text:
Magnesium Oil - The human skin is the largest organ of the body and is highly involved in the detoxification and maintenance process of health. Skin not only excretes and eliminates toxins, it also has a tremendous capacity to absorb healthy-supportive substances.
The Great Salt Lake in Utah is a mineral-rich inland sea and is a remnant of the ancient Lake Bonneville, the largest lake of the lost Ice Age. Its waters are 11 times more concentrated than seawater and contain over 72 naturally occurring ionic trace minerals.
The benefits of Pure Magnesium Oil include:
Directions For Use
Apply to desired area. Massage well into the skin for best absorption. Rinse well after 20 minutes and moisturize with White Egret's Vitamin D3 or Alpha Lipoic Acid lotion.
Additional Application Method: Add 1-2 oz of Pure Magnesium Oil to your daily foot soak and soak feet for 20 minutes. During the first several applications of Pure Magnesium Oil, it is normal for some individuals to feel a light tingling sensation on the skin.
Concentrated inland seawater from Utah's ancient inland sea, the Great Salt Lake, which is naturally high in ionic magnesium chloride. Contains no other added ingredients. Does not contain oil.
6,000 mg of magnesium chloride per 2 fl oz.
View All White EgretView All Beauty & Personal Care > Skin CareTop 10 Natural Skin Care

subset: commoncrawl


text:
(highly modded, 2004 wrx) i was going down my drive way in first gear, 5mph, and then i hear a boom... the trans wont go into gear. i have a new clutch (one month) and i feel reasonable normal pressure on the clutch pedal. along with good clutch fluid. i am pushing high boost at 20psi low boost is 15 psi on pro built engine. but i believe the trans is stock...(havent done much to it, but the person before me could have) currently the car (my baby)is sitting at a trans shop awaiting to get started on the fixing process. the trans shop thinks i need to upgrade the gearbox and gears or get an sti transmission... what do you recommend on either or??? i personally want to take the cost effective way and upgrade the gearbox and gears... but does anyone know where i can find reasonable prices on gearboxes and gears???. rallitec.com is my best bet so far..
any words of input would be helpful


text:
CHESTER – No changes were made to the Chester school district's 2014-2015 budget proposal at the school board's first public review of the numbers.
The working numbers show a 2.97 percent increase in expenditures, a number that surprised board members, given significant increases in what they call non-discretionary spending, especially a tuition rate increase from Pinkerton Academy that alone would almost cover a 3 percent increase to the budget.
The budget proposal presented Wednesday, Dec. 4, shows $345,654 in increased spending over the current year's number.
Pinkerton recently advised sending towns of tuition increases in both regular education and special education. In regular education there is a 4.9 percent rise, amounting to about $500 per student. Between both regular and special education, the tuition increase represents about $301,000 in additional costs for Chester with current population estimates, $232,000 of that number from regular education.
The new tuition rate for regular education totals $10,796.83, up from $10,292.49.
School board members had little to say on the increase at last week's meeting, though Mike Romick did express shock at the new numbers.
Also up in the 2014-2015 budget proposal are healthcare, by $85,000, and transportation, by $28,451.
According to the numbers presented last week, discretionary spending was greatly reduced, an effort that mitigated the impact of the numbers the district, and ultimately taxpayers, have no control over.
No single line had drastic reductions, but a thousand dollars here and there added up significantly, according to administration.
Other significant decreases came in the special education budget.
Some savings are the result of a decision not to rehire a curriculum coordinator, as the current holder of that position is set to retire next year. Principal Leslie Leahy explained that between herself and vice principal Karen Lacroix and other efforts within the school, they can do without the position. The salary for that role is $50,000 plus benefits, bringing the current cost past $75,000.
The budget would leave $20,000 in the line for curriculum support services.
Leahy and superintendent Jim Gaylord suggested using some of that savings to create a technology director position, but school board members had doubts about the decision. They built $30,000 into that position, with the caveat that one of the two technology assistant positions would be eliminated.
The current holder of the second technology assistant position recently gave her notice.
Both Leahy and Gaylord noted that the $30,000 was a starting figure and they were hesitant to move forward with the hire's specifics without board approval.
Romick was skeptical that the school could find a quality individual for that salary, but wondered whether it was a necessary staff addition, especially in light of the financial commitment new staff places on the district in insurance benefits.
Leahy said that while the day-to-day technology work is handled well by the technology assistants and Daystar, an Information Technology contractor hired last year to take care of upper tier technology needs, there's no one whose job is overseeing the big picture or having a vision as to where the school needs to go with technology. She said she and others do their best to handle it now, but it's an area that doesn't have the expertise it needs.
Both Romick and chair Royal Richardson suggested it was worth looking into a consultant for the work, and the board plans to put out a Request for Proposal for the job before making a decision as to how to move forward.
Also notable in the budget proposal is a reduction in revenue from the state legislature's continued efforts to reduce costs in Concord. That downshifting of costs from the state to towns and school districts is impacting local towns in their recent tax bills, and looks like it will again have an impact in the coming year's local school rate.
The board and administration still have a couple of review sessions ahead of them, as the budget isn't set to be finalized on their end and sent to the budget committee for further review until Jan. 10.
Chester School Budget Shows 3 Percent Increase
CHESTER – No changes were made to the Chester school district's 2014-2015 budget proposal at the school board's first public review of the numbers.


text:
- 1[countable] a sudden loud noise The door swung shut with a bang. Suddenly there was a loud bang and a puff of smoke. see also Big Bang
- 2[countable] a sudden painful blow on a part of the body a bang on the head
- 3bangs [plural] (North American English) (British English fringe) the front part of somebody's hair that is cut so that it hangs over their forehead See related entries: Describing hair
- 4[uncountable] = bhang
- 5[countable] (informal, computing) the symbol ( ! ) Word Originmid 16th cent.: imitative, perhaps of Scandinavian origin; compare with Old Norse bang 'hammering'.Extra examples She blew her bangs out of her face. She slammed the door with a loud bang. The engine let out a bang. We suddenly heard an almighty bang from the kitchen. Will the firework make a loud enough bang?Idioms
- 1very successfully The party went with a bang.
- 2in a way that everyone notices; with a powerful effect The team won their last four games, ending the season with a bang.
BrE BrE//bæŋ//; NAmE NAmE//bæŋ//Describing hair
(especially North American English, informal) if you get more, better, etc. bang for your buck, you get better value for the money you spend or the effort you put in to something
bang for your buckjump to other results
(informal) to return, or to make somebody return, to a normal way of thinking or behaving after a time when they have been very excited, not very practical, etc. see also down to earth
come back/down to earth (with a bang/bump), bring somebody (back) down to earth (with a bang/bump)jump to other results
with a bang (informal)jump to other results
Check pronunciation: bang


text:
Discussion in 'Pistons and NBA' started by Dumars4Ever, Jun 30, 2009.
Me too, Tay.
Laims is a Detroit guy through and through, that's all we need to know.
To be honest, I'll be totally stoked no matter WHO Joe finally decides on after watching the last two morons who ran the show. I'm downright giddy at the thought that we might just get a coach that will allow us to actually score out of a timeout!
Replace Rip & Tay with two youngsters that have something to prove and put Laimbeer in the driver's seat to create another "us vs. the world" attitude. Then, sit back and enjoy the show.
I'd love to see Laimbeer get the job. I know the knock is his lack of experience in the NBA as any kind of coach. That being said, I hope he'll get some experience soon because who knows? The Pistons coaching carousel will probably have another opening in a few years. Still, I'd like to see Joe bring in a Pistons guy (not Isiah though). In my gut, I think Avery Johnson is wrong for the job. I read in Rosenburg's column that he micromanages the offense and has a huge ego. Not sure this is true, but I'm concerned how he and his team could allow the Heat to come back from 2-0 and win four straight in the Finals. That is a pretty big collapse. I don't watch the Finals unless the Pistons are in it so I'm not sure what adjustments Johnson should have been making. Rosie's take: "Avery Johnson. He is young (44), charismatic and nearly led Dallas to the 2006 title. He won almost 75% of his games with the Mavericks. And as a former overachieving point guard, Johnson could mentor Stuckey. But Johnson also has a reputation as a control freak. In Dallas, he called virtually every single offensive play, even when he had Jason Kidd, one of the brightest and most selfless point guards in NBA history. By the time Johnson got fired, there was a near-mutiny against him. He has a large ego, which partly explains why nobody else has hired him. Unlike Collins, Johnson is young and has only been a head coach once. Maybe he learned from his mistakes. But in the wake of Curry's struggles with Hamilton, does Dumars really want a coach who needs to control everything and has grated star players before?" These Detroit columnists need to get on the horn to their buds at the Dallas Morning News and other Dallas media and check out Avery Johnson's credentials a little. Seems like a foregone conclusion that he's the next coach.
To be fair to Flip, even though he ultimately fell short with the Pistons, I would argue that he's clearly a much better coach than Curry.
Which is basically like saying that Gary Colman is clearly much taller than Verne Troyer.
I heard Dumars wants to make his decision by next Tuesday.
According to M-Live and Det News Joe says that Avery is not a shoo-in and possibly has more candidates for the Pistons' vacancy: Detroit Pistons coaching search may expand - Detroit Pistons Basketball: News, Blogs, Photos, Audio, Schedule & Stats - MLive.com Dumars: 'Not a given' that Avery Johnson is Pistons' next coach | detnews.com | The Detroit News No new candidates have been identified, although M-Live speculates that it could possibly be Mike Fratello.
well, Miša, it is a sign that Dumars is not convinced that Avrey Johnson is the man. It is noticeable how previous coaches were selected by Dumars quickly but now he is considering various options.
I like it. I am not sold on Avery. Unfortunately, there aren't that many guys out there and that's why it takes time this time around. Larry Brown needs no further introduction. After he was fired, Joe had Flip, who is a decent coach, so that wasn't that difficult of a hire. Then Joe was sold on Curry and hired him. Now it is a different story. He's not sold on anyone.
Collins out of picture, but Laimbeer could contend for Pistons' position - Daily Tribune: Breaking news coverage for southeastern Oakland County, Michigan Well, that's a beginning. Now lets keep pushing this agenda further.
Laimbeer's style will not fly in the NBA. There is a reason he has not gotten a head coaching gig. I think Laimbeer's refusal to take an assistant coaching gig first is an idea of what you can expect with his demenor.
I don't think Avery Johnson is worth 5 million a season. What has he done besides flame out in the playoffs?
He did a [sarcasm]great job developing young PG Devin Harris[/sarcasm], who blossomed as soon as he started playing for another team. This is just what doctor ordered for Stuck.
How about tom Thibodeau? He definitely has a defensive mind.
I also think his work as a GM should be added to that resume. The Shock have consistently been at or near the top since he took over yet they keep finding a way to bring in better talent than many teams that finish behind them. I look for that to be a deficiency that will not be completely noticed by fans until a couple years from now.
I wonder if that's what Joe is afraid of?
uh oh
Looks like Joe is serious about Avery: Sources: Detroit Pistons' Joe Dumars to meet with Avery Johnson - ESPN Laimbeer doesn't seem to be high on the list:
Separate names with a comma.


