Portable Pixels reviews the portability of digital media in gadgets, software and related resources. We celebrate cutting edge technology but we mostly focus on practical applications & functionality.
Those of you that read my blog know that I am a media and gadget geek. I am in Hong Kong right now and on the eve of purchasing my first PSP on my long flight back to the USA. There are some reliable rumors surfacing that there will be PSP 3000 released soon. Most PSP owners are not sold on upgrading but seeing this will be my first PSP should I wait or just go for it?
With regard to the iPhone, I don’t really focus on the phone features. I am personally interested in its media capabilities as it applies to my research. The same goes for the PSP, the gaming experience is cool and interfacing is always important, but whats most important to me is the video, RSS, and media sharing capabilities. I do enjoy gaming particularly games like Soul Caliber, and Street Fighter, when I have time for such things. I think an 8 GB or 4 GB along with battery pack will be my top accessory priorities. For once I am looking for feedback before my purchase. Should I wait for this PSP 3000 or do I get the PSP slim? If anyone has any suggestions or comments please post them here or email me at codedsignal@gmail.com
- Bendrix
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The Batman comic books are a monumental staple in the world of sci-fi and fiction, the two Batman animated TV series were brilliant, and the Batman Begins film was a true masterpiece. The Batman TV show staring Adam West was entertaining to some degree, but when I watch it now I cringe. Outside of that every Batman movie that I have seen over the years has fallen short of delivering what it promises. With the exception of maybe the Joker’s character (staring Jack Nickelson) in the very first Batman every single character has been a a bit of a bore.
In The Dark Knight the dialog is not as intelligent and the story is way over the top to be believable, even in this fantasy breaking-the-rules reality. The action sequences and the gadgets were blah but there are a few interesting concepts used in the film that make for interesting conversation afterwards. The movie is called The Dark Knight but what we see is a once strong Batman character (Christian Bale) having to dummy down his role. Maggie Gyllenhaals character was totally useless, Michal Kane and Morgan Freeman are both always fun to watch. I must admit, I really enjoyed some of the dark sentiments and personality moments by the Joker (Heath Ledger). He surprised me because he played an excellent Joker but I feel he was truly held back by the PG-13 rating. He could have easily been a more memorable and menacing cad. I feel that all the characters are solid but were all flawed by the poor script writing.
One of the biggest let downs in the film are the fight sequences. They seem to have reverted back to the robotic choreography Hollywood fight scenes. It was like “hey I’m going to telegraph my punch now… now you duck”. I hate the way Batman blocks punches, the way he attacks, he just looks like an untrained novice. This is Batman he is tactical, agile and a master combatant. I thought it was perfect before how they used camera shakyness and trickery to disorient the viewer. I am fond of the incoherent blurring sequences from the last Batman and from the Borne series. Not that its only about the fight … but in a way it is … and its about showing this human with heightened super abilities.
I know I really shouldn’t compare them, but this is the same director and the same characters. This movie pales in every way imaginable to Batman Begins. But I hold all directors, writers and their production crews to a high standard. I expect top notch professional storytelling and execution because they have millions of dollars, they got $15 USD from me and employed hundreds of people to put this together. I demand more of them and it should be better or as good as the last film. I mean it wasn’t the worst film of the summer and it certainly was entertaining to a point, but its the possibilities of what could have been is what saddens me.
There was a real hope with Batman Begins, but just like with every Hollywood blockbuster the big wigs always find a way to screw things up. People will go see a film if the story is solid, especially if its a franchise movie or with super cool effects. But somehow storytelling is not one of Hollywoods vested interests because they continue to feed the public mediocre incomplete works. At any rate enough of my ranting, because the crowds that enjoyed movies like Wanted and Hancok will probably dig this movie. People will definitely go see it and it will get lots of buzz and recommendations. This Batman movie is a cut above the competition at the moment but its the same bland entertainment value. If you are a Bat fan like me and enjoy a good story you probably will be disappointed.
- Bendrix
Codedsignal.com is a Digital Media Network featuring: Beneath the Beat: Hip Hop | Beneath the Beat: Electronica | Shanxi Nan Lu: Travel | Digital Media Tips: Web Culture - and hosts a variety of other related media properties.
Subscribe to our: Twitter | Youtube | Delicious | Forum
Blog, Codedsignal | bendrix | 
July 28, 2008 9:44 pm | 
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