Safe Haven Makes My Point

Posted on February 19, 2013 by Tom Long


Safe Haven

Sunday evening Joy and I were in Southport where they filmed the movie Safe Haven. We decided that would be the perfect place to actually watch the much anticipated movie based on another of Nicholas Sparks’ books. We got there twenty minutes before showtime and found two of the last five open seats in the theater. By the time the movie actually started there literally was not an empty seat in the theater. And did I mention they were showing the movie on two screens at the same time?

Of course, being in Southport, interest was heightened, but I think there has also been a lot of pent up demand for a truly romantic movie without the gross out humor that prevails today. But, still, this movie was third in the box office on President’s Day weekend. It wasn’t just a local phenomenon.

Which brings me to my point. This movie did well despite the clueless panning of USA Today, Rolling Stone, and other professional critics. In the picture on the right, we see that the Rotten Tomatoes poll of critics found only 12% liked the movie. Yet a full 72% of viewers enjoyed the movie.

Safe Haven Rotten Tomatoes

Safe Haven was very enjoyable as a romance movie. The element of suspense might even broaden the appeal beyond the usual romance movie fans. But since I have a home near Southport and love it there, I know I am biased. The biggest round of applause in the theater was when the movie did an aerial fly in on the little town of Southport, North Carolina. It isn’t often that a town of less than 3,000 souls gets to “star” in a movie. But, as I’ve already said, the number of consumers that enjoyed the movie shows that it was a good movie even beyond our local enthusiasm. Quite a while ago I shared an essay on critiquing romance movies with my family. I thought the big gap between critics and consumers for Safe Haven would be a good excuse to share those comments with my blog readers as well. Ladies and gentlemen, I present to you

How to Review a Chick Flick

I went to see Letters to Juliet this past Friday. Like a lot of people, I read movie reviews before deciding to lay my tiny fortune down at the ticket gate of my local theater. Although no longer an account holder at Rotten Tomatoes after their merger with Flixster, it is a great site for a quick overview of critics’ opinions about my potential choices. Sadly, it is clear that many of these reviewers need to be schooled in the art of writing a movie review for a chick flick. Good news. I’m here to give them that schooling.

First let me tell you what not to do. Do NOT criticize a romance movie for a predictable plot or an inevitably happy ending. The genre requires either said happy ending (Nora Ephron) or a melodramatically weepy romantically tragic ending (Nicholas Sparks). A movie critic who complains about the plot being predictable or the ending being happy is kin to the moron who complains that comic book movies like Iron Man 2 or Spider Man 3 lack character development or war movies like Saving Private Ryan are too violent. Failure to grasp fundamental concepts underlying the genre inform us as consumers that the reviewer is an idiot and should not be taken seriously.

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Kenneth Cole Reaction iPad Bag

Posted on January 14, 2013 by Tom Long


The Kenneth Cole Reaction “Bag for Good” is a compact, classy, vertical messenger bag. The Colombian leather is soft, supple, and pleasantly thick. The strap is sewn into the buckles so it cannot be replaced. But it is a webbed strap supplemented by a leather pad that looks and feels great.

The front flap is held down by a magnet and snap-like dimple that lines it up neatly with the bag. When the main flap is lifted it reveals a front compartment. That compartment has a place for a smartphone or point & shoot camera, two pen loops, and some credit card slots. There is no key clip.

In the front of the main compartment is a zippered pocket to store loose items. The main compartment is large enough for the GRID-IT! CPG7RD (not included). There is another pocket on the aft end of the main compartment. It is designed to receive an iPad with or without a case. There is plenty of room for all but the bulkiest of cases.

With the main flap closed one can easily access a slip pocket that is kept closed with another magnetic “snap”. It runs the full depth and width of the bag and would be a handy place to store your tickets and itinerary.

There is no grab handle, but, of course, one can always lift the bag from the buckle end of the shoulder strap. The bag appears to have been made from high quality leather in a very craftsman-like way. If all you need to carry fits, I can’t give any real reason not to buy this bag. I did. Go for it.

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Best iPad “Man Bag”

Posted on January 7, 2013 by Tom Long

If you own an iPad, you want one of these bags. After nearly a year of shopping, I have narrowed down my top three bags for carrying an iPad to work.  There were certainly other contenders and it was hard to cut the list off at any one point.  I eliminated several bags just for being out of my price range.  I have a messenger for when I want to take my MacBook Pro and/or cameras.  I wanted a bag to take to work.  I only need my iPad and Grid-it loaded with cables and chargers for my commute.  Naturally, I ended up wanting (and ordering) the most expensive one.  So I won’t be able to write a review on my second and third choice unless I send #1 back.

3. Pacsafe Metrosafe 200 Gii Shoulder Bag  $54 from Amazon

This is the most practical bag in the iPad category.  Its pickpocket-resistant design includes outside pockets for both a water bottle and umbrella when one wants to carry such things.  When traveling light the pockets snap tight to the body of the bag.  Inside the bag is a clip for one’s keys and loops for a mechanical pencil or pen and stylus for the iPad.  If one chooses black, the inside is a brilliant green that makes it easy to find items stored inside.  The green also adds an element of fun to the style.  I may come back to this as a bag for day trips on vacation.  I ruled it out because it wasn’t as handsome as I wanted and because of a problem with my last Pacsafe bag.  My Pacsafe Metrosafe 300 was the best bag I ever owned.  However, the metal in the piping that helped the bag with its legendary security eventually broke through the material and ate a few bits of my clothing (including a leather coat) before I recognized the source of my problems.

Note: There is a larger (250 Gii) model if one wants to include a small laptop.