text:
by Tom Joad Oneworldchronicle.com April 28, 2013 JPFO – Why must all decent non-violent people fight against "gun control"? Why is the right to keep and bear arms truly a fundamental individual right? You can find the answers in this new book. People frequently ask why we are so dedicated to our cause? This... »
Archive for April 28th, 2013
Death by "Gun Control"
CHINA IS ON FIRE: China Orders Troops And Tanks To North Korean Border, Deploys Anti Aircraft Carrier Missiles Off Cost Of Taiwan, Sends More Than 40 Fighter Jet To Senkaku Islands, And Warns Philippines To Immediately Withdraw From Disputed Islands
Investmentwatchblog.com April 28th, 2013 China Orders Troops and Tanks to North Korean Border China is reportedly beefing up its military presence on the North Korean border amid heightening tensions in the region. The troop mobilisation is said to be taking place along with deployment of dozens of tanks in the strategically important border region... »
Is It Possible to Predict the Next False Flag?
by Dave Hodges Thecommonsenseshow.com April 27, 2013 The Boston Marathon bombing was just the first in a series of false flag attacks to be visited upon American soil. Boston provided an excellent backdrop to beta test martial law gun confiscation procedures through the unwarranted entry into average citizen homes who were not suspected of... »
Sinclair – The Elites Frightening Plan To Control The Masses…"This phase will serve to bring humanity to its knees."
KingWorldNews.com April 28, 2013 Today legendary trader Jim Sinclair told King World News that the elites plan to use the coming financial chaos and destruction to control the masses. Sinclair spoke about the "Great Unwind," what this means for gold, and how investors can protect themselves from what is in front of us. Below... »
Am I Free To Go?
by Dave Hodges Thecommonsenseshow.com April 27, 2013 In increasing number of Americans are not buying into the "you must give up your liberties so we can protect you" message from the authorities. The nation looked on with horror as the authorities locked down an entire region in search of one gunman following the Boston... »
Capitalism is killing our morals, our future
Commentary: In a Market Society, everything is for sale By Paul B. Farrell MarketWatch.com April 27, 2013 SAN LUIS OBISPO, Calif. (MarketWatch) — Yes, capitalism is working … for the Forbes 1,000 Global Billionaires whose ranks swelled from 322 in 2000 to 1,426 recently. Billionaires control the vast majority of the world's wealth, while... »
Considering Your Children And Neighbors When Defending Your Home With A Firearm (Must See Video)
By Tin Hat Ranch BeforeItsNews.com Saturday, April 27, 2013 Defending your home with a firearm has many considerations, not the least among them is protecting your children. But what happens if the person you are protecting them from is between you and your children? What happens if you miss and there are neighbors close... »
Jim Tucker, Bilderberg Hound, Dies at 78
by Andrew Puhanic Theglobalistreport.com Sunday, April 28th, 2013 James P. Tucker, Jr. (Jim Tucker), investigative journalist sadly passed away on Friday 26 April 2013 due to complications he suffered following an accident. Jim Tucker was known as the Bilderberg Hound and was one of a few investigative journalists who infiltrated the notorious Bilderberg Group.... »
Front-Line Observations From A Seasoned Gold & Silver Bullion Dealer
by Adam Taggart ZeroHedge.com 04/27/2013 Spikes and plunges in the U.S. dollar price of gold; this is not new. It goes back to the early 1970s. We remember that for most of the past 40 years, physical gold and silver investors, particularly in the U.S., tended to chase big rallies and buy late, while... »


text:
Construction of the project, situated within a 2,000-acre segment of the
"First Solar is proud to participate in this landmark project on lands
where it can benefit the economic development of the Moapa Paiute tribe
and serve clean energy to the City of Los Angeles," said
"K Road is pleased to announce the launch of this pioneering project,
and grateful for the stalwart support of our key partners and
stakeholders, the
In its first year of operation, the
This release contains forward-looking statements which are made pursuant
to safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform
Act of 1995. These forward-looking statements include statements, among
other things, concerning: our business strategy, including anticipated
trends and developments in and management plans for our business and the
markets in which we operate; future financial results, operating
results, revenues, gross margin, operating expenses, products, projected
costs, warranties, solar module efficiency and balance of systems
("BoS") cost reduction roadmaps, restructuring, product reliability and
capital expenditures; our ability to continue to reduce the cost per
watt of our solar modules; our ability to reduce the costs to construct
photovoltaic ("PV") solar power systems; research and development
programs and our ability to improve the conversion efficiency of our
solar modules; sales and marketing initiatives; and competition. These
forward-looking statements are often characterized by the use of words
such as "estimate," "expect," "anticipate," "project," "plan," "intend,"
"believe," "forecast," "foresee," "likely," "may," "should," "goal,"
"target," "might," "will," "could," "predict," "continue" and the
negative or plural of these words and other comparable terminology.
Forward-looking statements are only predictions based on our current
expectations and our projections about future events. You should not
place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements. We undertake
no obligation to update any of these forward-looking statements for any
reason. These forward-looking statements involve known and unknown
risks, uncertainties, and other factors that may cause our actual
results, levels of activity, performance, or achievements to differ
materially from those expressed or implied by these statements. These
factors include, but are not limited to, the matters discussed in Item
1A: "Risk Factors," of our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended
+1 415-799-4095
First Solar Media
+1 602-427-3359
+1 602-414-9315
+1 602-414-9315
News Provided by Acquire Media


text:
The cost of participating in the North American Biodynamic Apprenticeship Program (NABDAP) includes an enrollment fee, due with the application, and tuition for the participating classroom study program of the apprentice's choice:
For apprentices who are not already members of the Biodynamic Association, a complimentary one-year introductory membership is included with the enrollment fee.
The $100 enrollment fee is valid for 3 years, allowing apprentices ample time to complete their on-farm training and classroom study work.
Scholarships: If tuition for the classroom study program presents an economic hardship, apprentices may apply for financial assistance through the Biodynamic Scholarship Fund.


text: PERHAM – Felicia Dawn Cochran, 18, a kind generous and loving daughter, sister and friend, died unexpectedly, Dec. 20, 2010, in Connor, as the result of an automobile accident. She was born May 1, 1992, in Caribou, daughter of Terry and Theresa (Pickard) Cochran. She was a high honors graduate of Washburn District High School, Class of 2010, and was attending the University of Maine at Presque Isle, aspiring to be a secondary math teacher. She was a member of First Baptist Church, Perham, and was employed at Houlton Farms Dairy. She enjoyed music, art, playing soccer, tennis, reading, and especially enjoyed being around friends and meeting new people. She was a trustworthy and kind person who always put others before herself and she will forever be remembered. Surviving, in addition to her parents, are her twin sister, Melissa Cochran; big sister, Samantha Cochran, all of Perham; her grandmothers, Birdena Cochran of Perham and Sally Duplisea of Millinocket; her grandfather, John Pickard of Perham; aunt and uncle, Nicole and Matt Bouchard of Enfield; aunt, Diana Doody and close cousins, Jake and Hillary, of Mapleton; and aunt and uncle, Tami and John Bancroft of New Hampshire. She was predeceased by grandfathers, Terence Cochran and David Duplisea; and a great-grandmother, Beatrice Burout. Friends may call 6-9 p.m. Wednesday at Mockler Funeral Home, 24 Reservoir St., Caribou. Funeral services will be held 2 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 23, at Washburn District High School with the Rev. David Goupille, pastor, officiating. For an online register, please go to www.mocklerfuneralhome.com.


text:
Each day we offer samples of headlines that appeared in the world press along with our comments.
Australia, Sydney Morning Herald: "David Jones Forced To Walk New Path"
I assume Davie Jones will walk the path of a plank.
Norway, Norway Post: "Lone Wolf Killer Slipped Under Radar"
There go the sheep!
Denmark, Copenhagen Post: "Captain Of Stranded Ship Was Drunk"
Are you saying that is wrong?
Turkey, Hurriyet: "Release Student Jailed Over Scarf"
I assume the student was jailed for self protection so she would not strangle herself.
Russia, Moscow Times: "Putin Critic Dies Of Heart Attack"
He must have listened to another Putin speech no the glories of himself.
Ireland, Independent: "Goldman Sachs Hunts Muppet Email"
You guys can't even stop grabbing the money of the muppets!
Germany, Spiegel: "Greed Beginning Of Everything"
Now that sums up the Republican Platform.
Sweden, Local: "Thief Steals Front Door"
He wanted to make certain he got into the house.


