Weekly film review 10/18
ARGO: A Tense, Exciting Thrill Ride
Argo tells the incredible true story of a CIA operation to rescue six Americans during the 1979 Iran hostage crisis. The six Americans have found safe haven at the home of the Canadian ambassador to Iran. To get the six out, CIA operative, Tony Mendez (Ben Affleck), concocts a fake movie accompanied by a phony script and production company with the six Americans playing a faux Canadian film crew scouting locations in Iran.
Whenever I see anything produced by Hollywood with the words “based on a true story” attached to it, I’m always a bit skeptical. I see that phrase as a disclaimer because Hollywood is rarely about historical accuracy. Which details were added? Which left out? I don’t know. Instead, like all movies, we must take it for what it is and what Argo is an emotionally tense, and taut thriller that will have you on the edge of your seat until the last frame.
During the course of a year, I’ll see many films and the majority of the time it’s extremely easy to say what worked and what didn’t in a particular film. However, Argo is one of those rare occasions where basically everything in the film is a success. The story will grab you and keep your eyes fixated on the screen. The characters are likeable, believable and well-drawn. And once again, Ben Affleck proves himself to be a more than able director with Argo. The direction is masterfully done. The suspense is heightened to the last possible second and then some. The only complaint is, Alan Arkin, who plays one of the bogus producers, doesn’t get enough screen time but again, this is an extremely small complaint.
Argo is a must see film and one that will no doubt be in contention for best picture at the Academy Awards. As I mentioned earlier, I see many films over the course of a year and Argo is without a doubt the best film I have seen this year. So whether you’re looking for a nice way to spend an evening, a fan of Ben Affleck’s previous directorial outings Gone Baby Gone or The Town, or the least bit interested in Argo, go. You will not be disappointed.
Digital learning tools drive student success
Across the country, colleges and universities are embracing innovative, digital technologies and customized learning platforms to drive academic achievement. While print textbooks remain the foundation of higher education course materials, publishers are creating new digital applications that enable institutions and faculty to become more effective, and engage digital learners to enhance their academic achievement and succeed in an increasingly competitive global economy.
Educational publishers recognize the power of today’s technology and devices like the iPod and Amazon Kindle to adapt to how students learn. They’re studying how students interact with these tools and process information, and how instructors teach, to design new ways to make learning a more effective, efficient, and personalized experience for students. Read the rest of this entry »
Laptop security: Think beyond the dorm room
(ARA) – There are more laptops on college campuses today than ever before, which has caused increased temptation for laptop theft.
College students should follow these tips to help prevent laptop theft:
1 When working in a public place, like a coffee shop or library, do not leave your laptop unattended.
2 Leaving your laptop out on your dorm room desk is an invitation to thieves. Many dorm rooms have a constant flow of traffic going in and out, without anyone really paying attention to their belongings.
3 Do not use the telltale laptop bag or sleeve.
4 Even if you are discreet and constantly aware of your laptop’s location, use a tracking and recovery program in case of theft.
Ancestry.com now available to researchers at the Johnson County Museum Library
The Johnson County Museum of History Genealogy Library, located at 135 North Main St. in Franklin, is now providing researchers access to the library edition of Ancestry.com.
Ancestry.com is an online tool that offers genealogy researchers access to national census records, marriage and death certificates and military records. The site charges an annual fee to individuals wishing to use the site from home; however, thanks to a generous donation, the Johnson County Genealogy Library can now offer access to Ancestry.com to visitors.
Access to Ancestry.com and admission to the Johnson County Museum Genealogy library are free to the public.
Counting your laps
It’s the Pool-Mate automatic lap and stroke counter watch from Swimovate. The watch has accurate motion sensors that can recognize each swim stroke and change of lap so you won’t need to count anymore. It displays Lap count, Time, Average Strokes per lap, Speed, Distance, Calories and Efficiency and stores the details in a large memory for later recall. Pair this with the Finis SwiMP3, and you have an amphibious gadgeteer.
METAL DETECTORS WITH SOLE
Carrying around a metal detector while wearing a big set of headphones isn’t exactly the coolest look for the beach this summer, but neither are these metal detecting sandals which presumably are meant to be a more subtle approach to finding buried treasure. There’s a copper coil embedded in the sole of the right sandal which connects to a removable battery pack you’re supposed to wear strapped to your calf. The detector can find metal objects buried as ‘deep’ as 2 feet underfoot, and it will alert you to their presence via a flashing red light, a gentle vibration and an audible buzz. It’s powered by a single 9V battery which is good for about 6 hours of use, and you can find it at Hammacher Schlemmer for $59.95.
- www.ohgizmo.com
ADDING PURPOSE TO SHUFFLE
We appreciate Apple’s efforts to make the iPod shuffle into something that no one’s ever done before, but seriously, the no-buttons approach is sort of, um, annoying. Thankfully, the good guys and gals over at Scosche are totally in agreement, and thus, they’ve taken the time to develop the remarkable tapSTICK. Put simply, this 3rd-gen iPod shuffle case protects one’s player from the elements while adding hard buttons that simulate the commands on Apple’s own VoiceOver-friendly earbuds. The result? An MP3 player that’s not partial to lackluster white ‘buds, not to mention one that you can actually control with relative ease. Too bad it’ll cost you $29.99, but we suppose that’s the going rate these days to extinguish frustration.
- www.engadget.com