Blu-Ray/Movie Review: Angels & Demons

 

Angels and Demons was the follow-up to the Da-Vinci Code, which was a massively popular (and controversial) book by Dan Brown, that was adapted into a somewhat underwhelming movie by Ron Howard, starring Tom Hanks. I always thought that the first movie was considered underwhelming because of the backlash the book received. This movie reunites Hanks (as the protagonist Robert Langdon) and director Howard in the adaptation of the second novel in the series. It is set around the death of the pope and deals heavily with the search for a new pope. In the background was yet another shadowy group, calling themselves the Illuminati, which protested the Catholic Church's prosecution of scientists 400 years ago, that are attacking members of the clergy.

The movie stars Hanks, Ewan McGregor, Ayelet Zurer, and Stellan Skarsgard. Like the Da Vinci Code, this movie entwines real-life historical figures, locations, and events into a fictional suspense storyline. The acting is great, and the screenplay stuck pretty faithfully to the novel. And, Tom Hanks has a much better hairstyle in this movie, which stupidly was a big deal when Da Vinci Code came out.

For those who get the Blu-Ray, the movie looks and sounds great in HD. The cinematography showing off Rome in all its glory looks wonderful, especially if you have a big screen to watch the movie on. The extras include a Movie-IQ function that provides an in-movie experience with facts that pop up as you are watching the movie, and several making-of and behind-the-scenes features that range from about five minutes to almost twenty minutes. A good amount of material for those who like watching the bonus features.

Overall, the movie is very good. Better than the underrated Da Vinci Code, so if you like that you will probably like this one. Of course, there are a lot of people who will never watch the movie because they considered the Da Vinci Code blasphemous and hence will never read any of the books or watch any of the movies. Chances are people in that category will probably not even consider watching the movie and are unlikely to read the reviews for it. But, if you are on the fence about whether to watch it, I definitely think it is worth giving it a chance. And, you really do not have to watch the first movie to understand what is going on in this one. The only thing the first movie will give you is a bit of the character development of Robert Langdon where this movie assumes you are at least somewhat familiar with the character.

DVD/Study Aid Review: Algebra and Graphing: TI-89 Calculator Tutor: Vol 1

 

As anyone who has ever tried to find anything in a graphing calculator manual, it can be a pain, and sometimes, even when you do find what you are looking for, they are written so badly it is hard to make sense of what it is saying. The TI-89 is a very powerful calculator and can do a lot (so much that many teachers do not allow students to use it on exams). But, it has a pretty steep learning curve, and it is easy to go an entire semester without never really knowing how to use it. This is a guide that can help you get acquainted with many of the most useful functions of the calculator so that you can quickly and efficiently do what you need to do, which is invaluable if your teacher does let you use it on your exams because you will not be wasting your time trying to navigate the calculator.

This is a three-disc DVD set that is actually the first of two volumes Jason put out. This volume basically introduces you to the calculator, the menus, how to navigate it, and then how to perform algebraic operations and graphing. Basically the kind of operations you would use it for in algebra and/or trig/precalculus. In this video, Jason is not in front of a whiteboard, but he is using the TI virtual software that reproduces the calculator on the computer and walking through what buttons you have to push or what menus you need to use to perform different operations. So, you can have your calculator out and follow along with what Jason is doing to really drill the lessons into your mind. I definitely recommend this (and volume two) if you have purchased the calculator since you will likely be going into higher-level math and science classes, and possibly engineering classes, and knowing how to use the calculator well will be a huge asset in any of those classes.

Workout Update: Chalean Extreme Day 29

Day 29 of CE is the first day of the Push phase, with the Push Circuit 1 video. Like the Burn Phase, there are 9 total moves in the workout, so it is relatively short (about 32 minutes including warm-up and cool-down). None of the moves are compound, so you are just focusing on one muscle group at a time. This workout mostly focuses on arms (biceps and triceps) and then has a couple of squat moves and a set of push-ups at the end. In the push phase, you lift heavier weights and max out at between 6 and 8 reps. The last six exercises all have an extreme set at the end (three ultra-slow reps). For the most part, I guessed the weight correctly. For some of the exercises, I could only get to six reps, and for a couple, I was able to hit the 8 reps, but barely. The only exercise I greatly underestimated the amount of weight on was the heel squats, so I will be bumping that up pretty significantly next week. In the Push videos, Skip and Toni replace Mike and Donna, with Skip using the SelectTech dumbells along with Chalene, and Toni using the bands. Skip is not as annoying in this one as he is in the Burn Intervals workout, but there are times when he feels the need to reply to everything Chalene is saying, and I just want to punch him through my TV. 

