Thread: What are you watching?

Originally Posted by MtnHam

1) NA, not here.
2) NA
3)?

1. Same.
2. Afraid, me?, are you kidding!
3. The true price of freedom is free; simple and clear as crystal limpid water cascading into the rapids from the melting snow up and down the mountain's peaks.

Just making conversation.

Wow, double post; it's been a while. ...And I know for sure that it ain't my fault. ...I'm still using that brand new laptop.
...Till next Tuesday. ...After the Easter Holidays.

This is amazing; I'm missing a good ride for cheap.

Last night we watched the Mandela Long Walk, which was done very well with lots of history I was unaware of. Nobody well known, but the guy who plays Mandela was excellent.

Friday night we watched Lone Survivor, which for a shoot em up war movie was also good and attempted to show that they are not all pro-nutso over there.

Hello bob


I am using Dragon NaturallySpeaking to talk to the computer and it will take a while before my profile is final and all words are correct. So please excuse any little mishaps.
Red boxes just three minutes from my house so it is very much worth me going there and choosing one of the 40 or 50 Blu-ray movies that they have. New ones are added each week and they often put in very popular old ones. For example on the second hunger games movie came out they put in also the first one. When you return a movie to red box it does not have to be to the same one that you printed it from but electronically that disk will now be available in that red box location.
But we are all saying here is that there are now very many ways to pick out our movies and watch them and we all take out the method that is easiest for each one of us and fits our needs and location.

For me, having the cable movies and access to the blue rays in red box is fine. I also buy a lot of used and new Blu-rays from Amazon. I actually cannot believe the amount of entertainment available to me now.


Also I have triple play with my cable company. Not only do I get cable but I also get my telephone and my Internet service. I'm not saying cable is cheap but I now pay about $175 a month for cable, telephone and Internet service. At one point I was paying DirecTV $150 a month for the cable, New York telephone $85 for the phone service and our local Cablevision $50 a month for Internet service. (This was down from about $70 when I had to use the telephone connection for the Internet) so I tend to look at this as being $100 cheaper than it used to be.

Barry, typos are not a thing that is considered a crime. I am much more a criminal myself because in English I don't always get my point across the way I intended. Sometimes I can be misinterpreted, and on the Internet (audio forums) even more so. ...And even in French (not everyone can get the good humor of some of my posts).
So it is always with humor that I occasionally remind people of innocent typos. ...And I love it when others do correct me when I make some of them, and other grammar faults; that's the only way I can truly improve, and improvement is my raison-de-vivre. ...School is everyday and everywhere.

<<<>>> The way we watch movies (mediums, gear, money spent, etc.) and the way we listen to music (mediums, gear, money spent, etc.) it don't matter much to me; what does is the emotional impact we get from it.
{Netflix, Redbox, Amazon, Walmart, Costco, Bestbuy, HD Tracks, ...it just don't really matter.}

And some people pay $300/month to have 1 Gig of Download speed. ...Not including phone line, smartphone contract, movie and music subscription, cable TV, etc.
Others pay roughly $100/month for everything (the full package).
And some pay gratis for nothing at all. ...No TV, no PC, no Phone, no Speed, not even a car or a bicycle (Amazonian jungle).

It would be interesting to show Blu-ray players to the jungle people. ...And tablets (iPads). But I'm not sure they would adapt quickly, probably not.
Their true concern is food, clean water, clean air, and peace among all the tribes. ...Fair trades, good sharing, good health, good and free living.

___________________

Last night I finally finished watching 'Inception'. ...Tonight I might be ripe for 'Touch of Evil'. ...It remains to be seen; I'll keep in touch.

