When Lifehacker posted that you could jailbreak with the click of a link, I couldn’t resist. I stared at the article all day, I looked for others’ opinions, and I quaked in fear of the dire warning. Ultimately, I gave into my deep love of free stuff and clicked the link.

Just a Link? Is it that Easy?

Yes, omg, it is that easy. I clicked a link waited a little bit and then had to restart my iphone (maybe I can’t really remember because it was so easy) — presto an Installer icon appeared. The whole process made me nervous, but it was well put together, and each step told you what was going on (installing, cleaning registry, etc) and usually had a progress bar. I performed the task over WiFi and read comments of others having trouble on Edge. I imagine it’s because Edge is so slow, and they weren’t patient enough (or maybe they lost their cell signal).

Easy Enough, But What’s After Installing?

Once I had Installer.app up (I did have to update the installer itself), I grew frustrated because I didn’t see any of the apps that I read about. I soon found out that you have to install the Community Sources before they will appear. I also ran into the problem that the apps would run and immediately crash. It turns out that I needed the BDS backend (I read that it needed to be installed before the Community Sources, so I unistalled it and reinstalled in that order.)

So, Are You in iPhone Bliss?

Installer is pretty impressive. It lists apps, lets you install them with one click, and you can update them or unistall them just as easily. The apps are conveniently organized in categories and there’s a decent amount of them. Unfortunately, they aren’t that useful. I installed a whole bunch of them, but ultimately there were only a handful worth me keeping installed: flashlight, blackjack, and to-do list. I really have no need to run apache on my cell phone, I’m fine with Apple’s icon themes, don’t care to load custom ringtones, and have no desire to change the AT&T icon. I did like the idea of the dictionary, but the app was horrible to use.

Way Too Beta

My basic impression was that all the apps were pretty beta. Who could blame them they were after all homegrown, but I was disappointed that Blackjack didn’t keep a high score for me without even mentioning the fact that it crashed every other time I used it. The To-Do app was a noble effort but pretty close to horrible when compared with anything that Apple makes. And Flashlight … well, you just don’t use it that much.

It Gets Worse

I could live with buggy betas, but all of this stuff actually makes the rest of the iPhone run much worse. Other Apple apps, would crash, I noticed some buggy behavior in camera (once when I flipped it sideways the picture was cut in half), sometimes the phone would crash after pushing the On button (it would come on then go black, and I’d have to press it again) and the whole thing seemed to hang and run sluggishly.

The Light at the End of the Tunnel

I read that restoring the phone would take it back to normal, but I had no idea what to expect with restoring. The phone was running so buggy that I was willing to loose all my contacts, calendar, etc to go back to normal. It turns out that restoring rocks. It took a few moments, and it warned me that all data would be lost. However, once it was restored, iTunes informed me that it had a backup of my phone and asked if I wanted to restore to the backup. I did, and I didn’t loose any data. My pictures were there, my preferences, and all my contacts.

The Scoop on Jailbreak

I strongly commend the iPhone hacking community. The things they are doing are really awesome, and they did an incredible, amazing feat with the hyperlink install. The whole process was painless and being able to restore back to normal rocked. But … let’s be honest, there aren’t that many useful applications, the games aren’t much better than what you’ll find you can play on the web through Safari, and there are a TON of bugs. Jailbreaking isn’t ready for prime-time, and if you’re thinking about it you probably should stay away. After all, the people who should be doing this stuff, already are. I just can’t wait for the official Apple SDK, and Apple get me blackjack and a To-Do list please.

Bionic Woman was my first big disappointment of this fall season. Don’t get me wrong, I didn’t have high expectations. I just couldn’t see how the show could get screwed up. It’s a simple premise, a woman with super powers doing awesome stuff. In a world of Heroes, Alias, and the like, it should be TV equivalent of a box cake: easy to bake but delicious none the less. Yet, through a series of bad decisions resulting with the show being taken way too seriously, they manage to screw up a good premise so bad that it’s not really watchable.

