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iPhone Game Review: Angry Birds

Posted on Thursday, May 6th, 2010 at 7:39 am

Angry Birds - iPhone OS game The birds are angry, and they're out to get the pigs! Angry Birds is the latest and greatest the iPhone OS has to offer in the gaming department. There are tons of levels, each offering a unique composition of walls, barriers, pigs, and ornaments like jewels and trophies.

Playing this game is very simple! You use a slingshot to launch a variety of birds into the air, aiming for huge amounts of [pig] destruction. The more birds you have left in the end of the round, the bigger your score. There's a star rating system (1 to 3 stars) which gives you a good idea of how talented you've become. More after the jump...

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Posted In: General Stuff, Reviews

Movie Review: Valkyrie

Posted on Monday, December 29th, 2008 at 10:40 pm

After having watched several movies on the big screen, I am glad to say Valkyrie was a decent addition to the list. I went into the theater with minimal knowledge of what this film would be about, but I was quick to realize that it was a visual depiction of a Hilter assassination attempt - something you don't see too often.

Historically, it is known that there were roughly 40 attempts to take Hitler's life, unsuccessfully. This movie reinforces the fact that not all of Germany was on Hitler's side, which is good since most World War II movies express otherwise. Note: This is NOT an action film! Don't expect crazy battle scenes and explosions.

I have never seen a movie of this sort, but I can say that it was executed pretty decently. One event lead to another, so, boring moments were  seldom. This is movie is definitely for those who are curious about how it all went down, broken down into pieces.

Score: 8 out of 10

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Posted In: Film & TV, Reviews

Movie Review: The Curious Case of Benjamin Button

Posted on Saturday, December 27th, 2008 at 4:08 am

If you're looking for a deep and engaging movie to watch on the weekend, this is it. As the title of the film states, "curious" is definitely a primary feeling that swept me throughout the showing.

The Curious Case of Benjamin Button is based on a short story by F. Scott Fitzgerald, starring Brad Pitt and Cate Blanchett. If you have seen the trailer, you have a pretty good idea of what the film is about, but the execution of it all is astounding! I have not read the short story, but I have a feeling that this movie is just as good as the story itself.

The acting is wonderful, the storyline and the level of detail althoughout the movie is something to be desired by other movies. Having a run time just a few minutes short of 3 hours might be annoying for people who need to go often, but a couple of minutes away from the screen won't do you any harm.

This movie had me wondering, hoping, and thinking every minute of it. The concept of this film isn't something you see too often (in this form, at least), but the fact that it is based on a work of written fiction may have something to do with it. I highly recommend this film.

Score: 9 out of 10

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Posted In: Film & TV, Reviews

Movie Review: The Day the Earth Stood Still

Posted on Saturday, December 13th, 2008 at 1:28 pm

The Day the Earth Stood Still (2008)I cannot say I enjoyed this movie as much as I hoped. Usually, I like movies that people tend to not favor, but I felt that barely any effort was put into the making of this film.

For a good portion of the beginning, you don't really know what's going on, and it's all mostly mystery. The lack of a story line made it difficult for me to stay interested. In other words, it got boring. The message I believe this film wanted to deliver was good, but it wasn't carried out successfully. This message was "we are slowly bringing this planet to an end - if we don't change our ways, the planet will change for us in a way we won't like."

There was an abundant amount of special effects to go along with the cliche choreography, which wasn't that great. After having watched movies like Iron Man, Transformers, and War of the Worlds, it just feels it was subpar in terms of the story, and special effects. I honestly did not know what to make of the acting, some moments were good, most were...ehh. I haven't seen the original 1951 version, but I am sure it will be interesting once I do, haha.

Score: 3 out of 10

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Posted In: Film & TV, Reviews

Review: Flip Video Ultra, Portable Camcorder

Posted on Tuesday, July 15th, 2008 at 6:20 am

Flip Video UltraI have been using the Flip Video Ultra for about 2 weeks now and I only have positive things to report. This device has turned into something I take with me everywhere I go, just like my cellphone and keys. I've been able to capture rare moments with friends and family, as well as events such as the July 4th fireworks.

There aren't many cameras that are targeted for the general consumer, but the Flip Video Ultra looks like it's the one to beat.

Continue reading after the jump for the entire review!

