes on the blues music and the inspiration that the blues genre provided for the movie, and then there are a few deleted scenes.

Overall, the movie is very good. Both Jackson and Ricci shine in the lead roles, but the movie also has a strong supporting cast including S. Epatha Merkerson, John Cothran Jr., and Justin Timberlake, who has proven multiple times that he can actually act. It is definitely a bit dark, and not very family-friendly, but it has a great story and is very well acted. It is definitely worth watching.

Product Review: The Step Original Aerobic Platform

 

This is a good option for doing step-up exercises if you do not have a weight bench or are not comfortable with, or cannot do, step-ups onto a higher object like a weight bench or a plyometric box. It is very stable and will not move as long as you position the risers correctly under the platform. The only thing that knocks this down a star for me is that it only comes with 2 risers instead of four. So, the most you can get in terms of step height without shelling out additional money is six inches (the 4-inch thick platform and the 2-inch thick risers). You can purchase an additional set of risers to get an 8-inch step up, but it would have been nice if those were included. Otherwise, it is very safe and stable and a good option if you do workouts that use the step platforms.

Blu-Ray/Movie Review: Body of Evidence

 

Body of Evidence was an early 90s murder-mystery/erotic-thriller starring Willem Dafoe and Madonna. This was made at the time when Madonna was in the midst of what was probably her most controversial period when she put out the book "Sex" and her Erotica album. The main draw was the fact that Madonna was nude quite a bit during the movie. The plot is fairly basic and somewhat predictable. A wealthy elderly man dies from erotic asphyxiation while watching a homemade sex tape of himself and a younger woman (Madonna's character Rebecca Carlson). The police suspect that Carlson killed him and arrest her for murder. Willem Dafoe plays Frank Dulaney, a lawyer hired to represent Carlson. Of course, he also begins sleeping with her and the basic is she or isn't she a black widow plot plays out.

The movie is okay, but not great. It does have a strong supporting cast including Julianne Moore, Joe Mantegna, Anne Archer, and Frank Langella, so the fact that the movie was not great had more to do with the writing than the acting. Madonna was definitely the weakest actress of the group, but she did a decent job with what she had to work with. The "problem" with the movie is that it really was just not all that good a script.

For those who get the Blu-Ray, you get both the unrated version of the movie and the theatrical version. They are nearly the same length, it is just that parts of the sex scenes (that would have earned the movie an NC-17 rating) were edited to show less (the unrated version has a full-frontal shot of Madonna) and to be less graphic (heavily editing down the scene where Madonna touches herself). The actual story is not changed at all from one version to the other. Only the unrated version of the movie is in HD, however, and while it is not an outstanding HD transfer, it does look much better than the standard definition theatrical version of the movie. There are a few extras including a short making-of-featurette, a stills gallery, and the theatrical trailer.

Overall, this is really a movie that most people are going to watch to see Madonna, who was in her physical prime at the time it was made (and still looks pretty good at 60), nude. That has always been the appeal of the movie as it was not an award-winning masterpiece by any stretch. In fact, plot-wise it was really just above one of the late-night Cinemax direct-to-video movies, which it probably would have been if not for the fact that they got a decent cast. If you don't particularly care about Madonna it is watchable, but it is easily something you could just have on in the background and pay fleeting attention to.

Product Review: Beachbody P90X Chin-up Max – Pull-up Assist Band

 

While this held together it was fine. That was until one of the bands (there are three bands that hold the upper part that attaches to a pull-up bar to the lower part where you put your foot) snapped and broke. And, unfortunately, you cannot buy just a replacement band, so you have to replace the entire thing. While it held together it worked as advertised, making pull-ups a lot easier, and providing a much easier (and safer) experience than chair-assisted pull-ups. But, if you use it long enough for it to break (which happens with resistance bands of all types eventually), instead of paying a few bucks for a new brand, you have to replace the entire thing. The bands could easily be sold separately, and you have to put the bands in place to assemble the thing, so they are definitely replaceable. That is what knocked this down to two stars for me.