Super Strength Sucks

Early on, when the heroine has her bionic powers thrust on her without her consent, it’s pretty obvious what the writers are setting up, a bad rationale for heroine angst. If you told me that loosing my arm meant I could get a super bionic one, I’d be hard pressed not to grab the electric chainsaw sitting in the garage. If I awoke from a car crash to have super strength, I would be ready to take up extreme sports and be thankful that I’m not a triple amputee. The writers of this show decided to skip the exuberance of a new found super power and instead focus on moral lessons like how unfair it is to have all that thrust upon you. The result is no less boring than the college course on bioethicity in the opening scene of the show.

Emotional Detachment

If the moral lessons on body modifications weren’t bad enough, the acting and writing manage to be so bad that they suck all emotional attachment from the characters. For instance when the boyfriend/secret-genius-doctor is shot, our super-angst super-heroine forgoes helping him to run off and fight the rogue bionic woman that shot him.That’s only slightly unfair considering that when she lost both legs in a car crash, he jeopardized his top secret program to replace them.

The unfairness really begins when after the fight, she neglects to ask after his condition as the paramedics (who got there without any help from her) drive away. Not even a simple, “Will he make it?” The emotional detachment must have worked, because I found myself not caring at all whether he survived to the next episode. Or if anyone else did for that matter.

Some of you may have noticed that I haven’t given this website much TLC. Most of you probably didn’t though because I doubt anyone would visit in its current state of disrepair. There’s only two ways to change things: lots of time and effort or a quick and dirty redesign. Guess which option I chose?

Redesign finished, and to celebrate, I’m going to review the very site I just finished working on (that’s this site.)

Big Text, Little Design

Finally, a website that places content first and design second. Look at those big titles, that easily readable body text, and don’t even get me started on that tiny page header. A design like this is exactly what I’ve been telling everyone to go with … only to be ignored and shot down … over and over again. Looks like, I am my own best client. I didn’t have a single argument with myself when I designed this website. Now, that’s effective communication

Favorites

My favorite new feature would have to be my favorites — uh oh, that might be redundant. Anyway, I added a category called favorites where I can put my favorite posts (I’m not sure how I figure that out.) And because I love those posts so much, the two most recent show up at the top of the home page.

Remainders

I also added a remainder category. I used to love posting tiny little links, but I would hate how they would take up so much room with a title and all that. Now, if I place these posts in the remainder category, they get condensed. I didn’t come up with the idea though, I just borrowed it.

Reviews

I love writing reviews, not so much because I think anyone cares what I have to say. No, I like writing reviews because I like to figure out what I think about something — anything. That’s why I love reviewing simple ever day items like water. So, to help inspire my passion for reviews, I created a Review category.

Verdict: Bleak

While I’m pretty happy with the redesign, the future of this website rests upon the ability to get great content (instead of the stale crap on it now), and that relies on me. I can feel that pressure already. Maybe I should sell the site (I’d probably trade it for an iPhone.)

It’s out. It broke all records, and everyone’s seeing it. Critics are mixed, but is Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man’s Chest really all that? Okay, I won’t even pretend for a second that there was even a slight chance that I wouldn’t love this movie with all my movie heart. There’s two things in this world that can make a great movie: Pirates and Zombies. And Dead Man’s Chest hits the pirates thing so hard on the head that it has to die and regrow a new head to come back again. Anyway, what I’m getting at is that the movie is good. Very Good. So good, I had to see it two times before I could even talk about it. I’m talking 5 out of 5, instant all-time classic good.

Pirates, More Pirates, Pirates at sea, and even Pirates under the sea
The movie’s got pirates. It’s got daring pirates. It’s got small pirates. It’s got pirates with birds. It’s even got half-dead, damned sea creature pirates. Okay, the last movie had pirates, but this one’s got more pirates. And it’s not so much that you get more pirates, but that you get to see pirates in their element and in every other element. You get a deep look into what a pirate really is (something like a bottle of rum and a barrel of fun).

There’s Depth Too
The fun sucks you in, but it’s the depth that drowns you. Characters like Will and Elizabeth that were really quite one-dimentional in the first movie spring to life in this one. They become multi-faceted and show, well, character. Even characters from the first that had tons of depth like Norrington and Gibbs reapear and show even more depth. Even Jack Sparrow is presented with more light. He’s sadder and more desparate than the last film, although you shouldn’t expect the role of Jack to steal the show this time. In fact, I found that everytime Norrington was on screen, he was stealing the show. His character was so dynamic that I gave myself tiny high fives anytime he opened his mouth.

