Bend in the Weather (Entries tagged as review)

Teddy bear moments

mbottrell@gmail.com (Matt) — Tue, 20 Oct 2009 02:15:00 +1100

I think we can all attest to the phenomenon known as the Teddy Bear troubleshooting.

I think we all probably need our own Teddy Bears in each of our ~~human office box~~ cubicles or work desks.

So next time you need to do some serious troubleshooting or some heavy lifting when debugging - try pulling out the Teddy Bear.
Even better, you can hug something after it's solved!

SuSE Linux 10.1 Screenshots

mbottrell@gmail.com (Matt) — Tue, 18 Jul 2006 16:18:12 +1000

I've just been testing SuSE Linux 10.1 in a VMWare machine to test it's capabilities and getting ready to run it on my new PC purchase (post on that in the next few days).

I took the opportunity to take some screenshots of the install and the running operating system.

Feel free to take a look:

SuSE Linux 10.1 is an extremely slick operating system - and offers some fantastic benefits to those looking at either upgrading their current Windows machine or looking for a WindowsXP replacement.

Best of all is that it's open-source and packed with all the software you will ever need!
Traditionally, those under Windows would need to buy additional software to provide:

Office Suite (Word Processor, Spreadsheet, Presentation, Database, Email, etc.) (eg: Microsoft Office)
Project Planning Software (eg: Microsoft Project)
Acrobat PDF writing software (eg: Adobe Acrobat)
Raster Graphics Software (eg: Adobe Photoshop)
Vector Graphics Software (eg: Adobe Illustrator)
HTML Editor (eg: Microsoft Frontpage)
Video Editing Software (eg: Adobe Premiere)
CD/DVD Burning Software (eg: Ahead Nero)

SuSE Linux bundles all this software. Making life much easier and cheaper!
If you were to buy these equiv. software bundles under Windows you would be up for $3,000 - $5,000!

What's more you can pick and choose what you want to install.

One of the largest innovations is the introduction of Xen Hyperviser V3.02 - which allows you to run multiple versions of operating systems at near-native speeds! VMWare and Virtual Server have provided 'Virtual Machines' for years, but have always suffered a performance loss, Xen removes this with their 'para-virtualisation' approach.

For those people that still believe that they couldn't run Linux instead of Windows... take a look at these screenshots.

Scarey wasn't it?!

Linux is well and truely ready for the home user. It's easy to use, free of viruses (Windows viruses don't run under Linux!) and has a swag of support and a price-tag that is excellent on the family budget.

It's probably time to reassess your next computer operating system... particularly with Vista due out early next year.

Doom: The Movie

mbottrell@gmail.com (Matt) — Mon, 14 Nov 2005 11:01:14 +1100

Last night I went to see Doom: The Movie.
If you've ever played any of the iD Software games (Doom or Quake), you'll enjoy the movie. It's basically a fantasy shoot-em-up.
Don't expect a big story line, as you'll be disappointed, but if you don't mind two hours of chilling out and enjoying mind-numbing shooting and gore then you'll love this movie!
I headed down to the cinema with both Pauline and A.C. (a Doom/Quake die-hard!) to ensure a few hours of gore! The cinema was reasonably empty; besides the occasional typical nerd with glasses as thick as coke-bottles and afro hair that wouldn't look out of place on an African American. (In this case it was probably a case they hadn't had a haircut or used a brush for some time!

UAC where something has gone terribly wrong.
The hardened marines part of the Rapid Response Tactical Squad are sent in to isolate and remove that threat - at all costs!
With enough fire-power for a small army, and enough baddies to keep you occupied you know there is going to be lots of gunfire!

Don't see the movie if you want a story-line. You won't find it in this movie!
If you are looking for a movie to keep you jumping and your heart-beat up and don't mind some blood and gore, then you'll enjoy it.

It's rated 'M'... so probably not one for the kiddies. However there are much worse films they could see.

If you're a gamer, it's worth seeing. If you don't know what Quake or DooM is all about, you can probably miss this one.

Rating: 7/10

Napoleon Dynamite

mbottrell@gmail.com (Matt) — Mon, 24 Oct 2005 23:05:58 +1000

Pauline and I decided to watch a movie... to take our mind of waiting for results....

We chose Napoleon Dynamite....

Some movies are just made to be stupid. Napoleon Dynamite is one of those movies.

People under 30 will probably find it funny... those over 30 will shake their heads and wonder how they can recover those last 2 hours.

Napoleon Dynamite is a movie set in the mid-west of USA... in one of those non-descript country locations. Population, probably 1,500-5,000.
All the characters are likely to be high school drop outs and will not amount to much... and the charm is in what little their characters do.. and the sterotype 'loser' they play.

All the characters are boring... and you wouldn't of blamed the characters from committing suicide.. it's that depressing a movie.

It's been made to be a cult movie, but unless you're a big fan of Jim Jarmusch style movies... you'll probably not like it.

It's so stupid at times... it's funny. Though it wears off after the first 30 minutes. I found I only kept watching it, like those caught watching a train wreckage.

Rating: 4/10

Wedding Crashers

mbottrell@gmail.com (Matt) — Mon, 17 Oct 2005 15:14:17 +1000

There has been many movies about weddings over the years. (Popular ones that spring to mind are My Big Fat Greek Wedding, Four Weddings and a Funeral and The Wedding Singer.)

