Rating: B-
I've never been to school in Asia, but from what I've heard / seen from friends and the media, 那些年 seems to give a pretty accurate depiction of the student life in Taiwan and I suppose fairly close to the student experience in Chinese Asia in general terms.
(Blogger's note: Sorry. This is the music video of the title song and not the Trailer)
This is a coming of age story of a group of friends going to school in Taiwan. I liked the fact that they didn't try to be cute, and tried to keep the story as realistic as possible; to a point where you could actually see that yeah...kids could quite possibly grow up like that. I also like that they didn't try to put a full cast of great looking kids out there, because let's face it, most people aren't good looking. HAHA. It really just seems like you're taking a glimpse into the lives of a group of very ordinary kids.
A friend of mine said that the depiction of the budding romance was a
very accurate comparison to real life, I couldn't help but think back upon
my own experiences back in school. Of all the people that I knew (not
that I knew few or many), I only knew one person that spent their entire
high school life trying to score a date with a girl. So while I
understand that the movie was trying to focus on this one core group,
the romantic relationship that underlined the group's dynamic seemed a
little far fetched.
I don't know a single member of this cast, but the female lead really stood out for me. Watching her grow up and mature in front of the screen was a fantastic feat that left me extremely impressed with her performance. While the other members weren't nearly as noteworthy, I suppose that if we think of our own lives. How many of our lives would make for a good movie?
~Cheers.
Friday, 20 April 2012
Monday, 16 April 2012
Movie: Lockout (2012)
Rating: D
I have a big love/hate relationship with Luc Besson movies. I love the premise, hate the execution, and love to rip on them afterwards. Lockout was no different. If you've read some of my critiques, you'll know how much I hate holes in movies. This movie just had hole after hole after hole, with poor lighting, editing, and I do believe, that somewhere in the beginning sequence, they forgot the put the finishing touches on some Special Effects (CGI).
It's almost like Mr. Besson is doing charity work. He comes up with ideas, writes the initial screenplay, then offloads it to some poor up and coming director salivating at the opportunity at having Luc Besson in his credits at the end of the movie. Lockout seems to be yet another example. Both James Mather and Stephen St. Leger just seem overwhelmed with directing this movie.
Looks like Guy Pearce has been hitting the gym and looks great as a grisly framed agent on a one man rescue mission of the president's daughter played by Maggie Grace. Their relationship is what you would expect between a wily veteran and a sassy, but doe eyed beauty, and while a romance is somewhat inevitable in this kind of movie, how it blossoms is entirely contrived and there is no chemistry whatsoever. Quite honestly, the only person that stood out in this entire movie is Joseph Gilgun who plays the crazed brother of the main villain in the movie.
~Cheers.
I have a big love/hate relationship with Luc Besson movies. I love the premise, hate the execution, and love to rip on them afterwards. Lockout was no different. If you've read some of my critiques, you'll know how much I hate holes in movies. This movie just had hole after hole after hole, with poor lighting, editing, and I do believe, that somewhere in the beginning sequence, they forgot the put the finishing touches on some Special Effects (CGI).
It's almost like Mr. Besson is doing charity work. He comes up with ideas, writes the initial screenplay, then offloads it to some poor up and coming director salivating at the opportunity at having Luc Besson in his credits at the end of the movie. Lockout seems to be yet another example. Both James Mather and Stephen St. Leger just seem overwhelmed with directing this movie.
Looks like Guy Pearce has been hitting the gym and looks great as a grisly framed agent on a one man rescue mission of the president's daughter played by Maggie Grace. Their relationship is what you would expect between a wily veteran and a sassy, but doe eyed beauty, and while a romance is somewhat inevitable in this kind of movie, how it blossoms is entirely contrived and there is no chemistry whatsoever. Quite honestly, the only person that stood out in this entire movie is Joseph Gilgun who plays the crazed brother of the main villain in the movie.
~Cheers.
Friday, 13 April 2012
Product: Jambox by Jawbone
Design: 4.5 / 5
Sound Quality (in): 4 / 5
Sound Quality (out): 3.5 / 5
Build Quality: 4 / 5
Battery: 5 / 5
MSRP: $199.99 (USD)
Overall: 4 / 5
I've been a pretty big fan of Jawbone products for a while now. And a while ago, they came out with a new item to add to their lineup. The "Jambox Smartspeaker". It's got a pretty nice design, and for its size, it packs quite a punch.
It's got all those gimmicky things that I'd previously mentioned for the Jawbone Era, and again, it's cute...but entirely useless. But what I do find nice about it, is how versatile this little thing is. It probably isn't loud enough for a house party, but I've used it for conference calls, trade shows, dinner parties, video games, or just listening to music while I'm cooking or whatever.
It does have a slot for a 3.5mm headset cable if you like, but there's no noticeable lag if you're connecting via bluetooth.
Now, if you don't require speakerphone capabilities, or don't mind a little bit more heft, you can probably get away with similar sound quality for a cheaper price. But for what it is, you are getting plenty of value for your buck.
~Cheers.
Sound Quality (in): 4 / 5
Sound Quality (out): 3.5 / 5
Build Quality: 4 / 5
Battery: 5 / 5
MSRP: $199.99 (USD)
Overall: 4 / 5
I've been a pretty big fan of Jawbone products for a while now. And a while ago, they came out with a new item to add to their lineup. The "Jambox Smartspeaker". It's got a pretty nice design, and for its size, it packs quite a punch.
It's got all those gimmicky things that I'd previously mentioned for the Jawbone Era, and again, it's cute...but entirely useless. But what I do find nice about it, is how versatile this little thing is. It probably isn't loud enough for a house party, but I've used it for conference calls, trade shows, dinner parties, video games, or just listening to music while I'm cooking or whatever.
It does have a slot for a 3.5mm headset cable if you like, but there's no noticeable lag if you're connecting via bluetooth.
Now, if you don't require speakerphone capabilities, or don't mind a little bit more heft, you can probably get away with similar sound quality for a cheaper price. But for what it is, you are getting plenty of value for your buck.
~Cheers.
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