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May 2008
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Statistical Inquiries Into The Efficacy Of Prayer Comments 4 Comments

May 30th, 2008 ,

Interesting stuff: Francis Galton studied the efficacy of prayer a while back. Apparently, priests (whom must pray a lot), statistically do not live longer than those who do not converse with the air. Taking the stairs, on the other hand, does make a difference. Makes you wonder, doesn’t it? No it doesn’t.

WorkRave Anti-RSI Comments 1 Comment

May 29th, 2008 , ,

If you’re reading this, there’s a good chance you’re using a mouse in your day job. Because mother nature is a bitch, such things cause RSI. Do yourself a favor, today, and install WorkRave. It’ll tell you to take a break, once in a while.

Conjecture: What To Expect From Indy IV [Update] Comments Comment

May 16th, 2008 ,

The one series I’d wished Lucas had made six of instead of Star Wars is finally premiering its new installment this sunday. Because it’s a formula movie, here’s conjecture as to what we can expect. Hopefully that means spoilers. Sunday we’ll know. Well, I won’t until later on. But some will.


Gmail Bookmarklet: Mail To Comments 13 Comments

May 14th, 2008 ,

Using Gmail daily, I’ve been wanting quicker access to the “Compose Email” area for a while now. So I concocted a deadly bookmarklet for doing just that. The following mockery of JavaScript will open for you, a new popup window showing only the Compose window. It’s awesome.

Drag this link to your bookmarks toolbar: Gmail To

Works with the new Gmail 2 UI.

Blade Runner - The Final Cut Mini-Review Comments Comment

May 7th, 2008 , , ,

Reviews are spoilerfree but beware of comments.

Replicants, more human than human robots do humanitys dirty work. Given time, they will develop their own emotional responses. To prevent revolts, they are given only a four year lifespan. When they’re a hazard, Blade Runners are sent to “retire” them.

Blade Runner has been through its share of troubles. The first one with the voice over was marred by producers wanting to control the young art director, Ridley Scott, whose experience hadn’t yet been proved (not even by Alien). The second version, “The Directors Cut”, felt rushed and the DVD release was grainy and VHS like. The Final Cut has finally been given the proper treatment. Tweaks and fixes have been made and a near-perfect, cleaned-up transfer make this the ultimate version of Blade Runner.

Blade Runner works on many levels. There’s the gorgeous dystopian design. There’s atmosphere oozing from every sound of Vangelis’ soundtrack. There’s the vision and the philosophical aspects: life, death, the time we’re given. They don’t make movies like this anymore and Blade Runner is the peak of a period. It’s an absolute delight to marvel in the polished and crisp picture and to notice details like the eyes of replicants reflecting light differently. Who’s replicant and who’s not? And does it matter? And what’s that about a unicorn? Find out.

Retro Retro-Futuristic Inspiration Comments 5 Comments

May 5th, 2008

Storm 1


Iron Man Mini-Review Comments 1 Comment

May 2nd, 2008 ,

Reviews are spoilerfree but beware of comments.

Tony Stark is a billionaire inventor, industrialist and weapons manufacturer. After seeing first-hand what his weapons do, he decides to don a crime-fighting metal cape.

It’s hard to fault Iron Man as it has very few shortcomings. It’s Hollywood at its best: finely tuned action, expensive special effects, golden-haired girls and entertainment made for the big screen. On the flipside, it’s really not a deep movie; in fact it’s all surface. For what Iron Man tries to be, however, such depth is moot.

Iron Man works in all the ways Spider-Man 3 didn’t. It’s well paced, entertaining, believably unrealistic and with a story that doesn’t feel like it’s quilted together in the last minute. Robert Downey works well in his role and surprisingly: so does Gwyneth Paltrow. Now watch out for a cameo early on by director Jon Favreau. In the mean time, I’ll wait patiently for the sequel. Added note: I’m told there’s an extra scene after the end-credits.