Kenneth Branagh - natalie portman, blu-ray

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Thor is Marvel's best superhero movie yet. It is even better than the first Iron Man and The Incredible Hulk films. It is also the most visually stunning of any Marvel film, with gorgeous fantasy settings, great costumes, and spectacular special effects.



In the same way as Christopher Nolan's The Dark Knight worked just as well as a crime drama as a superhero movie, Thor works just as well as a standalone fantasy film. Even if I had not known that I was watching a comic book movie, I would have been just as happy with the story. In fact, I would say that you don't actually need to be familiar with the characters or the comic mythology to enjoy the film.



The story is set half in Asgard, the realm of the gods, and half in our world, Earth. Thor, the son of the king of Asgard, the wise Odin, is a proud and arrogant king-in-waiting. He makes a foolish mistake that brings his world to the brink of war and his father exiles him to our world as punishment, and maybe to teach him how to be a better man. On Earth, Thor makes some new friends and even begins to fall in love with a pretty scientist. Meanwhile, in Asgard, his brother Loki begins to put into motion a plot that may threaten Thor's home.



Two things about the film really stood out to me. The first is the absolutely beautiful settings and solid world-building in the movie. Asgard looks amazing, with settings such as the Rainbow Bridge, a crystal structure with colored lights running through it, spanning a sea that flows into a massive waterfall, cascading down into the open cosmos. Also, great costuming really makes the gods stand out, and adds to the film's epic feel. The second thing was the character of Loki, the film's antagonist. Watching the trailers, I expected a greasy, honorless villain (someone like Wormtongue from the Lord of the Rings). Instead I got the story of a hero, told in reverse. Loki's story mirrors his brother Thor's, but where Thor starts out as an arrogant royal brat and through his time on Earth comes to realize what it means to be a hero, Loki begins the story as a mischievous but honorable man, and over the course of the film turns into a really bad guy. As Thor rises, he falls. And when his final plan is revealed at the end of the film, it totally fits his personality and everything you know about him. In other superhero films, we're used to seeing the bad guy go on some kind of mindless rampage at the end of the film. We saw it in The Incredible Hulk, Iron Man, the Spider Man movies, the Fantastic Four...but not here. Loki acts like a man with a purpose. Actually he has two purposes, both very personal to him. One is to do commit a terrible act of destruction, partly out of self-loathing and partly out of a twisted sense of honor toward his father. And the other is simply to beat his brother, proving himself Thor's equal. He is easily the deepest villain of any of the Marvel films so far.



The film is directed by Shakespearean actor Kenneth Branagh (Gilderoy Lockhart!), who handles the epic material perfectly. More than any Marvel film so far, this one focuses on the hero's journey. Even more than a comic book movie, this is a fantasy film about a hero. Expect father-son drama, palace intrigue in the realm of the gods, and an epic confrontation between two brothers who have been become very different people over the course of the story. There is also plenty of humor, with a few real laugh-out-loud moments. And there is a very sweet, almost cute romance woven into the story. It carries an innocent, young-love kind of feeling. It also takes the two characters, one a god more concerned with war and glory, the other a scientist more concerned with solving the mysteries of the universe, and brings them down to earth in their budding love for one another.



I would recommend Thor to any lover of fantasy films, as well as any fans of comic book movies such as Marvel's Avengers lineup. It is solid fantasy fun with a strong sense of the epic and the heroic. And when you see Thor finally wield his hammer and summon the lightning, you'll want to stand up and cheer. Thor (Two-Disc Blu-ray/DVD Combo + Digital Copy)

I went to see this with our 9 year old son, honestly not expecting very much. While I have enjoyed Portman and Hopkins in a number of roles, I felt this would be just another comic book hero movie with a bad script, extremely predictable character development, and unoriginal attempts at humor.

I was wrong...

Not only did I AND our 9 year old boy enjoy THOR, our 13 year old daughter, 15 year old goddaughter, and two more of our daughter's friends enjoyed it...ALL 3 TIMES WE SAW IT!!!

That's right...I saw THOR with our kids 3 times. Granted, this is a bit over-killed, but we thoroughly enjoyed the movie every time and plan to purchase it on opening DVD release day. Here's why:

1. I felt it was age appropriate.

2. Was it violent, sure...was it gory, no.

3. It had clear lines of good and bad, treated well with a myriad of complexities that led people to their struggles...so it felt honest.

4. I thought it was a GREAT play into the Avengers movie that is on the way.

5. I felt Branagh did a wonderful job directing...they should consider allowing him to direct the Avengers.

Rent this one...buy it...whatever works for you. It's good entertainment with plenty of action, quick wit, and a sweet redemption in the end. No Oscars here, but a good film nonetheless...thumbs up!

Comic book fans get a lot of flak for being nerds, dweebs and geeks; or at least they used to. Now comics are en vogue as millions of people attend geekfests like Comic Con; although whether that's to see the movie and television stars in attendance remains to be seen. Comic book characters are our mythology, they rival the super powered beings and gods of ancient Greek, Mesopotamian, and Viking mythology. We as humans have always felt this need to look up to higher powers to sort out our lives, believing that the fate of our race is better left in the hands of someone capable of bending the rules of physics. It's only natural then that eventually the worlds of comics and ancient mythology would collide as it does in the new Marvel movie Thor.



Thor (Chris Hemsworth) is the arrogant first born son of King Odin (Anthony Hopkins) of Asgard, and the rightful heir to the throne. When Thor commits an act that could lead to war between Asgard and the Frostgiants, with whom they have a very shaky truce, Odin strips Thor of his powers and banishes him to Earth until he learns humility. On Earth Thor is found by astrophysicist Jane Foster (Natalie Portman) and her team (Stellan Skarsgard, Kat Dennings) as they study atmospheric disturbances in New Mexico.



