Announcement: Samsung's New TV to Compete with Apple in 2013

Samsung's new portrait transparent TV (not yet released)

Samsung is attempting to pre-empt Apple by releasing a portrait-style TV that boasts a transparent background.

Our world continues to move the way of Ray Bradbury’s book, “Fahrenheit 451,” where TV’s become such an important part of the lifestyle, that they take up entire walls (and people cannot unglue themselves from it long enough to do anything).

Samsung posted the above picture on their blog, Samsung Tomorrow. People are speculating what the picture is actually insinuating. I’ll leave it up to you to decide for yourself.

Will Samsung become the next Apple in terms of high-tech electronics?

Some could say that Samsung is already doing a good job competing.

You may already know that Samsung Galaxy III smartphones outsold the iPhone in Q3 sales in 2012.

Samsung is trying to make waves before Apple releases the Apple TV that is supposed to shake up the television industry. According to the Mac Observer, Tim Cook went on record about seriously moving Apple into the television market.

If Apple does release TV’s in 2013, they will have to go head-to-head with Samsung in a battle of technology between two electronic giants.

You may already know that Samsung Galaxy III smartphones outsold the iPhone in Q3 sales in 2012.

Are you ready to upgrade to a portrait–shaped transparent TV?

The world has not yet fully embraced the 3D TV yet. What makes Samsung think that their new TV will be successful?

There are too many questions, and Samsung has yet to make an official announcement (in words) what their latest TV will do, and why it is far superior to an Apple TV.

It sounds like Mac vs. PC all over again, but this time in the TV market. 2013 is going to be a big year.

Screen New Movies in Your Home with PRIMA Cinema

PRIMA Cinema Player

PRIMA Cinema Hard Drive

The PRIMA Cinema is a personal theater system that allows someone to download movies via broadband at the same time that they hit theaters. This system allows you to watch those movies from the comfort of your own home. A working internet connection is required at the start of a film, but internet connections will not disrupt the playback of a film.

The only catch is that each new release costs $500.00 per movie. This is a small price to pay to avoid theaters and people altogether. This is the perfect system for hermits and vampires. You never have to interact with people again! Although, at $500.00 per movie, I can picture myself inviting 50 people over and charging $10 a head. Or how about 25 friends at $20 a piece? You may want to read the fine print first. Screening a PRIMA Cinema movie to neighbors and friends may be illegal.

PRIMA Cinema is a game-changer. Before, only a few insiders of the entertainment industry were allowed to screen theatrically-released films in their own home. Prima Cinema now allows anyone (with the cash) to do just that. But the Frequently Asked Questions section says that “Members can enjoy films as long as they are available in the public Box Office.”

Does this mean that once a movie leaves theaters that it is no longer viewable on your PRIMA Cinema?

The Prima Cinema has two hardware pieces: the rack-mountable PRIMA Cinema Player and the PRIMA Biometric Reader. After all, we can’t let just anyone download your movies. These movies are secure and only available to you -- the PRIMA Cinema owner.

PRIMA Cinema uses proprietary technology, which comes with 3D support and claims to have better picture clarity and deeper color tones than your standard Blu-ray players. They are also compatible with Dolby TrueHD audio format.

The PRIMA Cinema sounds awesome, but it seems that only the rich will be able to enjoy this product.

Finally, someone thought of a way to legally download movies.

The official website can be viewed here.

An example of a home PRIMA Cinema system

Learn Different Types of Bank Transactions

Anchor Bank sign

If you are like me, then you check your bank account balance online regularly. You can do this with an app on a smartphone, or with a computer, depending on if your bank offers an app and online banking.

There are many different banks (just to name a few):

• Capital One, N.A.
• Regions Bank
• Bank of America
• Wachovia Bank
• SunTrust Bank
• First National Bank
• National Bank
• USAA Bank
• Redstone Federal Credit Union
• BB&T
• Citibank
• Chase
• Citizen's Bank
• Fifth Third Bank
• KeyBank
• PNC Bank
• TD Bank
• U.S. Bank
• Wells Fargo

Beside transactions on your bank statement, you will see symbols. These define what type of transaction has taken place. Below you will see what each two-letter code stands for as a transaction.

You may ask yourself the following questions:

• What does PU transaction type mean?
• What does AW transaction type mean?
• What does CD transaction type mean?
• What does ND transaction type mean?