An open letter to Bill Gates:

Dear Bill,
The Ford Mustang is celebrating its 50^th anniversary. People love that car and bought zillions of them. It was an important and exciting purchase for them In fact they are still buying them.
And you know what? 50 years later it still has the same operating system. The steering wheel, brakes, accelerator, and window washers are all in the same place. Then and now, some people like the transmission attached to the steering wheel, some like it on the floor. Cars today are very different, safer, have power brakes and steering, but I bet if we transported someone from 1964 and put him in a new Mustang it would take them minutes to figure out. Yeah, the audio system and GPS will be new, but they can still use the car for transportation, it’s main purpose.
Of course the car key still goes into the same spot, on the lower right near the steering wheel. Of course in many cars that has been replaced by the START button. BUT THEY HAVEN’T MOVED THAT START BUTTON in 50 years. And you use the start button to shut the car down too!
So why couldn’t the geniuses at Microsoft realize that after 20 years of having Windows thrusted upon us, we don’t want to spend days figuring how to use it or where to find that damn START button. Hey, and even the Mustang comes with an instruction book.
Your Former Friend,
Barry
PS: Were the same people who designed Windows 8.1 the same people who put up the government’s Health Care site?


Gang, thanks for the typo forgiveness, I am trying to break in my new computer. Well, I think the computer is trying to break in me.

Excellent point Barry; to get into my documents I have to go inside my recycling bin! ...That start button at the bottom left of my screen is doing nothing anymore to me. ...In that regard of getting inside my documents with pictures and all.

Windows 8.1 is a totally new learning process. It'll take a while before I can navigate fast and freely like when I was sixteen.

But you're right; it is a new world. I'm ok with it though; it's good for the brain, and overall life's exploration, before I exit this world for good (physical death).

________________________

P.S. Barry, below my new Windows 8.1 main page, when I click on the arrow v I have 115 apps.
And I only started using my new laptop on April 12.
About you, how many apps below your main Windows 8.1 screen?

And, do you think that eventually we can get to one million apps?

A new computer is like a new baby; feed him a bunch of junk and you'll see quick enough what kind of teenager you'll end up with!

Feed him only what you consider is good for him, and you'll never know really where he'll end up sometimes down the line.
Because after all it isn't under your full control. ...Your baby has a life of his own, irregardless of how you operate with him during his lifetime.
And then you'll most likely die before him. ...Then he'll take over, or a new OS will for him...

Originally Posted by Lefisc

An open letter to Bill Gates:

Dear Bill,
The Ford Mustang is celebrating its 50^th anniversary. People love that car and bought zillions of them. It was an important and exciting purchase for them In fact they are still buying them.
And you know what? 50 years later it still has the same operating system. The steering wheel, brakes, accelerator, and window washers are all in the same place. Then and now, some people like the transmission attached to the steering wheel, some like it on the floor. Cars today are very different, safer, have power brakes and steering, but I bet if we transported someone from 1964 and put him in a new Mustang it would take them minutes to figure out. Yeah, the audio system and GPS will be new, but they can still use the car for transportation, it’s main purpose.
Of course the car key still goes into the same spot, on the lower right near the steering wheel. Of course in many cars that has been replaced by the START button. BUT THEY HAVEN’T MOVED THAT START BUTTON in 50 years. And you use the start button to shut the car down too!
So why couldn’t the geniuses at Microsoft realize that after 20 years of having Windows thrusted upon us, we don’t want to spend days figuring how to use it or where to find that damn START button. Hey, and even the Mustang comes with an instruction book.
Your Former Friend,
Barry
PS: Were the same people who designed Windows 8.1 the same people who put up the government’s Health Care site?

By the way, I hope everyone is aware that there are after-market software products that will very effectively restore START button functionality to Win 8/8.1.

The one I use is CLASSIC SHELL; this is freeware program that provides full Start button functionality, plus optionally other useful features. Check it out HERE.

Thanks for sharing. I may install Win 8.1 on my Mac.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

I have suggested Classic Shell several times in different threads. It is a great add on to get you back to looking like Win7 or XP.

Originally Posted by Shadowfax

Friday night we watched Lone Survivor, which for a shoot em up war movie was also good and attempted to show that they are not all pro-nutso over there.

I've read few comments about that flick; some positive (film itself), and some less so (USA army). ...Based on a true story.

Originally Posted by NorthStar

I've read few comments about that flick; some positive (film itself), and some less so (USA army). ...Based on a true story.

The problem I had with the movie and storyline, is that I still have no idea what the mission was supposed to accomplish before it all went bad when they ran into several sheep herders.

Originally Posted by Shadowfax

I have suggested Classic Shell several times in different threads. It is a great add on to get you back to looking like Win7 or XP.