Thor is one of Marvel's lesser known properties, despite having been created by Stan Lee back in 1962. An integral character in Marvel's super powered team The Avengers, the movie version of the comic book was announced not long after the success of Iron Man as part of Marvel Studios attempt to bring The Avengers to the big screen. While Marvel has had great success with the first Iron Man movie and to a lesser extent Iron Man 2 and The Incredible Hulk (which is the closest Marvel Studios has come to failure so far), Thor was a risky proposition with the greatest potential for failure. How does one meld the worlds of the mythical Asgard and Earth seamlessly into a movie that is part of a bigger picture with characters that are based solely in our realm?



Enter Kenneth Branagh. The success of Thor can largely be pinned on having a filmmaker with appropriate gravitas to ground the film. Branagh is a star of stage as well as film (for those of you unfamiliar with the name he played Gilderoy Lockhart in Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets). The presence of Branagh alone was somewhat curious considering he's known more for directing acclaimed works like Hamlet (1996) and Henry V (1989) and even as an Irishman the English consider him one of the leaders in Shakespearean theater. It's that knowledge of film and theater that really guides Thor as he borrows as much from Shakespeare's Henry V as he does from modern action films.



Also adding to the weight of Kenneth Branagh's credentials are a list of acclaimed and award winning actors and actresses such as Anthony Hopkins, Natalie Portman, Stellan Skarsgard, Rene Russo, and Idris Elba. Not only do they have the opportunity to ground the movie, but they also look like they're having fun. Part of why we enjoy this movie is because we can see that they enjoy the movie. No one ever really feels like they're hamming it up or sleepwalking through their scenes, you get the sense that aside from the emotions they convey for their characters concerning their predicaments they all want to be on this set and that feeling is infectious. Also Tom Hiddleston's Loki is a revelation at a time when I have to admit that Marvel Studio's previous villains have been lacking a certain je ne sais que. Hiddleston plays the character with a secret, and a glimmer behind the eyes that slowly unravels like a ripe onion throughout the film holding on to his deceit with the hope of another day. He's more complex than the previous villains that have come out of Marvel Studios, and I'm looking forward to his return in The Avengers.



The real linchpin for why this all works though is Chris Hemsworth. While having been around here and there in blink and you'll miss it parts, Hemsworth got his first big break in JJ Abrams Star Trek reboot in the pivotal role of George Kirk, father of James T. Kirk. While his place in geekdom had been set in a small yet important role, the question of whether he could pull off the Norse god turned Marvel superhero. In a lot of actor's hands this would have been a one note character bereft of emotion and humor. Hemsworth is a magnetic leading man, though, exuding charisma and confidence. His poise commands respect, and he effortlessly flows from emotion to emotion, arrogance to humility, with a comedic timing that leaves the audience in stitches but still doesn't undermine his character.



As with most, if not all comic book movies, this movie tries hard to give you a lot of plot in a short two hour span (I say short because it leaves you wanting more, the way a good action movie should). Naturally, some things are a little undercooked but don't ruin the movie. In the end, as much as I fell in love with Natalie Portman's character (as I do with almost any character she plays) the romantic connection between Thor and Foster didn't ring true because for most of the film he seemed somewhat disinterested only to find his infatuation with her later in the movie. Thor's progression from arrogant strongman to humble hero also seems to be slightly haphazard as it really feels as though it could have used more time to flesh out. Hemsworth does an admirable job making the audience feel each twist and turn of the character, but each twist and turn feels a little too abrupt to be genuine.



All in all though, this was an excellent film: a piece of escapist entertainment that embraces Shakespeare as much as it embraces modern blockbuster pop-art. On the scales of Marvel I'd rate this just slightly under Iron Man and far above Iron Man 2 and The Incredible Hulk. The fact that they were able to get Thor right gives me hope for The First Avenger: Captain America and The Avengers. If you're a fan of comic book movies, Iron Man, or Marvel I highly recommend that you give this film a try. Not to mention, this is quite possibly the best use of 3D I recall since Avatar. Check it out!



4/5



For more review check out: jasoncwilkerson.blogspot.com - Blu-ray - Anthony Hopkins - Natalie Portman - Kenneth Branagh'

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Corded-cordless Combos - caller id, with answering device

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This is without question, the best land line phone I have ever seen! Please look at my other reviews, you will see that I am NOT a paid reviewer to write what the manufacturer wants.



This phone does EVERYTHING! Sound is crystal clear. Both handsets and base unit have lit displays. Both have selectable ringer tones and volume. Each has independent "phone books" which can be copied from the base unit to the handsets or vice versa. Both the base unit and handsets have speaker phones. The phone books are super easy to program.



The answering system with date/day/time works terrifically! You can select pre-recorded message or make your own. The answering system capacity is 18 minutes or 64 messages. You can select between 2 and 7 rings before the answering system engages.



I like that the base unit works during power outages.



I especially like the five "speed dial" buttons to phone frequent friends or family with just one button. Great!



Call blocking works well.



Cordless handsets have great range and use rechargeable AAA batteries (included). The handset cradle recharges the batteries. The cordless handsets light up. You can access the answering machine via the cordless handsets.



It has a "handset locator".



It supports English and Espahol. Instruction manual is well written and easy to use.



It even has an "alarm clock" feature.



I have not found a better land line phone! Strongly recommend! Panasonic Dect 6.0 Metallic Gray Cordless/Corded Phone with Answering Machine (KX-TG1062M)

I was torn whether to rate this 4 or 5 stars. For my simple needs, it's definitely a 5, but it does have some quirks.



Good:



Great sound quality. Corded base for power outages. Speakerphone (which works great) on all components, both base and handsets. Access to answering system messages from all components. Functions as an intercom (and very well, too). 100-number phone book, which can be copied between units either in total or one entry at a time, and nine phone number groups that you can give custom names. Five-number quick dial buttons on base. Large, easy-to-use buttons. Uses rechargeable AA's (I *think* - might have been AAA's - standard batteries, anyway) instead of the expensive proprietary kind. Supports up to six handsets.