But do you know what all of the transaction types are in the pending section?

Banks have many transaction types (below are just a few):

"PU" stands for purchase.
"AW" stands for account withdrawal.
"CD" stands for cash deposit.
"ND" stands for night deposit.

Below you will see an example of what these transaction types look like on your account if you view from an online statement.

Pending transactions on online bank statement

I deposited checks totaling $100.00 into my checking account, however my bank statement showed it going in twice, with two different transaction types beside each deposit.

I called the bank customer service and they told me they will make a note to take a look at this, since it shouldn't credit my account twice.

You should now be able to identify the different transaction types when viewing your online bank statement.

Image Source: Flickr Creative Commons; by I-5 Design & Manufacture

Newtown Gun Control Solution: We Need 'Smart' Guns

Gun with dynamic grip recognition technology

The New Jersey Institute of Technology (NJIT) received $2 million seven years ago to develop a gun with a biometric locking mechanism that will only work with one owner. The 32 pressure sensors built into the gun's handle will only work with the registered owner grip. The handle recognizes the pattern, and is unlocked. It's called Dynamic Grip Recognition technology.

New York City Children's Choir

In the wake of the Newtown, Connecticut tragedy, SNL opened with a Silent Night tribute, featuring the New York City Children's Choir. Tastefully done.

Sandy Hook's elementary school experienced a shooting that forever changed that community, and left lawmakers wondering what they should do.

Before you say that gun control, taking away guns from law-abiding citizens is not a simple solution, and it leaves responsible people without a way to defend themselves.

The Newtown elementary shooter, Adam Lanza, reportedly took his mothers assault gun and handguns registered to his mother.

How do you stop something like this from happening again?

With smarter guns.

Don't take gun rights away from the people. Make the guns smart enough to recognize its owner.

James Bond with gun

In the latest James Bond movie, Q gives James a gun that will only fire when he holds the gun, thanks to high-tech biometric scanner in the gun. Rumors have it that even upcoming Apple products will have tech that locks out un-authorized users from gaining control.

Huffington Post shares this in a recent article:
"In the recent Bond movie, Skyfall, the throwback super agent is equipped with a handgun -- calibrated to his handprint -- that only fires when it is in his grip. In a scene where Bond loses the weapon, his life is saved when his enemy is unable to fire the weapon at him. Similar technology, fingerprint recognition, is available now and is used in many contexts: for example, in the workplace to clock workers in and out, on computers to limit unauthorized access, within door locks to prevent unwanted entry. Apple's recent pursuit of a company that specializes in this technology is fueling speculation that its devices will soon have a fingerprint recognition application to bar unauthorized use. If we will have the ability to limit access to Angry Birds through fingerprint scanning technology, surely we should adapt it to real-life killing machines."

I say: "Don't take guns away from everybody and anybody. Instead, make tougher restrictions to keep guns out of the hands of unauthorized and unstable people. For example, Canada has a 28-day waiting period when registering for a firearm, and two people must vouch for the person buying the gun.

We need to adopt something similar to Canada's requirements. But until then...we need smarter guns.

Duck Dynasty Season 2 Christmas Episode

Santa Willie and Elf Si with Elf ears in Duck Dynasty Christmas episode

DuckDynasty’s Season 2 special Christmas episode (#28) first aired on Wednesday (12/05/12). This episode is titled: "I'm Dreaming of a Redneck Christmas"

Spoilers ahead.

Hey! Uncle Si is an elf, not a mind reader!

Here are the highlights from this episode:

Crazy Uncle Si (pronounced “Cy”) was talked into dressing up like one of Santa’s elves. He was hesitant at first, but finally gave in. This included wearing green pointy shoes, and pointy ears. Si said he didn't mind dressing up like Spock from Star Wars and destroying the Death Star. Plus, he said he was good at doing the Volkswagon Death Grip, and gave his version of the Live Long and Prosper hand sign from Star Trek.

Uncle Si with Christmas tinsel

Jase Robertson explaining he is into the true meaning of Christmas

Jase Robertson says he is into the true meaning of Christmas, best stated with the three F's: Faith, Family, and Facial hair. Jase further explains that he doesn't understand about all of the work that is put into decorating for Christmas.

