Blu-Ray/Movie Review: American Ninja

 

American Ninja was the other series of cult-classic martial arts/Ninja movies (the other being the Ninja Trilogy, Enter the Ninja, Revenge of the Ninja, and Ninja III: The Domination, which starred Sho Koshugi) that were put out in the 1980s by Cannon films and Golan-Globus productions. The plot is set around the character of Joe Armstrong, played by Michael Dudikoff, in one of his early roles, a Private on an American military base in the Phillppines. When a convoy moving not only weapons but the daughter of the base's colonel (played by Julie Aronson) is attacked by rebels and a band of evil ninjas, Joe is forced to fight to save the Colonel's daughter. From there, the movie becomes a mix of an action-drama, a romance story, and a story of a reluctant hero. The rest of the main cast includes Steve James as Corporal Curtis Jackson, Don Stewart, as a French arms dealer, Victor Ortega, Tadashi Yamashita (who had black belts in multiple martial arts styles) as the Black Star Ninja, and John LaMota, as Master Sargent Rinaldo. 

The blu-ray, which was released in 2016, got a decent A/V transfer, so it is definitely an upgrade from the VHS version, which many people who are old enough to remember the movie probably owned. There are a handful of extras that were made for the 2016 release, including a commentary track that is basically a conversation between producer Elijah Drenner and the director of the movie Sam Firstenberg (who also directed Revenge of the Ninja and Ninja III) that provides a lot of details about the production of the movie and a lot of interesting tidbits, including the fact that the movie was originally developed for Chuck Norris, who passed on the role because he did not want to have his face covered. Then, there is a 22-minute behind-the-scenes/making-of featurette that includes interviews with Dudikoff, Firstenberg, Aronson, and the stunt coordinator, Steve Lambert, and the theatrical trailer.

Ultimately, this is a movie that is mostly an action movie that will appeal to those who were kids or young adults in the 1980s. The story is pretty cookie-cutter and the script was nothing to write home about. Dudikoff, who had no martial arts training before he was cast in the movie, actually does a very good job in the action sequences, and did a lot of the fight work himself. He actually looked very fluid and looked like he had practiced martial arts for years (unlike Franco Nero in Enter the Ninja who looked absolutely awful in the fight sequences he performed). The problem with this movie is that the script was pretty bad, and Dudikoff had to play Armstrong with almost no personality. Steve James and Phil Brock (who played the comic relief in the movie) probably had the best material to work with. It very much feels like a low-budget 1980s action movie and would probably not be made the same way today as it was back then. But, if you accept the fact that you are not going to see an Academy Award-winning drama and accept it for what it is, it is enjoyable.

Product Review: BOOX Magnetic Pen2 Pro with Eraser Feature

 

This is a stylus that works with the BOOX series of E-ink tablets. I have the Note Air 2 Plus, and the stylus that comes with it does not have an eraser end, which makes it kind of a pain when you are writing, because in order to erase you have to switch from the pen to the eraser using the icons on the screen and back to the pen. This allows you to turn the stylus over and use the eraser end. The only real trick to erasing with this is that you have to push down on the stylus when you are using the eraser end in order to get the writing to erase. 

As far as the writing experience goes, it uses nibs that do have to be replaced when they wear down. One drawback to this is that it does not come with extra nibs, but the stylus that comes with the tablet itself does have extra nibs. How quickly the nibs last will, of course, depend on how much you use them, but I have found that with what I would call regular use, writing on the tablet multiple times per week, the nibs last quite a while. The big plus, for me anyway, is that the stylus does not have to be charged (unlike the Apple Pencil that works with iPads), so you do not have to interrupt what you are doing to recharge the stylus (which could definitely interrupt your work flow, especially if you are taking notes "live" during a meeting, a class lecture, or something like that). 