Not so good:



Some menus confusing. Direct-access to functions using "#" and a numeric code a joke, to me - I want to navigate to a function using an intuitive menu, not look up a code in the user manual. On base unit, LCD contrast is not high enough to read display without backlight (at least in the location we've got it). Does not have a memo function as our previous (but much lower quality) system did, so I'm in the market for a fridge magnet recorder thingie now - which is just fine by my husband, as he hated my leaving messages to myself on the answering machine....! ;-> ) Cannot copy phone number groups between units - if you use that function, you'd have to name the groups on each unit and put each phone number in a group individually.



The reason I gave it a "5" nevertheless is that the "not so good" things I listed mean virtually nothing to me for my simple needs, especially when bounced against the "good" things, which *do* mean a lot to me. Your mileage may vary, which is why I tried to list everything I've noticed about the unit so far.

I've owned this phone for just over a week and there are several things I like about it.



1. The handsets use two AAA batteries, instead of the specialized battery components common with digital phones. As my experience with my last phone, an AT&T model, left me without the ability to replace the battery, this one thing significantly affected my view.



2. Once you get the knack of the memory storage function that part of it is really quite simple to use, and much of the functions of the phone then become fairly intuitive.



3. The phone is operational when electrical power is out, which is a moderately common problem where I live due to thunderstorms.



There is one thing I don't like about this phone, but it is a small complaint: the voice control only raises the volume to a certain level and leaves me unable to hear at the level of volume that I'd prefer. However, this is a small complaint for the simple fact that if I pay close attention, which I should do anyway, I manage to understand all that is being said over the line.



The phone comes with a nice and unique ringer that can be heard from quite a distance. The handset use is very simple and easy to understand, requiring no reading of instructions to actually begin use.



Setting the timing of the automatic answering recorder is fairly simple as well. I've got mine set to record at six rings.



While I'm still learning about my new phone I must say that I am more than well pleased with it. It's far superior to the last phone I owned simply because of the type of batteries used. I appreciate Panasonic for actually considering the requirements of the user when they designed this phone.



I recommend it. This phone is very nice for the price and is as good, or better, than any other phone at this price level.

This is the best-designed cordless I've ever owned, but it has a couple of problems.



Pros:



- Well-designed user interface and documentation; easy setup

- Standard rechargeable AAA batteries

- Excellent voice quality through corded handset

- Editable Caller ID numbers (you can remove the area code for returning local numbers)

- Complete set of standard phone features (mute, hold, voice mail support, etc.)

- Corded handset works during a power outage.

- Set ringer off during recurring hours (like at night)



Cons:



- Poor range. Cuts out when you're walking around. Hardly any signal if you're on the other side of the house. It has about half the range of my old 900 MHz phone from the same location.



- Base speakerphone does not work during a power outage. If you're on speaker when the power goes out, it drops the call. I use the speaker a lot in my home-based business, and power outages are common during the summer thunderstorm season, so this is a major issue for me.



Update based on comments:



Yes, you can use a UPS for uninterrupted power. But my UPS was maxed out, which is why I bought a phone advertised as working during a power outage. If such a claim is made, then the corded handset should have: a) included an internal battery; or b) used the phone line to power the speaker, as one of my older phones does. - Caller Id - Corded Cordless Combo - With Answering Device - Panasonic Cordless Phone'

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Battery Powered - electric razor, shaving

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My previous Braun shaver lasted 20 years. So when it finally died recently, I had to look for another Braun. Here's what I like about the M-90: (1) it's relatively inexpensive, (2) it's flat, compact and lightweight so that it packs well for travel, (3) it seems to be well-made and all of the parts work well together, (4) the two included AA alkaline batteries lasted four months of daily use, which was a pleasant surprise (still, I would recommend getting a set of low self-discharge batteries, such as the Sanyo Eneloop).



My only reservations are (1) the foil cannot capture the few stray hairs that have grown long or have curled over, though I suspect this is a common problem with the foil design (I just bring along a disposable shaver to tackle this problem) (2) the foil screen on my previous Braun cracked and had to be replaced every couple of years, so I'll wait to see if Braun has made the screen more durable.



If you want a shaver for daily light trim and beard maintenance while traveling, then I would highly recommend the Braun M-90. It's a fine example of good design.



UPDATE: See my second reservation above. The original foil screen cracked after about a year of daily use. I'm not too surprised (still disappointing though), BUT a single replacement foil costs $13 including shipping. That's a third of the cost of the M-90. Frankly, I'm tired of this problem in the wide foil design. I wonder whether the floating head design would be more durable. Braun M90 Mobile Shaver, Silver, 1

As caveats, I would describe my beard density as significantly below average and I have fairly sensitive skin. I have generally shaved with a double bladed razor in the past, but I have had problems with irritation of my neck. This little shaver comes fairly close to a razor shave on the face and is, on a whole, better on the neck, with significantly less irritation. I have taken to keeping one at work and another in my gym bag.

This item is great for when you have that little bit of morning stubble. It takes absolutely everything off and leaves a nice smooth feeling. Cleaning is also easy, just rinse the entire head under running water while it is on and then remove cap and clean the row of razors with the small cleaning device that is attached on the bottom of it. The entire shaver is very cool and sleek, great design!



The only flaw is that if you wait too long to use this, and you get hairs that are more than 2mm long, that is where the shaver suffers. It will only get a little more than half of those longer hairs. You can use a regular razor for those hairs though and then go back to this shaver as they come back the next day.



There is also a small trimmer on the side of the shaver (see picture) that is great for cutting long hairs. It is so small though that I'm afraid I might break it when I try to force it out of the side and back in when I am done with it.