Uncle Si admits that he is lazy and that Jase is just making excuses

Si indicates that the last time he dress up was in a sheep outfit, while in rice patties during the Vietnam War. He said he only dresses up when it is something he wants to wear. But Si eventually gives in to wearing the Elf outfit.

Willie, CEO of Duck Commander, gave Si orders to bring the gifts for the kids. Uncle Si went to the Duck Commander Warehouse, and loaded a black garbage back with office supplies.

Santa Willie giving office supplies (tape dispenser) to kids

Then when Santa Willie reached in the gift back for a toy, he first pulled out a duck call. He then pulled out a tape roller, a dust pan, a sleeve of cups, and a printer cartridge. The kids were less than impressed. They didn’t want their “Christmas toys.” Santa Willie finally ended up giving the last child a $20 dollar bill, and Uncle Si was in shock, because he didn't feel that the kids deserved it.

Santa Willie and Uncle Si elf giving a sleeve of cups to a little boy

Uncle Si wearing Elf costume saying that kids are "spoiled rotten"

Willie in Santa costume giving little girl $20

Willie said that Uncle Si was like out of a horror movie because he was scaring the kids. Uncle Si said they deserved to be on the naughty list. He said that kids would tape up two items anyway and make a home-made toy out of non-toy items. He then attempted to give a ball of twine to a kid. The child just looked quizzically at Santa Willie and Elf Si because he didn’t know what to do with it.

Meanwhile, COO Jase Robertson and the other Duck Commander workers were asked to hang Christmas lights from the elder Robertson house, in exchange for some homemade Sweet Potato Pies. They wind up breaking many sets of lights because Jase “can’t catch” on the roof.

They are later instructed by Miss Kay (“Momma”) Robertson to lose the extension cord dangling from the roof. This means they have to re-do their lighting job, which takes far longer to do than the original job. After this is completed, Miss Kay says that she wanted “all” of the lights hung, and pointed the boys to the storage shed with boxes upon boxes of more Christmas lights. She retorts that the boys wouldn’t want “half a pie, would they?” insinuating that they only did half of a job, and half of a sweet potato pie would be the equivalent compensation of their work.

Miss Kay also reminds her husband, Phil Robertson – the patriarch of the family – that he needs to cut her down a Christmas tree. After searching high and low on the Robertson land, Miss Kay does not find anything suitable to bring home. She then tells Phil they need to go to a Christmas tree farm. Phil is not fond of buying anything that he can get from his own land, but agrees to buy a “Yuppie tree” to satisfy Miss Kay. They get to the Christmas tree farm and Miss Kay ruminates on the right tree for a while. Phil sits down on the ground. Miss Kay finally settles on the perfect one, and Phil slices it down with a chainsaw. 

They get home with the tree and it is touching the ceiling, so Phil makes a last minute adjustment to the base of the tree trunk with his chainsaw – in the living room.

Miss Kay hinted to Phil that the tree needed decorating. He was happy with the tree being au natural. Then CEO Willie Robertson started stringing lights in a sloppy manner on the tree. The women of the family did not approve, so they took over, decorating the tree with the children.

Willie then said that it wasn’t important how good the tree looked, as much as it was creating memories with the family at Christmas.

Uncle Si pouring himself a cup of sweet tea in elf costume

This episode was full of transition shots that included: Christmas lights breaking, crushed peppermint sprinkled into a bearded mouth, Elf Si pouring himself a glass of tea, Christmas ornaments breaking on the ground, and other Christmas-themed slow motion shots. Very cool.

Uncle Si quote about his ninja skills

Duck Dynasty has aired news episodes on Wednesday nights, and has broken cable television records for viewers watching. This includes beating out shows like “American Horror Story” on FX, “Chicago Fire” on NBC, and “Nashville” on ABC.

Uncle Si wearing his elf ears in Christmas episode

More posts on Duck Dynasty:
Read Duck Dynasty Returns for Season 4 With Vow Renewal Ceremony
Read Duck Commander Phil Robertson is Speaker at SoCal Harvest 2013

New Existential Risk Center to Prevent Future 'Terminator' Takeover

"Terminator Robot" Source: thedot_ru

The University of Cambridge is starting a new center that will study the risks of existential threats to humans. This includes artificial intelligence (A.I.) in robots and computer games, developments in biotechnology and artificial life, nanotechnology, and climate change. It is referred to as the Center for the Study of Existential Risk, or CSER.