Book Review: The Last Man: (Mitch Rapp Series Book 13)

 

The Last Man is the 13th book in the Mitch Rapp series of novels, regardless of whether you start reading the books in chronological or publication order. The book was published in 2012 after Vince Flynn had written the two prequel novels, American Assassin and Kill Shot, in which he went back and told the story of Rapp's early career. This would also, sadly, be the last complete novel in the series written by Flynn who would pass away a year later after battling cancer for three years. Flynn actually worked a cancer storyline into this book by giving one of the characters a terminal diagnosis.

The Last Man does another reset of the story, while still including characters from the prior novels and referring to old storylines. The crux of the story in this novel is that a CIA analyst in Afghanistan is kidnapped, and Rapp is dispatched to find him. While investigating the kidnapping, Rapp, Scott Coleman, and Mike Nash uncover a larger conspiracy.  He also weaves in some real-world elements like the animosity between the CIA and the FBI, corruption and anti-American sentiments in the governments of countries that are ostensibly an ally of America, and the like.

After Flynn passed away, it was initially unclear whether the series would go on. As most are aware, the series was passed to author Kyle Mills, who would complete the next book (which Flynn had started before he died) and write many additional novels. The book is moderately long at just over 400 pages, but it reads pretty quickly. and is hard to put down. If you are a fast reader, you can get through it in a few days or less. If you have been a fan of the prior novels, you will probably like or love this one. 

Product Review: HOMAR No Tie Shoelaces

 

This is a pack of 20 silicon laces that insert into the holes of shoes that allow you to turn any pair of sneakers into no-tie shoes. The laces are of different sizes ranging from 1.6 inches to 3.15 inches. They are hard to get in and out, especially if the lace holes on your shoes are small (you may need to use tweezers or something with a narrow tip to help push them through the holes). So, you want to choose your lace size correctly the first time. I would suggest removing them from the cardboard and holding them against the span of your shoe and don't just assume that the smallest one will go in the bottom holes. Once they are in, they will keep your shoes on your feet pretty well, even when working out, and make it very easy to get your shoes on and off.

Workout Update: P90X3 and PIYO doubles workout- Day 67

Day 67 was Yoga in X3 and Sculpt in PIYO. Unlike the two workouts yesterday, I mostly like both of these workouts. In X3 yoga I mostly skip crow (I have to keep both my feet on the ground), and in the warrior-3, half-moon, and twisting-moon sequence I just stay in warrior-3 the entire time. But otherwise, I can do the modified or unmodified versions of the moves. In sculpt I find it easier to do the tricep dips using the power stands instead of a chair, so I made that modification. 

Workout Update: P90X3 and PIYO doubles workout- Day 66

Day 66 was the Pilates workout in X3 and Core in PIYO. As I have said in prior posts, I am not all that fond of either of these workouts, but I got through them and did my best. I think each of them would be much easier if I were in better shape, but I am definitely not there yet. 

Workout Update: P90X3 and PIYO doubles workout- Day 65

Day 65 was Accelerator in X3 and Sweat in PIYO. Accelerator was still tough for some of the moves, but I liked doing the more intense cardio again. It is similar to Triometrix but different enough that it is not boring. One thing that I liked a little better about the original P90X is that you had two workouts that were almost all cardio each week, whereas in X3, some weeks have a couple of multiple cardio workouts and others have just one.  

Workout Update: P90X3 and PIYO doubles workout- Day 64

Day 64 was the isometrix workout in X3 and Buns in PIYO. Isometrix was a little easier than it was the last time I did it. My balance is slowly getting better, but definitely not where I would like it to be. I was even a little better in the "bound dog" poses, but could not do the version where you lift one of your legs while doing bound dog. But, I am making progress. The Buns workout in PIYO went pretty well too, and I can tell that I am getting better at the various kinds of squats.