Workout Update: Chalean Extreme Day 28

 Day 28 of CE was the recharge and stretch workout, and also marked the final day of the Burn phase. My weight did not really change much at all during the Burn phase, but I can tell I did get appreciably stronger. I also think that my posture improved overall since almost all of the exercises in the burn phase have a core focus since you are doing compound moves. I did feel that my flexibility improved somewhat during the burn phase, but not a ton. In the Push phase I plan on still doing recharge two days a week but adding the ab workout both days since the Push phase is not as core focused as the Burn phase is.

Blu-Ray/Movie Review: Fast Times at Ridgemont High

 

Fast Times is one of the great coming-of-age comedies of all time, and one of the best comedies of the 1980s. It starred Judge Reinhold, Phoebe Cates, Sean Penn (in a role that he has never come close to playing since), Jennifer Jason Leigh, Ray Walston (as the great Mr. Hand), Brian Backer, and Robert Romanus. It also featured Forrest Whittaker, and in a  (almost) blink and you'll miss them roles, Nicholas Cage, Anthony Edwards, and Eric Stoltz.

The movie is really about the trials and tribulations of high school and growing up, and all that comes with it. It tackles subjects like dating, sex, and drugs all with a comedic bent, and also gets into deeper dramatic topics like abortion. Sean Penn and Ray Walston had great chemistry as the stoner loser Jeff Spicoli and his teacher nemesis Mr. Hand and played off each other very well. And, of course, there was "that scene" with Phoebe Cates taking off her bikini top which is one of the most (if not the most) paused scenes in movie history and launched thousands of crushes during the 1980s. There is also a great scene in which Cates' character teaches Leigh's character how to give a blowjob using carrots during school lunch.

For those who get the Blu-Ray, the movie looks and sounds good. It did not get as good an HD restoration as some movies have received, but it definitely looks better than the VHS and DVD releases. The extras include a "u-control" mode that plays making-of clips as the movie plays, and identifies the songs. There is also a making-of documentary that features interviews with the cast and crew (made about the time the movie came out), a commentary track with director Amy Heckerling and screenwriter Cameron Crowe, and the trailer. A good amount of material for those who like watching the bonus features.

The movie does have a reputation as a cult classic, as most of the coming-of-age comedies do, regardless of the era in which they were made. It is certainly a bit dated now and does feel like a movie from the 1980s, both in the way it was filmed, the hair and clothing styles, and the teen slang. Even so, some of the things from the movie are timeless no matter what the era, especially the teenage awkwardness and insecurity. Penn steals pretty much every scene he is in, and as I said, it is the type of role he never played after that, going for much darker and more serious roles after this one. I think most people who are likely to be interested in this probably are in their mid-forties or older, including a lot who, like me first saw it on cable in the mid-1980s and instantly fell in love with Phoebe Cates. But, if you are one who has never seen the movie and are looking for a good comedy, this is definitely worth watching.

DVD/TV Series Review: American Dad Volume 5

 

Volume five of American Dad actually has some of the season four episodes on it. Volume 4 had the first six episodes of season four and this one has the remaining fourteen episodes. The highlights of the season, for me, are the episodes Bar Mitzvah hustle, in which Steve steals the Bar Mitzvah gifts of a kid who steals the girl he likes, and Stan's Night Out, which is a total play on the movie The Hangover, when a "boy's night" for Stan with his CIA coworkers goes awry.

For those who get the DVD set, there are commentary tracks on every episode, deleted scenes, and an option to play the uncensored version of the episodes. There are also trivia and drinking game featurettes. So, there is a lot of bonus material if you like going through it.

Overall, the show continues to be very strong. It is a story (or stories) of the week format, but it does sometimes refer back to events from prior episodes. It is most definitely not a show for kids despite being animated as there are a ton of adult jokes and swearing. So, if you are a fan of the show, this is a good pickup.