The official website states, “Our aim is to establish within the University of Cambridge a multidisciplinary research centre dedicated to the study and mitigation of risks of this kind. We are convinced that there is nowhere on the planet better suited to house such a centre. Our goal is to steer a small fraction of Cambridge's great intellectual resources, and of the reputation built on its past and present scientific pre-eminence, to the task of ensuring that our own species has a long-term future.”

Let me put that into terms that are much more understandable. To prevent an artificial intelligence (such as Skynet in the Terminator movies) from taking over the world, we need the Center for the Study of Existential Risk.

So before you forget that the AI on video games such as James Bond are harmless, be wary that some madman could easily put such software into a robot, as the hardware gets more advanced and more easily accessible. It's called advances in technology.

Then the human race is in real trouble, because the only way to stop an intelligent supercomputer is with an electromagnetic pulse that will fry all circuit boards in intelligent devices with the capability to exterminate the human race.

It may be time to get out the movie, I, Robot (2004) and watch it again, because let's face it - robots are getting smarter. It is only a matter of time before they send Terminator models from the future in search of John Connor.

Now read: "5 Things You Must Do When Robots Become Self-Aware"

iPhone App Review: Field Agent

Field Agent App icon

Field Agent App on iPhone

Field Agent is a great iPhone app to have, but it requires one major thing: TIME.

Once you download the app, you click on the orange app icon with a white tie. The Field Agent app will launch and then load jobs for your area.

I have noticed that many new jobs are populated and ready for Saturday.

Field Agent Experience:

After getting a list of jobs on the iPhone app, I decided to go down to Publix (grocery store) and attempt to complete some of the many assignments. When you select an assignment, it will give you an abbreviated title for the Product, and then will provide a suggested location for the product in the description area.

Field Agent App Job listings

I found that many jobs were being added on this Saturday morning. Many jobs would only last for a few minutes and then it would disappear, and new jobs would populate.

I didn’t accept the jobs unless I knew that I could complete the assignment. The app warns that it may be difficult to cancel the job once accepted, but it is quite easy to cancel a job assignment. The only downside may be that it hurts your agent completion score in the app.

Conclusion:

What I found using the Field Agent app for specific grocery stores is that the items you are searching for may not be found at your local store. I was searching for items like cheese and beef jerky, and the UPC codes before and after this particular UPC were there, but the 10-digit UPC code was not in stock. That was frustrating.

Then, when I actually found one that was in stock, the bottled water did not list the ingredients or allergy warnings, which were required photos.

So the one item that was in stock, I took two pictures: one of the UPC, and one of the fronts of the package. The assignment required 4 pictures, including the allergy warning, and ingredient listing.

I submitted this assignment, and gave this explanation, but later received an email from Field Agent saying that my submission was denied.

I searched for at least 10 products in the job section, successfully found one, and that one submission was denied. This turned out to be quite a frustrating attempt to complete jobs with Field Agent.

But note that I have successfully completed one Field Agent assignment, taking a photo of the soft drink section at Wal-Mart. Wal-Mart tasks seem to be easier to accomplish.

The Field Agent iPhone App sounds cool in theory, but not all jobs are easy to find in grocery stores, and for an hour’s worth of time, you may only accomplish one task for $6.50.

Are you worth more than $6.50 an hour?

The reality is that Field Agent is not an easy way to make money. Don't expect to make a living off of it, and don't expect consistent job assignments. Cool app, but not an income reality.

Here is the bottom line on Field Agent. In theory, its a great app. It would be cool if a person could actually make a little money from it. The sad reality is that Field Agent often makes requirements for a completion that are impossible. You end up wasting your time. Too many pictures are rejected. They tell you to go to a location and take a picture of a display that is non-existent. Then you get the dreaded email from the support worker to your email saying they reject your submission because the picture isn't what they wanted. They need to let you take several pictures and they pick what they want.

Field Agent has wasted my time on several occasions when I though I would actually get a completion.

Angus T. Jones Calls 'Two and a Half Men' "Filth" in Interview

Angus T. Jones laughing in Forerunner interview on Warner Bros. lot

Angus T. Jones, star of the CBS show, ‘Two and a Half Men,’ did an interview from his trailer on the Warner Bros. lot, revealing some shocking news about his feelings on his current role on the sitcom.