text:
|diyAudio Store
|Today's Posts
|Mark Forums Read
|Everything Else Anything related to audio / video / electronics etc) BUT remember- we have many new forums where your thread may now fit! .... Parts, Equipment & Tools, Construction Tips, Software Tools......
Please consider donating to help us continue to serve you.
Ads on/off / Custom Title / More PMs / More album space / Advanced printing & mass image saving
|Thread Tools
|Search this Thread
|14th October 2012, 12:17 PM
diyAudio Member
Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: Md
They also forget to tell you that based on hot-wire equivalent, which is how we measure bulbs, no bulb can exceed about 35% efficiency because we do not see all the light in the visible spectrum, we see only three narrow bands. A CFL is between 16 and 18 %, so half way to perfect. Only a sodium is more efficient as it is not wide band white light.
They also forget to tell you the total carbon footprint of manufacturing a LED assembly compared to traditional. Even shipping is higher ( they all come from China) because they are much heavier. Massive aluminum heat sinks. Ever notice how much power smelting aluminum takes?
Me, I have eliminated most of my florescent bulbs because I don't like the hum, flicker, rapid reduction in output, and now a disposal problem. I still use A base incandescent bulbs for light quality. Of course, in the winter, they are very efficient as I am using all that heat. I really like my LED ceiling cans as instead of a vented, heat leaking 75W hole in my ceiling, I have a sealed can using only 12W and get more actual light on the counter. I like my 1W LED bulb I leave on outside because my wife believes our dogs need extra light to see. ( they see fine at night, but never mind). I like LED's for spot task lighting as they can be much closer to you without frying your head. Being closer, far less total light is needed.
Conclusion? "It depends"
|15th October 2012, 12:06 AM
diyAudio Member
Join Date: Dec 2008
CFL bulbs contain mercury and are only a stop gap solution.
Philips makes a LED bulb that puts out a luminescent intensity of 800 lumens at 2700K.
It dissipates 12.5 watts and Home Depot sells them for $26.95
These use a Edison E26 mount (same mount as a regular incandescent bulb).
Philips has a new model that puts out 1100 lumens at 2700K
They dissipate 17 watts - but Home Depot wants $45 for them.
BTW: colour temperature is one spec to to look at.
2700K has about the same warmth as a regular incandescent bulb.
3000K is white light
3400K is starting to be a ghostly blue.
Last edited by Uunderhill; 15th October 2012 at 12:13 AM. Reason: technical comment needs checking
|15th October 2012, 01:44 AM
diyAudio Member
Join Date: Oct 2002
Location: England
The main reason why I like LEDs is for the lifetime. Yes, their efficiency next to the best CFLs and fluorescent lights is similar, but in applications such as MR16 halogen reflectors...I use some of these and I forever felt like I was changing bulbs to the point where I got fed up and didn't even bother replacing them. I then took the fitting apart and converted the entire thing to LEDs. A couple of years later and they are still going strong.
As Uunderhill says though, you really do need to get 2700k LEDs if you want things to look nice next to incandescents.
What the hell are you screamin' for? Every five minutes there's a bomb or somethin'! I'm leavin! bzzzz! Now with website! www.5een.co.uk under construction.
|15th October 2012, 02:14 AM
diyAudio Member
Join Date: Jun 2011
Lighting is not a straightforward issue, since the human eye has a variable response to frequency, just as has the human ear. The Lumen is a measure of visible light, lumen measurements reflect the varying sensitivity of the eye, raw light power is expressed as radiant flux.
CFLs were still recommended as the leading technology for domestic use by the US Department of Energy as recently as 2011.
While fluorescent tubes remain high in the efficiency stakes, it must be remembered that they are tubes, and overall efficiency depends on the luminaire.
Without entering into a discussion of the issues any deeper than that, LEDs are approaching the best efficiency achievable by any means and with more pleasant colour rendition. They will almost certainly achieve an efficiency unobtainable by any other means, with superior colour rendition, at some point in the future, if they haven't already in laboratory conditions.
As the efficiency of LEDs improves, the heat evolved decreases, so the environmental cost of producing heatsinks can only be expected to decrease.
LED replacement lifetime is better than any competing technology, and LEDs are being adopted for street lighting, for this, if for no other reason.
LEDs are all-round the best technology for flashlights, being mechanically robust.
Cree are probably the leading developers of LED dies.
|18th October 2012, 10:25 PM
diyAudio Member
Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: Md
Saw some 450 L LED's in the store yesterday for $8.50. Now that I can deal with.
Robust. I think of my spelunking days and how many extra bulbs we carried. Minimum two lights each, 2 bulbs for each, a glow stick for good measure and we still had head-lights.
Great where the cost of replacing the bulb exceeds the cost of the bulb. I just hope for street lights they pick a very low temp equivalent, like 2300 degree light. Us old farts do not like blue light at night as the glare makes us blind. Down with HID and Zenon headlights!
Last report I read a lab had a white LED at 22%. As 32% is the theoretical max, it is getting darn close. The only way to get closer is to use three different bands and not generate any mid band output and then further reduce the IR. I doubt we are going to see that any time soon. Darn physics. I don't think that included the power supply.
|19th October 2012, 01:49 AM
diyAudio Member
Join Date: Jun 2011
The theoretical limit of luminous efficiency for a white LED is 38.1~43.9%. This depends on the exact hue.
100% conversion of electricity to light yields 683 lumens/Watt @ 555nm.
See Wikipedia - luminous efficacy.
|19th October 2012, 02:14 AM
Sin Bin
Join Date: May 2008
Location: Front Row Center
|19th October 2012, 09:12 PM
diyAudio Member
Join Date: Oct 2004
One thing that's bugged me about these non LED, energy saving fluorescent bulbs is the noise! You can hear the 50Hz derived buzz they give off. I was having yet another one of those head scratching hum hunting sessions once, only to discover it was the bloomin' lightbulb.
I'm certain filament bulbs didn't do that.
I'm very likely to move to LED, or somehow return to filament for rooms where I may listen to hifi.
Yeah! And I'm running class A! I am an enemy of the environment! No really. I'm terrible. Sometimes, I charge my phone! There, I've said it.
|19th October 2012, 09:22 PM
diyAudio Member
Join Date: Oct 2002
Location: England
LEDs arent always silent either, but that's only if you're using PWM dimming as the inductor can sing at the PWM frequency. At 100% duty cycle though there is no noise.
What the hell are you screamin' for? Every five minutes there's a bomb or somethin'! I'm leavin! bzzzz! Now with website! www.5een.co.uk under construction.
|Thread Tools
|Search this Thread
|Similar Threads
|Thread Starter
|Last Post
|LED power on light?
|13th December 2015 01:37 AM
|turned on Aleph 1.2,but LED doesn't Light up
|Steve Fay
|Pass Labs
|27th November 2004 10:37 AM
|New To Site?
|Need Help?


text:
Costume Information
|Cost :
|nothing really
|Time Taken :
|no time at all XD
|I watched Firefly many moons ago and loved it. i recently looked back into it, and came across a pic of old Malcolm here. i suddenly thought to myself... "wait a mo, i have a shirt just like his.... and trousers... wait a mo!" and a cosplay was born!
all i needed was the long brown coat, which i found recently, and the brown gloves, which took an age to find!
omg i'm a huge fan - cant wait to see this :P may have to throw together a kaylee cosplay since she's the best :P
Awesome! 8D Gotta get pics when I'm River.
Awesome sauce to the max! Man, I love Firefly...
I said it last night, but you've got better pictures since! <3
You look amazing, you're such a perfect Mal! Such a good job!!!
You've made me regret lending the series to Kit now...I wanna fangirl!
So much win
You make such an awesome Mal! You look just like him! So awesome!
love it m8


text:
The Leadership Institute at Roger Williams University leads the way in providing developmental opportunities for participants to build the refined skills needed to lead high-performing organizations. The Institute provides the expertise, resources and support necessary for participants to explore and strengthen leadership skills through a portfolio of services. The mission of the Institute is to deliver excellent, contemporary leadership education and to serve the developmental needs of local and global constituents.
This is accomplished through:


text:
Gee, I wonder if the average Joe did this, if they would be facing ND charges??
Something tells me, YES!!!
This is a discussion on Cop Rescues Pepe` Le Pew within the Off Topic & Humor Discussion forums, part of the The Back Porch category; Now this is Off Topic and Humor. Carrollton Township, Mich. (AP) - Officer James Kellett knows his job is to serve and protect - even ...
Now this is Off Topic and Humor.Carrollton Township, Mich. (AP) - Officer James Kellett knows his job is to serve and protect - even when it comes to nature's stinky creatures.
When a skunk with its head stuck in a salad dressing jar wandered into the police station's parking lot, he grabbed a pellet gun and shot at the jar from about 40 feet away.
The shots shattered the jar, leaving a glass collar around the skunk's neck. With its head free, the skunk ran off.
When youre wounded and left on Afghanistans plains,
And the women come out to cut up what remains,
Just roll to your rifle and blow out your brains,
And go to your God like a soldier.
Rudyard Kipling
Gee, I wonder if the average Joe did this, if they would be facing ND charges??
Something tells me, YES!!!
Lex et Libertas Semper Vigilo, Fortis, Paratus, et Fidelis!
"Not only do the people who put their lives on the line to protect the rest of us deserve better, we all deserve better than to have our own security undermined by those who undermine law enforcement." -Thomas Sowell
Reminds me of the time two skunks came into the church.They walked by all of the pews,went to the alter and one says to the other,"let us bow our heads and spray".
U.S. Army Veteran
This story STINKS...
Proverbs 27:12 says: The prudent see danger and take refuge, but the simple keep going and suffer for it.
Certified Glock Armorer
NRA Life Member
But now the poor little skunk has a broken glass ring around his neck. He could hurt himself. :(
Limatunes' Facebook PageEven death is a poor excuse for not fighting back.
Limatunes' (aka limalife) Youtube Page
Central Iowa Defensive Training
Around here we dont save skunks...we shoot em...pick them up with a shovel and chunk them in the ever present brush pile to be cremated.
Universal Background Checks...the next step towards registration and confiscation.
AR. CHL Instr. 07/02 FFL
Like custom guns and stuff? Check this out...
maybe he was trying to kill it and missed? ;)
Boost the Tomato market, save a skunk.
I will support gun control when you can guarantee all guns are removed from this planet. That includes military and law enforcement. When you can accomplish that, then I will be the last person to lay down my gun. Then I will carry the weapon that replaces the gun.


