March 31, 2010 by jameslucas.

By Alan Blume

Up in the Air with George Clooney and Vera Farmiga is a must view, particularly for road warriors then and now. Ryan Bingham (George Clooney) works for an Omaha based Career Transition firm whose job is to help companies with corporate downsizing (firing employees no longer needed or wanted). Ryan’s job revolves around flying over 300 days of the year, in other words he essentially lives out of his suitcase. Though this would seem like a miserable job for most of us, Ryan loves it, and the frequent flyer type perks that come with it. Be it flying first class, lounging in the Admirals Club, instant check in at American Airlines or his preferred hotel, Ryan loves the life and his “Platinum Level Status”.

So where does this tie into my constant diatribe about virtual companies? The movie seemed made to order for me, as Ryan’s firm hired a young Ivy League grad named Natalie Keener (Anna Kendrick), who naturally recommended that the company go virtual and fire these workers via web meeting instead of face to face, on-site. With Natalie’s business school efficiency, things were moving along rapidly toward the new virtual business methodology while Natalie learning the ropes, on the road, with Ryan.

On the road, Ryan hooks up with the beautiful and charming Alex Goran (Vera Farmiga) for the classic boy finally meets the right girl love interest slant, albeit with a twist. Meanwhile, Natalie finds the harsh reality of firing workers brutal, punishing and depressing, perhaps the type of job that does not lend itself well to web meetings. And for those of you, who have yet to see this entertaining movie, let me leave the synopsis at this point for the moment.

Did Hollywood get it right? Do we still need to do some things in person? I think the answer is yes…and no. A nebulous answer for sure - unless it happens to be a scripted Hollywood response from a Harry Potter movie. Let me clarify. For companies that are in legacy businesses, a traditional brick and mortar business, particularly those requiring large numbers of on-site staff, I would concur that something as difficult and personal as job terminations should be done in person.

But for virtual companies like mine, highly distributed work forces, companies with many work at home or telecommuting personnel, web meetings are par for the course as virtual hiring sets the stage for virtual firings. The wave of the future looks like an outsourced based, contractor oriented, telecommuting centric, work from home, distributed collaborative model. And in this brave new world, I can’t see someone like Ryan traveling house to house to terminate employees in their homes, nor do I see employees (contractors) wishing it be done this way (unless it was really George Clooney who was going to visit their home). I think Hollywood got this one right, not everything can be done virtually.

For more information, read Your Virtual Success (Career Press) or to to my web site: http://www.alanblume.com. I’d love to hear about your virtual business efforts.

Article Source: Alan Blume

Up in the Air: To Be Virtual, or Not to Be Virtual

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March 30, 2010 by jameslucas.

By John Parks

These days, it seems like every movie they make is in 3D - horror movies, in particular - but 3D is nothing new. 3D photography first became popular in Victorian Times, thanks to David Brewster’s prism stereoscope. Though 3D motion pictures would not become popular for another century, they were being made as early as 1890, when pioneer, William Friese-Greene, patented his 3D movie process. Friese-Greene’s technology was too complicated for theatrical uses, but many filmmakers and studios were developing their own 3-D technology.

The Power of Love, the first 3D movie, debuted in 1922. Audience members wore anaglyph glasses, similar to the ones audiences wear today. The movie found no buyers, but aroused the public’s curiosity, and a handful of them were made over the next several years. The Selwyn Theater in New York even installed specialized equipment for 3D movies, but they had to be made using a specific process, which never caught-on, so 3D movie-making languished over the next decade.

In 1936, the first 3D motion picture, similar to those with which we are familiar, was released. The MGM short, made using the red/green anaglyph format, was printed by Technicolor and received an Academy Award nomination. MGM made two more 3D shorts before World War II erupted. These types of movies were once again put on the proverbial shelf.

The early 1950s would become known as “the Golden Age” of 3D movies. Comedy and horror were the most popular, but 3D movies and shorts spanned every genre, and many did quite well at the box office. However, there still existed no standard technology or process; every studio and individual developed their own methods, even built their own cameras. Other stereoscopic processing methods with fewer drawbacks were being developed as well - including Cinemascope and Cinerama - and 3D faded into the background once again.