I found this Braun M90 moobile shaver to be powerful and usable in quick situations. It does not grab or nick your face, gives a decent smooth shave, good battery length and motor power, and handles a day's beard growth well. It fits into a car tray or briefcase well. The battery compartment was redesigned (previously known as the P-70)to prevent it from opening and spilling out the batteries. The side trimmer is OK, being short and at an odd angle, not like previous Braun shavers I boght a few years ago. I recommend this item.



But... be careful who you buy it from. There are secondary merchants who sell these items through Amazon.com, and while you may trust Amazon, you should not trust these secondary vendors! These secondary vendors may offer a low-price, but that price may not get you a delivery of the right product! Their idea of business is to make money to ship you what you did not order, and expect you to ship the wrong product back to them, while offering a 10% discount on a substitute product. It seems that this kind of practice indicates one thing: They are only in the business to make money by shipping the wrong products, if in fact they ship anything at all. The verification that came from Amazon.com said the product was shipped, and my credit card was charged. However, that was not the case. The UPS number was false because the product was actually "out of stock" and never shipped. But, false information was sent to Amazon by this vendor, and my credit card was charged.



Check the internet feedback to learn who these vendors are. My advice to Amazon.com is: "Screen your vendors... or I will stop buying products from you."

I bought this Braun M-90 electric shaver on recommendation from the salesperson that it was an essentially the same shaver as P-70 except that this one had a different screen.



So far, it does a decent job but as one would expect that most electric shavers do not shave as closely as razors.



I would recommend this shaver for its value and quality but not as a replacement for razor shaving.

I wanted to get the PocketGo P-70, but it seems like that is no longer manufactured. So, I picked up this little shaver. I tried it once so far, and it felt fantastic. My old shaver was defunct, and pulled hairs like a maniac, but this one glides so nice and easily, I could barely tell it was shaving at all. (Save for the high-pitched whirring noise).



I'm only giving it four stars right now because there was one stray hair on my cheek. I ran the shaver over it furiously several times to pick it off. It took a good 4-5 run overs, but once I found the proper angle, I was able to get it.



In short, it's great, and I have no doubt it is as good as the P-70. Just make sure you give your chin a quick runover before stopping your shaving routine!

I saw this on sale for about $12 and I thought, with all the good reviews here, I'd give it a try on my next vacation. It would definitely be nice not to have to worry about banging up or losing my regular electric shaver.



So I did. I spent about 15 minutes trying to use this razor and it left about half the hairs on my face completely intact. I would go over the same area several times and still nothing. I've never had this problem with any electric razor I've bought before because my beard does not grow in thick by any means. I ended up having to borrow my girlfriends razor for that morning, which she wasn't exactly happy about, but she didn't really want me going out looking like an idiot with my face half shaved either.



Terrible product. - Shaving - Braun - Battery Powered - Electric Razor'

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Drill Accessories - chuck, milescraft

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I was surprised to find that there is a paucity of drill attachments for handhelds to help drill straight holes. This one does a fair job of addressing the problem.



The chuck is 3/8", so larger bits will not work. Assembly is straightforward, as the handheld drill attaches to the top spindle and rides on two springed rods.



The base is not too steady as it's not completelty flat. There are too many allowances for screws and the like that make the base unstable. The handle works somewhat, but it can rock a bit while drilling.



The chuck is keyed. A keyless would have been nicer. It also has about 1/16" play, which means that the hole is not exactly at the center. The depth stop is collar that can be tighetened on the rod.



The springs on the rod are fairly hard, perhaps too hard. Furthermore, the depth stop stops the drill when the springs are completely compressed, requiring quite a bit of force, all while trying to hold the base steady. I removed the springs and it works much better.



This guide does a better job of drilling a straight hole than just doing so freehand, but is no replacement for a drill press. The concept is fine, but it needs some redesigning to work better. A DIY fix would be to attach a larger base to the bottom. Wolfcraft 4525404 Drill Guide Attachment for 1/4-Inch or 3/8-Inch Drills

I like using this and it certainly improves the drilling and makes possible angles and such. It does take a little preparation, but for the money, it's an economic way to get good work done without having a drill-press. I'd also like to add that it is a little bulky, and I wasn't able to use it in a tight location like I'd hoped, but that simply means you need to plan for that.

CONS:

1. The two top screws tend to loosen when your drill is making a little bit much vibration due to the nature of whatever you're drilling. You have to tight them after every hole you make, or the angle will change.

2. It's hard to handle it when it's connected with the drill, because it weights almost the same as the drill. I think they should've made it a little lighter.

3. For aiming, you have to press a few times before getting to the right place so you can begin to drill. A laser beam would've helped a lot.

4. It's very hard or impossible to drill a hole near the edge of a wood sheet, I had to mount it in a piece of wood to get the work done.



PROS:

1. There's nothing like it in the market. So it solves a lot of my needs.

2. Fairly accurate, much better than drilling with your bare hands.

3. Fair price, not too expensive.



I didn't tested other angles besides 90ª.

This guide would not replace a drill press. But it will definitely help with keeping the drill square to the surface, and there is an area where it is actually works better. Try drilling a hole square to the wall overhead with your drill press !



For more precise drilling, you want to drill a pilot hole, use a brad bit, and go slowly. Again, it's not a drill press, but it is definitely an improvement over drilling freehand.



On a negative side, the guide has somewhat excessive play in the chuck, and a tight fit for larger (corded) drills.

This is the second drill guide I have used. I used it to drill a number of holes through some pretty stiff hardwood and locations for bench dogs in my workbench. The holes came out sufficiently straight for my needs, probably could have made it more accurate had I screwed the base to a larger platform first. While I can see the springs could be handy for some purposes, they compress to three inches or so. Thus reducing the overall depth one can drill, although they can be easily removed in need be.