text:
German Shepherd Dog Forums (http://www.germanshepherds.com/forum/)
- General Information (http://www.germanshepherds.com/forum/general-information/)
- - Can't jog with my GSD normally! (http://www.germanshepherds.com/forum/general-information/432793-cant-jog-my-gsd-normally.html)
Can't jog with my GSD normally!
Every time I try to jog with him on walks he starts to bite the leash non stop someone please tell me why? And how I can fix this! Thank you!
179 Attachment(s)
How is he walking on the leash?
Also, he is only 11 months. Would be good to wait until at least 18 months to jog with him.
agreed, lengthen the walks for now if he has excess energy. don't jog you'll regret not waiting the extra months if he gets HD
x2, let the hips finish developing.
You guys are naive if you think a dog before 18 months doesn't sprint at least a mile while playing fetch. Or jog at least a couple miles on a hike. Why don't people stop doing those activities?
It's the high impact stuff that has the possibility to alter hip growth. Stuff like a dog constantly jumping up for a ball and landing on its hind legs.
It's amazing people can throw a ball over and over for a dog but jogging with a dog (which is a much slower rate of speed than a dog sprinting after a ball) is somehow a big no no?
254 Attachment(s)
I can't speak on how old to wait.. I was jogging with Titan probably earlier than I "should" have been.. anyways.. how is he on walking? does he bite the lead then?
I would guess that he sees lead flopping around and thinks it's play time. I run with a halter leash.. similar to this one Elegance Training Leather Dog Leash with Embossed Monogram - Color: Beige - Rakuten.com Shopping
Mendota Leather Jaeger Dog Lead 8ft x 3/4in - Dog.com
I loop and clip one end so I can sling the leash across my chest and there's just enough leash to clip onto his collar from my hip. Titan doesn't even see the lead when we jog.
My dog is the best running partner I've ever had. First, you need to teach him to walk on a leash. There shouldn't be any issue ever with the lead running. However, he needs to 'learn' how to run. Teach him by taking him on short ones, or short ones mixed with walking breaks since he's young.
Frankly, although I would never actually do it since part of my runs usually involve a country highway with a speed limit of 70, he doesn't even need he leash. He knows the drill. He knows "right", "left", "switch" ( from one side of me to the other). He pretty much is in a perfect heel. We even swerve around puddles etc in sync. I joke we're entering the next ice dancing Olympics. ;)
Practice makes perfect. So repetition repetition repetition. Correct him for biting the leash.
And no offense to anyone, but no way in Hades would I wrap a leash around any part of me. Asking for trouble. Dogs can trip ( rarely, but if they're gawking at something) or you trip-- I don't even wrap it around my hand. I hold it loosely. We have lots of wildlife here, and while we've encountered moose and other such things, and was stellar, doesn't mean he's not a dog. Moving forward and barely landing on your feet are conducive to being drug on your face with just the right burst in the wrong direction.
254 Attachment(s)
None taken on the wrapping.. but if your dog does heel perfectly and pay absolute attention then you shouldn't have an issue. We jog with a prong on too so that def. Helps.. but in my 4 years running this way.. ive not once had an issue. Even with him gawking at passing dogs.. I just keep going and he learns that mom's gonna run regardless so I need to keep up. He'd rather be with me than another dog or human anyways.
Sent from Petguide.com Free App
Of course he "shouldn't"-- there's lots of things that "shouldn't" happen. The point is, my dog weighs 85lbs. I'm not attaching him to myself ever. I run outside all year round. Ice, snow, you name it. In 25 years, I've never fallen once.
That doesn't mean I won't tomorrow.
|All times are GMT -4. The time now is 03:21 PM.
Powered by vBulletin® Copyright ©2000 - 2017, Jelsoft Enterprises Ltd.
vBulletin Security provided by vBSecurity v2.2.2 (Pro) - vBulletin Mods & Addons Copyright © 2017 DragonByte Technologies Ltd.
User Alert System provided by Advanced User Tagging (Pro) - vBulletin Mods & Addons Copyright © 2017 DragonByte Technologies Ltd.


text:
Events for August 19, 2014
Day Navigation
All Day
Performance: Contemporary Photography from the Douglas Nielsen Collection
This exhibition gathers more than 100 works from the private collection of Douglas Nielsen, choreographer and professor at the University of Arizona School of Dance. Featuring photographs and photo-based prints by artists as diverse and provocative as Diane Arbus, John Baldessari, Jo Ann Callis, Nan Goldin, Bruce Nauman, Richard Renaldi, and Cindy Sherman, the exhibition's... Read more »Find out more »
6:00 pm
YW Speaks: Women and Investing with Tiana Ronstadt
5 Strategies that can help you take control of your financial future While women have made significant economic and financial gains, they still face unique retirement challenges, including lower earnings and longer life expectancies. The Women & Investing seminar offers 5 key investment strategies that can help women maximize their retirement income, while ensuring that... Read more »Find out more »
7:00 pm
Sylvan Esso – KXCI Presents!
Sylvan Esso make their first trip to Tucson for this all ages Tuesday concert. They will be joined by Dana Buoy of Akron/Family for what promises to be a captivating evening at the Hotel Congress! Sylvan Esso was not meant to be a band. Rather, Amelia Meath had written a song called "Play It Right"... Read more »Find out more »
7:30 pm
Randy Newman – KXCI Presents!
Randy Newman, a Rialto Theatre show... at the Fox Tucson Theatre. With songs that run the gamut from heartbreaking to satirical and a host of unforgettable film scores, Randy Newman has used his many talents to create musical masterpieces widely recognized by generations of audiences. Randy Newman's many honors include six Grammys, three Emmys, and... Read more »Find out more »


text:
From the Goal Line
A Mercer Island Sports Blog
A Mercer Island Sports Blog
This weekend teams around the state will play in the regional basketball games.
Both the Mercer Island boys and girls will play, the girls on Friday night and the boys on Saturday afternoon.
The Mercer Island girls earned the No. 4 seed out of the district tournament and will face Everett, the No. 1 team from District 1. The Islander girls will play at 8 p.m. on Friday, Feb. 22 at Glacier Peak High School in Snohomish.
The boys team earned the No. 3 seed and will face the No. 2 team from District 3/4 which will be Timberline. That game will be played on Saturday, Feb. 23 at 4 p.m. at Mt. Tahoma High School in Tacoma.
The games are loser out and the winner will advance to the quarterfinals of the state tournament, which begins on Thursday, Feb. 28 at the Tacoma Dome.
After the boys regional games are finished the WIAA will do draws for the quarterfinals to see who plays who in the first round of games at the Tacoma Dome.
COMMENTING RULES: We encourage an open exchange of ideas in the PNWLocalNews.com community, but we ask you to follow our guidelines for respecting community standards. In a nutshell, don't say anything you wouldn't want your mother to read.
So keep your comments:
We ask that all participants own their words by logging in with their Facebook account. It's a simple process that will take seconds and helps keep our comments free of trolls, cranks, and "drive-by" commenters. We reserve the right to remove comments from anyone using screen names, pseudonyms or false identities. Please see our FAQ if you have questions or concerns about using Facebook to comment.


text:
Choose from Three Options
- $35 for one 60-minute standup-paddleboard lesson (a $70 value)
- $55 for two 60-minute standup-paddleboard lessons (a $130 value). This option may be used by one person or shared by two.
- $109 for a 60-minute standup-paddleboard group lesson for four (a $260 value)
Outfitted with a standup paddleboard, a paddle, and a personal floatation device, students steer their paddleboards through the gentle waters of Oceanside Harbor. A professional instructor helps them execute a proper stance as well as turning and paddling techniques, and the picturesque surroundings sometimes yield glimpses of dolphins and sea lions.
What's Up Stand Up Paddleboard Surf Company
When you can hear the gentle whoosh of the tides from your backyard, it's impossible to ignore the ocean's calling. What's Up Stand Up Paddleboard Surf Company happily embraces the calm Pacific waters that backdrop their three locations, beckoning passersby to hop on their standup paddleboards and skim across Mother Nature's aquatic playground. Each location's tranquil water conditions are ideal for visitors to learn and enjoy the paddle-powered sport, which situates riders atop paddleboards, where they'll propel themselves with paddles. Standup paddleboarding not only strengthens an array of muscles but can also bring paddlers up close to the area's wildlife, which may include dolphins and sea lions.
Customer Reviews
1900 Harbor Dr N
Oceanside, CA 92054
+17604505589Get Directions


text:
Dermatology Q&A
Dark Spots + Dermatology
I have weird dark spots/dots on my legs. How do I get rid of them? (photo)
I usually get dark spots/dots after I shave/wax my legs. Sometimes when I squeeze the dot, a tiny hair comes out of it. READ MORE
I have (very dark) groin, inner thigh, butt areas . Best treatment for dark spots?
I have (very dark) groin , inner thigh , butt areas . my shade is medium. Are there any type of chemical peels available for these areas? I also heard... READ MORE
What are the dark spots on my legs? (Photo)
I have got pimples,blackheads and dark spots all over my legs,everytime i pinch the blackhead ,a hair comes out of it,there are underskin hair on my... READ MORE
How Do I Remove a Black Spot from my Bottom Lip?
I am a smoker and currentley working on stopping. About 10 months ago i got a burn on my lip and the spot turned black attached is a photo so you can... READ MORE
How can I get rid of dark marks left behind by an allergy that started with red, itchy spots?
So first when allergy started these were red spots n were very itchy thn after it was cured through a medical treatment it left dark black marks on my... READ MORE
How can I treat the black spots on the corners of my lips? (photo)
I have dark spots on the corners of my lips for a long time now. I feel very embarrassed every time I talk to anyone because they notice it right away... READ MORE
Toe Nail Fungus or Melanoma?
I have toe nail fungus and I just noticed a dark asymmetrical spot coming in as my nail is growing could it be a melanoma? READ MORE
I'm a 17 year old Indian female. How can I get rid of the boils on my forehead and wrinkles / dark spot under my eyes? (photos)
I am a 17 year old Indian girl. I never really took care of my skin and now I have excess boils on my forehead , wrinkles and dark circles under my... READ MORE
The Outside Corners of my Mouth Are Dark and the Outer Corners of my Eyes Are Dark
I used Triluma cream to fade the spots,I stopped using the cream 3.5wks into Tx d/t irritation, the darkness returned worse than before I used the... READ MORE
Pigmentation Removal On Penis Glans?
I have a 3mm round pigmented area on the glans of my penis. I'm white so the skin on the glans of my penis is pinkish making this brown area really... READ MORE
Dark Color Appearing Above Eyebrows- What Is This?
My Top Left Eye Brow Has 1/2 Inch Black Color Appering and Its Increasingly More Dark in Color. I'm 15 READ MORE
What can I use to get rid of or cover dark spots under my nose?
I have dark spots under my nosie over my top lip and I need to know what I can us over the conner to get ride of it or lightin it so you don't see it? READ MORE
How Do I Get Rid of Spot Scars on my Bum? (photo)
I get spots on my bum alot, not sure if these are spots due to friction or bacteria, but now I have many scars that don't want to go away, I've been... READ MORE
How to Get Rid of Open Comedones on Legs by Rapid Shaving? (photo)
I am having dark spots ( strawberry legs) techinally called as open comedones on my legs caused by rapid shaving of legs....how i can get rid of these... READ MORE
I have dark spots on my legs like hair follicles. What can I do to remove them? (photo)
These are hair follicles I guess that have darker than my skin stone and are all over my legs so even if I wax the hair follicles make it seem like I... READ MORE
Dark Spots on the Spine Skin
When I was 16 years old, I used to sit with my back curved. I have never taught what would be the consequence of this posture. Some time later on my... READ MORE
i have small small dark spots on thigh
I have small small dark spots in my inner thigh and on my buttocks...it doesnt hurt....it doesnt itch.....(i do sweat a lot)...it doesnt bother me at... READ MORE
I have dark spots on my groin area. Can it be a chemical burn from bleaching cream or do I have fungus on the skin?
I have dark spots on my groin area what can i use i dont want to visit a doctor...I was using a bleaching cream on my genital area ,i didnt have... READ MORE
How effective are melapads and melarase creams in the treatment of tough dark spots on the legs?
Black Spot on Shoulder? (photo)
Got a black spot on my skin noticed it in the last couple of weeks a little cautious looking to an opinion if its normal or something to check up.... READ MORE


text:
Man carrying large arc of metal across factory floor.
We reserve the right to remove comments deemed inappropriate. We also reserve the right to delete comments that are off-topic or abusive, and do not allow messages that sell products or promote commercial ventures. Posted comments do not necessarily reflect the opinions or policies of Duke University Libraries. Please contact Archive of Documentary Arts with research questions.