The Little Details
The tiny details in this movie made me curl up in a ball and kick my feet high above the theater’s seat (much to the distress of those sitting around me). From the fireflies floating outside of the voodoo hut at the end of the river to the massive size of the beached Black Pearl, Dead Man’s Chest’s details slapped me around like a monkey handler in a running circus. From the first moment that Jack blasts his way onto screen until the very last, heartfelt “Aye,” tiny details gang together and give this movie unstoppable momentum. Honestly, I think I have to see it a third time just to feel satisfied.

Should you go see Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man’s Chest? Yes, at least twice and once on a weekday. In fact, while my third viewing will be to watch for details, I want go back and see it a fourth time just to say I saw it drunk on rum. I wouldn’t advise being drunk on rum the first three times you see it. To sum up the movie and my feelings in one word: Awesome.

Oh, and stay after the credits for another hat-tipper.

This morning, I was able to further appreciate the sound of the drilling that is clearly coming from the exact spot one floor beneath my desk chair. In fact, I’m quite certain that I can feel small vibrations from the drilling. The resulting effect is very similar to those massage chairs seen in a Sharper Image catalog. Considering that those chairs, can go for almost $4,000 USD, I would consider the drilling to be quite a steal, as I paid nothing for it. It could be even argued that I’m in fact getting paid to enjoy the pleasant vibrating motions, although I would like to point out the distinct lack of a cup-holder.

Since the drilling sound is exaggerated by the headache I have this morning, I give the Drilling From the Floor Below a hearty 4 out of 5.

Oh damn, the drilling was just replaced by the hammering sound of (you guessed it) a hammer. So, much for my gentle massage chair.

After begging my wife to let me watch Fight Club, I finally snuck in a viewing while she was out and the baby was asleep. This wasn’t the first time I had watched the movie, but it was the best. Sitting there, enjoying the movie’s nihilistic approach to manhood, I realized that I probably shouldn’t have been asking to watch the movie. If I followed Fight Club’s logic, I might have burned down my house, stolen a car, and lived the film instead.

Fight Club is the ultimate guy film, and it’s hard not to like. With themes like underground boxing clubs, pointless mischievous vandalism, and showing up to work unkempt, how can you go wrong? Who doesn’t want to blackmail their boss into letting them stay at home and get paid for nothing at all? Sure, the protagonist had beat himself to a bloody pulp to reach that goal, but he probably felt it was a small price to pay once he had blown up his condo and all his worldly possessions.

I’m sure the movie has deep, thoughtful, underlying themes, but honestly I just thought it was fun. It might have something to say about various disorders like narcolepsy and split personalities, but I kept seeing those devices as more of a means to an end: bare-fisted backyard brawling. As long as a movie has characters who are willing to trade their workday suit and tie for an opportunity to slug it out, I’ll be a captivated audience.

In the vein of journalistic disclosure, I should mention that before watching the movie I invited a buddy over to trade some punches in my backyard. It was by no means a fight club. We wore gloves and tried not to get hit, but I did end up with a black eye for my effort. I told my co-workers that I got hit by a Frisbee. My only regret is that I didn’t snap a picture to post here. I guess I will have to do that next time.

Recently, I received a copy of Martha’s Classic Thanksgiving and was pumped to watch it before the holidays this season. My wife, Cindy, wrote a review, but I liked the DVD so much that I had to add a few comments.

This class of DIY DVD’s is one of the best products I’ve seen in a while. I’m baffled as to why the market isn’t flooded with such products. You can go straight to the section that you’re interested in. Pausing and rewinding lets the instruction move at your pace; there’s no need to get behind. Usually, I get turkey and dressing at both my parents and my in-laws, but this year, I’m thinking of adding my own third turkey to the mix because Martha made cooking one look both easy and fun.

Be sure to check out this video clip on Sweet Potato Pies or this video clip on Elegant Table Settings.

Now, for my wife’s thoughts on Martha’s Classic Thanksgiving:

I’m not Martha Stewart. I’m not blond and super rich, and I can’t normally take a few ordinary cooking ingredients and prepare some kind of miraculous feast. But…when I watched this DVD, for one, brief shining moment (or for 201 minutes–the length of the program), I felt like I could be a kitchen/decorator/party planner extraordinaire.