Overall it seems decently designed without any obvious flaws and seems robust enough to last a while. My only complaint is that there is no place to store the chuck key, would have been nice if they had included on on the base or crossbar when not needed.

I think if the designers of this product try then they can definitely improve the design. It has a good concept but does need further improvement. The problems are with the assembly and then with readjustment of the angle. Make sure to read the instructions before you try to assemble it. The instructions make the assembly less daunting. The thing seems to come apart if you loosen the bars from the top to try to adjust the angle or try to fold it for storing it. Funny thing is that the instructions first tell you how to put it togethor with the springs. Then it tells you to take them out.



Once I had it figured out and set then it worked ok and I think was quite useful.



I am very surprised that there are only two such products available and both very similar. An ideal product would be something similar to a drill press that would not use a additional chuck.

Kind of flimsy. Works OK with a light-cordless drill. Wobbles a lot I use one of the heavier ones, ending up with imprecise drilling. Gave up on it and hand-drilled the rest (slower but with the same level of precision!). So, if you want precise drilling go for a proper drill press.

I bought this to drill multiple shallow holes in the vertical sides of an entertainment center to use shelf pins for maximum shelf adjustability. For drilling the same holes repeatedly and wanting them the same this is just not the best tool. As stated by others the springs are too stiff, especially for a large number of holes (80) which will wear your arms out. The instability of the base combined with the lean "flex" of the guide rods caused as you apply the extra pressure you have to because of the springs make the difference between drilling by hand and using this device basically undetectable. I would have to say, if you're not that concerned, just drill by hand and if you want anywhere near precise, get a drill press of a better intermediate attachment. - Drill Accessories - Milescraft - Drill Press - Chuck'

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Adventure Movies - i own it, action movie

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most of the reviewers so far seem to have issues with the controls but to be perfectly honest I had no issues with the controls at all. the graphics and music is pretty good and the storyline isn't bad. Overall it looks like a solid and fun game. I am a gamer so maybe i just adapted to the controls easier because of that but I've played games with far worse. It is definitely a game worth checking out. ILLUSIA

this game looks great its slightly hindered by wonky controls but its manageable. the opening series of cut scenes is egregiously long but you can skip it.works very well on my tmob nexus s. 2.3.4I like it personally its like maple story. but the text is rather smallsmall

The game is great and love that its xperia optimized. But I think when using the xperias controls the touchscreen controls should go away, a button for jumping and the ability to map your skills to the buttons.

it is impossible to control. I couldn't get past the tutorial. they should figure out how to make it easier to jump... that is the worst part. I would love to play it .. reminds me of Zelda.. u love Zelda!

I've actually be playing this for awhile, and I can say for sure that this game is absolutely fun. Sure the controls could be better, and I've had points where my character would go crazy running back and forth, but once I got use to them it was fine. The controls are the only reason this isn't getting five stars from me.

I had purchased this game months ago before it was the free app, and I give it 5 stars for a few reasons; As with all the gamevil titles this game is good looking but also runs pretty good on my older device (Huawei Ascend), the gameplay is pretty deep for a game on the phone and we'll worth $.99 and defiantly worth getting for free.

It's a Role Playing Platformer with high qualty graphics, good music. So far it is fun!Xperia Play controls work, although I wish there was a jump button instead of pressing up to jump.The touchscreen controls on the other hand are laggy, they dont respond right away.

The controls need a lot of work. When double jumping, the game stops registering your finger on the arrows, so diagonal jumps are frustrating.There are modal dialog boxes with an ok button which does nothing, but which go away when you touch anywhere else on the screen.Also, lots of long sequences where you do nothing but click through conversations.At least it was free.

controls: on my samsung epic, its easier then making a cake. for full touch screen phones, jumping can be a big pain. all and all 4 of 5 on controls.graphics: the graphics are beautiful, exspecially for a phone. equipment changes the look of your chracter and that is always fun. runs very smooth on my phone with NO LAG what so ever. graphics get a 5 out of 5.many say the turtorial is annoying to get through, took me maybe 2 minutes to finish. when you start playing he actual game: you cant put your phone down to stop. i downladed the game for free, but well worth the $0.99 price tag. A must have for RPG fans!story line: i skip through alot of it, but the main story could be much much worse then it is. what i dont like are some of the "lazy" responces there are when talking to NPC's (non-player characters) in the game. the story revieves a 4 out of 5. - Action Movie - Shia Labeouf - I Own It - Adventure'

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Unless you really need the updated maps, I would not upgrade from Streets and Trips 2007.

* The 2008 version is the first one with a product key that needs to be registered. I assume this means I can no longer sell or give away the old version when I buy the new one. So I won't be upgrading every year anymore.

* After I did the install, it corrupted a dll that Money 2007 uses. I had to reinstall Money to get it working again. Microsoft Streets and Trips 2008 [OLD VERSION]

I've used S&T for many years, updating every year or two as useful new features were added. I updated to the 2008 version to get updated maps. After a lengthy install process, I found that MS had "updated" my street address out of existence. I live along a major road in Essex County in a substantial NJ Township with a 20K+ population and my street address and those of my neighbors had always shown up in prior versions of S&T. S&T 2008 not only elminated my street address but all street addresses on nearby major roads (i.e. those appearing in yellow). Other street addresses are shown. I did not have the time and inclination to see if this problem exists for street addresses in other areas of NJ or in other states. This fault in mapping street addresses makes this program untrustworthy and, essentially, useless.



When I called MS Technical support to see if I'd missed an option that would enable it to show street addresses on major roads, I was told that there was no such option and that another company provided the mapping technology and that I could provide map feedback about the error. He offered a refund but I will be able to return it to the place I bought it.



