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Ultimate 3D, Ultimate Gear
September 3, 2010 - 3:46pm Scott Wilkinson 0 Comments
Among the myriad press releases I've received lately—no doubt in preparation for the upcoming CEDIA Expo—was one with a particularly audacious headline: "Mozaex Ships World's First 3D Blu-ray Multi-Room Media Server." Intrigued, I contacted Mozaex (pronounced like "mosaics") to learn more.
Blu-ray Movie Reviews
September 3, 2010 - 8:42am David Vaughn 2 Comments
In the English countryside resides a small village bordering a mystical land which can only be reached by climbing through a wall. Young Tristan (Charlie Cox) crosses through in order to capture a falling star as a gift for a local hottie (Sienna Miller). Unbeknownst to him, in the parallel world the star is a corporeal being (Claire Danes) who's also smokin' hot. Soon thereafter Tristan learns his true destiny that will forever alter his life.

While the first act takes a little while to pick up steam this is a very entertaining movie. It reminds me of The Princess Bride because of the cute romance, adventure, and humor and in many ways is a superior film to the cult classic. The all star cast includes Michelle Pfeiffer, Robert De Niro, and Peter O'Toole in important supporting roles. Surprisingly the film didn't receive a lot of press when it hit theaters in 2007 but holds up well on repeat viewings.

Ultimate Gear
September 2, 2010 - 5:45pm Scott Wilkinson 0 Comments
Canada-based Verity Audio has been making high-end speakers for 25 years, culminating in the flagship Lohengrin. Now in its second generation, this impressive speaker tops the company's eXR (extended-range) lineup.
September 1, 2010 - 11:55am Scott Wilkinson 1 Comments
Paul Thurrott, host of TWiT's Windows Weekly podcast, discusses the changing paradigm of TV and movie delivery to the home, from traditional over-the-air, cable, and satellite to IPTV via Netflix, Hulu, etc., as well as image and sound quality vs. Blu-ray, how the Zune model differs from iTunes, media streaming around the home, and answers to chat-room questions.

Run Time: 54:13

Ultimate Gear
August 31, 2010 - 5:18pm Scott Wilkinson 0 Comments
In 771 C.E., a huge bronze bell was cast by King Hyegong of the Silla Empire in what is now South Korea to honor his grandfather, King Seongdeok. Called the Emillé Bell, its remarkable sound can be heard evenly in all directions, and its reverberations last for three minutes, longer than any other bell in the world. Some 1220 years later, Korean high-end audio maker Emillé Labs took its name and inspiration from the famous bell, handcrafting all of its tube-based electronics, including the new Rapture monoblock power amp featured here, to sound as incredible as the company's namesake.
Ultimate Gear
August 30, 2010 - 5:36pm Scott Wilkinson 1 Comments
In the pro-audio world—especially live performance and commercial cinema—no speaker company is better known than JBL. So it makes perfect sense that the California-based company would apply its considerable expertise to high-end consumer speakers, as it has in the JBL Synthesis line, which includes several models designated Project Array that seem ideally suited for upscale home theaters.
Blu-ray Movie Reviews
August 30, 2010 - 9:14am David Vaughn 0 Comments
Ron Burgundy (Will Ferrell) is San Diego's top-rated news anchorman and isn't the biggest fan of a diversified workplace. When Veronica Corningstone (Christina Applegate) arrives on the scene, Ron feels the heat after the hot young reporter aims for his prestigious job and a battle of the sexes ensues.

In many ways the production feels like an overly long skit on Saturday Night Live, which isn't surprising given director Adam McKay's pedigree. Ferrell's portrayal is mostly over the top but there are plenty of laughs to be had as long as you don't take things too seriously.

Blu-ray Movie Reviews
August 28, 2010 - 12:39pm David Vaughn 0 Comments
Mr. Browning (Colin Firth) has seven children he's trying to raise by himself and they need some serious discipline. When the latest nanny quits the job because of their malfeasance, the frustrated father hears a mysterious voice telling him he needs to hire Nanny McPhee (Emma Thompson) whose magical ways will set the kids on the proper path and strange things start to happen whenever they make the proper choice.

Writer/star Thompson does an admirable job in both jobs, although the film isn't in the same league as Mary Poppins. I liked the message but the story falls apart midway through the second act with its slapstick humor and I began to lose my patience.

Ultimate Gear
August 27, 2010 - 8:30am Scott Wilkinson 5 Comments
Just because a product isn't the company's most expensive doesn't mean it can't perform exceedingly well. Take, for example, the Maestro Utopia, which occupies the middle of Focal's Utopia III lineup.
Blu-ray Movie Reviews
August 26, 2010 - 4:57pm David Vaughn 0 Comments
After five long years the fate of Jack (Matthew Fox), Kate (Evangeline Lilly), Sawyer (Josh Holloway), Sayid (Naveen Andrews), Hurley (Jorge Garcia), Locke (Terry O'Quinn), Jim (Daniel Dae Kim), Sun (Yunjin Kim), and Claire (Emile de Ravin) is finally revealed. These survivors of Oceanic flight 815 didn't land in a tropical paradise. Awaiting rescue they discovered polar bears, a smoke monster roaming the jungle, and the "Others" led by Ben Linus (Michael Emerson). Has it all been a dream? Did they all die in the crash and there in some sort of twisted version of hell? Who started the Darma initiative in the first place? Is it just me, or do all of these questions give you a headache?

Ending a popular show is a difficult under the best of circumstances, but when you take a show like Lost with its large ensemble cast, complicated story, and many unanswered questions. Is there a way to please everyone? Not a chance.

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