Blu-Ray/Movie Review: Clerks II

 

This was the much-longed-for sequel to Kevin Smith's independent masterpiece Clerks. Fans, and even Smith, had wanted a sequel for years, but it was always a long shot due in part because of Jason Mewes' drug problems and Jeff Anderson's hesitancy and at times outright refusal to do a sequel. After overcoming those obstacles, Smith came up with a script after the movie Jay and Silent Bob Strike Back, got everyone on board, and this was the result.

This movie starts out with Randal (Anderson) and Dante (Brian O'Halloran) still working in the Quick Stop and adjoining video store, until they end up burning down. Then they end up in a new dead-end job at Mooby's (a fictionalized version of McDonald's) where we have a Wizard of Oz-like transition from black-and-white to color. The plot basically involves Dante trying to figure out what he wants from his life and Randal facing the prospect of losing his best friend.

The movie is centered around Anderson and O'Halloran but includes new cast members Jennifer Schwalbach (Smith's real-life wife), Trevor Fehrman, and Rosario Dawson (who has one of the best lines of the movie at the end). It also includes many of Smith's "regulars" such as Jason Lee, Ben Affleck, and Ethan Suplee. There are also hilarious cameos by Wanda Sykes and Kevin Weisman, the latter of whom sets off a great Star Wars vs. Lord of the Rings rant by Randal.

For those who get the Blu-Ray, there are a ton of extras included. There are three different commentary tracks, all of which include Smith, and then rotates through other participants including cast members (in the first and third) and the production staff in the second (which is more of a "technical" commentary). On the second disc, there is an hour-and-a-half-long making-of documentary, a half-hour long blooper reel, an hour-long series of video diaries, and a special on the movie that aired on VH1 (back before it played nothing but "reality" shows). So, if you like watching the bonus material, there is a lot there for you.

Overall, the movie is very good, if you like Smith's brand of humor, which can be very raunchy. That is not to say the movie is always raunchy and cringe-worthy, but it does have its moments (there is a donkey show). It balances those well with Randal's smart-ass sarcastic comments, Dante's complaining, and the multiple pop-culture arguments. It even has some touching moments involving Dante and Randal's friendship and the changes that all relationships go through as friends get older. There are certainly some who think that a sequel to the original (which is a classic) should have never been made, and there are some that wanted a sequel but just did not think this was good enough to be that sequel. Personally, I liked the vast majority of the movie and thought it was a worthy successor to the first movie. That said, it is not a movie for everyone, especially people who do not like Smith's brand of humor and it is not family-friendly. But, if you liked the first movie, and you generally like Smith's other movies, it is worth watching at least once.

Blu-Ray/Movie Review: Dogma

 

Dogma is, in my opinion, one of the best movies by Kevin Smith who, of course, became famous after making the independent film darling Clerks back in the mid-1990s. Dogma is a blockbuster compared to Clerks and includes an A-list cast including Matt Damon, Ben Affleck, Alan Rickman, Chris Rock, Salma Hayek, Linda Fiorentino, Jason Lee, and of course, Smith himself and Jason Mewes as Jay and Silent Bob. The basic plot is that the Catholic Church has opened a biblical loophole that has allowed two fallen angels, played by Damon and Affleck, to come to Earth, where they start wreaking havoc. Fiorentino's character, Bethany, who is unknowingly The Last Scion, is tasked with stopping the fallen angels and aided by Metatron (Rickman's character) who is a cynical angel grudgingly standing in as the voice of God, Rufus (Rock's character) who is the thirteenth apostle, Serendipity (Hayek's character) who is a former muse turned stripper, and two prophets, Jay and Silent Bob.

The movie is really unfairly criticized as being anti-religion or anti-Christianity. It is more anti-organized religion, and more specifically the Catholic Church. Smith was raised Catholic and became more and more disillusioned by the church and has often called out what he considers to be its hypocrisy, most publically with this movie. The movie is definitely satirical, but it also has a message that is quite clear if you do not dismiss it out of hand.