At this point, I've removed this new software garbage from my machine and reinstalled the old version. Now that Google Earth and other free mapping software exists and good GPS devices are readily available at decent prices, the need to pay for updated versions of S&T, especially dismally executed updates like this inexcusible 2008 version, makes no sense.

Having purchased the latest release of Streets and Trips for each of the past seven years, I have been generally quite happy with the product. Streets and Trips 2008 is a very slight improvement over the 2007 version with updated map data. As with previous versions, I am happy with the speed and accuracy of the product and still somewhat disappointed there is no real-time map data updating or dynamic point-of-interest data available for purchase.



To evaluate the merits of the product like this, it is very important to understand that the actual data for the maps is not created by Microsoft. It would be foolish to fault them for the lack of a new street or an incorrectly marked highway exist. Map data creation and refinement is a multi-billion dollar industry provided by companies like Chicago-based Navteq, which recently was acquired by Nokia for $8 billion dollars. These companies create the data, often with initial information from the government, refine it, and then sell it to other entities like Microsoft, Garmin and Ford.



People often ask why would one pay for map software when web-based applications are provided by services like Mapquest for free. The answer is that there are several reasons to consider this product over "free" alternatives. These include:



1) SPEED ....

Streets and Trips is incredibly fast and does not require an Internet connection. This is great for road warriors who are on the go and need to determine their destination in airports and on airplanes.



2) FLEXIBILITY...

Streets and Trips allows you to change cosmetic items like font size and map style. Maps can also be saved as files for future access and modification. So, even if you need to map a local trip like a home shopping outing, you can map out your travels in granular detail. As you research your house hunting treks, your saved map can be updated with your new finds. Additionally, you can draw on top of the map and various notations.



3) NO ADVERTISEMENTS & WASTED INK...

Unlike Mapquest, there is no extraneous information on printed maps. You can control what appears on the paper.



4) POWER USER FUNCTIONALITY...

Streets and Trips contains features found on sophisticated logistics software. For example, there is a route optimization function that identifies the most efficient route based on a collection of stops. Also, you can adjust the estimated driving speed for different segment based on your particular knowledge of the roads (i.e. slower for rush hour). Oddly, Microsoft took away specific driving speeds in mph for different types of roads starting in 2007, which I feel was a huge mistake. Rather, there are sliders that say "slower-average-faster".



But there are downsides...



While there is some there is connectivity with the outside world in this version of Streets and Trips, it is limited. Basically, it does provide updated construction information over the Internet for free. In the "connected services" version of Streets and Trips, you can obtain traffic and gas price information through a MSN direct, which obtains data through an FM receiver. Such connectivity is for navigation on the go. Yet, this doesn't make any sense as Streets and Trips can't be safely used as an in-vehicle navigation device. Even on a PDA or ultramobile PC, the proper touchscreen interface is not available. Moreover, there are so many well-designed PND (personal navigation devices) such as Dash's networked PND (i.e. the PND actually uploads the subscriber's speed and location), that Microsoft has no hope of competing in this market.



So, where does this leave Streets and Trips 2008? It is about halfway to where it needs to be. I am sure the concept of dynamically updated map and point-of-interest data hasn't escaped Microsoft engineers. The question still remains as to how they can provide this valuable information at price point where the average consumer will pay for it. - Maps - Directions - Navigation Drving Directions - Cartography'

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Star Trek fans, I'm sure, will argue for decades over which of the Trek TV series was the best. But as a stand-alone Sci-Fi TV series, this one was the best I had ever seen. Just to let you know where I'm coming from, my other favorites include Blake's 7, Doctor Who, the original Star Trek series, and most of the Next Generation Series (post 1989).Deep Space Nine had it all. It was the first Star Trek series to be produced after Gene Rodenbury passed away, and I think he would have been very proud. The series had a grand story arc from the very first episode. It increased the number of primary characters over that of 'The Next Generation.' It featured more female characters in commanding roles (most notably, Major Kira). It mirrored the post Cold War politics and instability of the Balkins / Slovakia / Eastern Europe, with its setup of the dimming Cardassian Empire and the newly-freed Bajorians. It also addressed the legacy of empires past. One only needs to see the bond between Chief O'Brien (ethnic Irish) and Doctor Bashir (ethnic Indian) to identify echoes of the British empire.And let's not forget France, or for that matter, Casablanca! Deep Space Nine was a dense series. It had action, drama, romance, and a series-long homage to the classic film, Casablanca. It could have been called, "Everyone comes to Quarks." Quark is no Rick Blaine, but he does own a bar. And Odo is a very good redux of Captain Louis Renault. Add to that the familiar story of the spy-turned-tailor in the likeable character of Garak (the only Cardassian aboar DS9). In any case, it added a depth of romance and humor to the series. Furthermore, DS9 took advantage of a grand opportunity to further develop the Bajorians, Ferengi, and Cardassians as major players in the Star Trek universe. And it should be mentioned that although Rick Berman and company downplayed early rumors that the series would be "bleak" and "much darker" than the 'Next Generation' series, it was still a very different Star Trek. The cinematography, set design, and music might have looked and sounded a lot like The Next Generation, but this Trek had a much more realistic storyline, with very powerful and often dark themes. This Trek had the highest body count of any previous or future series. Every major planet in the storyline - Earth, Bajor, Cardassia, and Qonos/Klingon are all devastated by major military attacks sooner or later in the series (with one of them nearly being destroyed altogether). DS9 (the station) itself was originally built as a Cardiassian prison, where countless Bajorians toiled and died. So although this series is part of the same glossy world as TNG, the themes and scenarios are much more realistic. This series was about suvival against the odds, and I think it pulled it off wonderfully. This was a grand series about the struggle to survive and build trust among different races and worlds. And being a Star Trek series, it was also about management - how to manage people, build teams, and solve problems on the fly. I think any engineer, mechanic, or IT professional would love the new Star Trek shows, including this one for it's never-ending theme of problem solving and the demonstration of leadership skills.But above all, a series can't work unless the characters are well-developed, and the story flows at a steady pace. And that's where DS9 excelled. In my opinion, 'The Next Generation' became a great series only when a solid story arc was established, and the crew of the Enterprise-D had acquired multiple missions to deal with the Romulans and fight the Borg. I assume, that could only be done when the future of the series was secured (thanks to strong ratings in syndication). DS9 hit the ground running when it premiered in early 1993, thanks, of course, to the success of TNG. It's characters were very well thought-out (most of them had solid backgrounds and personal interests established from the start), and only grew in depth as the series progressed. And the story arc was emphasized with some of the greatest season-ending cliffhangers I've ever seen. It is quite possible that the finale of the 1999 series (I think it was '99) when both Garak and Worf lost their love interests during an attack on DS9, was as dramatic and powerful as anything I had seen on other well-written drama series such as Homicide or Six Feet Under. In fact, Homicide was the only other TV show I watched between 1993 and 2000.It could be years before all 7 seasons of DS9 are released on DVD. But let's hope Season #1 is released soon. And then the journey can begin again. This was one for the ages for Trekers and non-Trekers alike. Star Trek: Deep Space Nine Season 1