While the 1970s saw an underground resurgence of 3D movies, most were for adults. It was the 1980s’ slasher flicks that brought them back into theaters, with such “classics” as Jaws 3-D and Friday the 13th Part 3-D. The method remained popular throughout the 1990s, thanks to IMAX theaters, even though the majority of them were not 3D-capable until 2004.

James Cameron, director of the record-smashing 3-D sci-fi epic, Avatar, has been the leader in 3-D technology and acceptance for many years now. Cameron and crew invented new 3-D camera technology and techniques, which he employed in the making of Avatar. These are now being adopted as the industry standards. He also convinced theater owners across America to invest the estimated $100,000 to retool their theaters to show 3D movies and, thanks to Avatar’s success, this trend has continued worldwide.

2009 saw the release of dozens of 3-Dimensional movies. The success of these and others, including Avatar, have convinced theater owners worldwide to invest in the technology needed to show 3-D movies the way they were meant to be seen. The movie studios’ scheduled releases through 2011 include numerous 3-D movies, proving that not only are they here to stay, they are just getting started!

For more information on 3D Movies, visit http://3dbuy.com.

Article Source: John Parks
3D Movies are No Passing Fad

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March 29, 2010 by jameslucas.

By Eric Hilton

The Cove, may have won the 2010 Academy Award for Best Documentary Film, but its makers will most likely not succeed in their goal of stopping the Taiji dolphin hunt.

This is not because the Japanese are deeply committed to hunting dolphins. In fact, dolphin is not generally eaten in Japan, it is a little-known regional dish. Before The Cove brought publicity to the practice of eating dolphin meat, very few Japanese were aware of it.

Also, the Japanese are just as charmed by dolphins as any other nationality, “swimming with wild dolphins” is a popular activity for Japanese tourists.

On the other hand, the idea that dolphins are as intelligent as humans is not generally accepted in Japan. The Japanese (and Chinese) word for dolphin, iruka, means “ocean pig,” if translated literally. That fact suggests that dolphins have traditionally been viewed as a food source in East Asia, and most Japanese find it hard to understand why it’s O.K. to kill cows and pigs for their meat, but it’s not O.K. to kill dolphins for the same purpose.

I think it’s important to bear in mind that the dolphins which are killed and captured in Japan are not endangered species, and that they are hunted in a sustainable manner. Another point that one should at least consider is that perhaps the idea that dolphins should be given a privileged position and special dispensation from being hunted is a Western cultural peculiarity.

Japanese journalist Katsuichi Honda makes the following comments in an essay he wrote regarding the 1980 case of Earthtrust president Dexter Kate who was arrested for releasing 200 dolphins from the nets they had been corralled into in Nagasaki Prefecture. During the course of discussions with Kate’s supporters, Honda made the following points:

“Whether this distinction [superior intelligence] between dolphins and other animals is valid or not, a more important issue is why no question arises on killing animals of lesser intelligence. Why can we slaughter cows with no problem? The activists provided no justification to explain less-intelligent animals’ destiny, while they rationalized that cows can be controlled as livestock and therefore we can slaughter them. I asked them whether we can domesticate dolphins and then slaughter them. Their response was in effect that this would be pathetic and barbaric. Their argument is not logical but rather emotional, deeply rooted in their own history and culture.

For those born and raised in Western culture, dolphins and whales are animals that frequently appear in ancient Greek or Roman mythology. A comparable animal in India is the cow, which is regarded as sacred and has never become livestock for slaughter and consumption. Thus, the difference in cultural or historical background is significant…I asked them what they would think if Indians went to ranches in the western United States and liberated cows.”

I think that the points Mr. Honda makes are valid. But that doesn’t mean that I view this as a one-sided issue. There are good and bad points on both sides of the debate-with the bad points being more emotional than logical. The Japanese tend to react to criticism of their nation’s hunting of whales and dolphins (and even bluefin tuna) with emotion and nationalism. But for that very reason, the confrontational approach that the makers of The Cove have taken is destined to be counterproductive in terms of convincing those fishermen or the Japanese government to stop hunting dolphins.