Workout Update: P90X3 and PIYO doubles workout- Day 63

Day 63 was a rest day in X3 and Drench again in PIYO. Drench went the same as it did yesterday. It was not any easier, but not harder. Since I am going into my final week of this round of workouts I am trying to figure out what I want to do for my next workout or workouts. I am not sure what that will be yet, but I am leaning toward a lifting-focused workout paired with the Tai Chi workout, called Tai Cheng that was put out by BeachBody a while back.

Workout Update: P90X3 and PIYO doubles workout- Day 62

Day 62 was Eccentric Lower in X3 and Drench in PIYO. Again, nothing really to report about either of the workouts. I am still using the same weight in the Eccentric workouts and some moves in the Piyo workouts are getting easier and some are still very hard. 

Supplement Reviw: Amazon Basic Care Vitamin C Supplement Drops

 

These are equivalent to the name-brand Vitamin C drops that you can find in most stores. They taste the same and have the same amount of Vitamin C per drop as the name brand (and with these, you get an assortment of flavors instead of just one flavor), but you get a lot more of them for a lot better price than you would pay in the stores. In the store, you would get far fewer per package and pay about the same price as you can get this one for. They are not cough drops but do provide some soothing relief when you have a sore throat. They do have some sugar, but not a crazy amount. But, you would probably not want to take a ton of them in a day, especially if you are eating low-carb or carb-cycling. 

Supplement Review: fitcode Flexcode Ultra Premium Joint Support, Glucosamine, Turmeric, MSM, Chondroitin, Hyaluronic Acid

 

This is a supplement that provides joint support with the main ingredients being Glucosamine, MSM, Chondroitin, and Hyaluronic Acid. Each bottle gives you a 30-day supply (60 capsules) and directs you to take two capsules per day, preferably with food. The capsules are easy to swallow and do not have much of an aftertaste, especially if you swallow them with something that is flavored. 

It is always hard to tell how much any supplement is doing for you, but I have had a bad knee for most of my life and one of my shoulders has started to have issues with mobility as I have gotten older, and I do think that both of them feel better as I have started taking this.  So, if you have issues with any of your joints I would recommend trying this to see if it helps you.

Workout Update: P90X3 and PIYO doubles workout- Day 61

Day 61 was the rest day for PIYO and Pilates in X3. I still feel the same way about the X3 Pilates workout. I will do it, but I don't really like it and can't wait to get it over with. It is fine if you are ready for advanced Pilates, but if you are a beginner, much of it sucks. 

Workout Update: P90X3 and PIYO doubles workout- Day 60

Day 60 was Triometrix and Buns. Trio was pretty much the same as it was last week, as was the Buns workout. Each workout has a lot of Squats which I like, but my legs were definitely tired during the second workout.

Workout Update: P90X3 and PIYO doubles workout- Day 59

Day 59 was Eccentric Upper in X3 and Core in PIYO. Again there is nothing all that new to say about either of those workouts. I have been using the same amount of weight in EU the past few weeks, but I think, for most people, that is not one in which you are going to be able to do a marked increase in the amount of weight you use because you are lowering the weight so slowly (if you are doing the moves correctly).

Workout Update: P90X3 and PIYO doubles workout- Day 57

Day 57 was MMX is X3 and Sweat in PIYO. The MMX workout is still a bit tough, at least the moves that have the sprawls. The rest of it is not too bad, but I am definitely slower at getting down and up when doing those. Even though I did not like the Sweat workout in PIYO as much when I first did it, I actually don't mind it now. It is a little longer than some of the other workouts in PIYO, but not so long that it starts to get boring by the time you near the end. 

Workout Update: P90X3 and PIYO doubles workout- Day 56

Day 56 was Decelerator in X3 and Sculpt in PIYO. I like the Decelerator workout even though it is one of the harder ones. As far as Sculpt goes, there is really no big change from the last time I did that one. 

Workout Update: P90X3 and PIYO doubles workout- Day 55

Day 55 was a rest day in X3 and Drench for the second day in a row. I was supposed to do Drench once during the week but because it is a much longer workout I moved both to the weekend. Nothing was different from the day before. 