Angus T. Jones says in the interview: “Please don’t watch Two and a Half Men…I’m on ‘Two and a Half Men’ and I don’t want to be on it. Please stop watching it. Please stop filling your head with filth.” Angus T. Jones also says, “You cannot be a true God-fearing person and be on a television show like that.”

Angus T. Jones shares in the interview that he visited many churches before trying out a Seventh Day Adventist Church (SDA) on a Saturday. He felt this was a natural fit for him, and that the particular sermon preached that day was tailor-made just for him, as he says in the interview.

Chuck Lorre has not yet publicly commented on Angus T. Jones recent interview, but he has no doubt heard the news of the Angus T. Jones interview.

Chuck Lorre had a public feud with Charlie Sheen in 2011, after Charlie Sheen was kicked off of the show, and Sheen went on record to publicly disparage Chuck Lorre, the show’s producer. Chuck Lorre fired back with his own version of the events leading up to Charlie Sheen's exit. Charlie Sheen then followed his departure with his own 'Torpedo of Truth' tour, going onstage in major U.S. cities, telling his own side of the story.

An earlier blog post on Charlie Sheen can be read here on Z.Love's Entertainment Blog.

Angus T. Jones recent comments come after getting saved in the Seventh Day Adventist Church. He was being interviewed by the Forerunner Chronicle, which is associated with the Seventh Day Adventist Church.

The real question is: Will Angus T. Jones continue acting on the show, ‘Two and a Half Men,’ for the remainder of the season or will they kick him out like they did Charlie Sheen?

Angus T. Jones makes $350,000.00 per episode, more than one person’s typical annual salary.

Since the Angus T. Jones interview, Charlie Sheen has offered Angus T. Jones a role on his show, "Anger Management."

The Youtube video featuring Angus T. Jones can be seen here.

Angus T. Jones has also issued a public apology as well, saying: "Without qualification, I am grateful to and have the highest regard and respect for all of the wonderful people on 'Two and a Half Men' with whom I have worked over the past ten years and who have become an extension of my family."

Angus T. Jones explaining he doesn't believe the SDA Church is a cult

Tom Clancy's Ghost Recon Online is Free to Play in Open Beta

Tom Clancy's Ghost Recon Online

In case you were not aware, Tom Clancy’s Ghost Recon Online by Ubisoft is currently Free to Play for PC. The game is in Open Beta, and can be downloaded here. The actual download is 2.75 GB.

http://ghost-recon.ubi.com/ghost-recon-online/en-US/community-news/index.aspx?c=tcm:19-74097-16&ct=tcm:6-231-32

As stated on the official website: “Ghost Recon Online (GRO) is the next-generation of PC multiplayer shooters. Step into the boots of an elite Ghost and deploy cutting-edge weapons and technology as you link up with your Ghost squad to dominate your enemies on tomorrow’s battlefield. As a Free to Play game, you will be able to download and experience core content without paying a single cent. Read on to find out more.”

Three Classes in Tom Clancy's Ghost Recon Online

There are three classes with special abilities:

1. The Assault soldier uses devices that take time to deploy that get used until they are fully discharged or manually deactivated. Assault devices include the HEAT device which disrupts the enemy with painful microwaves and the BLITZ device which allows the soldier to charge the front lines with a bulletproof shield.
2. Recon devices recharge slowly, but can be switched on and off at will, so long as they have some stored energy to power them. Recon devices include the ORACLE system that hacks enemy intelligence to reveal battlefield positions and the CLOAK device which renders the ghost temporarily invisible to enemies.
3. The Specialist uses devices that can be charged up in order to increase their effectiveness... however, if overcharged these devices may overheat and cause injury to the user. Specialist devices include the BLACKOUT device which disrupts nearby enemy electronics and the AEGIS device with deploys a protective laser-burst plasma field.

I am excited to see what the gameplay is like in Tom Clancy’s Ghost Recon Online.

Check it out for yourself.


Keyboard Controls below:

Keyboard Controls for Tom Clancy's Ghost Recon Online

Notre Dame is Number 1 in BCS for First Time in History

Angry Notre Dame Linebacker, Manti Te'o

Notre Dame is having a great season. For the first time in Notre Dame History, it is ranked #1 in the BCS standings. That is something to be proud of.

