Category Archives: iThinks

Repository for review-like categories and opinions.

Long Live the Death of Pan and Scan

Cinematographicalicious, Tourette's Apprentice

What year is this?  Oh, yeah.  Two thousand ten.  That’s way past Space: 1999.  And yet you can still make the mistake of buying or torrenting a so called Full Frame or Full Screen version of a film that was originally shot in a wider aspect ratio.

You can’t even buy a new 4×3 television to watch it on.

Let’s talk about that name for a moment.  Full Frame or Full Screen.  Like you’re getting all of something: FULL.  It ought to be called Cropped Screen or Cropped Frame.  You’re losing sometimes nearly half your screen real-estate through Pan and Scan.  So if we think of a motion picture as being half video and half audio, the distributor is cheating you out of a quarter of the film you just bought.

If you downloaded it via torrent you might think that you only wasted your time (or more accurately that someone else wasted your time), but damn it: time is money.   Either way you’re wasting little bits of your life, and you’re not giving the film makers their due.

To be fair there are plenty of films and shows that were originally shot such that they can legitimately claim the title Full Frame.

Any film shot prior to the invention and wide-spread use of anamorphic lenses and other wide screen techniques for instance—let’s say the early 1950’s—will not be a wide screen aspect ratio.  Any television show shot before the general acceptance of the inevitability of wide screen television—slowly over the last several years—will not be in a wide screen aspect ratio (Mork and Mindy, The Avengers).  These shows and films were shot in and should be presented in a Full Frame or 4×3 (or thereabouts) aspect ratio(s).

For anything shot in a wide screen aspect ratio, it’s time to bury (though not mourn) Pan and Scan.

(Pan and Scan being the technique whereby wide screen films are butchered converted into Cropped Frame versions.)

There are some great examples of how badly Pan and Scan can mangle a film.  One of my favorites turns the Fab Four into the Fab Three and cuts Old Fred in half:

Yellow Submarine
Yellow Submarine

Good-bye Pan and Scan; you will not be missed.

It’s the lash for any of ye caught with Full Frame booty.

(A quick search would suggest that one cannot buy Blu Ray Full Frame movies.  C’est vrai?  Enfin!)

Happiness Just Might Be a Warm Cup of Coffee

Ah, Sophia!, Reading Hurts My Brain, Tourette's Apprentice

Rocky Raccoon may have been satisfied reading that book placed by the Gideons in his hotel room, but I have something better for your reading list.  I read this book  a while back and am just now reminded to say something about it with all this hubbub about Starbucks and guns.

The book (by John R. Lott, Jr.) is called More Guns Less Crime (Understanding Crime and Gun Control Laws).  It is the most comprehensive analysis of crime statistics I have ever seen.

More Guns Less Crime
More Guns Less Crime

The gist of his argument is that when a certain kind of liberal concealed carry law is implemented there will be an associated reduction in the rates of violent crimes (both locally and in neighboring areas).  The statistics seem to uphold this theory and provide especial insight into the relationships between these same laws and the protections afforded to women and minorities.

I think folks on either side of this issue (as well as anyone on the fence) will benefit from reading this book.  I make no bones: he is writing (even if from the compulsion of reason) in support of the laws he finds protect us best.  Whether you are swayed by the power of reason is up to you, but you will find much within the pages to respect.

Of course the Starbucks issue is really a non-issue.  It is both opposing groups attempting to get a corporation to sponsor their petty debate.  This is not an issue for a corporate board room decision.  This is an issue for legislation.

I think we have great legislation in Washington state (very much in line with what Lott suggests provides the safest social sphere), so I’m not going to get all up in arms (what?) if cowboys start spinning their spurs while waiting on their capuccini.

I’d rather see Starbucks fix their grammar in whatever language they are under the impression they use.

Lock and load, baby-doll.

JamesIsIn

How Blindness Lets You See

Cinematographicalicious

If you have not yet experienced Blindness, either the film or the novel, I encourage you to pick up your preferred version and get to experiencing.

I love and hate recommending this kind of movie.  I love it because it will have such a dramatic impact on your lives.  I hate it because I can’t really tell you anything about it beforehand.

All I can really say is that it is a film about people who suddenly go blind and about the world which this particular and peculiar change creates.  Rest assured it will, like any well crafted piece of art, allow you insights heretofore unobtainable.

Don’t hesitate.  I know a good tale when I see one.

Decco Goes Ubu-Crazy

Philosonia

Not so long ago I wrote an article about my new tube pre-amp, the Decco.  It’s from this company called Peachtree Audio.  They make a new version called the Nova which is even cooler.  How I wish I was being paid for my talents…

(I am told the Decco has the better sounding DAC.)

Anyway, I really like the Decco.  The only thing is I was having some trouble figuring out how to get my Ubuntu systems to send the signal to the Decco via USB.  Until now.