Workout Update: P90X3 and PIYO doubles workout- Day 54

Day 54 was complex lower in X3 and Drench in PIYO. 

I am honestly not a huge fan of either of these workouts. I like CL better than Drench, but  I like the Eccentric weight workouts in X3 much more than CL. As for Drench, I think it is just too long, and get to be a bit too repetitive. 

Workout Update: P90X3 and PIYO doubles workout- Day 53

 Day 53 was the Triometrix workout in X3, and a rest day in PIYO. 

I feel a bit like a broken record but, I find that Triometrix is getting a little bit easier from the first time I did it. Mainly, because my balance is getting better so I am getting deeper into some of the balance squat moves during which I was stumbling all over the place the first time I did the workout.

Workout Update: P90X3 and PIYO doubles workout- Day 52

Day 52 was yoga in X3 and Sculpt in PIYO. Again, I would say that the X3 yoga routine is getting easier, but it is definitely not easy. I really like the sculpt workout in PIYO. I think that it, along with the strength intervals workout are my two favorites in PIYO. The triceps dips at the end of the workout are very tough and I have to take a lot of breaks during those, but otherwise, I think most of the workout is doable, especially if you follow the modifier.

Workout Update: P90X3 and PIYO doubles workout- Day 51

Day 51 was Complex Upper in X3 and Core in PIYO. I found Complex Upper to be a little bit easier than the first time a tried it a couple of weeks prior to this, but it was still difficult. I do like the pace of the workout because even with breaks it seems like you are constantly moving.

Core is also very challenging for me, in large part because, aside from the standing series, I am not a huge fan of the moves in the workout. Some of them I can do relatively well and others are a complete shitshow.  

Book Review: Star Wars: Skywalker: A Family at War

 

This is a novel that basically summarizes the Skywalker Saga, from Anakin's birth to the end of The Rise of Skywalker with Rey taking the Skywalker name. The book includes elements from all of the movies and fills that in with content from the animated series like Rebels and The Clone Wars, the canon comic books and graphic novels, as well as some of the other novels, such as Leia, Princess of Alderaan, and Bloodlines.  The big exception is that it was written before the Obi-Wan Kenobi series was made, so it does not include any of those events and basically time jumps over that period. So, the book does conflict a little with what was shown in the Kenobi series. 

The book provides a way for someone who has only seen the movies to get a deeper version of the events that occurred from The Phantom Menace to the Rise of Skywalker. If you have seen the animated series and read most of the novels almost nothing in the book will be new to you (with a couple of small exceptions), but if you have only watched the movies you will get a lot of detail that flesh out those stories. 

The book is not very long (just a little under 300 pages) and it reads pretty quickly, especially if you are well-versed in the Star Wars lore. So, if you are a fast reader you can easily finish it in a day or two. So, I would not call this book a must-read, but I do think it is worth reading. 

Food Review: Frito-Lay's Cheetos Baked Crunchy Cheese

 

This is a bit "healthier" version of the original Cheetos (as they are baked instead of fried, so they have a bit less fat), yet still have the same taste and consistency as the original (as opposed to Cheetos puffs). If you get them on Amazon, you can get a 40-pack for about $20 (if you set it up as a subscribe and save item), which is a much better price than you would pay to get them out of a vending machine or at a convenience store or gas station. As long as you do not go wild and eat multiple bags at a time, it is a good way to have a portion-controlled snack for a reasonable price.

Product Review: Ultrasac Contractor Bags 42 Gallon

 

These are large contractor bags, which are mainly designed to hold waste from construction (broken drywall, wood, etc.), but, because they are tear and puncture resistant, they are also great for landscaping waste like sticks, tree branches, and leaves. It is not something that a "regular" person is likely to use a lot, but they are handy when you need a large bag to hold something that would easily tear a regular garbage bag or even regular lawn and leaf bags.