2. be.ez LE reporter Air 11 Bag $49 from BHPhoto

This French design is the most stylish bag of the three, although a bit more youthful in appeal than the “winner”.  Super slender, it provides adequate room for an iPad and a Grid-it.  It gets a practical touch by being waterproof.  It lacks a key clip or pen loops, but has two front slip pockets that might be used for that purpose instead of using them for a passport and tickets.  The computer pocket could be used for a Grid-it with pens, chargers, and cables.  The big saffron loops under the front flap could hold “Le Monde” or a small tripod.  The slim profile and attractive detailing put this bag very high on my list but I’m not sure its scale would look good on someone of my age and girth.

Note: There is a larger version, the Le Reporter Air 13, in some parts of the world that will accommodate a small laptop.

1. Kenneth Cole Reaction “Bag for Good” $88 from Buy.com

The rich Corinthian, er, I mean, Colombian leather gives this bag a more classic appeal.  Not as practical as the 200 Gii or stylish as the Le Reporter Air, it is still both practical and attractive.  It offers a dedicated iPad pocket (as do 2. and 3.), a main pocket for a Grid-it (as do 2 and 3), and pen loops (like 3), as well as a back magazine slip pocket.  The leather looks to be of high quality.  I’ll let you know what I think when it gets here.

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NZB Matrix – The End

Posted on December 10, 2012 by Tom Long

Unbelievably, the best indexer of USENET is now done. No longer can I just zip through and find anything I want on USENET. This is a sad tragedy. While it is still possible for me to automate the removal of commercials from the shows I record, SickBeard and NZBMatrix made it seamless. A fond farewell. Thank you for years of great service.

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Top Tech of 2012

Posted on November 27, 2012 by Tom Long

My favorite tech of 2012 has some pretty exciting entries from the big hitters like Amazon, Apple, and Google as well as some less familiar treats. Share in the comments where I went wrong or what tech you would have put in your top 10 for this year.

1. Windows 8 Professional (operating system-temporarily $39.99)

Windows 7 probably stands as the greatest operating system of all time – especially since it included Windows Media Center, the best PVR on the planet. But Microsoft has moved forward with a visually engaging and informative start screen that will appeal to most casual users. Except for Windows RT, Windows 8 still carries all of the benefits of Windows 7 with improved security and performance. For a limited time Windows 8 Pro users can get the Windows Media Center add in for free, too. While not really necessary for enterprise users, home and student users should find Windows 8 to be a fun upgrade.


2. Apple iPad 4 (tablet-starts at $499)

The newest iPad introduced the new Lightning connector and a faster processor. But, frankly, one can hardly go wrong with any iPad from the iPad 2 to this latest version. What makes the iPad so impressive? A great display, polished user interface, and apps that span the range from Angry Birds to productivity apps that allow one to actual be productive. If one wishes to edit photos or videos on one’s tablet, there really is no other tablet option.  (Bonus tip:  I would hold off on the iPad mini until it inevitably is offered with the retina display.)


3. Amazon Kindle Paperwhite (e-reader-starts at $119)

I have a Kindle 3 but change over to using the Kindle app on my iPad for reading in low light. If I had this touch screen, backlit Kindle, I would never need to put it down.


4. Samsung Galaxy S III (Android smartphone) 

Apple couldn’t beat them in the marketplace, so they’re going after them in court. But as the two giants duke it out, consumers have the opportunity to buy a conveniently sized and easy to use phone.


5. Microsoft Surface RT (tablet-starts at $499)

While artsy types are getting productive on iPads, mobile office workers will find their home on the new MS Surface RT. (The version of MS Office included with the Surface RT doesn’t include advanced features like macros.) Get the Type Cover for the perfect combo. Now, your office can go with you.


6. Google Nexus 7 (Android tablet-starts at $199) 

I like my Android straight up – no skin overlay. Although, it took them a long time, Google has finally nailed the tablet operating system with Jelly Bean (Android 4.2). Quick, slick, and lovely, this is the perfect size tablet. For the average consumer (someone not seeking to use their tablet for productivity), this is the best way to catch up on your social networks and watch a little YouTube between checking email and navigating the route to your next destination. I very highly recommend a Nexus 7. If you don’t have a phone that serves as an internet hotspot, a 3G version is now available.


7. Raspberry Pi (baby PC)

This little puppy is hard to find, especially for the $35 recommended retail price. But if one is in stock, it can become the basis of an awesome cheapo HTPC. Pair it with the OpenElec distro of XBMC and stream anything on your home network to your TV.

8. Apple iPhone 5 (iOS smartphone-starts at $199)

In a world where bigger is too often confused with better, the iPhone 5 has held the line at a perfect combination of svelte portability and a retina display capable of impressing. Now, with LTE, the iPhone has nearly caught up to Android phones in every area except one. The iPhone 5 camera is the best on any phone out there. That is why this phone is always within my reach.


9. Pinterest (social media)

What made me think that introducing my sisters to Pinterest would be a good idea? Now, it’s hard to get them to look up from their computers because they are busily building online pinboards to collect, organize, and share the things they found on the web. One of the fastest growing websites ever, Pinterest can be both an obsession and a never ending feast for one’s eyes.


10. HDHomeRun Prime (TV tuner/adapter-$249)

Pair this with your computers or iPad and you’ll have the ability to record three shows at once. Or three different devices can watch live TV at the same time. The InfiniTV 4 USB is awesome with four tuners and $50 dollars cheaper, but it is restricted to viewing on only one computer at a time. The HDHomeRun prime can be used by any computer on your network or an iPad 2.

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