text:
Latest Stories
What 2 Watch Tuesday: 11/6/07
November 5, 2007
What 2 Watch Tuesday: 10/30/07
October 29, 2007
What 2 Watch Tuesday: 10/23/07
October 22, 2007
What 2 Watch Tuesday: 10/16/07
October 15, 2007
What 2 Watch Tuesday: 10/9/07
October 8, 2007
What 2 Watch: 10/2/07
October 1, 2007
What 2 Watch: 9/25/07
September 24, 2007
What 2 Watch: 9/18/07
September 17, 2007
What 2 Watch: 9/11/07
September 10, 2007
What 2 Watch: Weekend Edition: 9/1 - 9/4/07
August 31, 2007
- 03
- / 02
- / 01
- / Extra Episodes
Nothing Will Stop Me From Winning This Fight!
Bringing the Pain
No Turning Back: Alfonso Gomez vs. Ben Tackie
Gunnin' For the Knockout
There Ain't No Quitting
The Big Guns
Don't Tell Me Who You Are, Show Me Who You Are
We're At the Dance Now, Baby!
The Contender Tryouts
About This Show
- Summary
NBC has joined with Oscar nominee Sylvester Stallone ("Rocky"), executive producer Mark Burnett (NBC's "The Apprentice," "Survivor") and Jeffrey Katzenberg, Co-Principal, DreamWorks SKG for "The Contender," a new unscripted series about the search for the next boxing superstar. "The Contender" will follow 16 professional boxers as they come to a training camp to follow their dream of becoming a champion boxer. The driving force behind the series will be the pursuit of the American dream and the natural trials, tribulations and heartbreak inherent in that quest. The canvas of the show gives viewers a first hand look into the real life hopes, triumphs and defeats of the contestants and how this single-minded, consuming commitment affects their families. The final two boxers will fight live at Caesars Palace in Las Vegas on May 24th for one-million dollars and the chance to change their lives and the lives of the people they love forever. "This series will tell compelling dramatic unscripted stories as we watch these 16 men follow their dreams of being a Contender," said Burnett. "We're looking to reclaim a part of America that has been missing where are the Mohammad Alis? Where are the Sugar Ray Leonards?" Stallone and international sports legend Sugar Ray Leonard will serve as both hosts and boxing mentors to this group of fighters as they each try to improve their skills in order rise to the rank of professional boxers. "The Contender" is a joint production between Mark Burnett Productions, DreamWorks Television and Rogue Marble. Stallone, Burnett and Katzenberg are the executive producers.


text:
Secret Life of Pets Unleashed™ for Samsung GT-I9500 Galaxy S4
- Review
- Download
- Screenshots
- Discussions
How to download free Secret Life of Pets Unleashed™ for Samsung GT-I9500 Galaxy S4
Compatibility checkingIndicate
- Android version
- Android 5.0
- Android 4.4
- Android 4.3
- Android 4.2
- Android 4.1
- Android 4.0
- Android 3.2
- Android 3.1
- Android 3.0
- Android 2.3
- Android 2.2
To find Android version: go to "Settings" - "About the phone" - "Android version"
Installation options
With PC
Follow the link to Google Play and click "install"
Samsung GT-I9500 Galaxy S4
Enter link in your mobile browser or scan the QR-code
Guides: «How to create a Google Play account», «How to purchase apps in Google Play»
Questions and support
Read the review Secret Life of Pets Unleashed™
«Unleash the Secret Life of Pets on your phone»
Author: Brandon Girod 18 Nov 2016
Features all the popular characters from Pets, easy to learn, good graphics
Doesn't push the gameplay
The Secret Life of Pets Unleashed for Android is a match-three game that is based on the popular Pixar Illumination Entertainment's latest animated movie. One that takes a hilarious peek into the lives of pets. I'd be remisced to say that I've seen t...


text:
Core Plan
About the Core plan
Behavioral Health Benefits
Pharmacy Benefits
Care away from home
About the Core Plan
The Core plan is a PPO plan, administered by Blue Shield of California, that allows you to receive care from any of the physicians and hospitals within the plan's network, as well as outside of the network for covered services.
If maintaining a relationship with your current doctor is important to you, the Core plan lets you continue seeing your current doctor for most covered services, even if your doctor isn't part of the plan's provider network. Keep in mind that if your physician is not part of the plan's PPO network, you will have to pay more for each visit.
Behavioral Health Benefits
To learn more about the Core plan behavioral Health benefits, visit Behavioral Health Benefits.
Pharmacy Benefits
For information about your prescription drug coverage, visit Non-Medicare Pharmacy Benefits.
Care away from home
The BlueCard Program gives Core plan participants access to care, including urgent and emergency care, across the United States and around the world. You are not required to use a BlueCard provider; however, it's in your best interest to use a BlueCard provider to keep your costs down. You can locate a BlueCard provider at any time by calling (800) 810-BLUE or by going to Find a Provider.


text:
Users Online Now:
Who's On?
Visitors Today:
Pageviews Today:
Threads Today:
Posts Today:
Donate To GLP
Adv. Search
Back to Forum
Back to Thread
The Idolaters Were Not Mainline Jews or Mainline Christians - Re: Pagan Influences - This data might surprise you.
User Name
Font color:
Dark Red
Dark Blue
Ms Sans Serif
In accordance with industry accepted best practices we ask that users limit their copy / paste of copyrighted material to the relevant portions of the article you wish to discuss and no more than 50% of the source material, provide a link back to the original article and provide your original comments / criticism in your post with the article.
[quote:Anonymous Coward 21291600:MV8yMDc3MjM4XzM0OTczNjM5X0U4NkU5QjFF] This is copyrighted information presented under the Fair Use Doctrine of the United States Copyright Act (section 107 of title 17) which states: 'the fair use of a copyrighted work...for purposes such as criticism, comment, news reporting, teaching, scholarship, or research, is not an infringement of copyright.' In practice the courts have decided that anything which does not financially harm the copyright holder is fair use. The following is a quote from Epiphanius (bracketed words and emphases belong to the author). "Which of the ancient Fathers ever painted an image of Christ and put it in a church or a private home? [None of them ever did such a thing.] Which ancient bishop ever dishonored Christ by depicting Him on door curtains?... "Moreover, they are deceiving who portray the likeness of [biblical] saints in different forms according to their whim, sometimes showing the same individuals as old men, sometimes as young men, intruding into things which they have not seen. For they paint the Savior with long hair, and this by guessing because He is called a Nazarene, and Nazarenes wear long hair. They are in error if they try to attach stereotypes to Him, because the Savior drank wine, whereas the Nazarenes [the Nazarites] did not. "They also show forth deception by concocting things according to their whims. These falsifiers present the holy apostle Peter as an old person with his hair and beard cut short; some portray holy Paul as a man with receding hair, others as bald and bearded, and the other apostles are shown having their hair closely cut off. [b]If then the Savior had long hair while his apostles were cut close, and since by not being cropped, He was unlike them in appearance, for what reason did the Pharisees and scribes give a fee of thirty silver pieces to Judas that he might kiss Him and show them that He was the one they were after, when they might themselves or by means of others have determined on account of His [long] hair Him whom they were seeking to find, and thereby without paying a fee?[/b]... "Can you not see, O most God-loving emperor, that this state of things is not in accord to God? [Which trend was then sweeping the Christian world.] Wherefore I beg of you ... that the curtains which may be found that have such false portrayals of the apostles or prophets or of the lord Christ Himself should be collected from churches, baptisteries, houses and martyria [sites where martyrs were buried or honored] and that you should give them over for the burial of the poor, and as [for those] on walls, that they should be whitewashed. As for those that have already been designed in mosaics, realizing that their removal is difficult you know what to command in the wisdom that God has granted you. If it be possible to remove them [mosaics], well and good; but if this is not possible, let that which has already been produced suffice, and let no one paint in this manner from now on." http://www.askelm.com/people/peo003.htm [/quote]
Original Message
The people who mixed pagan designs on synagogue walls and on their tombs along with Jewish themes were not Jews under Rabbinic control. This can be shown in various ways. Besides the lack of reference to these pagan practices in any contemporary Jewish literature of the period, the same lack of reference can be shown in records maintained by our Christian authorities who lived from the second to the sixth centuries. This is an important point to consider because our early Christian authorities were well versed in matters concerning the Jews and their teachings. Because the majority of Christians felt that the Jews and their religion were under a ban from God because of their rejection of Jesus as the Christ, the Christians watched with a hawk's eye any activity by the Jewish authorities which would demonstrate this lapse from God as they viewed it to be.
In this regard, Christian testimony about the Jews and their doctrines becomes an important witness to the faithfulness of the mainline Jewish people in abhorring idolatrous themes and having nothing to do with idolatry or its practices.
In showing this Christian testimony, one must be aware that during the period from the second to the sixth centuries of our era, most Jews and Christians were quite hostile to the doctrines of each other and we know that each party was looking for ways to denigrate the other. There was little friendliness between the two groups (the only exception being the dialogue between Trypho the Jew and Justin Martyr in the middle of the 2nd century).
But even though Jews and Christians were virtual enemies during this period, and with Christians trying desperately in many public debates to show what they considered to be the error of Jewish beliefs, it is significant that not once (in all mainline Christian literature that has come down to us from those times) do the Christians blame the Jewish people for practicing any form of idolatry.
The central accusation that Christians had of Jews was their refusal to accept Jesus as the prophesied Messiah and what Christians considered was their allegorizing away some plain scriptures which prophesied of the Messiah that Christians believed were fulfilled by Jesus. That's it!
There is not a word of Christians accusing the Jews as a whole or as individuals who were mainline Jews of the slightest idolatrous acts after the fall of Jerusalem in C.E. 70. and up to and including the 6th century.
This is a highly important point because this was the very period when Christians and Jews were battling one another over many doctrinal disputes. But the practice of idolatry by the Jews (that is, the making or using of idols, paintings, symbols, etc. in their synagogues or burial places) was a subject that never came up among mainline Christians. At no time did they consider mainline Jews as practicing idolatry.
Some might believe, however, that the reason Christians did not censure the Jews for adopting pagan ways
(as the archaeological remains we have mentioned in the first two chapters of this book seemingly suggest)
is because the Christians were themselves beginning to indulge in the same practice of using pagan motifs in their religious services.
Some people believe that even mainline Christians were engaged in doing the same thing starting with the second and third centuries. This is because at Dura Europos was also found a small Christian church near the synagogue and it also had pagan paintings on its walls.
It showed Jesus as the pagan god Orpheus.
This discovery of an early mid-3rd century church having a painting of Orpheus as Jesus is the first example of Christian folk who violated the second command against the use of images or idols.
In this first depiction, Jesus is shown beardless and not with long feminine hair which became the later portrayal of Jesus from the mid-4th century onward.
This latter portrayal of Jesus having long hair and a beard like the pagan gods Zeus (Sarapis) or Askelepios the pagan god of healing only came into vogue with the advent of Constantine and his family.
The discovery of this church at Dura Europos with its pagan paintings in a similar way to the synagogue of the same period that was not far away, would normally suggest to historians that Christian testimony about the idolatry of the Jews at the time was probably not forthcoming since Christians were themselves practicing idolatrous actions. And this is true enough among certain groups who were calling themselves Christians.
The "orthodox" Christians referred to them as "Gnostics"; those who were mixing pagan themes with those of the Holy Scriptures
(we will speak about these people shortly and discuss their idolatrous ways).
But for mainline Christianity (which is normally called "orthodox Christianity" today), every single authority up to the time of Constantine condemned the slightest practice of idolatry among Christians as well as did the mainline Jews.
The following excerpts from early historical documents (which I will soon give) show the opposition by several Christian theologians during and soon after the time of Constantine to the pagan portrayals of Jesus that were just beginning to be distributed amongst orthodox Christians.
With the advent of Constantine, Christian attitude against such idolatrous use of images and pictures began to wane. In the higher social circles in Christendom (and in the emperor's family itself), the people began to abandon the former stance of mainline Christians against idolatrous depictions in their churches. They then started to show Jesus in the form of Zeus (Sarapis) and Askelepios with long hair and a beard. This was never done among "orthodox" Christians before the time of Constantine.
The following quote (abridged) is from Eusebius' "Letter to Constantia" (the sister of Constantine the Great). It shows the utter disdain of Eusebius (the first historian of the Christian church) for the trend toward idolatry that was beginning to occur in "orthodox" churches.
(see link - words in red - for the letters)
link to www.askelm.com
these letters are amazing. check em out...
In summation, I wish to quote from one of the top ecclesiastical historians of our time on this important matter. He is Professor W.H.C. Frend. He shows the universal abhorrence of any type of idolatrous themes in what we call the orthodox churches in the second, third and up to the mid-fourth centuries. He cites in his notes the authorities for his statements.
"The origins of Christian art remain a mystery. Ostensibly, both Judaism and Christianity rejected pictorial art on religious subjects. The second commandment had forbidden Israel to make any graven image, and Christian leaders in the East and West alike, including Tertullian, accepted this. Clement and Eusebius, showing rare unanimity, considered this prohibition absolute and binding on Christians. The principal crime [said Tertullian] of the human race, the highest guilt charged upon the world, the whole procuring cause of judgment, is idolatry, and for once Tertullian commanded almost universal assent. The Syriac Didascalia laid down that no offerings were to be received from those who painted with colors, nor from those who made idols or worked in silver and bronze. At the other end of the Mediterranean world, canon 36 of the Council of Elvira stated without qualification that there should be no paintings in church lest what was painted on the wars should be worshiped and venerated."
• Frend, The Rise of Christianity, p.415
The early mainline Christians held all forms of idolatry (paintings, pictures, symbols, statues, etc.) in complete abomination. And, important to the issue before us, none of them ever accused mainline Jews of having such things in their synagogues or in their homes up to and including the time of Constantine. Historians will have to look elsewhere for the origin of the synagogue at Dura Europos and the small Christian church at the same site (which date to the middle of the 3rd century) than looking to mainline Judaism or mainline Christianity as the source of those idolatrous paintings. But really, we can now know without difficulty who were the first to bring such pagan paintings and symbols into certain types of synagogues and certain types of churches. Those people were not mainline Jews or mainline Christians.
50% rule observed
link to www.askelm.com
Pictures (click to insert)
Potentially Offensive
Big Round Smilies
Aliens and Space
Friendship & Love
Misc Small Smilies
View All Categories
Next Page >>
Disclaimer / Copyright Info
Privacy Policy
Terms Of Use
with questions or comments about this site.
"Godlike Productions" & "GLP" are registered trademarks of Zero Point Ltd. Godlike™
Website Design Copyright © 1999 - 2017 Godlikeproductions.com
Page generated in 0.011s (6 queries)