The only downside to such an accomplishment may be the beating they will receive if they play #2 ranked Alabama in Miami on January 7, 2013.

Alabama moved up to #2 after an answered prayer for many Crimson Tide fans. Their beloved team jumped two spots after the unthinkable happened – both undefeated Oregon and Kansas State lost to opponents. If you are an Oregon Duck or Kansas State Wildcat, there’s always next year.

There is talk in the air that Notre Dame Linebacker Manti Te’o from Hawaii looks like a candidate for the Heisman Trophy, which will be picked before the outcome of the BCS National Championship game.

Isn’t College football great?

Notre Dame plays USC in Los Angeles in their final regular season game. This game will decide their ultimate fate.

Alabama has it easy playing loss-heavy Auburn in the Iron Bowl, then Georgia in the SEC Championship.

Florida (current #4 in BCS standings) plays Florida State in their final game.

If Notre Dame was to lose against USC, then prepare yourself for another All SEC National Championship game between Alabama and Florida.

Will Manti Te’o and the Notre Dame Fighting Irish get their chance at glory against A.J. McCarron and the Alabama Crimson Tide?

We will find out on Saturday, November 24, 2012 at 8:00 PM ET on ABC.

UAH Chargers Beat North Texas in NIT Opener, Makes History

UAH Chargers in 2012 NIT

Talk about making history...

UAH is the first division II school to be invited to the NIT tournament, and they are not taking it lightly.

Only 16 teams are chosen to play from different conferences. The top eight are seeded with the top four seeds that host the prelim. rounds. The other 12 teams are assigned to geographically-close sites, and each team is guaranteed to play four games in the NIT Season Tip-Off.

On Monday night (11/13/12), the UAH Chargers beat North Texas 78-75 in Manhattan, Kansas.

Credit their win to out-rebounding North Texas, and having a better shooting percentage. At halftime, UAH led North Texas 41-37. At one point, UAH was ahead by 10 points, but North Texas starting fighting back. UAH was 12 for 27 in 3-pointers for the night.

The Chargers are ranked No. 3 in Division II rankings, and will be televised on ESPN2 on Tuesday night, as they play Kansas State in the Midwest Regional of the NIT Tournament

Being a UAH alumni, I am proud of the Chargers for their win over North Texas, and look forward to a competitive game against Kansas State. I am Charger Blue, through and through. I am looking forward to an upset in Kansas against K-State.

More details of the game can be read on the UAH Chargers Blog here.

The NCAA website provides the NIT Bracket here, where you can see UAH's Midwest bracket.

As for the other Alabama basketball team (Tuscaloosa), they came back to beat the South Dakota State Jackrabbits on November 9, 2012.

No.1 Ranked Alabama Loses to No. 15 Texas A&M

Texas A&M football players celebrating a touchdown in Alabama endzone

The unthinkable happened to the Alabama Crimson Tide on 11/10/12. They lost a football game. All Alabama fans are in a panic, because until now, we had our eyes set on a National Championship.

Johnny Manziel, Texas A&M quarterback is looking like a hero as he threw 2 touchdowns against the behemoth, Alabama. But who said the football giant couldn't be slayed? David slayed Goliath with only a sling and a rock.

Most importantly, this was probably Alabama's last competitive team of the season with the Texas A&M Aggies. The only games remaining after this one was with Western Carolina and then Auburn. Auburn has the worst record in years, and are having trouble beating their own practice team. I'm sure this loss to Texas A&M gives Auburn some hope, considering that Gene Chizik's job is on the line.

After this game, the Alabama Crimson Tide are now (9-1), but don't count them out.

You must remember that last year, Alabama lost 1 game to the LSU Tigers, skipped the SEC Conference game completely, played LSU again, and won the National Championship.

Can Alabama pull off something like that again?

We will see.

One thing is for certain. Oregon will most likely become the new number 1 team, as Notre Dame and Kansas State join the Ducks as the only undefeated teams left.

This is no doubt a sad day for Alabama fans as they lose their first game in a long stretch of W's.

SEC fans everywhere are now scratching their heads wondering why we even invited Texas A&M into our conference. I know A.J. McCarron is probably crying about the loss (see pics) in the locker room. He has a right to cry if he wants to.