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Posted In: Reviews, Technology

First Impressions: iPhone 2.0 Firmware Update

Posted on Monday, July 14th, 2008 at 8:09 am

iPhone 3GWhen the iPhone 2.0 firmware was released, I eagerly downloaded and updated my iPhone. The App Store is probably the main reason of why I've been excited about it all this time. There are a lot of free applicataions that are quite useful, but there are also a lot of apps (both free and paid) that suck. I don't blame it for being new and fresh with the things that are being offered, but I have no doubt that in due time improvements in the apps will be made.

Lately, I've been playing around with a bunch of different applications such as Shazam, Last.fm, Twitterific, vSNAX Videos, and more. I'll be posting mini-reviews of the applications that I like, and the improvements that can be made in them.

I haven't paid for any applications yet since there isn't much to lure me in at the moment. One thing that I am really looking forward to (that I will purchase) is language learning software. On top of dictionaries and translators, which should be cheap or free, I'd like to see well developed apps that can teach me Russian, Cantonese, Spanish, and other languages. On top of all that...a bunch of cool games would be nice, too!

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Posted In: Reviews, Technology

Review: Times – RSS Feed Reader

Posted on Monday, May 12th, 2008 at 4:51 am

Times by Acrylic SoftwareTimes is an RSS Reader application with a unique approach at how news/blog feeds are presented to you. Dustin MacDonald, known for creating the popular Wallet application is the man behind this cool application.

The first thing you will learn about Times is that it's very well thought out. The animation and transition effects throughout the application look very pleasing, and makes it a fun application to use. From the perspective of a traditional RSS Reader, your subscribed websites would generally be grouped into one section, while the article feeds would be displayed in a window right next to it. Times takes the approach that aggregates your feeds into a newspaper-like design.

You have the ability to create categories for the different types of websites you subscribe to right next to the ones that already exist. Times comes with a big list of popular websites/blogs you may want to follow, but you can definitely add new feeds and remove existing ones at your command. If you're an existing user of an RSS Reader, you can import your .opml feeds directly into Times so you don't waste time creating new feeds for everything. Continue reading after the jump...

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Posted In: On the Web, Productivity, Reviews

iPod Shuffle Has Arrived! – Mini Review

Posted on Wednesday, April 9th, 2008 at 2:18 am

iPod Shuffle - SilverAfter an unreasonably long wait (about 1.5 weeks), my silver iPod Shuffle finally arrived and I love it! I've heard so many great stories about it and its awesome audio quality and tiny form factor. I primarily bought this for the gym but I know I'd be carrying it around anyway, albeit having an iPhone.

The battery life on this little thing is great, and the built in clip is probably the best feature of it - other than playing music and sounding great. I thought that I'd fuss over the lack of an LCD screen, but I realized how much I don't even care. The only songs that go on here are the ones that I'd listen to all the time, and not have to nitpick to find a song that I like. I didn't believe it when I read that the shuffle had a better bass response than the other iPods up until now. That's a nice one-up for me.

I have yet to have any problems with the 12 hour battery life, and the 1GB storage capacity is more than enough to last me through many hours at the gym. I was strongly leaning towards an iPod Nano but I decided that I didn't need the screen, and I didn't have the nerve to buy extra accessories to strap it onto my arm, or whatever. iPod Nano Arm Band = Not so awesome. iPod Shuffle Clip = Awesome!

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Posted In: General Stuff, Reviews, Technology

Book Review: Humble Masterpieces, Everyday Marvels of Design

Posted on Monday, March 10th, 2008 at 7:24 am

Humble Masterpieces: Everday Marvels of DesignI went to the MoMa (Museum of Modern Art) for the first time a couple of days ago, and it was great! I spent most of my time on the 3rd floor where all the photography and architecture & design areas were. Naturally, I was impressed, so when it was time to leave, I spent a few more minutes in the design store where I chose to purchase this book over the others.

Everything from the Post-it note to the Condom is covered in this book. With short historical descriptions of how each product came about, you learn about the fact that almost everything we use on a daily basis today was invented within the last century. If you're ever in the need of starting a conversation, you'll get plenty of ideas from this book. Everybody loves interesting facts - why else did the Snapple Facts under the caps become such a success?

Featuring 100 different items, this book is definitely something every designer and non-designer should own for the reason that you learn to appreciate it all in a whole new way. Come on, who wouldn't want to know that the amount of wire used to make Slinkys since 1943 could wrap around the earth 126 times (and growing)? More after the jump...

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Posted In: Design & Code, General Stuff, Reviews, Technology