DVD/TV Series Review: American Dad: Volumes 1-4

 

American Dad is a now long-running adult animated comedy that was created by the creator of Family Guy, Seth McFarlane, who also voices multiple characters on the show, including the lead character Stan Smith. The show is set in Langly Falls Virginia and focuses on Stan's life as a CIA agent, and his family which includes his wife Francine, his son Steve, his daughter Haley, an alien named Roger, and a talking fish named Klaus. Stan saved Roger from the CIA and Klaus was a German olympian whose consciousness was transferred into a fish. So, the show does get a bit silly under the guise of the CIA covering tons of things up. In the early seasons, the show really focused on Stan's job and then tied in "side stories" that involved the other characters. Over the course of time the show gets more off the wall and usually involves Roger and his various characters (people he dresses up as to hide the fact he is an alien).

This set has the first five DVD volumes. They are not really seasons, as when the show was released on DVD in the early years, much like family guy, they did not put all the season episodes in one DVD set. For example, Volume 1 has the first 13 episodes from season one, and then Volume 2 has the rest of the season one episodes and the first nine episodes from season 2. In the early releases, the sets included a lot of extras including commentary tracks on some episodes, featurettes, deleted scenes, animatics, and the ability to watch the episodes with uncensored or censored audio. In later releases, they just released the DVDs with uncensored audio.

Overall, the show is a story-of-the-week type of show that occasionally refers back to prior episodes or events. But mostly, you don't have to have seen prior episodes to in order to get what is going on. It has a very similar comedy style as Family Guy, but it does not do as many cutaways or include as many pop culture references as Family Guy does. It is definitely not a show for kids as there is swearing and a lot of adult jokes, including many that it is surprising made it past censors when the show was on Fox. Chances are, most people reading this have an idea of what the show is and is not, but if you are just trying to figure out whether to watch the show if you like more adult humor and are not offended easily, it is worth watching, especially the early seasons which were, in my opinion, better than the later seasons are.

Workout Update: Chalean Extreme Day 27

Day 27 of CE was the burn it off workout. This was better than the last couple of weeks, mostly because my left knee felt a bit better than it has the past couple of times I have done this workout. I still did have to modify some of the moves, but I was definitely able to push myself harder. Tomorrow is the last day of the Burn Phase, then I will transition into the Push Phase which is living as heavy as you can for fewer reps. 

Book Review: Fast This Way: How to Lose Weight, Get Smarter, and Live Your Longest, Healthiest Life with the Bulletproof Guide to Fasting

 

Fast this way is a primer on fasting, but it is entwined in the author's personal experience when he did a long-term fast that included a Shaman and living in a cave. It is not a traditional health book that focuses on step 1 is ________, step 2 is _______, etc. There is some "how-to" content and the book does go into the science behind fasting, but that is sometimes in the background. The author does shill a bit for "bulletproof coffee" which is basically the idea of drinking coffee with MTC (coconut) oil added to it. Bulletproof Coffee is a brand that the author sells, but you do not have to use that brand in order to make the concoction.

The book gives tips for how to do different kinds of fasts, from the easiest, intermittent fasting (which basically amounts to skipping dinner or breakfast so you do not eat for 12-16 hours), to the harder multi-day fasts. He also gives you an idea of what to expect from your body when you do the various kinds of fasts. So, if you are interested in the concept of fasting and are looking for something that will give you both an idea of how to do it and what you can expect your body (and mind) to go through, this is a good book to read.

Book Review: Palace of Treason

 

This is the second in the trilogy of Red Sparrow novels by ex-CIA agent Jason Matthews. It continues the story of Dominika acting as a double agent for the USA against Russia. The plot involves a new boss that wants her out of the way, an Iranian nuclear facility that the Americans want to sabotage, and Dominika becoming a favorite of Putin. There is also the discovery of another mole for Russia inside the US government who presents a threat to Dominika's cover.

This is a very good middle portion of the story. It has a lot of action and does not get bogged down like a lot of middle installments of trilogies do. It does continue the complicated romance story between Nate and Dominika, but that part does not dominate the book so much that it gets annoying or slows down the plot. The pace of the story is much like the first book, and like in the first book, the end of each chapter includes a recipe for some dish that was mentioned in the chapter.

Overall, if you like spy thriller novels, and you liked the first book, you will probably like this one. On the other hand, if you did not get into the first book, this one is not likely to do much for you. The only thing I would caution is that if you did not like the movie Red Sparrow, do not let that dissuade you from reading the books if you are generally a fan of spy thrillers because the books are much better than the movie adaptation.