For those who get the Blu-Ray, the movie looks very good in the HD format. I think there are different versions of the Blu-Ray floating around, some with better video transfers than others, but if you can find the 2008 version at a reasonable price (it is now out of print, so sellers jack up the price quite a bit), it looks good. The extras all carry over from the DVD release and include two different commentary tracks, an hour and a half worth of deleted and extended scenes, outtakes, and storyboards. A good amount of material for those who like watching the extras.

Overall, the movie is wonderful. It is well-written and well-acted, with everyone nailing their roles. You get a ton of cameos from Smith's "regulars" including Brian O'Halloran and Jeff Anderson (but not as their characters from Clerks). It is definitely, as the vast majority of Smith's movies are, a very adult comedy, and not family-friendly. But, if you are a fan of his other movies you will probably like (or love) this one. It is definitely worth watching.

Workout Update: Chalean Extreme Day 49

Day 49 was Recharge and abs. Nothing major to report about this one. I was a bit sick in the morning so I waited until I felt better in the evening to do the workouts. Thankfully it was basically a rest day because I am not sure I could have done a full, intense workout today.

Blu-Ray/Movie Review: Bad Teacher

 

Bad Teacher is a comedy starring Cameron Diaz as Elizabeth Halsey, a middle school teacher with aspirations of marrying rich. She originally quits teaching and is forced to return when her rich boyfriend dumps her. She is forced to return to teaching, which for her amounts to playing movies so she can sleep off hangovers, smoke pot, insult the students, and hit on Justin Timberlake's character. It is a pretty by the numbers comedy/reformation story with Elizabeth correcting the error of her ways by the end.

For those who get the Blu-Ray, both the theatrical version and the slightly longer unrated version are included. The extras include a gag reel, deleted scenes, outtakes, and a few behind-the-scenes featurettes. Probably about 40 minutes worth of extras total. Not a ton, but fine for a non-blockbuster comedy. Overall, the movie is good, but not as strong as some of the other comedies that came out around the same time. Diaz is funny and never shies away from making fun of herself. It has a strong supporting cast including Jason Segel, Phyllis Smith, John Michael Higgins, Molly Shannon, Thomas Lennon, and Eric Stonestreet. I would not call it a must-see, but it is worth checking out if you are looking for a comedy to watch to kill an hour and a half.

Workout Update: Chalean Extreme Day 48

CE day 48 was the Burn it Off workout. This one was definitely tough for me today. I could not do it in the morning because of having to run a bunch of errands and when I finally had a chance to get to it I had a pretty bad headache. So, I definitely half-assed my way through it, but i did get it done.

4KUHD/Movie Review: Dune

 

There are some that have dubbed this the best sci-fi movie of all time. I would not go that far, but it is a very good movie and looks visually stunning. I cannot really compare it to the David Lynch version since I was pretty young when that one came out, and have only seen a few minutes of it on TV, but this version is very good. For those who are not familiar with the story, it is adapted from the famous 1960s novel by Frank Herbert. The story is centered around the members of House Atreides, headed by Leto Atreides (played by Oscar Issac), who is the Duke of the ocean planet Caladan, Leto is tasked by Padishah Emperor Shaddam Corrino IV, who is essentially the ruler of a system of planets, to take over the desert planet Arrakis, which is the only planet on which the substance spice, which is critical for interstellar travel, among other things, is produced. House Atreides is replacing House Harkonnen as the rulers of Arrakis which results in the members of House Harkonnen hatching a plot to take out the members of House Atreides, including Leto's son Paul who is fated to become a leader of humanity. This is the first of two movies covering approximately the first half of the book.

The movie has a very strong cast including the aforementioned Oscar Issac and also stars Timothée Chalamet as Paul Atreides, Rebecca Ferguson as Lady Jessica Atreides, Josh Brolin, Stellan Skarsgård, Dave Bautista, Jason Momoa, Zendaya, and Javier Bardem. Some of the actors, especially Zendaya and Bardem have smaller roles in this movie and will very likely have larger roles in part two.