Late in the fifth season of Star Trek The Next Generation, the producers decided to embark in a new direction with a new, darker and even more character rich show. Having made that decision, they came up with Deep Space Nine, which turned into one of the best of all of the series. What made this series even more intriguing and enriching was its many contrasts to the way in which the other shows were produced. In Gene Roddenberry's vision of the twenty third and later twenty fourth century's human condition, life was not exactly a paradise yet much of the strife and hardships that we contend with today are eliminated. In the other series, there aren't many examples of conflict between the characters however, in DS9 there are plenty of opportunities for conflict between the Starfleet and Bajoran personnel or any other variety of alien species. In Deep Space Nine we're introduced to Starfleet personnel who are asked to command a space station built and formerly run by Cardassians who had been occupying Bajor for sixty years and in many ways, quite brutally! Now that the Cardassians have decided to move out, the Bajorans aren't quite prepared to operate the station and are only in the beginning stages of rebuilding their world.In many ways, this series unfortunately wasn't received as well as Star Trek The Next Generation, Star Trek Voyager or even today's Enterprise. Often referred to as the "red headed" stepchild of the franchise, DS9 didn't initially receive the critical acclaim or the fan support it so richly deserved.Some character introductions:Commander Benjamin Sisko, played brilliantly by Avery Brooks is a man of strong convictions and possessed of a superb leadership quality. In the beginning of "Emissary," Commander Sisko is still plagued by the death of his wife at the hands of the Borg at Wolf 359. He is raising his son Jake by himself, as a widower. He initially felt at the time he received the assignment that he didn't want the position and that he didn't wish to stay in Starfleet. Upon meeting Captain Picard and the stoic Bajoran people his desire to resign grows even greater. Upon his discovery of the wormhole and the aliens within serve to change his mind as they help him to finally recover from the anguish he'd been living in since the death of his wife. He accepts his role as the commander of Deep Space Nine and quite reluctantly accepts the Bajorans belief that he is the prophesized Emissary.Major Kira Nerys, played perfectly by Nana Visitor is the Commander Sisko's choice as his first officer on DS9. She grew up under the terrible conditions of the Cardassian occupation. At an early age she joined the Bajoran resistance as a freedom fighter. Her character is one of great interest and intrigue as she learns to deal with situations from a leadership/political manner rather than always taking up arms. The role was initially to have been Ro Laren/Michelle Forbes from STNG, which probably would've been alright but thank goodness she turned it down as Nana Visitor did an outstanding job with the Kira Nerys role.Chief Miles Edward O'Brien, continuing in his role from TNG, Colm Meaney performs admirably when his character accepts a promotion/transfer to DS9. Coming along with him, but somewhat reluctantly, is his wife Keiko. No longer used in the background as transporter chief, the character stands out in many different aspects, from the dramatic to the comedic.Lieutenant Jadzia Dax, the ever beautiful Terry Farrell steps into the role of a joined Trill. Trill are a symbiotic species, meaning that while the woman is twenty eight, the "worm" in her abdomen is another life form that has been joined with other Trill several times before. Notably, Dax's last joining was with Curzon who had been mentor and friend to Benjamin Sisko. Playing the science officer, Jadzia is a brilliant and quite alluring character that enhances the show greatly.Lieutenant Julian Bashir, played perfectly by Alexander Siddig. Dr. Bashir is fresh out of the Academy and on his first assignment. He is a brilliant doctor and also serves well in the role of the "ladies" man. Of course, in a later season we learn where a lot of his intelligence comes from.Chief of Security Odo who is played beautifully by Rene Auberjonois. Odo is a shapeshifter or as we later find out, a changeling. Odo is a being possessed with a strong conviction for justice and a great need for privacy in his own affairs. The banter between him and Quark is perfect and very reminiscent of those between another pair on the Original Series.Quark - The Ferengi that runs the stations drinking establishment. In good keeping with Ferengi tradition, he is in on nearly every illicit and illegal activity that happens on the station. The character is wonderful in every way conceivable, from the comedic stand point to the dramatic; Armin Shimerman's performance is brilliant and irreplaceable.Garak, the Cardassian tailor/spy that was left behind when the Cardassians withdrew from Deep Space Nine is played superbly by Andrew Robinson. While only making one appearance in this first season, the former agent of the Obsidian Order does well to secure many recurring roles in episodes/seasons to come. He is, to date, one of the most intriguing characters of the entire genre.I highly recommend this DVD set and the other seasons to come, as it is worth every penny! {ssintrepid}Episode listing:EmissaryPast PrologueA Man AloneBabelCaptive PursuitQ-LessDaxThe PassengerMove Along HomeThe NagusVortexBattle LinesThe StorytellerProgressIf Wishes Were HorsesThe ForsakenDramatis PersonaeDuetIn the Hand of the ProphetsSpecial Features:Deep Space Nine: A Bold BeginningCrew Dossier: Kira NerysMichael Westmore's Aliens: Season OneSecrets of Quark's BarDeep Space Nine SketchbookAlien Artifacts: Season OneA photo gallerySeveral "hidden" interviews with cast members - Fire - Ebook Reader - Android - Amazon Kindle Fire'

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Black Comedy - kenneth branagh, hamlet

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Kenneth Branagh: star, director and producer of a slew of Shakespearean movie productions, including the gorgeous "Much Ado About Nothing."