DVD Review: The Incredible Hulk: Season 2

 

The second season of the Incredible Hulk pretty much follows the same format as the first. David Banner is traveling around from place to place trying to find a way to rid himself of (or at least control) the Hulk. Everywhere he goes he manages to find someone in need of help and/or comes up against the worst criminals in town, all while having to avoid the reporter Jack McGee who is obsessed with finding The Hulk. Throughout the season there are a number of notable guest stars (along with a bevy of recognizable character actors). The guest stars this season include Pat Morita (The Karate Kid), Gerald McRaney (best known for Simon & Simon, incidentally playing a totally different character than he did in the first season), a very young Kim Cattrall (best known for Sex and the City), a very young and almost unrecognizable Ernie Hudson (best known for Ghostbusters), Rick Springfield (yes the Jesse's Girl singer who was also an actor at the time), Sherman Hemsley (of The Jeffersons), Markie Post (of Night Court fame), and Mariette Hartley (of Law & Order: SVU).

For those who get the DVD, the extras include a commentary track by Kenneth Johnson (the show's creator) on the first episode of the season, which was another two-hour movie), and deleted scenes for another episode. The commentary track was pretty similar to the commentary track Johnson did for the pilot episode.

Overall, the show has a good theme, but it is very dated. It definitely has the look and feel of a show from the 1970s. Obviously, everything back then was shot on film so it does not look anything like the shows that are shot digitally these days. Also, the 70s wardrobes and slang terms will always date the show. It actually did tackle heavier topics like race, drugs, the pillaging of Native American land, mental illness, etc., however, did not always do so tactfully. The special effects could be hilariously bad. The show did not have the budget for what little CGI technology there was out there, so pretty much everything was done practically, and a lot of it looked fake. And, some of the decisions on how to shoot scenes were a little head-scratching. Like getting Lou Ferrigno's feet in the shots when he is running, when he was clearly wearing green slippers when the Hulk is supposed to be barefoot. That said it is a pretty classic show, and unique in that most of the comic-book aspect of the character was left out of the show. He was not going up against evil supervillains, there were no hero team-ups or anything like that. If you have seen season one and like that then you will probably like season two.

Workout Update: Chalean Extreme Day 26

Day 26 was the last day of the Burn Circuit resistance workouts, with Burn Circuit 3. Overall, it went very well. I hit the 12 rep max on a few exercises and was in the 10-11 range for the others. What I like about this one is that, with a couple exceptions, the weight you are using is a bit lighter because the upper-body exercises are all shoulder presses or flys, so you can get really deep into the squats and lunges with good form. And, I really like the workout because it is the shortest of the Burn Circuit workouts, just 32 minutes including warm-up and cool-down. 

Product Review: Joycube No Touch Door Opener Tool with Stylus

 

If you are one who, like me, was leery of touching surfaces in high-traffic areas (like elevators) even before covid reared its ugly head, these are great to use to buttons or pull doors open. They are very sturdy and durable and do not feel cheap at all. I have not used them on a touchscreen surface, so I am not sure how well they do or do not work for that, but for touching elevator buttons or pressing buttons on keypads, they work great.

Book Set Review: Harry Potter Paperback Box Set (Books 1-7)

 

This is the full set of the original Harry Potter novels in a paperback version. It is much more than just a mass-market paperback, however. The books are just a bit smaller in size than the hardcover versions, and they have the same kind of quality illustrations and look great. They also come in a collector box that you can either store them in on a shelf, or the box can be displayed separately if you are one of those who goes all in decking out a bookshelf.

Harry Potter is, of course, the massive series that consisted of these 7 books, which were ultimately adapted into 8 movies, and then spun off the Fantastic Beasts franchise that is currently still going strong. The books are set in the 1990s at a time when a ten-year-old Harry learns that he is a wizard, and starts attending school at Hogwarts school for witchcraft and wizardry. The theme throughout the series of books is the looming threat of the dark wizard Voldemort who tried and failed to kill Harry as an infant. The author JK Rowling, wrote the books with the intention that kids about Harry's age could start reading them and then age with the characters in the books. So, they do get progressively darker and more "adult" as the series goes on. The first couple of books are easily appropriate for 10-11 year-olds, but the later books are probably more appropriate for those in the 13-15-year-old (on up) age range. Even though they are technically kids' books, they can easily be enjoyed by adults. The books also get longer as the series goes on, so if you have seen the movies, there is a lot that happens in the books, especially books 3-6 that get cut out of the movies. I do think, on the whole, the books are better than the movies, but I think there are some things that the movies tweaked from the books that worked better.

