Product: Bobby Anti-Theft Backpack

Design: 4.5 / 5
Build Quality: 4.5 / 5
Functionality: 3.5 / 5
Ergonomics: 5 / 5
Durability: 5 / 5

MSRP: $120.00 (CAD)
Overall: 4 / 5

After many years of searching for backpacks, I've found that the criteria for the perfect commuter backpack is different than the criteria for a travel backpack. While a good large backpack could absolutely play the part of a commuter backpack, it's kind of like saying that you can wear your hospital scrubs to the symphony. You can absolutely do it. Your important bits are covered, and if it's not TOO cold out, you'd be relatively warm. 

That being said, when I look for a commuter backpack, I have a separate "want list", as follows:
- Durable
- Anti-Theft features
- Water proof/resistant
- Fits all my electronics required for most day-to-day activities
- Multiple pockets for easy organisation
- Full Day carry comfort
- Security Pocket
- With enough space still to fit an extra layer (ie., jacket, sweater)
- Easy access water bottle / umbrella pocket
- Slim for packed public transit

The Bobby checks off most of the important criteria, but not all. Because they tried to make the backpack as anti-theft as possible, there are no outside pockets whatsoever, so if I wanted to carry a bottle of water around, there really isn't an accessible place to put it. They do make up for it slightly with the bonus feature of having  charge port if you've got an external battery to place inside the backpack.

The video does give you all the features of the backpack, so I'm not going to sing its virtues by telling you the wonderful features of the backpack, instead, just a couple of things that I think needs a bit of improvement.
There are a couple of sleeves in the shoulder straps. These are great for putting in your Presto Card / Metropass. That being said, unless you remember to tuck it in snugly into the sleeve (there is a little divot so that it stays a bit more securely), it can very easily fall out. If they included a small magnet, or a slim velcro strip, that would make that sleeve SO much better.

There is only one compartment inside the backpack. And while there are pockets to put stuff, it's not ideal for organisation. If you're bringing along some files, folders along with your laptop, there isn't much for organised space so that your paperwork doesn't get dog-eared or crumpled.

While I love that the backpack itself is cut resistant (i wouldn't go as far as saying it's cut PROOF, I'm sure if someone put some elbow grease in, they could cut through), the straps are not. That is something I do love about Pacsafe. 

Bottom line, this backpack is sleek, it's sexy, and it's great peace of mind for your daily commute, and it's got some great nifty features to boot. It's not perfect, but that COULD just be me being overly critical.

Cheers.

Critique: The D-BOX Experience

Sorry everyone that I'm a bit late to the game on this, my hiatus ended up being a bit longer than I'd anticipated. While there are a few reviews out there talking about D-BOX, ain't no one giving you the truth the way I deliver it (cue evil, maniacal laughter).



D-BOX isn't new anymore. And I'm sure that most cinema enthusiasts/aficionados have already gone ahead and tried it. But for those of you who haven't tried it yet and are considering it, here are some things to consider.

The Price (Cineplex Prices before taxes)

Let's talk about what's important to all of us. In Toronto, here is the range of tickets (I'm not including Cineplex VIP into this post).

Regular Movie Ticket: $13.50
3D Non-AVX Movie Ticket: $16.50
3D AVX Movie Ticket: $18.50
3D D-BOX Movie Ticket: $24.50

It's almost double the price of a regular ticket! Outrageous right? I suppose it depends on who you ask, and what their priorities are. But if you're budget conscious, $24.50 is pretty painful.

The Experience

So the powers that be have decided that D-BOX should take, pretty much the best seats in the house. They're positioned in the centre section of the theatre, and just a few rows down from the back. Down to just above the middle of the room. Why are these seats optimal? The first one is obvious, it's in the middle of the room width-wise. But, they're also the most optimal in terms of viewing angle also. You're not looking down, you're not looking up; you are looking straight from your seat to the screen.

So the video above already shows you the motion sensitive chair and how it rumbles and sways. If you're not prone to motion sickness, it's actually quite fun. For certain films ("Star Trek" and "The Perfect Storm" come to mind), it does enhance the experience of the film. I mean, let's be real here. You probably don't need your seat to rumble around for a movie like "Black Swan".

While I did/do enjoy the D-BOX experience for certain movies, I actually also find the seats to be pretty uncomfortable. It could be because I'm somewhat vertically challenged, but the seats are angled a bit higher at the edge than regular seats and so your feet (well, mine at least) do dangle off a bit. After about 30min into a movie, I find that my legs get fairly uncomfortable. So I spend the rest of the movie shifting my weight from one side to the other, trying to sit one way, then another.

The Options

D-BOX seats are generally found in AVX rooms. So if you don't absolutely need to rattle and roll with what's happening on screen, and still want excellent seats in the house? I say the best bang for buck AVX seats are in the row just in front of the D-BOX seats. You're still in the middle of the room width-wise, and you're still up high enough that your line of sight is still comfortable. There are a couple of added benefits (not including price) to this row also. The arm rests in AVX rooms are adjustable, so you can push it up for a better huggle with your S.O (Significant Other). D-BOX seats , because they move independently, there is some space in between. And because the D-BOX seats also go to and fro, they also provide plenty of leg room. This means that there's almost no chance of some seat kicking douche bag sitting behind you trying to get you to take a whiff of their toe jam.