For those who get the 4k Blu-Ray, the movie looks and sounds great in the UHD format. The UHD disc just has the movie and the regular Blu-Ray disc has all the bonus features. There are great visuals not only of the desert planet but the scenes set in space and the few scenes set on the planet Caladan. The extras include several making-of-and behind-the-scenes featurettes, a feature on the various houses, a feature on creating the sandworms, deleted scenes, and more. All-in-all, over an hour's worth of extras. Some of the bonus material is a bit repetitive, but it is good if you like watching the extras.

Overall, the movie is very good. I cannot say how close it does or does not follow the book, since I have never read the book. But, I can say it is very well acted and it is a good mix of action and drama. The effects are a combination of practical effects and CGI. The CGI looks seamless and does not dominate the movie to the detriment of the overall story, the acting, etc. It is paced fairly well with the action scenes breaking up the slower scenes. If you like Sci-Fi movies this is definitely worth seeing.

Book Review: Perfect Soldiers: The 9/11 Hijackers: Who They Were, Why They Did It

 

This is a book that seeks to figure out who the terrorists were who executed the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks and, more importantly, why they did what they did. Specifically, to find an explanation that goes beyond the easy "they were crazy" mantra. While the book does discuss all of the terrorists, the focus is on three of the four pilot hijackers, Mohammed Atta, Ziad Jarrah, and Marwan al-Shehhi, who made up the "Hamburg Cell" of terrorists who were all enrolled in schools in Hamburg Germany and ended up going to the most radical Mosque in the city where they ended up being radicalized and started looking for a fight.

A couple of the more interesting takeaways from the book is that not all of the hijackers (especially Atta and Jarrah) were not overtly religious or political growing up, and did not really become either until they were radicalized in Hamburg. Also, they did not even have fervent hatred of the United States, they were just angry and wanted to join any fight. In fact, their initial idea was to go to Chechnya to fight the Russians but ended up at an Al-Queda training camp in Afghanistan shortly after Khalid Sheik Mohammed pitched the "planes operation" to Osama Bin Laden, and he approved to finance the operation. So, they just happened to be the most educated people willing to volunteer for a martyrdom operation and were essentially assigned to the plot that would become the 9/11 attacks. Overall, there was nothing really different or abnormal about any of them, they were just "normal" guys with varying levels of education, some even coming from upper-middle-class backgrounds, that were young and mad and willing to follow whatever they were told. The author also debunks the notion that Atta really planned much of anything, that everyone who knew him said he could follow orders but had very little in the way of leadership ability (because most everyone hated his attitude) or creativity. In fact, he was probably the most "abnormal" one of the bunch as he hated pretty much everyone (especially women) and was just generally miserable about everything.

The book is divided into three parts. The backgrounds of the hijackers, Bin Laden's rise to power, and the actual plot to hijack the planes and execute the attacks on 9/11. The author gives a pretty good reconstruction (as much as he could put together) of the movements of the various people involved up to 9/11. One big takeaway is, that having made as many stupid decisions and mistakes as the hijackers did, even that day at the airports, the fact that they were able to pull the attacks off with the level of success that they did was frankly amazing. And, it underscores just how unprepared our system was at all levels for an attack like this, such that even a bunch of nitwits like these could pull it off. The only thing the book does not go into great detail about is the actual attacks themselves. It basically sets up what happened up to 9/11, but does not go into great detail about the events of the day itself.

Overall, the book is very good. It provides a very interesting look into the lives of the hijackers, what caused them to become radicalized, and what made them do what they did. It does not in any way glorify them or try to make them seem tragic or sympathetic figures. In many ways, it does just the opposite, both by pointing out how stupid some of their actions were and how hypocritical they were regarding their so-called "beliefs" in the days leading up to the attacks. I definitely recommend it.

Blu-Ray/TV Series Review: Dexter: Seasons 1-5

 

Dexter was a show which aired on Showtime from 2006 to 2013 and was then brought back for a limited series run in 2022. It starred Michael C. Hall as Dexter Morgan, who, by day, was a blood-spatter analyst for Miami Metro Homicide, and by night was a serial killer, with a twist. The twist being, that he only killed bad people (usually other killers) who got away with their crimes. The main storyline is that Dexter saw his mother murdered and dismembered when he was a child and was adopted by the cop (played by James Remar) for whom his mother was a confidential informant. When Dexter started displaying violent tendencies, his father Harry taught him how to kill without being caught and instilled a code for when it was permissible to kill. Harry (who is dead in "real life") acts as Dexter's conscience throughout the series.