Overall, it is a great book series. The story is unique in that, as opposed to a lot of other books in the sci-fi/fantasy genre that set their stories on made-up worlds that have little in common with our reality, it sets the world of magic in the "real" world in contemporary times, just making it clear that people without the magical ability (called muggles) are largely unaware of the existence of magic. If you are one of the few who have yet to read the books, I highly recommend them.

Product Review: DLO Jam Jacket with Cord Management for the 80/120 GB iPod classic 6G

 

This is a cover for the older, "classic" iPods. I have a Sixth Generation 160GB iPod classic and this fits it fine. It is not for an iPod nano or one of the thicker iPods. It is basically a piece of Silicon in the shape of an iPod classic that slips over it. I would classify this as good for "everyday" use to keep your iPod protected. Everyday use being things like carrying it in a bag and then putting it on a dock (such as a radio that has a 30 pin connector) at your office or in a bedroom, or hooking it up to an aux connection in a car, this is fine. I would not, however, use this if you want to take your iPod with you when you go jogging or something like that where there is a risk of it falling on the pavement. It does not have any screen protection at all, so if it falls on a hard enough surface at the right angle, it will still get broken. But, if you generally use it in a situation in which the hardest thing it is likely to fall on is a carpeted floor or the floor of your car, then this will be fine to keep it protected and keep it from getting scuffed up. The wheel on the iPod can be a bit hard to turn when you first put this on, but once you get used to it and figure out how hard you have to press as you are turning, it is not that hard.

Workout Update: Chalean Extreme Day 25

Day 25 was Burn Intervals. I did it in the morning on an empty stomach, which is definitely the best way I have found to do the workout. I did have to keep modifying the jumping/higher impact moves to protect my left knee, but I still got a good workout. I must say I am sorely tempted to mute the TV during this workout just so I do not have to listen to Skip. That aside, the workout went well. 

Supplement Review: Natrol Melatonin Fast Dissolve Tablets

 

I would not say that this really helps me fall asleep, but it definitely helps me to stay asleep once I have fallen asleep. I rarely ever wake up once I have fallen asleep and do not seem to toss and turn in my sleep as much when I use this on a regular basis.

Book/Study Aid Review: How to Ace Calculus: The Streetwise Guide

 

This is a book that I used mostly to help teach myself calculus before I had to take the class. The first handful of chapters (about the first 30 pages or so) deal with things like choosing the right teacher, study tips, exam taking, etc. Then, it gets into the meat of the material that you will learn in class. It covers all of the major topics from the first semester of calculus and most of the material in the second semester. Of course, that depends on how your school structures the calculus curriculum, but if it is a standard split where the first semester deals with derivatives and their application, and then introduces integrals, and the second semester focuses on all of the various integration techniques and their applications, then this will get you through that. Some second-semester calc classes also cover an introduction to differential equations, and if your school does that, this book will not cover that material.

The book is not what I would call a problems repository. It is more like the explanatory material that comes before the problem sets in the textbooks and provides some examples. The explanation of the theory and how to work problems are better than you would get in a lot of textbooks, but if you would need to get something like one of Schaum's guides if you want something that just has a ton of practice problems. One of the very helpful things the author does is give tips for things to look out for when working with different problem types and point out common mistakes that people make. If you can internalize those concepts quickly and do a lot of practice problems you will learn the material and avoid unnecessary mistakes. So, if you can learn from a book, which is definitely hard for some people, this one is a good resource to help you learn the material. I would read this in conjunction with the textbook to help make sense of what the textbook is trying to explain.

Blu Ray/Movie Review: She's Out of My League

 

She's Out of My League is a pretty standard 2000s comedy. It is another one in which a goofy guy named Kirk, played by Jay Baruchel, who is a TSA agent in Pittsburg ends up with the cell phone of a gorgeous event planner named Molly (played by Alice Eve). In the process of returning the phone, she agrees to a date with him and hilarity ensues. It is a pretty standard romantic comedy, especially between a hot girl and average looking guy in which he summons the courage to ask her out, she agrees, things go well until they don't, then we get the will-they-or-won't-they end up together storyline to finish off the movie. I won't spoil anything, but if you have seen any rom-com from 2000 forward, you pretty much know how it will turn out.