Wedding Crashers, is however quite different. It's a movie based around the notion that females are 'vulnerable' at weddings due to the romantic atmosphere and as such are 'easy targets'. Hence both John Beckwith (Owen Wilson) and Jeremy Grey (Vince Vaughn) two womanisers regularly crash weddings to lure on these poor unsuspecting women.

Whilst it sounds shocking... it's quite funny.

The two go to wedding after wedding, and have huge success along the way...
Some of the stories and aliases they pull out are hillarous!

They then pick the wedding of the year and end up getting more than they bargained for.

Quite funny and shows the non-serious side to the whole wedding ceremony. It's not a film you'll remember in a year, but one that will fill in a few hours.

Rating: 6.5/10

Charlie and the Chocolate Factory

mbottrell@gmail.com (Matt) — Sun, 16 Oct 2005 22:14:10 +1000

It would be hard pressed to find someone in the western world that hadn't heard of Charlie and the Chocolate Factory.

The original 1971 movie (known as Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory) is a classic that many generations grew up to love. It always still rates highly when shown on TV. Gene Wilder who played the original Willy Wonka is etched into the memories of millions of children!

Pauline has been twisting my arm for weeks to see the updated version of this classic. So we sat down and watched Charlie and the Chocolate Factory.
It's a movie full of colour, fun and excitement.

Unfortunately Roald Dahl the author of the book 'Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, past away in 1990 and will never see the modernized version that is true to the book... probably one of the biggest complaints that the first one suffered.

Johnny Depp plays Willy Wonka is funny, crazy and disturbed all in the same breath. Charlie Bucket is played by the wonderful child actor Freddie Highmore. Johnny Depp apparantly suggested Freddie for the role of Charlie after they both starred in Finding Neverland.

It's a fantastic movie, that sticks to the plot from the book. Those that never read the book and only saw the Wilder version will be disappointed. Those that know the book will love this version.

Kick your feet up, become a child again and enjoy this movie as you sing along with the Oompa-Loompas!

Rating: 8.5/10

Herbie: Fully Loaded

mbottrell@gmail.com (Matt) — Tue, 11 Oct 2005 11:02:54 +1000

Don't you love a good family movie? One that you can sit down with those under 10 and enjoy. We don't always have to see a movie of violence and colourful language to enjoy a movie!

Herbie: Fully Loaded is just that.. it's a family movie.

Many of us grew up watching Herbie gathered together around the TV to catch another episode of Herby on The Wonderful World of Disney.

This is a Disney movie, and as such is geared to the kids. Having said that it's still enjoyable for adults, as they are transported back to simpler times and warm memories as a child watching Herbie!

It's corny, sure. Full of items that define gravity and reality; certainly. But Herbie was always this... and it's what we come to love.

You'll best enjoy Herbie watching it in this vein. Trying to make sense of the movie will result in you not enjoy it. Watch the movie in the eyes of a child and you'll be laughing right through.

Whilst a kids movie, and an enjoyable one at that; it still packs a number of high quality and recognisable actors.

Lindsay Lohan plays Maggie Peyton, Herbie's new owner. Lindsay is an up and coming actress, who'll be bound to get many more roles. The 20 year old star who also featured in "Mean Girls" brings a warmth and innocence to the movie. She's supported by Michael Keaton (Batman, Batman Returns, Desperate Measures and Multiplicity), Matt Dillon (of There's Something about Mary, and Wild Things fame), and Breckin Meyer (known for classics like Garfield, Go, Road Trip and Rat Race).

It's a silly but fun movie. Kids will love it. Adults will fondly remember their childhoods. It's worth seeing for the 'feel good' marks.

It won't be a movie you remember in 10 years, but to fill in a few hours and disappear from reality; it hits the spot.

Rating: 5/10

Cinderalla Man

mbottrell@gmail.com (Matt) — Tue, 11 Oct 2005 10:40:39 +1000

I am one of the few that enjoys boxing. Not for the brutality of the sport, but more to do with the fact of the amount of training and commitment a boxer has to go through prior to a fight.

It's a wonderful true story of Jim Braddock, a man during the depression in the 30's who rose above, against all odds.

It is a defining role for Russell Crowe, who immerses himself into the role of Braddock. He is well supported with both RenÃ©e Zellweger (playing Braddock's wife) and Paul Giamatti (probably best known for his role in Duets) as his ever faithful manager.

This would definitely be Crowe's best role to date and makes Gladiator look all too Hollywood by comparison. I won't be surprised if he goes on to win awards for his portrayal of Braddock. It's a convincing and well played role.

It's a touching movie that shows the 'human side' to a fighter, often entering a ring to fight to support his family.

Even if you're not a boxing fan (or even a boxing hater) you'll appreciate the movie.

Well worth seeing. It's one you'll not be disappointed when leaving the cinema.

Rating: 8.5/10

BatMan Begins

mbottrell@gmail.com (Matt) — Tue, 04 Oct 2005 23:09:47 +1000

I watched BatMan Begins tonight.

I'm not normally a big Batman movie fan, but this one tells the untold story... how Bruce Wayne becomes Batman.

Whilst we all 'know the story' ... we don't realise what occurs to the leadup and how he selects bats... but this goes and tells the story.

It's a very cool movie... with an awesome sound-track that makes you feel every emotion. This is definitely one to see on the big screen... or a decent home theatre.

All the actors are excellent.. though I'm not sure of Katie Holmes.... I still can't look past Dawsons Creek, and I just don't see her as a D.A.

Well worth a look if you are looking for a great movie for all ages.

Rating: 7/10