text:
"Dark Knight" fuels bright day for Imax
By Carl DiOrio and Paul Bond
LOS ANGELES (Hollywood Reporter) - Imax has been "this close" to breaking big on the film exhibition scene, well, seemingly forever.
So it might ring a bit hollow when executives predict that favorable publicity from Imax's role in the record success of "The Dark Knight" will prove to be a watershed for the giant-screen vendor.
"This is a game-changer for us," Imax Filmed Entertainment president Greg Foster said.
The claim -- made in the heady afterglow of Warner Bros.' record bow of its latest Batman sequel -- is similar to sentiments expressed by Imax executives at various points in recent years, when Hollywood films like "The Matrix" and other big commercial releases started hitting giant-screen venues at the same time as conventional theaters. Yet for all that hype, Imax's usable base of commercially viable screens has yet to hit triple digits domestically.
So why might success with "Dark Knight" finally push Imax into the exhibition mainstream? Two big reasons, potentially:
-- The $158.4 million opening for the latest Batman sequel featured $6.2 million from just 94 Imax screens, or a mind-numbing $67,000 per venue.
-- The unprecedented giant-screen grosses arrive just as the company is making a big push into digital exhibition.
The latter point is particularly important. The digital push is lowering exhibitors' costs on Imax equipment for prospective partnerships -- from $1 million-plus per installation to about $150,000. Building upon favorable publicity from its "Dark Knight" success, Imax hopes to have a much larger installed base of giant screens soon. Continued...


