Critique: Blue-Ray 3D

Rating: F

Last month, Blockbuster's Canadian Unit filed for bankruptcy protection. With news that Blockbuster would be closing a handful of stores, I went to see if there were any good deals to be had. I saw a copy of Tron: Legacy for Blue-Ray 3D and thought about picking it up. But taking a look at the package, I decided to put it down.

To watch the movie in 3D you need:
- A 3D TV
- 3D Glasses
- 3D Player
- 3D Disc

Really?! Are you kidding me?! While I understand the need for all of these components, I am NOT shelling out for a new TV, at LEAST 2 pairs of 3D glasses, AND a 3D friendly Blue-Ray Player JUST so I can watch a movie. And anyone foolish enough to do so really needs their head examined.
A 3D TV (46")costs roughly $2,500. A pair of 3D glasses will run (depending on which pair you buy) about $150. Each. Unless you plan on watching movies alone, you'll need at least 2 pairs, so that's $300. A Playstation3 console is probably the best value you'll get for a 3D capable player, and that will cost another $300. So before you even consider watching a movie in 3D, you've already spent $3,500.

Watching a movie in 3D at the local cinema will run you roughly $15. Even if you're paying for your date, that will run you $30. You can enjoy over 100 movies in 3D and still be less expensive than BUYING all these components.

OK, fine. You've got a family of 4 and you'd like to watch these 3D movies in the comfort of your own home. But think about it, how much available media is there in 3D? Even at the cinema, only select movies are available in 3D. Television programming isn't yet in 3D. Very select titles in games are available in 3D. If you add up all the available 3D media to date, I doubt you will reach 100 titles! And even if you're currently looking for a new TV, you can get a decent HDTV with 1080p for under $1,000 these days.

Oh, and here's the kicker. Toshiba's already showing off a glasses-less 3D TV. Granted, 40"+ is still likely a few years away, but to spend that much money for stop-gap technology? Give me a break!

~Cheers.

TV Series: Smallville - Series Finale (Season 10)

Rating: B+

Let's not kid ourselves. CW's Smallville was never really meant to be taken seriously. It started off as a tween show to talk about the youth of Clark Kent; his life before he became Superman. Over the years, it became almost too lovey dovey to watch, his relationship first with Lana Lang, and then with Lois Lane. It was a directionless show gasping for life. At some point in time, the series shifted and started moving towards "The Justice League" and in my opinion, totally saved the series from gasping from its last dying breath. But the series is called Smallville; so how the heck do you migrate from one to the other?



OK, so the clip above isn't the actual promo, but quite honestly, I felt it was better than what the CW had put together. Haha. The writers told us years ago that Clark Kent would not fly, that the day he did, the show would be over. They stayed true to their word.

The series finale was perfect. So why did I only give it a B+? Because after 10 years, these guys still can't act. Because after 10 years, the script is still saccharine filled. Because defeating Darkseid... was totally anti-climactic.
But there were throwback scenes to the original Christopher Reeve 1978 Superman, if they were to remaster that movie, this 10 year series would have been an excellent introduction. Towards the end of the series, they started showing why and how "Clark Kent" from Smallville, became the four-eyed "Clark Kent" from the movies. They miraculously brought back Lex Luthor. They found a way to let Clark become Superman.

It's not the comics. And they change much of what DC Universe has taught us about Superman and his friends. But between the Golden Age, and the Bronze Age, and Earth 2 and Earth blah blah blah, does it really matter any more? But if you were a fan of Christopher Reeve's Superman from 1978, this series finale merges almost seamlessly into the movie. Almost.

~Cheers.

TV Series: Flashpoint (Season 3 Finale - Fault Lines)

Rating: A

Cuteviv & Certain Individual told me about Flashpoint a while ago, but I never really felt compelled to watch it. It's a cop show about an Strategic Response Unit (SRU - aka SWAT team). I mean, how do you take a cop show that stars the Pink Ranger (Amy Jo Johnson) seriously?! And to boot, they're headed up by Enrico Colantoni, who's probably only recognisable role is from Just Shoot Me!, a sitcom with David Spade!

(Sorry guys, couldn't find a good embeddable video - Watch Here)

But, CTV scheduled the Season 3 Finale after the Superbowl (XLV) last Sunday. And sprawled on the couch with a belly full of beer and similar libations, the only part of my body willing to move was my thumb, resulting in some serious channel surfing and ended up watching the season 3 finale of Flashpoint. I was totally blown away. It was intense, well written, gripping, and left you with a huge cliff hanger at the end. And I'm not giving it a great writeup because it's Canadian either.

Not only was the episode amazing, it's a great place to START watching Season 4 and not have to catch up and start with Season 1. It gave the characters depth, made you care about the characters, which made you care about the team. Full marks CTV for a great show that's even found success south of the 49th.

~Cheers.