There's always next year for Nick Saban, because this one is starting to look like a loss.

Ridley Scott's Prometheus Has A Storyline Flaw

Scientists making discovery in movie, Prometheus (2012)

Prometheus, set to release in U.S. theaters on June 8, 2012, is a movie in which scientists go on an exploration mission to investigate the origin of the universe and alien life forms.

Sounds a lot like the Star Trek franchise, right?

Well, yes, but they are set in two very different universes.

Prometheus (2012) movie poster

Aliens was made by Ridley Scott, the creator of the Alien franchise, and Prometheus (2012) is a prequel to Alien (1979).

A Problem with Prometheus Storyline
There is one major problem with the Prometheus storyline. But first I must point out that in the Q&A section for Prometheus on IMDB.com, one section is titled: "How is this related to Ridley Scott's 'Alien' and the rest of the series?"

In that Q&A section, it points out that James Cameron and Ridley Scott both separately did not support the making of the Aliens vs. Predators crossover movies. That being said, the conflict is between Prometheus and the first AVP movie in 2004.

In AVP, an archeaological team finds an Aztec temple under the Antarctic circle. They soon realize, after entering the temple, that Predators use the temple as part of a ritual (don't know the specific intervals). Inside the temple is a cryogenically frozen Alien queen, which produces eggs containing "facehugger" aliens. This takes place in the year 2004.

However, in the movie Prometheus, the movie ends in the year 2093 with what we understand to be the first alien ever created, as it comes out of an engineer and now inhabits planet LV-223, which is the setting of the first Alien movie.

So if the first known alien was created in the year 2093, but the Alien queen existed in the past (for Predator rituals), then there is a flaw in the storyline.

What I expect the explanation from Ridley Scott and/or James Cameron to be is: They don't consider AVP part of the Alien canon, and ignore AVP as part of the storyline.

ALIENS COLLECTORS EDITION 2PK SET BY ALIEN (DVD) [2 DISCS] (Google Affiliate Ad)

So what do Star Trek (2009) and Prometheus (2012) have in common?

They were both written by Damon Lindelof.

Damon Lindelof at Comic Con (source: Ewen Roberts)

Star Trek 2 Sequel news:

According the IMDB.com, Orci and Kurtzman could go in two different directions with the new 'Untitled Star Trek Sequel.' The crew could battle a villain or explore the galaxy like in most Star Trek episodes.

According to Mania's article on May 1, 2012, the Star Trek 2 bad guy will be Khan, played by Benedict Cumberbatch, and has been confirmed by TrekMovie.

'The Wolverine' is not a Prequel, It's a Sequel says Mangold

Photo still from The Wolverine, coming 07/26/13

Hugh Jackman has his claws out and is ready to "slice and dice" as Wolverine.

The Wolverine is set for theaters 07/26/13, and promises lots of bone "Snikts" as he will be previewed without the adamantium.

As the Inquisitr shares, in X-Men Origins: Wolverine Logan had his bone claws, despite this being ignored in the X-Men trilogy. That's okay. I can overlook such little nuances considering that the movies will not be an accurate adaptation from the comics we have collected.

That is why in my personal opinion, the latest Batman trilogy with Christian Bale, was a disappointment. I am a Batman purist, grew up with Batman: Animated Series and the comic books, and Christian Bale is not a good Bruce Wayne. But don't get me started.

Hugh Jackman with bone claws in The Wolverine

Back to Wolverine, the newest movie, titled: The Wolverine, takes place after the X-Men trilogy, and definitely after X-Men Origins: Wolverine.

Director James Mangold says The Wolverine should be considered, "Japanese noir picture with tentpole action in it." If someone actually knows what this means, somebody please explain it to me.

Mangold goes on to say: "That's something that for me was very important, that I land in a very specific place  in his timeline. I wanted to be able to tell the story without the burden of handing it off to a film that already exists and having to conform to it. The ideas of immortality reign very heavily in this story and the burden of immortality weighs heavily on Logan. For me, that's such an interesting part of Logan's character that is nearly impossible to explore if you have a kind of league or team movie."

If you haven't seen X-Men Origins: Wolverine, buy it on DVD.