For those who get the Blu-Ray, the movie looks and sounds good in HD. It did not get the best Blu-Ray transfer ever, but the shots of Pittsburg do look great, especially if you have a big screen, and unless you are a serious A/V wonk, you probably will not have any issues with it. The extras include a commentary track on the movie with the director, there is a pretty cheesy faux dating show with Nate Torrence's character Devon, a few deleted scenes, and a blooper reel. Nothing spectacular, but there if you like watching the extras.

Overall, the movie is good. It is pretty standard rom-com fare but does mix in some good dramatic moments with the comedy. There are a couple of raunchier comedic moments that seem to have to be included in the more adult rom-coms, but for the most part, the comedy is pretty tame. It has a very good supporting cast including Lindsay Sloane, who plays Kirk's crazy ex, Nate Torrence, T.J. Miller, Mike Vogel who work with Kirk at the airport, and Krysten Ritter as Molly's best friend Patty. There is, as you would expect a lot of swearing, and some sexual situations but nothing explicit and no nudity. If you are looking for something in the rom-com genre or just a comedy to have on in the background it is a good option.

Book/Study Aid Review: Schaum's Outline of Calculus, 5th ed.

 

Schaum's Outlines tend to range from being textbook-like (which this one is) to basically problems repositories. The textbook-like outlines will give an overview of each topic in the chapter sections, and then worked out examples, and then problems. So it is organized much like the textbooks are. The advantage that you get is that the explanatory material is not as long, more concise, and generally better than you get in the textbooks. And, all of the problems have answers, unlike the textbook in which you will only get an answer key for some of the problems.

This book covers all of the material in the first year of calculus, which in most schools is split between Calculus 1 and Calculus 2, and covers some of the material from Multivariable Calculus (usually called Calculus 3). Meaning it will cover derivatives and integrals and their applications, then it gets into partial derivatives and double and triple integrals. I had a great teacher for Calculus 1, a good teacher for Calculus 2, and an average teacher for Calculus 3, so I did not rely on this as much in Calc 1 as I did in the other classes. This definitely helped me figure out how to do the disk and washer methods of integration which neither my textbook nor my Calc 2 teacher (who just lectured from the textbook) explained well. It has over 1000 fully worked-out problems which are way more than any textbook will give you. So, if you are struggling in Calculus and are looking for resources to help you, this is a good one, depending on what your learning syle is.

DVD Review: Roger Dodger

 

Roger Dodger is a 2002 movie that is set in New York, involving a night out between Roger (played by Campbell Scott), a womanizing ad-executive who is not over the fling he had with his boss, Joyce (Isabella Rossellini), and his teenaged nephew, Nick (Jesse Eisenberg). Nick basically wants his uncle's help to hook up with someone and lose his virginity. Roger tried to give Nick lessons in the art of seduction, some of which has a lot to be desired. The highlight of the movie is probably the scenes at the singles bar with Roger, Nick, and two single women, Andrea (played by Elizabeth Berkley) and Sophie (played by Jennifer Beals) who also impart advice to Nick.

The movie comes down to being about sex and relationships. Roger is pretty much a sleazeball who hooks up with women but never seems to have a successful relationship with one. It is billed as a comedy-drama, but it is far more drama than comedy, although there are some humorous moments in it. The writing and acting are great, this was really Eisenberg's first major role (even though it is definitely an independent film and not even close to a blockbuster) and he did a great job playing a pretty conflicted character and Scott played a great womanizer who seemingly had everything he wanted in life but really did not.

For those who get the DVD, the extras are pretty extensive, especially for an independent film. There are multiple commentary tracks on the movie, several making-of features, a walking tour of NY with Jesse Eisenberg, deleted scenes, the trailer, and a "players guide". So, a lot there if you like going through the extras.

Overall, the movie is very good, but probably not for everyone. It has frank discussions about relationships and sex, but there is not much actual sex in it. It also deals with ethical issues like whether to take advantage of someone who is drunk. It definitely has the feel of an independent movie, but it is a very good one. It holds up well even after 20 years and is worth checking out.

Product Review: Reshow VCR Head Cleaner/VHS Head Cleaner

 

VCRs are mostly extinct, but if you are one of those who still have one, getting a head cleaner is important to keep the thing running (assuming you ever intend to watch movies on it) and keep it from chewing up your tapes. I have some tapes (like the original Star Wars movies and The Godfather Saga (the movies in chronological order) that I like to watch from time to time that will likely never be released on DVD and would be very hard (if not impossible) to replace on VHS. So, this works well to keep the thing in working condition.