But one of his most imposing films was a sumptuous adaptation of "Hamlet" -- and after making it, a burned-out Branagh made a movie about the travails of putting on a play. "A Midwinter's Tale" is a witty, slightly frenetic comedy that keeps its tongue in cheek, even as it pays homage to the theatre and its people.



A struggling actor has decided to fulfill a dream by putting on a production of Shakespeare's "Hamlet." However, the budget is very low, the location is in the middle of a rather cultureless rural town, and the actors are... kind of weird. Among them: a health freak, an avant-garde set designer, a gay man who insists on playing "Dirty Gertie," and a nearsighted women who auditions with a bad Debbie Harry impression.



But all weirdness aside, they trundle off to the country and begins rehearsals, but everything is going wrong -- they're in danger of being kicked out, the cast is depressed, the tickets aren't selling and their lead is suddenly offered the role of a lifetime. But somehow they have to pull their peculiar little production together and make it work...



"A Midwinter's Tale" is a very bare-bones production -- few actors, few sets, black-and-white film and simple camerawork. What makes this fantastic is the combination of high humor and slapstick, amusingly crazy people and poignant moments (such as Nina explaining why she doesn't want her eyes fixed).



Branagh handles the writing beautifully, whether it's funny ("I'm here to play the QUEEN") or passionate (Joe monologuing about why life is worth living). And though the comedy occasionally dips into slapstick, it's witty and crammed with hilarious jokes (the nearsighted Nina rushing across the stage to throw herself into her costar's arms, missing him completely).



And the characterizations are excetional -- no matter how silly or eccentric the characters are, they are depicted as real, good-hearted people with their own sorrows and passions. Richard Briars and Nicholas Farrell are as good in this movie as they are in Branagh's other movies, and there are well-rounded turns from Joan Collins, Jennifer Saunders, Julia Sawalha and Celia Imrie. And Michael Maloney is very solid as a slightly frenetic actor who just wants to put on Hamlet, no matter what.



"A Midwinter's Tale" is one of those unique little comedies that not enough people have seen -- an ode to Shakespeare and the trials of the theater. All-around delightful. A Midwinter's Tale

This is one of my favorite films of all time - I'm a theatre person, and a one-time 'gloomy dane' - and I've been waiting for the film to be released on DVD for over 10 years. Of all of the crap that gets released on DVD, including stuff they dredge up and digitize from days long gone by, I don't know why it's taken so long, and still this is just the movie, slapped onto a DVD. As grateful as I am, and however many times I will still put this in and watch it, the thing that keeps me from giving this a 5 star review is that the DVD release has NO features, and really not even a title screen sequence.



But if what you're looking for is a review of the film: This is a hilarious and at times heartfelt backstage comedy, expertly written and directed, and brilliantly performed. The pace of the film is breakneck, and for some of us Americans, the British slang can be a little tough to pick up on the first viewing. But it is absolutely worth repeat viewings - it gets richer every time I watch it.

This is the perfect movie to watch along with Branagh's Hamlet. It spoofs that movie, while using many of the same actors, and that makes the story of these actors even funnier!

When I wasn't feeling well a few years ago, I'd have Hamlet days, watching those 2 movies, along with Rosencrantz and Guildenstern Are Dead. It may not sound like fun to some people, but each movie explains a little more about the others. And by the time you get to A Midwinter's Tale, it is a hysterical take on that classic story. Fun, for a Shakespear fan!!!

This is a delightful film which we have lent to so many of our friends we needed an extra copy. For those who love Shakespeare and the theatre and have a sense of humor, it offers a treat. Doing Hamlet in the middle of the winter in a small town church in England is a challenge the actors undertake despite all of their various quirks. Joan Collins is wonderful as an actor's dubious agent. Richard Briers gives one of his best performances. All the foibles of an acting company are spoofed as is the bard, but all with humor and respect. You will laugh and feel good at the same time.

Kenneth Branagh made this little gem of a film partly as a way of cleaning the deck after he'd flopped with MARY SHELLEY'S FRANKENSTEIN, partly as a gearing-up for his film version of the original five-hour HAMLET, and mainly as a way of paying tribute to all of the thespians, young and old, who ply their craft on big stages and small in the hopes of getting their big breaks or, at the very least, getting by and having some substance (not to mention money) come of it. The scenario is right out of a 1930s screwball comedy; a young out-of-work actor gets together a rag-tag acting troupe with ambitions of performing HAMLET in a small, vacant church in a tiny English village on New Years Eve. Of course there's no wage and no accomodations (other than the church itself doubling as a dorm), but there is a cast and crew each having their own unique characteristics (wait 'til you see who's playing Gertrude, Hamlet's mother!) and lots of high hopes. Despite a few moments that fall flat, Branagh's love-letter to stage acting is sweet, very funny and proof that often a low budget can be sucessfully offset by the commitment and care of everyone involved...whether on the stage or on the screen. A winner. - Hamlet - Kenneth Branagh - Black Comedy - Christmas'

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