To learn more about how the controversies that The Cove raises are viewed in Japan, click on the link.

The Cove

Article Source: Eric Hilton
The Cove: Great Movie but Wrong Strategy

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March 26, 2010 by jameslucas.

By John R. Harrison

It used to be that cooking shows ruled the roost when it came to talking about television and food. After all, there have been a number of moguls who made entire careers out of teaching America to cook from their studio kitchens, from Julia to Martha and beyond. But today, food is very much the realm of those who aren’t so much teaching you how to prepare it as much as challenging you to a contest to see who can eat the most of it, often in the fattiest and most cholesterol-packed way possible.

The best example of this phenomenon on satellite TV is a series called “Man V. Food,” which is on the Travel Channel and seems to draw a fair share of viewers, many of whom must be impressed men in their late 40s. On “Man V. Food,” the food element is not so much about how to prepare a recipe as it is towards were the biggest burgers and most delicious apple pies are in the United States. The show’s host, Adam Richman, is an actor who enjoys eating almost as much as he seems to enjoy being in front of the camera. The premise is that he rolls into an American town where someone else is already known for making the best of something. It could be a cinnamon bun or it could be a hamburger. After exploring the other restaurants in town and finding out what the best foods are–or in some cases, the biggest foods, Richman then squares off against the local legend to see who can make the best version of what they are known for making the best of.

It is in this way that cooking shows finally managed to bring a bit of competition to satellite TV without getting as esoteric as something like “Iron Chef.” Richman, though occasionally a little hammy, is a likable enough guy, and he is definitely relatable for a majority of viewers. And thankfully, this is not the same old show where a guy just goes to greasy spoons and diners across the country, since he is a man interested in food. While there are definitely some comfort foods and close to 200 pound burgers here and there, there are also a whole lot of restaurants that are nationally rated and acclaimed for things other than just making the world’s largest meatball.

At the same time, “Man V. Food” brings a little bit of competitive spirit to cooking shows on satellite TV that makes it a lot more palatable for the kind of food viewer who doesn’t want to hear the entire history of a region that is responsible for a dish. And that’s completely okay, because at the same time, the show doesn’t dumb down cooking to its audience. When esteemed chefs and bakers have the chance to talk about their city and their specialties, it is a lot more engaging than your typical food exploration show, and that alone is reason enough to tune in.

So if you’ve been wanting a completely different approach to handling food from your favorite satellite tv channels, get away from the Food Network and explore the offerings over on the Travel Channel.

Getting all the channels you want is a lot easier with Direct TV packages on Direct TV.

Article Source: John R. Harrison

Man Versus Food: A Different Approach to Dining

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March 25, 2010 by jameslucas.

A Reflection on Gregory Peck: The Children of Mockingbird Call Him Atticus
Atticus Finch represents the highest ideals of a human being, someone who is not only handsome and charismatic but a decent, courageous man of action. Those are the kinds of roles that Gregory Peck primarily played throughout his acting career.

Orlando Bloom: A Blockbuster Star
Orlando Bloom debuted in the year 1997 as a rent boy in the film Wilde. And just two days after his graduation at Guildhall, he took one of his most popular movie roles to date, Legolas from Lord of the Rings trilogy. This would not have happened if he got the role he auditioned for, the role of Faramir, who becomes part of the story only on the second part.

Leonardo DiCaprio: One of the Most Famous Male Celebrities
Leonardo DiCaprio, born Leonardo Wilhelm Dicaprio, was born on November 11, 1974 in Los Angeles, California to parents Irmelin Inderberken, a former legal secretary, and to George DiCaprio, an underground comic artist as well as comic book distributor. Leo is best known for his choice of great roles which he has won several awards for. His most notable roles include his breakthrough performance in This Boy’s Life, What’s Eating Gilbert Grape, Titanic, Romeo + Juliet, Blood Diamond, The Aviator, Gangs of New York, The Departed, and his most recent film, Revolutionary Road.