You did Brian, and I was wondering what it was exactly; now I am more illuminated.

___________________________

Question #1: Adobe, and Java; are they worth to upgrade? ...They asked me to, from my antivirus software app.

Question #2: Can you find out exactly the origin of a malicious virus? ...I only have the source; the website (my system is more 'revelator' than my previous one, it now directly indicates me the website's origin).

Oh, I watched 'Touch of Evil' last night. ...Good flick.

By the way, anyone saw 'Transcendence' @ the theater?

Originally Posted by NorthStar

You did Brian, and I was wondering what it was exactly; now I am more illuminated.

___________________________

Question #1: Adobe, and Java; are they worth to upgrade? ...They asked me to, from my antivirus software app.

Question #2: Can you find out exactly the origin of a malicious virus? ...I only have the source; the website (my system is more 'revelator' than my previous one, it now directly indicates me the website's origin).

Re. Question #1: Yes, upgrade Adobe and Java because upgrades usually include security upgrades or patches -- which is why your antivirus app suggested it.

Originally Posted by Shadowfax

The problem I had with the movie and storyline, is that I still have no idea what the mission was supposed to accomplish before it all went bad when they ran into several sheep herders.

It wasn't about a secret mission in order to assassinate a terrorist leader?

Originally Posted by Feanor

Re. Question #1: Yes, upgrade Adobe and Java because upgrades usually include security upgrades or patches -- which is why your antivirus app suggested it.

Interesting enough, I decided to just use Windows Defender instead of installing a 3rd party app. Seems to be working well so far even when I browse questionable sites. Otherwise, all one really needs is AVG Free.

Originally Posted by Feanor

Re. Question #1: Yes, upgrade Adobe and Java because upgrades usually include security upgrades or patches -- which is why your antivirus app suggested it.

Thx Bill; I wasn't sure because I've read at another site that Java is not always playing nice. ...But I am now going to update them both (three updates all together, two from Java).

Originally Posted by Shadowfax

Interesting enough, I decided to just use Windows Defender instead of installing a 3rd party app. Seems to be working well so far even when I browse questionable sites. Otherwise, all one really needs is AVG Free.

AVG (free) is a good one; and there are others too, free as well. ...Avast I believe.

Bob,

My computer is now set and runs like a windows 8.1. So I have no apps (except maybe the weather channel). You need to put your documents in the documents folder.

Or make a NEW folder on your desktop.

The greatest invention of all in the Start Menu app for windowsd 8.1 I used it and it converted my machine into something I can use. it is located at:

Classic Shell - Start menu and other Windows enhancements

Go to options or properties and you can even have the START button read START.

Thx Barry, but because tomorrow I am bringing back my computer (laptop) to the store for a full refund; I stopped exploring my options (playing with 'personalisation' from that laptop and Windows and all) .
And the tech will have to delete my entire life from the laptop!!! I got no choice, and will start all over again from zero!!!
...Back to the shopping block.

I am no slave, and I'm always ready to start life all over again; I've been at it for the last 29 years.
...Just no way that I'm going to keep a laptop with an internal speaker broken. And I ain't waiting to get it repaired either; just no way.
They sold it to me, now I'm bringing back their problem; they can deal with it, not me.

Life is just such.

I didn’t write the letter with great seriousness, but with great frustration.

I remember when IBM was the Master of their Domain and for 50 years they determined the formats and fate of computers. Not to mention their lifespan. Although they are still a big company, they made a big mistake in the 1980s and 1990s. Simply they did not recognize that small desktop computers would dominate the field. So they licensed the chips to Intel and the software to Microsoft thinking there was no future in it. But remember when we didn’t say “windows” but said “IBM Compatible” instead?

Microsoft is concerned that that “obsolescence” would happen to them. They tried (successfully) to dominate Office software and (less successfully) dominate the internet.

Microsoft observed that sales of desktop computers were going down. Sales of Laptops were going up and tablets were replacing both of them. So Windows 8.1 was really designed for a notebook and even tablet computer. But an operating system doesn’t really do that much, it is a menu for the functions you have added and want to use. We do VERY LITTLE in Windows.

