Matrix Reloaded – On IMAX

Yeah, I know, Matrix Reloaded as a film is pretty shonky. It’s not the best, and it’s a bit wiffly in places. There’s holes the size of canyons in the plot, and a couple of the effects definitely fell off the back of a lorry. However, for all that I still didn’t mind it at the cinema when it was first released- hell, even for all it’s shortcomings, I enjoyed it. So when I knew it was being released on IMAX format, well, there was no doubt – I was going to be there.

And the verdict? Well first of all, as always with Imax films, the brains just screams “Fucking hell, that thing’s HUGE!” – it brings everything up in more clarity, and that’s a double edged sword with Matrix Reloaded. I loved it, but sometimes the Imax format shows too much detail – the effects are easier to spot, in a way that’s sometimes almost distracting. But it also increases the canvas that the film is made from, brings it back to the total absorption that’s required by the Matrix – and for that, Imax just can’t be faulted. Some of the scenes actually feel to be in 3d because the field of view is so huge, and so clear – you feel you’re floating through the Matrix.

Overall, Reloaded is still a flawed film – Imax shows some of them more, and hides others. It’s interesting – I know I’ll be seeing it again, as other friends want to see it in the same format. A hardship I know, but I’ll live with it – however, I may just end up timing it so I can go to the bog during Morpheus’ speech in Zion – five minutes that really deserved cutting.

Problem with the Equation

The BBC has a piece about the amount of packaging that’s around our shopping, and what can be done to improve our recycling abilities.

The amounts of packaging are actually quite surprising – I knew we were packaging mad, but I hadn’t realised how far the insanity went.

Um – coincidence?

Maybe I should start worrying. The same day I post about Toyota using d4d™ as a description, and should I send them a letter, I get a visit to d4d™ from these people:

Exceptional search

Sometimes, you catch sight of a search request and just have to think “what the hell?”. Today’s example of this is the wonderful

I have no further words to describe that one.

Ha-haa, Scupper yer Landlubbers

Yes, it’s Friday, which means that as well as the standard Friday Farce Five today is also International Talk Like A Pirate Day, which seems appropriate, considering the nefarious brand-stealing piracy detailed below. Avast, ye scurvy dogs, what a rum excuse to be a daft bugger. *Grin*

Trademark Infringement

Oh, sweet irony. Toyota have rebranded their range of diesel engines. The branding for them is – wait for it – d4d. Now, following on from all that shite with Wiley’s, should d4d™ write a snotty letter to Toyota, requesting that they cease and desist from using my brand-name on their engines? Or should I (for once) just keep my head down and not piss people off?

From their site (so yes, it’s ©Toyota)

D-4D actually stands for direct Injection 4 Cylinder Common Rail Diesel Engine.

Surely if it stood for that, it’d be “dI4CCRDE” – what a load of old marketing bollocks.

However, we then get

“What D-4Ds are noteworthy for is their unusually high power outputs, equivalent to that of many competitors’ similarly-sized petrol engines. The D-4D’s rev range is also usefully wider than normal, further enhancing the driving experience.“

I can’t deny d4d™’s unusually high power outputs, but I’m refusing to comment on my range being usefully wider than normal.

Talking with Fucktards, Part 1

Of all the things involved with moving house, I have to say that it’s the utilities companies that make life harder than anyone else. Well, that’s my consistent experience, anyway. In fairness, BT have been fairly efficient this time, and my number moved across to the new house with only one brief problem (which still meant I had to call them and sort it out, but at least it was done immediately) that wasn’t of utter urgency. All the same, it’s a simple process and shouldn’t involve even one small cock-up.

Energy suppliers are a different matter. I’d recently swapped suppliers at the old place, from TXU Powergen (*Spits*) to British Gas. OK, so I want the same supplier at the new place, let’s simply swap suppliers. I’ve given them two weeks notice of the moving date – surely it won’t take that long? Guess again. In fact, I’m still with the old suppliers of gas/electric to the house – it’ll take at least six weeks to move the account over to British Gas. Efficiency at it’s best. For now, it’s with NPower, God help me. I rang them up to give them the new meter readings, so we can start the account from the day I moved in (being honest, for once).

Yes, Hello, I’d like to give you the meter readings for the property I’ve just moved into.
What’s your account number?
No idea – I’ve just moved into the property. There was a letter here saying to call you and register the readings
Oh, well we really need the account number, sir.
Well, I haven’t got one. Can’t you check via the address, and work it that way?
*Sigh* Oh, I suppose so…

After five minutes of huffing and puffing, we get it sorted.

OK, I’ll just put you through to the electricity meter department so you can give them the reading.
…
Hello, Gas Meter department…