X MEN ORIGINS:WOLVERINE BY JACKMAN,HUGH (Blu-Ray) [2 DISCS] (Google Affiliate Ad)

'The Wolverine' movie poster

Alabama Barely Beats LSU 21 - 17 in Final Two Minutes

Emotional Alabama Quarterback A.J. McCarron crying at LSU game

The #1 ranked college football team in the nation - the Alabama Crimson Tide - almost lost to #5 ranked LSU on Saturday night (11/03/12) in Death Valley. The game literally came down to the last 2 minutes. And anyone that has played football knows that football teams practice 2 minute drills ruthlessly for moments like this.

The score was LSU 17, AL 14, and the clock was under 2 minutes to play. Alabama's A.J. McCarron knew that this game was riding on his shoulders. Play after play, he remained cool as he threw the ball for 1st downs, eeking away the yards until Alabama was able to score their final touchdown. One misstep, and the game would have been in the hands of the LSU Tigers.

Many Alabama fans were nervously watching as their #1 team risked the chance of losing everything they worked so hard for this season. One fan even posted on Facebook, "No matter the outcome of the AL-LSU game, I hope one of these teams goes to the National Championship game." And now it most certainly looks like Alabama will retain the #1 spot in the rankings.

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This has been the closest game by far for the Alabama Crimson Tide in their regular season play.

A.J. McCarron could be seen in the final seconds on the bench crying, and that is understandable. This was a huge moment for Alabama football. He knew that he could've lost it all here at LSU, but yet remained victorious. After this game, there is no doubt that someone on Alabama's team will win the Heisman this year. There is no doubt about it, and right now it looks like A.J. McCarron has pretty good chances at winning the Heisman trophy.

Final score: Alabama 21 LSU 17

More Pictures of A.J. McCarron crying:

A.J. McCarron crying, embracing fellow Alabama teammate

A.J. McCarron gets a comforting hair fluff from Norwood; odd?

One final cry for A.J. McCarron before sealing the victory

After the game, A.J. McCarron gave plenty of praise to his teammates and coaches for all of the hard work that made a game like this possible. LSU was a big contender, and was the closest game for Alabama this football season.

2013 College Football AL beats LSU

On November 9, 2013, AL beats LSU 38 - 17.

2014 College Football AL beats LSU

In 2014, Alabama beats LSU 20 - 13 in overtime.

James Bond: 'Skyfall' Takes Aim at Moviegoers

007 James Bond Skyfall

James Bond is one of the most influential men in America in 2012, and he's not even real. That was according to an AskMen.com poll.

The latest James Bond movie, Skyfall, is set to be released in U.S. theaters on November 9, 2012. It premiered in UK theaters October 26, 2012.

Daniel Craig is not your typical Bond. For one thing, he's blonde. The change of hair color may have been one of the most controversial changes among fans, especially among Brits that are not fond of changing something of a national icon. James Bond does not need to be changed.

He is such an icon that they even made his own signature cologne.

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Prepare for more changes in the latest movie, Skyfall. The iconic martini, requested "shaken, not stirred" will also be missing from the newest movie. Instead, Bond will order a Heineken beer. As one of my friends put it, "Somebody's got to pay for the movie."

Bond Bisexual?
Another controversy in the new Skyfall is that bond insinuates that he has had relations with another man before. The bad guy gets pretty intimate with Bond in one scene, to which Bond retorts: "What makes you think I haven't done it before?" According to some sources (Hollywoodsnark), Daniel Craig has been insisting on having a gay scene in a Bond movie with another man. Should it surprise you that yet another celebrity lacks moral integrity?

In interviews, Daniel Craig has tried to downplay it, insisting that this is what the agent would say at in that moment, but honestly, I personally don't think this bisexual moment should be in the movie. James Bond is not bisexual, but Daniel Craig seems to think he should be.

Spoilers beyond this point.

The movie is named Skyfall, because that is the name of the ranch where James Bond grew up. That is where he lived when he learned that his parents had died. Skyfall ranch is also where James Bond's parent are buried. There are tombstones for them in the movie.


Worldwide Sales
Casino Royale (2006) grossed $594 million worldwide.
Quantum of Solace (2008) grossed $576 million worldwide.

I estimate that Skyfall (2012) will gross between $575-595 million worldwide.

UPDATE 11/12/12:
Skyfall had an opening weekend of $87.8 million, making this the highest grossing Bond movie ever. Data from The Wrap.