For example, 8.1 uses touch screen technology that was mostly used in tablets and would be very convenient in a laptop. But it is nearly worthless in a desktop. Go into a Best Buy or other computer store and ask to see the touch screen monitors for desktops. They are very few and they are very expensive. Desktop people like to use a mouse and a keyboard, and not reach across to touch the screen.

And, as if it were a tablets they filled it with endless apps, most of which you have to pay for. And app is fine ion a tablet, it is a small specific program. For me on a desktop it is just clutter.

Sadly, Microsoft did not make different versions, one for each of the three main uses. And they heard about it. There have been three major updates in Windows 8 to make it more desktop friendly.

And, after nearly 30 years, there was no reason to get rid of the start button, which simply listed the programs.

Microsoft has become as arrogant as IBM was.

Again, a true and excellent post above!

___________________

Today I spent most of it learning about laptops; from $300 to the top; $3,000 and a laptop so fast and so 3D gamers that it was running so hot (processor speed in Gigahertz) that it melted the AC power chord and totally caputed that laptop!!!

My original budget was roughly only few hundred dollars; today I was truly contemplating (considering) models from $799 to $1,199.
...Touchscreen, optical Blu-ray drive/burner, 1920 x 1080p screen resolution, matte screen (not all those reflective ones), lighted keyboards, dts surround sound, Intel i7, 16GB Ram, SSD, HDD, HDMI, USB 3.0, SD cards (all variations) reader, weefee (Wi-Fi ), 3.0 GHz, NVIDIA Graphics card, 300 degree rotation (laptop/tablet hybrid), and that type of stuff. ...Even the weight, the thickness, and I pretty much stayed between 15 and 17.3-inch screens (but I think that I prefer small, or 15.5-inch). ...Smaller than that it becomes a tablet (9 to 13 inches), and then a smartphone (4 to 7 inches).

I was very tempted to trade mine (with a broken speaker; remember?) for another higher-end (faster, and up-to-date with the latest specs) model in the $800-900 range. ... I would have to pay the difference from mine of course (three to four hundred dollars more). ...I was very close to get an Asus one (I also looked at some Dell models, and Levano, and other more expensive Sony VAIO models).

It is very tiring to gather a lot of info and look at many laptops of various price points and from the best makers and supporters!

At the end I stuck to my budget; $500 +/- and that it was. ...But I tell you this; my next computer or laptop is going to be much easier for me to pick up.
For now I decided to keep running with that broken left speaker! ...Talk about a total 'revirement'!
I brought my laptop to get a full refund or trade it for another; and at the end I kept the sucker! Live with it, or die!

From here, then, and from now on, I will take it one day at a time. ...Live life to the fullest, and perhaps getting it repaired before the warranty is out.
It was a very educative day all in all. ...And I talked to quite a few people, from managers to employees to technicians. ...Men and women, you name it, from all colors and origins to several places I visited. ...Even talked about smartphones, bought a wireless mouse (cool Logitech one), and few Blu-ray movies.

___________________

Last night I re-watched 'Ronin' with Bob De Niro and Jean Reno and few other good actors. I luv that flix, and on Blu of course.

What did you guys do, learned, spent some of your earned money on earlier today, or watched recently?

Tonight I might watch 'Sorcerer' (1977) on Blu.

I did watch 'Sorcerer' last night and it was awesome! It has been a while since last viewing of this great high tension flick, and last night I was right back on tense memory lane. ...And now on Blu-ray who am I to complain. ... Highly recommended viewing for the ones who never saw it before, and even for the people who had already seen it; it is a good re-exposure.

By the way, it was truly a high tension flick because last night while sleeping in bed I had a nightmare; house trembling, bed shaking, ...so much so that I yelled for help, woke up, took a flashlight, and checked outside, in the middle of the night, for terrorists or other kind of disturbance! ...Very spooky indeed, sweating, and truly believing that it was part of reality! It took me about ten minutes before I realized that it was just a dream! I don't remember last time I experienced such a high level of tense realism (I was on my guard, scared, and ready to duck), and caused by a simple dream (call it nightmare if you want because I felt threatened)! ...Just wow, and all because of that flick, and I kid you not!



* 1977 - Directed by William Friedkin ('The French Connection', 'The Exorcist').