Blu Ray/Movie Review: Gone With the Wind 70th Anniversary Edition

 

Gone With the Wind is a movie that causes a lot of division, especially with the rise of the infantile division we have had in the country for years. The truth is, it can both be a classic movie and have a problematic theme. But, it also has to be looked at through the lens of history. It is a movie that could be made the way it was in 1939 with the understanding that it would probably never be made the same way today. And that is not to say it shouldn't be made the same way today. It was set during the Civil War and told from the perspective of people in the south. Obviously, most people today would not agree with the perspective of the rich, slave-owning, southerners of that time, but it does not mean that how they were portrayed in the movie is not how they were. Also, the movie was a dramatic period piece, not a documentary. So, it was never going to show the evils of slavery in all their gory details. And, I do think to say that the movie glorified slavery does a couple of things. First, it ignores the fact that there were in fact slaves that had roles such as "Mammy", and it also diminishes Hattie McDonald's achievement in playing that role. The fact that she was a black woman living under the Jim Crow laws and facing the racism that she did and still won an academy award is frankly amazing. And. let's face it, even states that did not have Jim Crow laws were not (and are still not) devoid of racists by any means, so the fact that a black woman in the late 1930s/early 1940s would even be nominated for an academy award, much less win it, was quite something. All that said, no, the movie is never going to be banned, and anyone who thinks so is kidding themselves, if you want to find it, you will always be able to do so, and if you are such a weenie that a disclaimer at the beginning of a streaming version really triggers you, it has been released on DVD and Blu-Ray multiple times. The people who think the movie is somehow going to be banned, the people triggered by a disclaimer, and the people that think critical race theory is being taught anywhere but in some law schools is probably a circle on a Venn Diagram.

As for the movie itself, as I said above, it is a drama set in the south during (and after) the Civil War. It stars Vivien Leigh as Scarlett O'Hara, who is basically a rich brat, who at the beginning of the movie is trying to steal her cousin's boyfriend. Clarke Gable plays Rhett Butler, who was an attendee at a party thrown at the O'Hara estate who did not buy into the fact that the war was going to be a quick and easy thing, and also, ultimately ended up gaining Scarlett's affection, by basically standing up to her and not taking any of her crap, and marrying her. The movie is partly a romance drama, but mostly about the ravages of war, telling how Scarlett had to grow up and transform from the bratty Southern Belle who was handed everything on a silver platter, to having to deal with the realities of war. The first part of the movie (up to the intermission) deals with the war and ends with Atlanta burning. The second part deals with the aftermath of the war, and the characters trying to put their lives back together.

For those who get the movie on Blu-Ray, it looks and sounds great in the HD format. The HD transfer was very well done, and while it still has the Film-noir era look to it, the video transfer does look great. What kind of extras you get depends on the version of the movie you pick up. There is a multi-disc collectors edition that has about 19 hours' worth of bonus content. The version I have is the single-disc 70th Anniversary edition, and the only extra on it is a commentary track by Historian Rudy Behlmer.

Overall, the movie is a timeless classic. It has many great quotable lines, and it tells a good story, although definitely from the perspective of the losing side in the Civil War. Chances are if the movie was made today, more of the evils of slavery would be shown to give it more context and show exactly why the Civil War was being fought. And yes, the civil war was about slavery, pure and simple. If you read the articles of secession from any of the states that formed the Confederacy, that is plain as day, and to say otherwise is denying all reality. I do not think the movie glorified slavery as much as it glorified the south overall. But, again, taking the movie for what it is and considering the time it was made, it can both be a classic movie and a topic of debate at the same time. And, I think a healthy debate about what was good and what may have been problematic about the movies would not necessarily be a bad thing.

Workout Update: Chalean Extreme Day 24

CE Day 24 was the final Burn Circuit 2 for this round. I did manage to hit the 12 rep max for a couple of the exercises, but for most of the exercises, I could still only hit 11 or 12 reps. The push-ups at the end were still tough. I wanted to get 10 triple-threat push-ups on my toes, but I could still only do nine, and had to do the extreme set on my knees.

Product Review: 2 Pack Replacement Pre Filters for Dyson DC58, DC59, V6, V7, V8.

 

The filters on the Dyson handheld vacuums (or really on any vacuum) are critical to maintaining good suction power. You can rinse off the filters but you need to let them dry before using them, so it is good to have at least one spare so that you can basically rotate them when they get dirty. These fit in the handheld vacuums easily, they just slip in and out. Just make sure to check the model number of your vacuum.