text:
Change Your Image
Upload An Image
Crop And Save
The Spirit (2008)
A flawed but fun-filled romp.
I love the interview with Lorenzo Semple Jnr, screenwriter for 'Flash Gordon,' when he suggests that the film would have been a big hit if only they'd been able to market it as a movie that would be a cult classic in thirty years. He goes on to explain what the core problem is: A cult film, by definition has fanatical supporters ... just not a lot of them. Those who 'get' the film will keep it alive forever, but Joe Moviegoer won't care if he ever sees it again. And so I turn to 'The Spirit,' a film which has similar qualities to 'Flash Gordon': bad enough to be awesome, tongue firmly in it's cheek and gentle satire in it's hand.
'The Spirit' manages to be wondrous and infuriating. A visual feast, Frank Miller was the perfect choice to bring the film to life. On the other hand, the dialogue is often so cheesy and the characters so over the top that the movie never allows you to be lulled into that wonderful moment of forgetting that you're watching a movie. There isn't a single character in the movie who talks like a real person. They all talk like, well, comic book archetypes: gruff commissioner, megalomaniacal super villain, brilliant evil assistant, sultry femme fatales, loyal and uninteresting love interest, and on and on. Take Samuel L Jackson's character, 'The Octopus' for example. It is a character that Jackson was born to play and Sam throws every ounce of his endlessly entertaining and over the top style into the character. It works and he plays the part brilliantly because he takes ridiculous dialogue and ridiculous material and has wild amounts of fun with it. The cast, by and large, follow his lead. Scarlett Johansson is hilariously withering with her acerbic barbs to The Octopus' clone lackeys, all of whom are played with deadpan wit and verve by Louis Lombardi. It is hard, in fact, not to feel some pity for Gabriel Macht who has to play Bud Abbott to a cast of rollicking, scene-chewing Lou Costellos in an over-acting competition. It all works wonderfully if you're willing to view the film as, uncharitably, being unintentionally funny or more genuinely as a gentle lampoon of comic book films by one of the great figures of the graphic novel genre.
Frank Miller takes 'The Spirit' and has great fun with it. It is quirky at times, ham-handed at times, but lovingly made. A brilliant Noirist, Miller actually has much better luck in 'The Spirit' in moments of levity. The noir angles of this film don't work unless designed as a kind of self-righteous satire. The noir feels forced and dramatic moments are mercilessly skewered by the corny dialogue that a helpless Gabriel Macht delivers with straight-laced determination. 'The Spirit' has the look of 'Sin City' and the heart of 'Flash Gordon.' When it works, it works well, but the film is a terrible mess whenever it is trying to be serious.
So is it worth the ride? I think so if you go in with the proper expectations. There's not really anything new visually if you've seen 'Sin City' or '300' -- both Miller works of course -- but that didn't make them any less interesting to me. Plenty of humour where it may or may not have been planned and the potential to be a cult classic. This is the kind of movie you can best enjoy in the company of friends and a cold six pack. Look for diamonds and you're looking for too much. And if nothing else, Eva Mendes has never looked better on film than she does here. That's got to stand for something, right?
Max Payne (2008)
Max Pain...
I'm trying to remember the last time I've been so disappointed leaving the movie theatre. 'Max Payne' is a film with two faces. On the one hand it is visually stunning, conceptually great and a feast for the eyes. The art direction, atmosphere and style have so much flair. John Moore conceptual and visual styling is a feast for the eyes. My problem is with the other hand: I need more than just style to look at if I'm going to enjoy a film. I need substance.
All of the excellent visuals and atmosphere in the world can't over-ride one severe problem: 'Max Payne' has a script devoid of the dramatic glue that transforms it from a pastiche of episodes to a flowing story. The movie is so busy being gritty and dark that it forgets to give you characters who you care about. So much time is spent trying to build up the mystery that nothing is spent on character development. The irony is that the film needed to be twenty minutes longer to help fill in some of these connections, but already feels like it runs too long. This is Beau Thorne's first script and I won't pretend to think that it is easy to do an adaptation of anything -- let alone condense hours of a video game into an hour and a half of film. Some of the problems might have been easily solved. As just an example, Max Payne is driven, bitter and solitary. Why not open the film by showing the reason he is this way instead of leaving it until the movie is half done? Brutally edited and paced, 'Max Payne' is a story headed no where and taking forever to get there. The acting isn't bad -- given the material they have to work with -- and there was some relief in watching Beau Bridges chew scenery mercilessly as the movie grinds to it's conclusion. Mark Wahlberg turns in a typical performance and manages to look disappointed that he doesn't get to swear. Chris O'Donnell and Donal Logue are under-used and both Amaury Nolasco and Mila Kunis would have benefited from more screen time and character development. I wish that 'Max Payne' had kept it's Restricted rating. Because I wanted it to be harder edged? Oh no -- an 'R' rating would have kept more people from watching it.
I will say that there were two decent action sequences and I thought they were both pretty decent. There is a good showdown in the office building ... twice. It might even be worth renting the DVD and fast-forwarding your way through a turgid boggy mess in order to see them. Unless you value style over substance though, give 'Max Payne' a pass.
Quarantine (2008)
Not quite as strong as the original, but still very good.
There must have been comedians in the projection booth the night that some friends and I went to see a family friendly film. These particular friends tend to watch only light-hearted material and get upset for weeks whenever they see horror films or intense thrillers. They were totally unprepared for a 'Quarantine' trailer and it shocked them all so badly that we nearly had to leave and get our money back. Maybe it was because of their strong reaction that my interest in the film has stayed so high for the past several months.
This week I have seen both 'Quarantine' and 'Rec' the film that 'Quarantine' is a remake of. 'Rec' is not without flaws but it is a very solid and chilling horror film. 'Quarantine' is able to expand on several of the strengths in 'Rec' while falling into a few pitfalls of it's own. Both films are about a TV news crew taping a show about what a night in the life of a fireman is like. A seemingly routine call turns out to be something much more and the news crew is trapped in a quickly quarantined building.
Giving credit where it is due, 'Quarantine' kept me on the edge of my seat for most of the movie. It lures you in with a very relaxed opening ten minutes but once you reach the building and the cop in charge asks why the camera crew is there, the whole tone of the movie changes. The fun and games, the light-hearted banter is gone. We only realize how serious it is though when they enter the apartment of an injured old woman. For me the tension starts with the entrance to the apartment and never lets up. Each new segment that the TV crew starts filming holds potential terror. The set design and the lighting are terrific and 'Quarantine' walks a careful tightrope of character action. So often in horror films the audience is yelling with frustration at what characters on the screen are doing because it all goes against common sense. There is a little bit of that early on but 'Quarantine' does a better job of playing to the characters and their panic. Characters die not through naivety or stupidity as much as they do from inevitability and inescapability. The key performance comes from Jennifer Carpenter.
The film's greatest strength and weakness at the same time, Carpenter is the focus of the camera because of her role as the reporter and it isn't an easy part to play. She is solid for the majority of the film but terror essentially overwhelms her with ten minutes to go and she is reduced to a sobbing, shrieking, shivering bowl of jello. Would I or anyone else be any better in the situation that 'Quarantine' creates? Hard for me to say but probably not. The problem is that there were three primary acting choices for her to make in the final ten minutes: she could play it as a hysteric (which she does), she could play it as numbing down her fear like the cameraman does in order to try and escape, or she could have been so overwhelmed by her fear that she becomes a functional catatonic working on autopilot. Carpenter's choice is probably the 'truest' choice for how people would react. That doesn't mean that it is going to make for good drama. Her transformation from confident and outgoing to hysterical jabbering is so jarring that it feels forced instead of real. The camera man keeps telling her to calm down when they've reached a potentially safe room but she is far beyond the calming down stage and well into the years of therapy one instead. I found it to be just too much and actually pulled me out of the horror and towards comedy instead.
'Rec' felt a bit more organic and gritty than 'Quarantine.' The performances are decent in both but you feel less of a connection to the characters in 'Quarantine.' Many are clearly there to serve as fodder with no attempt to seriously develop them. 'Rec' does a much better job, particularly when the reporter interviews each of the buildings residents. The five minutes spent in filming those sequences gave more of a stake to the audience into the well-being of those characters. That never really takes off in 'Quarantine' and I regret that they didn't follow the lead of 'Rec'. One thing that I thought 'Quarantine' did a much better job of was in plot clarity and how they provided information. The clues to the source of what is going on are much more explicit and come very early in the movie. 'Rec' dropped a few hints for the viewer to put together but relies on the final five minutes to give the major clues about patient zero. What patient zero is spreading is clearer in the remake and I thought the clarity benefited the plot. Of course by the time you find out about patient zero, Carpenter's character is beyond being able to help provide the audience with anymore real analytical power. Don't blink or you'll miss everything you need to know.
I give the slight edge to 'Rec', but certainly recommend 'Quarantine' to horror fans. It's problems aren't severe enough to detract from a very decent effort.
Bangkok Dangerous (2008)
A surprisingly rich meditation on rediscovering who you are.
This review may have mild spoilers but they come through implication and aren't explicit, in short, your viewing of the film shouldn't be ruined by anything written here. This was, surprisingly, a very interesting action and character piece from Nicholas Cage. I generally find his work either very good or cheesily over the top. In 'Bangkok Dangerous' he delivers an under-stated and nuanced performance as a hit-man who has withdrawn from humanity for so long that when he steps back in, the personal and professional consequences are tremendous. To survive as a hit-man he's lived by a set of rules. Finding a major contract for four jobs in Bangkok leads to deep, personal revelations when his strict adherence to those rules starts to peel away. Cage's character Joe says at one point that the only way for him to do the job is to withdraw from humanity. He leaves no trace that he's ever existed, finds no acknowledgment from other human beings and exists only as the wind. Humanity "... starts to look like a different species" and he only comes out to study people for brief moments before withdrawing again to remind himself that they aren't. So what happens when he goes to Bangkok and the culture is so alien to him that he can't help be drawn into it?
There were a number of things I really liked about the movie. The exotic location is matched with beautiful cinematography and luxuriant sets. The colours, the atmosphere and dark vibrance of the city at night is in stunning contrast to Joe's spartan and non-descript apartment: white walls and brown tables. The Pangs did an excellent job of drawing the audience into the same intoxicating world that Joe is drawn into. The sights in the markets, the sounds in the clubs and in the streets (and the wonderfully engaging score), the taste of the food and the smell of the city -- these all leapt out. The Pangs direction here is, in my opinion, some of their best work. Joe's hits are tense and well set up. In one particularly horrific action scene, the camera looks up at Joe who has just dispatched his target, Joe who stands even in shock at himself for the brutal killing, Joe who realizes that killing has moral complexity since his humanity has reawakened. The camera lingers on Joe for an eternity, shock and awe in the audience; shock and awe as he realizes what he is.
So how does it happen? Is it the city that draws in him? Partially, but he's been in other exotic cities. Is it the sidekick and messenger he's hired on to be an errand boy? Partially. Joe reveals a soft spot when he sees that the sidekick goes above and beyond what he has been asked to do in order to protect Joe during an attempted robbery. Is it when he is first troubled in the film by his rule to leave no traces of himself? Is it when he makes a connection with a beautiful deaf pharmacist? Joe's survival in his career has been from dehumanizing himself from the rest of the species. Bangkok is dangerous to him because of the jobs he has taken and the people who have contracted him but Bangkok is also dangerous because he recovers part of himself. People who genuinely care about Joe crack the armour, at once strengthening and destroying.
Is it a nihilistic film? On a superficial and literal level, yes, 'Bangkok Dangerous' is a nihilistic film about a guy who kills for a living. Much deeper is the understanding of how we are all shaped by our choices but how redemption and rebirth are possible -- even in the most unlikely of anti-heroes.
Tropic Thunder (2008)
Fun in the Sun
To give due credit, Tropic Thunder is reaching for the stars. It tries to satirize as much of the movie business and the Vietnam-War-film genre as it can. There are high points, such as Robert Downey Jr.'s method actor Kirk Lazarus being so wedded to the character that he can't break free -- even when it has become clearly obvious that they are no longer filming a movie -- or Matthew McConaughey's super agent Rick Peck and his obsession with TiVo. I won't mention Tom Cruise's guest role as a foul-mouthed, iron-fisted dictatorial studio head other than to wonder loudly how things are going over at United Artists.