In order to restore some equilibrium (self-confidence), tonight I might watch (re-watch) 'The Silence of the Lambs' (1991),
directed by Jonathan Demme.

Originally Posted by NorthStar

I did watch 'Sorcerer' last night and it was awesome! It has been a while since last viewing of this great high tension flick, and last night I was right back on tense memory lane. ...And now on Blu-ray who am I to complain. ... Highly recommended viewing for the ones who never saw it before, and even for the people who had already seen it; it is a good re-exposure.

By the way, it was truly a high tension flick because last night while sleeping in bed I had a nightmare; house trembling, bed shaking, ...so much so that I yelled for help, woke up, took a flashlight, and checked outside, in the middle of the night, for terrorists or other kind of disturbance! ...Very spooky indeed, sweating, and truly believing that it was part of reality! It took me about ten minutes before I realized that it was just a dream! I don't remember last time I experienced such a high level of tense realism (I was on my guard, scared, and ready to duck), and caused by a simple dream (call it nightmare if you want because I felt threatened)! ...Just wow, and all because of that flick, and I kid you not!



* 1977 - Directed by William Friedkin ('The French Connection', 'The Exorcist').

Wow, never even heard of this flic before - looks like my type of movie, I'll be watching it soon...

You're going to love it, immensely!

Kev:

That show is a drug. My wife and I thoroughly enjoyed it. Good luck managing your time until you watch the finale .

Originally Posted by sharkmouth

Breaking Bad. Season One, episode one, never seen it!

Having started with season one (via NetFlix), I saw the intrigue, but questioned if I really wanted to go that far into the dark side. Questioning others who had seen the entire series, I heard that it was worthwhile. I did watch the rest, to the finale, and must say it is extremely well done and probably among the best of genre out there , shines a laser light on a segment of modern society I knew littile about, but is a reality throughout our country. If you think it is valuable to be informed, watch it.

Originally Posted by MtnHam

Having started with season one (via NetFlix), I saw the intrigue, but questioned if I really wanted to go that far into the dark side. Questioning others who had seen the entire series, I heard that it was worthwhile. I did watch the rest, to the finale, and must say it is extremely well done and probably among the best of genre out there , shines a laser light on a segment of modern society I knew littile about, but is a reality throughout our country. If you think it is valuable to be informed, watch it.

Yes you're right. But, it's also worthwhile solely for the performances and emotional drama/escape. A moral message or spotlighting an issue are great, but, without a compelling underlying story and/or actors they would be lost. Breaking Bad is up there with the Sopranos (maybe even better).

Originally Posted by mdkim

Yes you're right. But, it's also worthwhile solely for the performances and emotional drama/escape. A moral message or spotlighting an issue are great, but, without a compelling underlying story and/or actors they would be lost. Breaking Bad is up there with the Sopranos (maybe even better).

Yes, and you're right too.

Revisited ::

* Rod Steiger is one of my very best favorite actors.
...And Sidney Lumet, one of the coolest directors.

I watched this last night, which I'm sure most of you saw in the past (again, it's not a young film - 1944 - during the 2nd World War) ::



* Hopefully 2014 is not the year when World War 3 starts! ...Russia ...

I'm going to see The Heat tonight. Maybe a double feature.

This one Barry?

____________

Originally Posted by NorthStar

* Rod Steiger is one of my very best favorite actors.
...And Sidney Lumet, one of the coolest directors.

I have to agree about Rod Steiger, a very fine actor. I like him in The Pawnbroker, In the Heat of the Night, Doctor Zhivago, etc.

Yep! That one
First, I am disappointed that there aren’t many comedies out there that are funny. They are silly, crude, shocking but are neither clever nor funny. (Same is true on TV).

The Heat was a lightweight, silly movie with unbelievable characters and situations.

I have never been a big fan of Sandra Bullock, although a few of her “light” movies, 28 days and Hope Floats were “sit throughable” and pleasant.

But I don’t think she ever can develop a character on screen and make them convincing or real.
the-heat-3.jpg
And one more big think. Bullock was always a cute and attractive performer whose looks lead to these sort of parts. But you can see the plastic surgery and what it has done to her face. She is now unpleasant to look at and I squirm a bit watching close ups. So many other actresses have done this and it is painful

Hi gang:

I was thinking about the bottom half of this post and then I realized how times have changed, and what I call an “old” movie was.