Open the PulseAudio Volume Control (located at Applications —> Sound & Video).  Navigate to the Output Devices tab.  I had two entries here: Internal Audio and 0000 Analog Stereo.  I’m not clear why it’s called analog, but the 0000 is the one we are after.

Navigate to the Configuration tab.  Under Internal Audio change the Profile: drop-down to Off.  Make sure 0000 shows as stereo.

You’re done.

Rock out.

(If you are having troubles with PulseAudio in Ubuntu, you will want to take a look at this wonderful post.  If you are experiencing other audio/video issues in Ubuntu, here is an excellent and comprehensive post.)

JamesIsIn

Digital Copy Coasters Cost More

Cinematographicalicious, Tourette's Apprentice

You may have noticed that a lot of movies are offering a second or third disc in their multi-disc offerings which include what they are calling Digital Copy. But, really, what the fuck is Digital Copy?

I mean, for starters, the DVD or Blu-ray is already a digital copy of the film.  What’s so special about the capital letter version?  I read a good article that goes into a modest level of detail for being about a page long, and I encourage the curious to follow that link.

In a nut shell, you are paying around $10 for an extra disc which contains a version of the film you are purchasing which you can then play on your computer or portable device.

“But, Jimbo, I can already play DVD’s (or Blu-rays) on my computer.”

Mostly everyone can play DVD’s on their computers, and certainly anyone can rip a DVD into a format that can be transfered to a portable device (avi, mkv, mpg, &c).  So now you can ask yourself what you or anyone else might need with Digital Copy.  I mean beyond the obvious “I’m lazy and someone already did it for me” route.

But suppose you really are lazy and would like to simplify this shrinking and portability problem.  Then you should certainly steer clear of Digital Copy.

They are using a scheme of digital rights management that will restrict you to use your purchased movie on one device (iTunes or Windows Media Player or your portable device—not all three).  Further, if you have a problem (like a hard drive failure) you are likely to lose your precious Digital Copy and have no reasonable recourse to reclaim it.

(The article I linked to above has some great personal stories of lost Digital Copy in the comments.)

What I find rather irksome is that with many of the new Blu-ray discs coming out, your only choice is a version which includes Digital Copy.  You cannot opt out of that Digital Copy tax in your purchase negotiations.

It’s these damned marketers at it again.  They tout Digital Copy like it’s the greatest thing since chapter selection, but then they hand you a spoonful of honey to which all the flies have already adhered.

Yum.

Oh, and if you’ve already purchased some Digital Copy, you can use them as a nice set of movie themed coasters at your New Year’s party.  I am.

JamesIsIn

What Does a Heart Weigh?

Cinematographicalicious

A lot less than seven pounds. A good hunk of meat, that. You could get seven pounds of beef for maybe twenty bucks.  A human heart comes in at perhaps 10 ounces.

But if your heart is broken, how can you go about getting a new one?

Congenital heart disease is no fun, to be sure.  I have just watched a film that works a cure on many levels.  This is a film not to be missed.  I really can’t tell you much about it as it would only detract from the seeing of it.

So, let me just say go buy or rent your copy of Seven Pounds.  Go.

No regrets.

Set The Spanish Prinsoner Free

Cinematographicalicious

I have just finished watching a film from 1997 called The Spanish Prisoner.  Special thanks goes to my brother for not merely recommending this film but for gifting me a copy so that I was nearly forced to sit down and watch the thing.

It is an excellent mix of temptation, corporate espionage, intrigue, and Kafka-esque hidden alleys.  As with so many of the finest who-done-its, the film allows the viewer a certain amount of leeway so that we are able chin-scratch along side those in the film who are chin-scratching, and working out who is scratching chin and who is duping whom is an important part of that process.

Would I call it film noir?  Maybe so.

The dialog seems like it comes from a play.  I don’t know what that means to anyone else but it means something to me.  Like the dialog is richer and yet more carefully planned.  At first I thought the acting was a bit stilted but as the film progressed I realized the actors were playing parts of people who were themselves pretending.  In short, don’t be put off by the first ten minutes of the film.  You’ll fail to get at what needs to be gotten at.

So, go watch it.  Or bring me a pizza and we can watch it here.  I’m flexible.

Light Reading and a Seminal Seminar

Mad Scientist, Reading Hurts My Brain

I am currently reading a book by Lee Smolin called The Trouble With Physics: The Rise of String Theory, The Fall of a Science, and What Comes Next.  I am nearly done with it and feel confident in recommending it to anyone with an interest in the problems presently facing theoretical physicists or anyone with a more general interest in the philosophy of science.