The DVD is really very simple to follow (there are even printable instructions to help the cooking and decorating impaired–like myself). Martha explains things thoroughly, and you always get to see the items–whether they are uncooked turkeys or cute little pinecone place holders–from start to finish.

There were a couple of segments on Martha’s Classic Thanksgiving that I particularly enjoyed:

1. The turkey carving. I’ve never actually witnessed a turkey being carved properly…until Martha. Now, I’m going to insist that my husband do it this year…the Martha way. We won’t just start hacking at the turkey with the electric knife–we’ll remove the wings, the legs, we’ll cut the breast–all the RIGHT way.
2. Pinecone Turkeys. Okay, these are supposed to be for the kids–they fall under “Kids’ Thanksgiving Crafts”–but the things are just so dang cute! Martha teaches you how to turn pinecones into really, REALLY cute like turkeys–and it takes like five minutes to do! Very impressive!
3. Turkey, Stuffing, and Gravy 101. Let me be honest here…I don’t plan to actually stuff my turkey the way Martha did–mostly because I can’t stand vegetables. But I sure liked the way the woman prepared her bird (uh…other than the stuffing part). She showed how to butter the bird, how to cover it, how long to cook it, and how to make certain it retained its yummy flavor. I got hungry just watching it (of course, I’m nine months pregnant–most things make me hungry these days!).

I’d give this DVD a 5 out of 5–hey, what can I say? It was darn good. And if you want some quick last minute tips on your Turkey Day, I would suggest that you hustle out and pick this thing up.
Happy Thanksgiving!

I really do get tasked with “carving” the turkey at my in-law’s house. I always thought I did a good job, until I saw Martha take the wings and legs off. I guess I shouldn’t just leave them on, and I had no idea that you could get more (and dark) meat from the underside. Just think of all that turkey meat that I had been wasting.

My biggest surprise from Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire came several days after I had seen the movie and learned that it was rated PG-13. In hindsight, this movie, much like the books at this point, takes a very dark turn. It was languange that earned it the rating though. The movie doesn’t offer any surprises from the book, but it shouldn’t either. What the movie does offer is a fabulous visual representation that your imagination would be hard pressed to create on its own. Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire was an exciting, thrilling movie, even when it deviated from the book, and earns an easy 4 out of 5.

I like to think of this movie as glossy. It was plenty glossy when compared with the book; it glossed over many details. Most of all though, it was glossy with its visuals; they were spectacular. From the giant quidditich stands to portkeys and dragons, the movie was fun to watch.

While it might not have done the complete story justice, I didn’t have any complaints. The Goblet of Fire was legnthy in its current form. Had it noted every detail from the book, it would have been an endurance test.

In the end, Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire is one of only a few must-see films for this year.

I never knew much about Johnny Cash; I didn’t really know what to expect out of this movie. I don’t even know if Walk The Line was an accurate depiction of Cash’s life, but I don’t really care either. Walk The Line was an incredible movie, an easy 5 out of 5.

Johnny Cash Was Crazy
This movie wasn’t about Johnny Cash the musician. It wasn’t about his failed marriage; it wasn’t about his drug problem or his love affair with June Carter. This movie was about all those things and how they effected each other, but most of all, the movie was about how Johnny Cash was one crazy, cool dude.

Don’t Believe The Hype
You will probably hear 1,000 different reasons why this movie is good. It’s a powerful story; well, sure, but that’s not what makes it so good. The actors sing just like the characters they depict; if that’s what you want out of the movie, go buy the original recordings. The original musicians are bound to sound better.

None of those things by themselves were that great, but all of the movie together was terrific. The movie was good because all the elements came together to create a holistic experience that left nothing out. It was comfortable to watch, even when the characters hit their lowest. In the end, the movie simply felt good.

With witty dialog and a superb story, this movie was a lot of fun. The acting was better than good. At times, I felt as if Cash’s dead ghost was possessing Joaquin’s body. Hey, if you’re on the edge about this movie, just remember one thing: Johnny Cash recorded an album in a freaking prison. Now, that’s cool.