Why then did I feel so unsatisfied with the movie? I liked it. I enjoyed and laughed heartily through most of the jokes. It was as if the individual jokes were all greater than the sum -- a collection of funny punch lines that are a pastiche of laughs but not a satisfyingly funny routine. Part of it is the unwieldy blending of high-concept satire and lowbrow profanity-laced rants. Swearing can be used to high effect and it plays to perfection at times in Tropic Thunder. The best example (and my favorite line from the film) is from Robert Downey Jr. who, after being asked what kind of farm he works on, mows down the bad guys with his gun and declares that "I'm a lead farmer, mother--" well, you see where I'm going. Initially, Tom Cruise's profanity-ridden rants are funny too. But then you realize that there isn't anything else to the character. His character, Les Grossman, just throws tantrums and screams profanities, a paper-thin joke that works through audacity but wears out after the first rant. After a while the swearing starts to sound like a group of little kids who've just heard their first bad words and think it is funny to yell them over and over again.
On the other hand, I loved the performances. Jack Black's focused insanity was pointed in the right direction and he got a great part that he's well-suited to. Stiller manages to play Tugg Speedman with enough vulnerability that you can buy his need for the fictional movie to be a big hit. The scenes from his critical bomb Simple Jack are priceless, as are Downey's explanation of why Speedman would never have won an Oscar for it. Nick Nolte (good to see him again) has a strong supporting part, as does Steve Coogan as the overwhelmed first-time director. The picture is Downey's, though, and wherever Redd Foxx is, I think he would be proud. Scene-stealing, scenery-chewing and utterly priceless, Downey looks like he's enjoying every minute on screen. If you see Tropic Thunder for any reason, watching Robert Downey Jr. should be it.
Death Race (2008)
Fun, very loud and unabashedly dumb.
I shouldn't write reviews for movies like this because it feels like I'm lining up to kick a puppy. A movie like 'Death Race' can only be judged fairly through a set of lowered genre expectations. I'll try but I'm not making any promises. It is fun, very loud and unabashedly dumb. It was never envisioned to be anything other than an attempt at 'cool.' The average viewer will - without fail - be able to pick out every moment where Paul W.S. Anderson had an idea during the script writing and thought to himself "That'd be awesome!" before looking around the room for someone to high five. I shouldn't pick on him because I actually do enjoy his movies. He isn't trying to make 'Casablanca'; 'Robocop' is more his style. Just without the boring stuff like characterization and development. And as little subtlety, satire or nuance as needed. Unless unintentional or totally by mistake and ironic -- That'd be alright.
This movie's lone strength is the special effects and it lives and dies by the car chase, the machine gun firing and the gory death(s). Michael Bay, eat you heart out. Anderson knows the art of kaboom and action junkees should be satisfied with his efforts here -- especially during the second race when the 'Dreadnought' enters the race. As long as you numb your brain into not asking serious questions about things like physics. Or how massive amounts of armour on a car wouldn't make flesh and soft tissue any safer in horrifying car crashes. Or how the American economy of the Dystopian future has crumbled, but 70 million can still afford the pay-per-view price to watch. Maybe some of the viewers are from Canada.
If you were to put any consideration into serious film criticism where 'Death Race' is concerned, then you'd be the first one. The movie is so predictable, lazy and unambitious that it asks you to hand it the popcorn. In fact, have you seen the trailer? You've seen the film. Tyrese's character is homosexual, which I thought was stunningly inventive given the scriptwriter. Sliding back into predictability, it is used solely to make a few tasteless jokes before being forgotten about. Pretty standard fare for Anderson. If you've watched his other films, you know exactly what to expect. Except less. Brain still hurts too much to think about it. I think the annoying thing is that Anderson has potential. I wouldn't keep going to his movies if I didn't enjoy them. It annoys me when the problems at script level are so apparent. He has a tendency to go to predictable places: Requisite gay jokes for the prison? Check. Incredibly hot women on screen? Cue horny Rap music since I need a musical cue to point out the obvious. I'm annoyed when one character asks another if they think that they're really the best choice of parent for their offspring and the second character says later "Someone once asked me if ..." like they and the audience have forgotten the specifics of the first conversation. The audience doesn't need to be spoon-fed the obvious. It's a weakness that I hope Anderson can shed. He clearly loves making movies. Trusting the audience a little more and giving us some credit might let him make better ones.
The crazy thing is that despite it all, I enjoyed 'Death Race.' It is flawed from top to bottom but wears the flaws so honestly and endearingly that you really shouldn't hold it against the movie. Need to go see a mindless distraction for an hour and a half? 'Death Race' isn't a bad choice. With 'Death Race' you get exactly what you expect and exactly what you deserve.
The Condemned (2007)
A pig tries to understand why it rolls in garbage.
Conceptually, 'The Condemned' isn't a bad idea: 10 death row prisoners are rounded up and placed on an island. They've got 30 hours to kill each other off or a bomb on their ankles will kill everyone if more than one is left. 'The Condemned' is 'Battle Royale' and 'The Most Dangerous Game' filtered through 'Rollerball.' Unfortunately the filter is the 'Rollerball' remake and not the James Caan original.
What 'The Condemned' wants to present and what it actually achieves are two different things. Although a modestly enjoyable actioner the film's interesting premise is sabotaged by a lack of courage. The film hides behind cardboard indignation and tries to satirize reality TV. 'The Condemned' asks of the violence that it shows, "Isn't this disgusting? Isn't this just wrong?" It revels like a pig in filth though, holding it's nose to ignore the smell as it rolls in the mud shamelessly enjoying the thing it wants to 'condemn.' I wouldn't mind so much if the film had been just been better executed. This is a movie that doesn't know if it wants to be satirical or exploitative. It fails as such then because it waffles helplessly lost between the two. If satire was the goal, then the film-makers should have more fearlessly embraced the violence. Show the violence and repel the 'actual' audience while having the crew unwaveringly celebrate it. Here they set up scenes and then cut back to the truck where the crew complains that maybe 'doing this is wrong,' or that 'maybe we shouldn't be doing this.' I can live with that. When they go on in the next breath to say that there is a better angle shot from a different camera, the film undermines itself. I suppose the gimmick is that reality TV (or live-stream reality internet in this case) will do whatever it takes. It strikes as very amateur.
What acting there is isn't bad. Steve Austin doesn't have a lot to work with but he's good with the one-liners. His character is hard to connect to because of the wishy-washy script. Austen's character is mostly interested in not playing the game, tries to tell other competitors this but offers no apparent plan on how he intends to get away -- or maybe he doesn't intend to get away since he also gets caught up in a needless sub-plot about getting in touch with his girlfriend to let her no that he's stashed some money aside for her. Vinnie Jones chews scenery and is great as the main villain in a cast of heavies.
Too bad about 'The Condemned.' The film-makers should have just gone with the core idea -- ten people on an island trying to kill each other in front of an internet audience -- and been less ambitious. This is a case where a popcorn movie shouldn't have tried to have a brain or respectability and is weakened by being a pig that tries to understand why it rolls in the mud instead of just doing it. I like smart movies and I like dumb movies. This one would have been a lot better if it had just embraced being mindless.
Hairspray (2007)
Viciously satirical, deeply irreverent and wonderfully fun!
Had it not been for a free pass to an advance screening, I must admit that my friends would have had trouble getting me to see 'Hairspray.' I don't mind musicals but 'Hairspray' didn't seem like something I'd enjoy. Not for the first time in my life was I wrong.
'Hairpsray' is about tolerance, integration and acceptance of others. The film uses the racial divide between blacks and whites but the subtext of the film is Heterosexuals and Homosexuals. 'Hairspray' viciously lampoons bigots and reserves specific devastation for Ultra-conservative religious zealots, figures of authority and WASPs. The satire is white hot (Alison Janney steals every scene she is in), the music catchy, the movie's spirit is irreverent.
I had no problems with the cast and their performances. John Travolta isn't bad and when he gets his chances to dance he's great fun. Christopher Walken and Travolta have a song and dance number duet that rates among the best moments of the film and isn't to be missed. Queen Latifah adds some dignity and balance while Michelle Pfeiffer plays a terrific screen villainess. Amanda Bynes has few lines to deliver but gives perfect comic deadpan when she does for excellent comic effect. Keep a sharp eye out for the hilarious John Waters cameo during the opening number.
Of recent major movie musicals, this is easily better than 'The Producers,' (better comedy and music) and last year's 'Dreamgirls' (weaker songs but better pacing and strong beyond the first half). Although it doesn't have the star power or scale, I also prefer it to 'Chicago' -- 'Hairspray' takes itself less seriously and not many movies have me laughing and smiling from start to finish. If you're looking for a little pure counter-culture escapist fun, 'Hairpsray' is your movie.
Fracture (2007)
The Old Master and the Rising Star play chess
The character played by Anthony Hopkins tells a story in the film to Ryan Gosling. The story is about sorting eggs on a farm when he was a boy and about putting aside 300 eggs that all had minute cracks or imperfections. The moral is that everything has a weakness if you look closely enough. Hopkins is using the story to warn Gosling that his near perfect conviction record is about to be tested like never before.
I caught an advance screening of 'Fracture' and am counting myself among the lucky. 'Fracture' showcases two terrific performances. The first is Ryan Gosling who plays a hot shot Assistant District Attorney on the verge of joining a very lucrative private law firm. He's only got one case left to handle and, although it looks like a slam dunk on paper, he'll soon find it to be a bit more formidable than he first thought.
The second great performance is Sir Anthony Hopkins. Stealing every scene he's in with charm, humour and menace, Hopkins turns in one of his most enjoyable performances of recent years. Hopkins plays the accused in Gosling's last case and goes out of his way to give Gosling a very bad day. The battle of wills between the two leads is central to the movie and their combat is electrifying.
One of the main questions in the movie is the location of the murder weapon. The film quite explicitly shows the crime of the film and how it is carried out in the first ten minutes of the movie. It seemed obvious to me where the gun was (although my friends told me after the film they had no idea). For my part, knowing where the gun was didn't hurt the film at all because although Gosling's battle to solve the case and get a conviction are certainly a core part of the film, 'Fracture' works better as a character study. Both leads are over-flowing with pride. Both believe themselves to be as flawless as the eggs from the story are supposed to be, but both will come to realize that they have micro-fractures too. This movie is about their arrogance and ultimately about how they deal with the discovery that perfection is a little more elusive than they thought. 'Fracture' shows all seven deadly sins at work and places Pride as the deadliest -- all else springs from it.
'Fracture' has a great score, a terrific script and dynamic characters who are believable in everything they do. This is a rich and highly enjoyable film. I fear it might get lost in the shadow of huge summer blockbusters like Spiderman 3 which is really a shame -- totally engaging little gems like this are why I love movies. 'Fracture' is well worth your time and the price of admission.
The Return (2006)
No return to horror greatness for Gellar
Technically there are elements of 'The Return' that are well done, nice little touches that add great atmosphere. The score is subtle and effective. Everything is grey or shot in muted tones and this really works well for the film. Sarah Michelle Gellar makes a great choice and goes with brown rather than blonde hair. Brown works better for this film because it is a less vivacious colour. Her blonde look tends to be used in movies where she plays much stronger characters and not victims like she does in 'The Return.' This added vulnerability helps to make her a bit more believable. Sadly, 'The Return' needed every trick it could find and ultimately still falls short.
The acting isn't to blame here because all of the principles are game. Nobody turns in a bad performance but are all desperately trying to save a mediocre script. Gellar does well with a more challenging role than she's had recently but the script doesn't give her enough to work with. One of the key components for a successful film is being able to find some sympathy for the characters -- especially in a horror film! Here it just never takes hold. You don't wish ill on any of the characters (Gellar's creepy co-worker a possible exception) but nothing really gets you behind them either. The script believes it is far more clever than it actually is and when all is finally revealed in the final two minutes, you may, like me, find yourself wondering if the first 83 minutes was actually worth it.
Tension doesn't really exist in the film until nearly the end and most of the "scares" in 'The Return' rely on sudden shocks. Basically if you see the movie once, you'll be able to sit through it like a statue if you ever watched it again (don't, by the way). This is such a cheap gimmick and it isn't really done all that well here. Oh, there are creepy moments -- the music in the car when she's driving to Texas for example, and the climactic action sequence at the end -- but overall not very well done.
A botched horror film with no horror, a thriller with no thrills, and a drama that isn't dramatic, 'The Return' just ... is ... and that isn't enough of a magnet to bring in quality or an audience for it. Largely disappointing, here's hoping for better things for all involved.


text:
In discussing Prevue Assessments with clients, I often refer to a June 4, 2001 Time Essay "What Are They Probing For" by Barbara Ehrenreich.
Do you want automatic updates from our blog? Try RSS Feeds with these instructions:
Go to the next step in recruiting.
Daugharty Group Inc. has provided human resources services to organizations since 1987. The practice is Ontario-wide. Our clients are both private and public sector employers with employee population sizes ranging from a few to thousands in number. As you explore our web site, you will quickly appreciate the breadth and depth of our experience and the services that we can provide.
We hope you enjoy these pages. Please contact us.


text: I think it would be safe, you will have to get some fittings and some gas line. I dont think i would run these appliances indoors. Just take the unit to a plumbing, heating and cooling business, they will get you the fittings you'll need..You might need the lp tank with you also.