Brad Pitt: His Accomplishments
William Bradley Pitt or Brad Pitt was born on December 18, 1963 in Shawnee, Oklahoma to parents William Alvin Pitt, a truck company owner, and Jane Etta Pitt, a high school guidance counselor. He has two younger siblings, Doug and Julie Neal. Despite being born in Oklahoma, the Pitts grew up in Springfield, Missouri, and were raised as conservative Southern Baptists.

Film Review: The Forgotten (2004)
What’s incredible about this film is that such a talented bunch of cast and technicians could do such great individual jobs yet be so woefully directed overall; “The Forgotten” has an intriguing premise that is at the end of the day badly executed.

Film Review: W (2008)
W. is Oliver Stone without teeth. There are no left-wing jibes at one of the most controversial US Presidents in history, nor is there much fair or three-dimensional exploration in to the character of George W. Bush. Instead, we are left with a film that could have been ninety minutes long instead of two+ hours and still covered the same ground.

Film Review: Slumdog Millionaire
This classic rags-to-riches tale accomplishes the feat of not only telling a great story of triumph over adversity but manages to open your eyes to a part of the world that is hardly ever covered in a Hollywood film besides cliches; no wonder the Academy gave it the Best Picture Oscar.

Film Review: Changeling
With a very strong story, subtly executed and detailed direction, this historical drama about a mother’s strong determination to find her kidnapped son is a touching ordeal of love, sacrifice, brutality and police corruption.

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March 25, 2010 by jameslucas.

By Connor R Sullivan

Lots of people across the world love to take baths and find it to be a refreshing pastime that can settle nerves, soothe sore muscles and generally make a person feel better. Bathing is made much easier of course by a Cincinnati walk in bathtub or multiple Cincinnati walk in bath tubs. Of course, things that are essentially containers for large amounts of water can also be used for recreational purposes by more than one person, as evidenced by things like the pool and the hot tub. In fact, the hot tub is currently coming under the microscope as a large part of the plot of a new, upcoming comedy film called Hot Tub Time Machine.

The plot of the movie, although it has not come out yet so nobody but critics can have seen it yet, seems fairly simple. Four men are on a vacation at a ski lodge in the film. Needless to say for four single men, the trip gets a little crazy through partying and somehow while they are all in a hot tub at the ski lodge they are transported back in time to 1986. According to multiple synopses available on the internet the four use their time in the past to change things about their future. Whether or not they make it back to the present is anyone’s guess and certainly a large part of the suspense of the movie. So far every critical review of the film has been good so it certainly would not be a stretch of the imagination to think that it will do well at the box office.

One of the stars of the movie is John Cusack. In the film Cusack apparently plays a man who is recovering from the recent break up with his girlfriend. The choice to cast Cusack in a role in this comedy film is interesting since he is more typically known for his turns in more serious films including some of his most famous starring roles in films such as disaster movie 2012 and thriller and suspense movie Identity. This is Cusack’s first real starring role in a comedy so it will of course be interesting to film buffs to see what his delivery on jokes and general comedic demeanor is like.

Another of the stars of this movie is Craig Robinson. Robinson is most likely to be known for his work on the extremely popular comedy television series The Office, on which he portrays a blue collar worker in the warehouse of a fictional paper company. Robinson will also be known to fans of the cult comedy hit Pineapple Express, in which he played a small time criminal goon working for a bigger criminal kingpin.

It remains to be seen whether or not this quirky upcoming comedy will be funny and well received by audiences but the writers and director certainly deserve at least a little credit for coming up with a fairly original plot amidst a modern Hollywood in which it feels like most films are reboots of others and not new ideas.

Connor R. Sullivan searched the internet for a Cincinnati walk in bathtub in order to purchase a safe tub for his aging parents. He recently installed a couple of Cincinnati walk in bath tubs in his home.

Article Source: Connor R. Sullivan

A Cursory Preview of the Movie Hot Tub Time Machine

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