Not to long ago, I hadn’t played any video games in a while. Wanting to end the dry spell, I picked up Splinter Cell: Chaos Theory, and to my surprise, I’ve been playing games almost nightly since. This Splinter Cell game was long, invloving, and most of all fun. I’m actually contemplating a second play-through on a more difficult setting. Splinter Cell: Chaos Theory earns a four out of five.

Pacifism
There’s a violent pacifist hidden inside me, and it came out in this game. In Splinter Cell, you can sneak up on opponents and grab them from behind. Then after chatting them up (aka interrogating them), you can choose between knocking them out or killing them.

The way the GameCube controls were setup, you would use the left analog shoulder button to put a sleeper hold on opponents. As strange as it may seem, the slow giving push of this button has an amazingly realistic feel to it. I found myself feeling sorry for the guard who informed me, “I should have stayed home. It was kareoke night.” I gave him a gentle sleeper instead of the knife to the kidney.

Don’t Forget the Story
Chaos Theory went further than fun play control; it had a compelling yet non-interfering story. I found my wife listening in from the kitchen asking questions. “Did you just kill Shetland? What’s your mission again?” The story had twists and turns that brought pleasant changes to the gameplay. One moment you were executing your mission objectives, the next they had changed.

Chaos Theory had flexible gameplay that integrated well with the story. It was a well developed title and fun to play. The polish of small details really stood out, and the game had a surprising length and depth to it. Sure, I had a few complaints, obtrusive pre-game menus and long loading waits, but all in all, this was a must have title. It felt a lot like my favorite game GoldenEye, and that says a lot. I will definitely be picking up the next Splinter Cell title.

With a ghost that wasn’t really a ghost, Napolean Dynamite’s Jon Heder, and strong chemistry between the main characters, Just Like Heaven was an entertaining romance-comedy that fully delivered. By all accounts, this movie isn’t for the man’s man. At the same time, it’s not a chick flick. It lands somewhere in between. From the simple beginning to the fateful surprise at the end, the movie’s steady pace made for a near perfect date movie. Just Like Heaven gets a 4 out 5 as long as you see it with a date. For all other occasions, I suggest forgoing the movie for strong liquor.

Reese Witherspoon and Mark Ruffalo made a strong lead duo. Witty dialog and their haunting circumstances drove the movie along and kept the atmosphere light. With plenty of early laughs, Just Like Heaven started as more of a comedy-romance, but it ended fully in the romance-comedy category. Sure, it was gitchy in parts and tugged the heart strings a little too much, but since I saw it with my wife, I fell victim to its romantic message.

As Jon Heder’s first role since Napolean Dynamite, his presence in the movie has a lot to live up to. His character was humorous, but his screentime was limited. While his role aided the movie, by itself, it certainly wouldn’t satisfy Napolean Dynamite die-hard fans.

Just Like Heaven was a nice light touch from Hollywood’s usually heavy hand. Cute, but predictable, the movie should entertain those looking for some laughs and a relaxing evening after work.

Wedding Crashers was funny. Vince Vahn and Owen Wilson turned out to be a great team together. The movie had plenty of laughs and was very entertaining. It had a good ending, a surprise visit from Will Ferrel, and tons of rules (I love movies that make their own rules). The Wedding Crashers is an easy 4 out of 5 and well worth watching.

One word of warning, this movie features a lot of breasts and general nudity including quite a bit of Jane Seymour’s skin. One of my BUDS had a big crush on Jane Seymour in the sixth grade.

Okay, it’s a short review, but other than saying it’s funny, there’s not much to say about the movie.

I saw the film. Wanna know what I think about it? Read on.

I knew this movie was a 5 out of 5 (classic) before I ever saw it. I am a big fan of the original Willie Wonka (who isn’t), and I couldn’t wait to see Johnny Depp’s take on the crazed choclateer. This movie did so many things right. It created an unreal, twisted tale of a candy maker gone mad (quite literally). It should not, however, be compared with the original film classic. The two are very different movies and should be both enjoyed for very different reasons.

Dark and Twisted
This movie was very dark and twisted, almost scary. Sure, the original movie had a dark undertone, but it was hidden beneath. In Tim Burton’s film, Willie Wonka becomes quite a different character. The audience is given insight into his often disturbing and sad past. Wonka seems not only unconcerned for the welfare of the kids but also almost eager for them to encounter their fate. At times, there are hints that he set them up. The tale is very different from the happy one I watched as a kid, although it does end with the obligatory happy ending.