For the first half of my life, movies would hit the theaters and be around a long time. They deem the first run theater in Manhattan and then spend the next few months going to the second run the theaters in the local boroughs and then second and even third run theaters where I could see a movie for a dollar. So I had half a year to see a movie. Old movies were rare, you got to see them in revival movie houses on occasion, and that was about it. Of course old movies will often shown on TV but they will always pan and scan and edited and broken up for commercials. You couldn’t have the real movie theater experience at home at that time.

I guess videotape recorders change things a bit because movies did not seem to last as long in the theaters, and in my neighborhood by the mid-1980s the third run theaters were gone, the second run theaters or fading and the first run theaters had all become quads. Even then, the movie theater experience was less than it was as theaters got smaller.

I was just going to post about some of the comments made a couple weeks ago about how we all receive movies. Of course many of us still go to the theaters that are out there, but they are in general much smaller than it used to be and that gigantic movie experience can only be experienced in IMAX now. With HD and great surroundsound we come very close to or even exceed what the modern movie theater experience is/

Many of us including me, have cable and get a lot of movies there.
Many of us use Netflix or similar service to order movies. Of course Netflix can be the actual DVDs or Blu-rays, or they could be online.
Many of us use red box
I also like to buy used Blu-rays. But we have all found a way to fit our lifestyle and be very happy with it although they may not be the same for each one of us. And many of us have really great home theaters that give us a great movie theater experience.

Frankly in my wildest dreams I never thought that this would have happened. So I guess I call an old movie “old” when it’s not in the theaters anymore and these days that’s a month or two.

And sadly, with no lines at the theaters, the awful popcorn, the uncomfortable seats, people texting, people talking, a half an hour of coming attractions and now even commercials, the distance to the bathroom, I mostly prefer seeing my movies at home.

Hi Barry,

Great comedies nowadays are very few indeed. We live in a new era; the CGI effects and the big kaddaboom.
The days of Charlie Chaplin, silent movies, intelligent and funny comedies are upon us. Today's comedies are parodies, extreme overboard simple and boring banalities.The good funny stuff is from yesteryears.

Sandra Bullock I don't know her much, have only seen her in few boring flicks. And her expression seems to be always the same. Her best acting films I guess I missed those.
As for her plastic surgery I know nothing.

_____________

Times always change, but many things remain the same inside.

I used to be a regular at the theater (public cinema); but no more now. I could go back if I wanted to, but the passion switched environment, that's all; I'm still the same.

I will always remember black and white tube TVs and all the B&W stuff I watched on them; from the 50s and 60s. ...No VCRs back then.

I bought my first high-end VCR ($1,500) back in the mid 80s (I was late to the party because the outdoors were still my moving pictures).
But I was a movie lover way before I was born and still are.

Once in a Blue Moon I can check @ Imax (last I saw was 'Gravity' in 3D), but rarity is more custom.

I can write an encyclopedia about cinema, but time is short right now. ...Blus are where I'm mostly at, at this point in time; after travelling few more collections. ...All in the purpose of exploring my hobby (love of the moving pictures, photography, exposure, and music). ...Even in the silent era there was a piano player, and he/she was very important.

The true theaters are the ones which resemble museums; with several great flicks playing one after the other, in the same room. ...Classics, obscures, international, ...the bests!
Cineplexes are like smartphones; surfing grounds for fast quick thrills; quickly fading away in the eyes of smart viewers.

We are approaching May 2014, and soon 1,000 posts. It don't mean much at all, only that few people love movies and are aware of the times they live on.
Cinema is a reflection, a social evolution, a study of them. ...It can link to a dream, a philosophical view, a social statement, ...and with the time attached to it, to the director's motivation, his message, its emotional impact, its effects on the senses. ...Laughing, crying, meditating, thinking, scary ...
But it always reflects an idea, a social ideology, a culture, a mode. ...Like music.

Some women make the best popcorn in the world; and they are close, very close. ...Not at those cineplex joints.
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Last night ::



If I could be reborn again today, I would not want to be like him. ...Not even remotely.

A Classic.

I revisited ::