He raises a number of intriguing questions concerning what qualifies as a theory and about theory acceptance.  Additionally he delves into what it means to do science and specifically how certain current theoretical avenues are threatening to impinge on the claims to truth that science as traditionally held.  All of this is accomplished within a framework of a host of interrelated concepts, conjectures, and theoretical candidates now under scrutiny in physics, especially particle physics.

I found the reading material quite accessible and would guess that most readers who have come this far through my review would be able to manage the concepts under discussion.  Having a backgroud in physics (even having taken a class in college) would be useful in terms of managing the vocabulary, but again I don’t think this is required to get through and to enjoy the material presented.

On a related note, he includes a citation for a seminar which took place in Canada’s Perimiter Institute a few years back.  Happily there are audio recordings of this seminar available through their site (the audio page is here).  Again, excellent brain yum-yums for the philosophical minded.  The seminar concerns whether the physical laws are fixed or whether they might change over time (so, has the gravitational constant been constant always?).

In short, read the book; listen to the seminar recordings; think and talk like a philosopher of science (so I don’t feel so awkward at parties).

Happy hunting.

Moshi Moshi Sushi and the Birth of Electric Fur

Le Rat Mort

I have been putting off the telling of the tale for far too long now. It is time I revealed the sultry sushi origins behind Electric Fur.

It all began, you’ll see, at Moshi Moshi Sushi.

It’s true: Ballard has yet another sushi shack.  We are up to four.  There are apparently more coming.  Fortunately these crazy cats, fanatical in there various dedications, have assembled something to behold.

Aesthetics—both in presentation and in space—are seen as equal import to the prepared foods and beverages.  The designing and building of the space is, hopefully, only done once.  Attention to this is critical in that it will speak to everything which follows.  Moshi Moshi may be regarded as a work to be savoured at any distance at which your eyes might see.

What will speak to you first is the cherry blossoms.  The first of its kind in the United States the cherry tree consists of hundreds of pink LED’s, each representing a single cherry bloom reaching out from the two-story metalwork trunk and branches.  (I am told these are popular in Japan.)  Well, the blossoms may not come directly from the trunk but you get the picture.

It is this tree which was the subject for my photograph Electric Fur.

I know; I know: “I don’t go out to a restaurant to be inspired to create art”.

But, the food, man, the food.

They make great sushi, there is no doubt about that.  In addition to the usual fare you will also find some peculiar and compelling gems.  Like what?  They make their own tofu, in-house, which is a treat not to be missed (this item is featured on their Happy Menu and is called Agedashi Tofu—be forewarned: it’s different).  All of their menus contain similar unexpected jewels.

I have also found the staff very knowledgeable about terms with which I was understandably unfamiliar, which in itself can be a great relief when navigating a menu peppered with foreign terms.

You may be tempted to think with all this going for them they might be hawking cheap sake in fancy glasses to help pad their margins.  Be not led into this temptation for the barkeep suffers the same fanatical devotion to his craft that produced the tofu and the cherry tree.  Armed with a host of special infusions and a select array of unique liquors Eric and his merry minions mix a medley of mellifluous libations.

Slur that five times fast.

I live close enough to walk so I’ve been able to sample many of these wonderful concoctions.  If it should come to pass—and I’m just not sure how that might come to be—that none of the specialty cocktails on the menu inspire your inner W C Fields, Eric assures me that he has many more candidates in his head which will eventually rotate through the roster.

It’s a pleasure to watch master craftsmin at work, so feel free to pick his brain.

(I actually delayed my writing of this post because the Seattle Times did a write-up on them, a write-up which talked about exactly this subject.  You can read that article here.)

I’m kind of done writing at this point.  Seriously.  This is the part where you turn off your computer and head out the door.  They’re on old Ballard Avenue.

The King of Poop is Dead

Philosonia, Speak Freely

And it couldn’t have happened to a nicer guy.  His heart exploded—during the opening song for Sesame Street.

Oh, that’s misdirected. It implies that I detest him for being a Creepy Uncle. I would like to emphasize that my judgement is one based upon my experience of his music.

The world of music has not diminished one iota with the death of Michael Jackson.  I know a lot of folks actually liked this mad-hatter, but even his best work—that with the Jackson Five—was quite pale compared with something like Sly and the Family Stone (take special note of Fresh).

He certainly made a lot of money for folks who already had a lot, but this in and of itself is not a very interesting accomplishment.  Even Amazon.com remarks on, “His incalculable musical legacy” (on their home page).  Well, duh.  My musical legacy is incalculable.  A musical legacy is not something subject to calculation.  True by default is hardly impressive.

I’m a little sad only because the prediction of the sagacious South Paw Jones (in his work “The Last Remaining Beatle”) did not come to pass:

Please don’t think me callous for speaking ill of a dead man.  My criticisms of his music were much more caustic while he was alive.

Remember: never trust a fishmonger with warm hands (where has he been keeping them?).

Later.  Sly Stone is calling me.