How Does It Compare?
I recall saying that the two movies shouldn’t be compared, but it is inevitable that they will. This movie has a much larger scope. Unlike the first movie, this one is not limited to the Chocolate Factory. It has flashbacks from the past both from Wonka and Charlie’s grandpa, and it also continues the movie to show some of the events following the factory tour.

The most obvious comparison would be the scenes that were missing. There is no floating soda pop (fizzy lifting drinks) scene. My wife missed that one more than I did. The one that struck out the most to me was the removal of the contract signing scene. For every scene that is removed, there are many wonderful scenes that are added such as when Willie discovers the Oompa Loompas.

Of course, one obvious comparison would be the Oompa Loompas, which I enjoyed much more so in the newer movie. Their songs have been given a face-lift, and they really have a lot more character (especially when they turn into TV rock stars).

Everyone should go see this movie. Unlike so many movies out there, this is one that everyone can enjoy.

I’ve always been a big Human Torch fan; I definitely like the Fantastic Four team. Needless to say, I was excited about this movie. Then, came the wash of bad reviews and impressions. So, I didn’t lose interest, but I did lose all my expectations (which turned out to be a good thing). Fantastic Four is a fun movie, but don’t get me wrong it has no uplifting value or worth. I give a 3 out of 5; if you’re a penny pincher, wait until it comes out on cable.

Cool Powers
Let’s face it; the Human Torch has one of the coolest super-powers out there. He turns into fire, and he can fly. That’s up there with Superman and Spider-Man in my book. Not to mention, the Thing is cool. He’s a gigantic, indestructible rock. Sure nobody really wants to be him, but he sure is fun to watch crushing through walls and stuff. The Invisible Woman, well, let’s just say that to really use her powers, she has to ditch her clothes (they don’t turn invisible with the exception of her special suit). Then, there’s Mr Fantastic. I’ve never been a fan of the stretchy thing. It’s a little creepy, but it does translate well to the big screen (most super powers do).

Falling Short
This movie does fall short in a lot of areas. The story isn’t that great. The characters don’t use their super-powers nearly enough, and there’s really only one big fight. However, the Fantastic Four is a team, and that’s just plain cool. Plus, I liked seeing the Thing crash through things. Did I mention the Human Torch catches on fire?

Sure, there’s not much to this movie besides some action and special effects, but the characters are cool. Don’t see this movie if you’re expecting a lot from it, but if instead you just want some F4 action, it can be a pretty fun movie.

Last night, I watched as War of the Worlds exploded onto the movie theater’s screen. The movie was fast-paced, action-packed, and it left me tired at the end. I was never a big fan of Independence Day (warring with aliens is so cliche), but War of the Worlds delivered on the promise of a summer blockbuster. If you’re looking to spice up your summer, go see this movie. It was an easy 4 out of 5.

Special Effects
Ultimately, movies like this so often come down to whether or not the special effects were believable. The special effects in War of the Worlds were just right. That is, they weren’t noticeable at all. The movie went on with everything seeming perfectly real and fitting in without problem. Rather than show every explosion and boom, it often showed the effects that such an event would have (ground shaking, blaring sounds and bright lights). It did have its share of spectacle as well. In fact, Spielberg created a movie that was visually memorable. Images from it are still in my mind. Just as they would likely haunt the characters of the movie.

Fast-Paced, Well Delivered
War of the Worlds jumps straight to the punch. Then, it never lets up for a second. Immense event after event unfolds on the screen with hardly a pause, yet the pacing never seems rushed. The characters are extremely normal, but the story is anything but. It has the feel of a modern day Godzilla. The directing was superb, and even the acting was top par.

I thoroughly enjoyed this movie. It was fun, it was action-packed, and it was visually stunning. I keep reading that American Hollywood blockbusters are a dying breed, but with movies like War of the Worlds and others that I have seen this summer, I think this may be the best summer line-up yet.

Note: The movie didn’t get a 5 out 5 only because humanity got our butts kicked by the aliens. Come on, that takes a point away right there.