Here you will find things about fitness and nutrition, mainly (but not exclusively) in relation to the Beachbody programs like P90x and Insanity. And, I will start adding reviews for Books, DVDs and Blu-Rays, and other products. All views and opinions on this blog are my own.
Welcome
Welcome to my ever-evolving blog. It started out as a blog on Beachbody workouts and products, mainly when I was a Beachbody coach. I no longer coach, not because I don't believe in Beachbody's programs (I subscribe to Beachbody on Demand and use their workouts every day), I am just not a salesperson and hated that aspect of it. I am more than willing to answer questions about my experiences with their products and the various workouts, and I feel freer to do so without the appearance of giving a biased review of something.
I have also started adding reviews for various things I have purchased like movies, books, CDs, and other products. This was brought about by a fight with Amazon in which all of my reviews were removed over a completely bullshit allegation that I posted a review that violated their terms of service. After going back and forth with the morons in the community-reviews department (even after they admitted that my posts did not violate their guidelines) they restored my account (which took them six months to do), but I have been posting my reviews on my blog to have them preserved in case something like that happens again. And here, I will post uncensored reviews so I will swear from time to time and post reviews that may be longer than Amazon's character limit. Everything I post here on any topic or product is my personal opinion, and I take no compensation for any product reviews I post. I am a member of Amazon's vine program and because I get those products for free, I keep those reviews on Amazon only, but everything I have purchased with my own money, whether from Amazon or some other store/website/outlet, I will post here.
I also plan to do some longer blog posts on various topics, such as how to learn physics, how to get through calculus, and longer reviews of workout programs as I do them. Basically, whatever strikes me as interesting at the time. As you can see if you navigate around the blog, I had many years in between postings. During that time I was going back to school to get an engineering degree, and learning material that I avoided my first time through college was a different experience and one that gave me a lot of insight into how to do well in those classes, which I will try to impart here for those who are looking to get a science or engineering degree.
Saturday, December 24, 2022
4k-UHD/Movie Review: Fate of the Furious (F8)
Sunday, September 11, 2022
Blu-Ray/Movie Review: Furious 7
For those who get the blu-ray set, the movie looks and sounds great in HD. Of course, there are a ton of special effects used throughout the movie, and everything looks wonderful and seamless. There are two versions of the movie, the theatrical and an extended edition that adds about a minute to the theatrical version. It is so inconsequential that it was really not worth making an extended edition. Then, there are about six minutes of deleted scenes, seven making-of and behind-the-scenes featurettes that range in length from about six minutes to just over thirty minutes. Then there is a feature on the Race Wars festival, the music video "See You Again" from Wiz Khalifa and Charlie Puth, and a feature on the Fast & Furious-themed ride at Universal.
Overall, the movie is good. Probably the last really good movie of the franchise before it got completely ridiculous. I am sure most people know how the movie handled Paul Walker's death in terms of Brian's storyline. I will not spoil it for the handful of people who don't know, but I think it was very well done. The movie is 95% action, 5.9% tongue-in-cheek comedy, and .1% drama. The franchise has found the formula that works for it and stays in that lane. It does not try to be a best-picture candidate, so if that is what you are looking for, this is not it. But if you want to watch a fun action movie with a bunch of car chases and cool stunts, this is a good one.
Tuesday, July 5, 2022
Blu-Ray/Movie Review: Fast & Furious 6
The movie is set sometime after the events of the fifth movie with the team having received amnesty for their various crimes by helping out Hobbs (The Rock) in Rio. When Hobbs and his partner Riley Hicks (played by Gina Carano) investigate the destruction of a Russian military convoy by a crew led by former British SAS Major and special ops soldier Owen Shaw (played by Luke Evans), Hobbs recruits Dom to track them down using evidence that Letty (Michelle Rodriguez) is alive. What follows is lots of explosions, fighting, car chases, and what you would expect. Of course, there are plot twists, and the movie continues to be set before the events of Tokyo Drift so that Han can keep being included (with jokes about getting to Tokyo at some point).
For those who get the Blu-Ray, the movie looks and sounds great in HD. The movie uses a blend of CGI and practical effects and they basically look seamless. The extras include c commentary track on the movie with director Justin Lin, several making-of and behind-the-scenes featurettes, and deleted scenes. They all total to just under two hours' worth of extras. You also get the extended edition and theatrical version of the movie. Nothing is really changed in the extended edition, and the additions are "blink and you will miss them" quick. So, very minimal.
Overall, the movie is a fun action film that is meant to be a turn off your brain and enjoy it kind of thing. The movies in the franchise have become a tongue-in-cheek action-fest and really do not try to be anything more than that. Obviously, some people love the movies others hate them, and this is probably not going to change your mind about them regardless of which category you fall into.
Thursday, December 2, 2021
4KUHD Blu-Ray review: F9
This version centers around Dom's long-lost and never mentioned brother Jacob, played by the combination of John Cena and Finn Cole (from the great show Animal Kingdom playing young Jacob). The film does (via flashbacks) explain why he was never mentioned, so there is at least that. Of course, he ended up becoming a super spy, working with Mr. Nobody before going rogue and then ends up going against Dom and the crew. Mostly all of the main cast returns (aside from The Rock, who had a very public falling out with Vin Diesel) as well as some of the old cast. Jordanna Brewster reprises her role as Mia, and as the movie trailer and the box cover to the Blu-Ray spoils, they came up with a way to resurrect Han, with Sung Kang returning to the franchise. Helen Miren has a small role and Jason Statham has a very brief cameo appearance. The film continues to keep Brian alive offscreen and finds ways to keep from having to show him, as the role will never be recast after Paul Walker's death.
For those who get the UHD set, there are two discs, one UHD and one "regular" Blu-Ray disc. The content on each is identical (including the bonus features). There are two versions of the movie, the theatrical version, and the director's cut, which has a few additional minutes of footage at the beginning of the movie. There is about an hour's worth of bonus features including several behind-the-scenes and making-of features that run anywhere from about three minutes to thirteen minutes, and a short gag reel. So, there is a lot of material for those who like the bonus features.
Overall, the movie is what it is. It makes little to no sense plot-wise and no human could survive the action sequences if they were real. But, as long as you are one that can suspend your disbelief and just enjoy a movie with lots of explosions, car chases, and fights, you can enjoy this. The acting is so-so. You can tell the actors have fun with it and do take the work seriously, even if they know the absurdity of the plot and the stunts. At this point, there have been enough movies that you know what they are and what they are not. So, if you have been a fan, you will probably like this one. If not, there is nothing about this one that is likely to change your mind.