The rest of the cast included Jennifer Carpenter as Debra Morgan, Dexter's adoptive sister and a detective at Miami Metro, David Zayas as Detective Angel Butista, Lauren Vélez as Lieutenant (later Captain) María LaGuerta, C. S. Lee as lab tech Vince Masuka (who was pretty much the comedic relief), Erik King as Seargent James Doakes, and Julie Benz (of Buffy and Angel fame) as Dexter's girlfriend Rita, who tethered Dexter to the real-world.

This set includes the first five seasons of the show, which were the best seasons of the show's original run. The series was in part a story-of-the-week procedural with a larger "big bad" that Dexter had to deal with throughout the season. The first season involved a killer that was dubbed the "Ice Truck Killer" who leaves clues specifically for Dexter. The best season of this set, and maybe the best season of the entire series, is season four, which is the season that involved the "Trinity killer" that leads to one of the best season finales in TV history. Along with the "main" killer Dexter has to worry about each season, he is always trying to keep from getting caught himself, and is every so often on the verge of being discovered.

This set is just the individual season sets bundled together. The extras varied from season to season, but generally included commentary tracks on selected episodes, sometimes with members of the cast, other times with the show's producers or writers, then there were usually behind-the-scenes or making-of featurettes. In some of the seasons, most extras are enabled via BD live so you need a network-connected player to access them.

Overall, the show is very good. That said, not everyone is going to like it. It is very violent, as you would expect, has a lot of swearing, and has some nudity and sexual content. It is very well written and acted. Hall does a great job playing a person with very few real emotions having to fake his way through everyday life to seem normal. Carpenter steals pretty much every scene she is in, especially in the early seasons, and really all the characters get developed well and all the cast members get a chance to shine at some point during the series. The series does go downhill a bit in the later seasons, but this set definitely has the best seasons of the show (not that I would call any of the seasons bad). So, if you are looking for a unique show that is definitely not cookie cutter or a carbon copy of anything, this is definitely worth checking out.

Blu-Ray/TV Series Review: Camelot

 

Camelot was a series that aired on the Starz Network that was a version of the King Arthur mythology. It starred Joseph Fiennes as Merlin, Jamie Campbell Bower as King Arthur, Eva Green as Morgan Pendragon, and Tamsin Egerton as Guinevere. The story is set around the sudden death of King Uther which sends the kingdom into chaos. Merlin installs Arthur as the king but his claim to the throne is challenged by his half-sister Morgan, who uses dark magic to try and take the throne.

For those who get the Blu-Ray, the show looks and sounds great in HD. The 10 episodes are spread across three discs and there are a series of featurettes that range from about a minute long to nearly 15 minutes. The longest is a making-of documentary that features interviews with the cast and crew. There is also a five-minute blooper reel. A good amount of material for those who like watching the bonus features.

Overall, the show was very good but was not around long enough to really establish a foothold. Green is really a stand-out as Morgan, the main antagonist of the series. It definitely has some of the main elements of the Arthurian legend, but definitely puts its own spin on the story. It does have a lot of violence and sex as many of the series on the premium cable stations have. The show was ultimately canceled not because of bad ratings but because of scheduling conflicts for Fiennes and Green. It was a well-written and acted series that should have had a longer run.

DVD/TV Series Review: Covert Affairs Season One

 

Covert Affairs was one of the USA Network original series, that included series like Psych, White Collar, Fairly Legal, In Plain Sight, etc. This one is set around a young CIA field agent named Annie Walker (played by Piper Perabo). The easy comparison is to Alias, but it is a much different series than Alias. The only parallels to that series is that Annie has a cover job (in Acquisitions at the Smithsonian) to give her an excuse for keeping odd hours and always traveling and that she has to keep her "real job" a secret from her sister (played by Anne Dudek). Anne teams up with a blind tech officer named Auggie (played by Sendhil Ramamurthy as Jai Wilcox, a rival CIA officer, and Peter Gallagher as the director of the National Clandestine Service, Arthur Campbell. Oded Fehr plays a recurring Mossad operative, Eyal Lavin, and Gregory Itzin as Henry Wilcox the former director of the National Clandestine Service, and father of Jai Wilcox.