The Verdict

I tend to choose the alternative that I just mentioned for MOST movies. But, there are certain movies that I don't mind paying the extra bucks for to maximise the viewing experience (the upcoming "Star Wars" movie comes to mind). There is however, actually one more situation where I'll choose a D-BOX seat. AVX tickets for opening weekend for a big blockbuster tends to sell quickly, especially in that centre cluster of seats. D-BOX seats tend to sell a touch slower than the other seats in the house. So when the S.O isn't available and I want to get a good seat close to the show time, there's a chance that there's a D-BOX seat that someone hasn't taken yet.

Bottom line, it's a good choice if you want/need a bit extra to get you immersed into the movie, but it's not entirely necessary.

If y'all are interested in the more detailed technical aspects behind D-BOX, here's a video of their "Motion Code"

Cheers.

Movie: Justice League (2017)

Rating: C

If you want to watch this movie, stop reading the reviews (I suppose, that DOES include this one). Not so much because reviews inevitably include spoilers, but reading reviews for this movie actually spoils the movie.



If you don't go in to this movie with any expectations, it's not too bad of a movie. It's entirely watchable. Too many people reviewing this movie include all the issues they had during the production of the movie. I'm just here to talk about what happened on screen.

Sure, there are plot holes, missing bits to this movie, and some spotty CG, but it's still watchable. It's pretty good stylistically, they've done well portraying the characters, and there are some pretty awesome action moments (notice I did not say sequences).

I've always thought that DC does a pretty good job of tackling psychological struggles of its heroes, and Justice League does kind of try to attempt this. The biggest problem with this movie is that the major players in this movie really didn't get enough of a backstory.
I was fine with that with them doing this with Wonder Woman in Batman Vs. Superman: Dawn of Justice (2016) because she was a bit of a mystery to Batman and Superman. I'm also fine with them doing this with The Flash here because his story hasn't really begun and he was more of a bit player this time around.
But Aquaman and Cyborg are pretty big parts of this movie, and there is just a cursory introduction to their characters. You don't feel any attachment to them whatsoever. They feel like they were just dropped into the story.

The DCEU needs to stop rushing to catch up with Marvel, and just do their own thing. They built up each of their major characters before putting them all together for a team up.

Product: NOMATIC Travel Pack

Design: 4 / 5
Build Quality: 4.5 / 5
Functionality: 4.5 / 5
Ergonomics: 4 / 5
Durability: ?? / 5

MSRP: $219.00 (USD)
Overall: 4.5 / 5



I have long been looking for the "perfect" travel backpack. I've got to say, This NOMATIC Travel Pack is the closest I've come to finding it. Over the years, I've traveled quite a bit for work and some of my trips require shorter trips within the overall trip, and I really don't want to be lugging my suitcase around for a short jaunt of a few days. so in my extensive search for that perfect backpack, I developed a "want list", as follows:

- Durable
- Fits under airplane seat
- Security Pocket (against back)
- Fits all my electronics
- Fits 2-3 days of clothing
- Roller bag sleeve
- Multiple pockets for easy organisation
- Full Day carry comfort

So imagine my excitement when I saw this backpack listed on Kickstarter. It seemed like this NOMATIC Travel Pack checked all the right boxes. BUT, while it's by far the best one I've seen on the market so far, there are still just a couple of small things that prevents this from being PERFECT.

1. A MUST HAVE for me when traveling, is a security pocket that rests against my back. It's the perfect place to keep all your travel documents (passport, tickets, etc), currency, or any other sensitive items that you'd like to make sure is kept away from sticky fingers. While this NOMATIC Travel Pack does have one, it's a bit on the small side, and difficult to get to. The purpose of the security pocket is to prevent OTHERs from getting a hold of my travel documents, not prevent ME from getting a hold of them.

2. You don't always get a choice of where you're going when you travel for work. Sometimes, it can land you in some dodgy places, so security is essential. While it's GREAT that this backpack does give you a TSA approved combination lock for the zipper, there are quite a few backpacks now that use slashproof/resistant materials. In my humble opinion, that would put this pack over the top.

3. The backpack does wear a little bit square on your back. I just received mine, so I haven't used it for a full day commute, or for traveling yet. I'm sure it will work just fine, but for it to be PERFECT, a bit more of an angle for better weight distribution probably would have been nice.

4. Lastly, and I realise I'm being picky here; the side magnetic bottle pockets. They look fantastic, but there are limitations to their functionality. They don't expand QUITE enough if your water bottle is a little bit thicker. And it would have been nice if there was an option to close one of them, as having side pockets as an option is always nice.

Again, I realise that I'm being very picky here (this site IS called CriticallyCriticalCritic afterall). I love the various different ways that you can organise all of your gear. The addition of the compression pack is brilliant, and overall, while stylistically, it could look sexier, it's still professional looking, and it really doesn't seem like they've cheaped out on bits, which is nice.

Cheers.