The first season is pretty much a mission-of-the-week show that has a larger plot involving Annie's ex-boyfriend that plays out throughout the season, and an overarching arc that crosses over seasons. The show has a good blend of action and drama with a bit of comedy mixed in. It does, like most of these kinds of shows, take some suspension of disbelief as it is definitely not the most realistic show ever.

For those who get the DVD set, the extras include deleted scenes and commentary tracks for selected episodes, a short gag reel, a making-of featurette that is just under fifteen minutes, a set tour with Sendhil Ramamurthy, and a featurette with Gorham discussing how he plays a blind character. So, there is a lot there if you like watching the bonus features.

Overall, the show is good, but not great. It is not as good as shows like Alias or Chuck in the spy genre, nor is it as good as some of the other USA Network originals like Psych and In Plain Sight. That said, it does have its entertaining moments and the cast is very strong. If you are a stickler for authenticity then this is probably not the show for you, but if you are looking for an action-drama that you can enjoy without thinking about it too deeply, this is a good option.

Blu-Ray/Movie Review: Blade Runner (Five-Disc Complete Collector's Edition)

 

This set is really a must for any fan of Ridley Scott's iconic dystopian future movie, Blade Runner. The movie made in 1982 and set in 2019 involves a group of fugitive androids called Replicants, which have escaped from a space colony where they are forced to work. A cop named Rick Deckard (played by Harrison Ford) is tasked with hunting down and "retiring" the fugitive replicants. The rest of the main cast includes Sean Young, Rutger Hauer, Daryl Hannah, Edward James Olmos, and Joanna Cassidy. Chances are most people reading this know what the movie is about and whether they like it or not. For those who do not, if you are familiar with Ridley Scott's other sci-fi movies, it very much has a similar feel, with a very dark and moody tone, but does not try to copy a movie like Alien or some of his other works. It can be a bit slow in pacing in parts of the movie, but even the final director's cut comes in under two hours, so it is not overly long. The set includes all the prior editions of the movie (on disc 3), including the 1982 theatrical edition, the 1982 international theatrical edition, and the 1992 director's cut. Each cut of the film has a similar run time, just under two hours, and the 1982 editions are nearly identical. The 1992 cut does make substantial changes to the movie, some of which are carried over into the new final cut which is on the first disc.

Really, where the set shines, is the bonus features. On the first disc, there are three separate commentary tracks on the final cut of the film, one by Ridley Scott one by the executive producer and some of the writers, and the third by the production designers and effects supervisors. Each of the commentary tracks provides great insight into the making of the movie. The second disc includes a three-and-a-half-hour-long making-of documentary that combines new and archival footage and includes a ton of interviews with cast and crew members. There are also some trailers and promos for other movies on the second disc. The third disc, as I mentioned, has all of the prior versions of the movie, and disc four includes a ton of featurettes including a comparison of the movie to the novel, features on the graphic design, the costumes, deleted and alternate scenes, and a lot more (including original promotional material from 1982). On the fifth disc, there is a workprint version of the movie that was the pre-release/test screening version of the film. It has an introduction by Ridley Scott and a commentary track by a film historian. Then there is a half-hour-long feature called All Our Variant Futures that details the processes to create the final cut of the movie.

Overall, the movie is a classic sci-fi film. It is one that does not have as wide a fan base as say Star Wars, or even the Aliens franchise, but even being more in the cult-classic category, it still holds up well after forty years. This release has every possible cut of the movie, so if you prefer the theatrical release above all others you can watch that one exclusively, or you can watch them all compare the versions. It will definitely take days to watch every version of the movie (which you may get sick of after a while) and all the bonus features, but if you are a fan of the movie, this set has everything you could possibly want, especially if you love watching bonus material.