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Captain's Report
Mission Statement
Sea Ray's mission with the 370 Sundancer is to create a capable cruiser that offers two couples overnight privacy while still being able to add convertible accommodations for another two people. She also has outstanding entertaining capabilities and excellent handling characteristics.
Distinguishing Features
Standard Air Conditioning
– This is an item nearly always relegated to the options list, but this 370 Sundancer comes standard with a 16,000 BTU reverse cycle system.•
Maple Hardwood Flooring
– It's much more common to see faux teak flooring or perhaps even vinyl decking, but Sea Ray went with the maple hardwood flooring. Not only that, it also has a distressed look just as in quality homes.•
Standard Molded Hardtop
– This is also an item typically relegated to the options list and we're glad to see it standard, as it really adds to the looks, as well as the all-weather functionality.•
Side Decks
– On a boat with a windshield walkthrough, side decks are usually left out of the equation to add a little more space to the cockpit deck. With her 12' (3.66 m) wide beam, Sea Ray thoughtfully added the 13" (33.02 cm) side decks to ease handling lines. •
Speakers at the Sun Pad
– Here's a first…. the rails to the outside of the two bow sun pads have stainless steel speakers mounted to them. This is certainly a place that I'd want to listen to some relaxing music (if I ever relaxed in the sun, but I hear some people do). •
Double-wide Full-swivel Helm Seat
– The helm and companion seat can rotate around to face guests in the cockpit for apres boating cocktails.
In my opinion, the 370 Sundancer handles much like the smaller sportboats. With the Bravo 3 outdrives she's very responsive to control inputs and it's easy to get aggressive with her handling. I also found her low speed maneuverability to be outstanding as she responds quickly to differential controls and rotates with the pivot point being right at the helm position. Upon accelerating her bow comes up 12-degrees, and because the bow is so far ahead of the helm you will lose sight of the horizon for a few seconds.When turning, the 370 Sundancer seems to be very agile. She can easily take a turn at full speed, but any land-based guests may find that a little disconcerting. She leans only 7-degrees into the turn and tends to dig her forward shoulder in during the turn. This brings the bow down, improving visibility while at the same time causing speed to bleed off to more manageable levels. In other words, even if you decide not to be easy on your guests the 370 Sundancer will be. And since this boat has a standard hardtop make sure that you clear the area before entering a port turn as the hardtop will come down into your line of sight.When you take power off she'll settle back into the water stern first which again momentarily brings the bow up into your line of sight.
The Sea Ray 370 Sundancer has an LOA of 37'6" (11.4 m), a beam of 12' (3.66 m) and a draft of 37" (94 cm). With an empty weight of 18,064 lbs. (8,194 kg), 166 gallons (628.4 L) of fuel and two people on board we had a test weight of 19,480 lbs. (8,836 kg).With a pair of 375-hp MerCruiser 8.2 MAG engines driving Bravo 3 outdrives we reached a top speed at 4800 rpm and 43.8 mph. At that speed we had a fuel burn of 51 gph giving us a range of 162 miles. Best cruise came in at 3500 rpm and 27.3 mph. That speed reduced the fuel burn to 27.75 gph which the 370 Sundancer could maintain for 7 hours and 18 minutes and 200 miles while still maintaining a 10% reserve.She reached planing speed at 5 seconds, accelerated to 20 mph in 8.1 seconds, 30 mph in 14.2 seconds, and continued accelerating through 40 mph and 25.4 seconds.
Features Walkthrough
Starting at the stern
the 370 Sundancer has a full beam swim platform that comes out 2' (.6 m) and then there is a step above going to the deployable bustle seat. Our test boat was equipped with an optional extended swim platform that comes out another 2'3" (.68 m). It doesn't go quite full beam, but it does run 8'6" (2.59 m). The standard swim platform has steps that extend out to the sides so you can easily board the 370 Sundancer from a floating dock. In both quarters there are 10" (25.4 cm) stainless steel cleats and they are custom made with the Sea Ray logo cast into them.
The deployable stern bustle seat
opens very easily. There is a latch on the top that releases and then the seat comes down aided by a gas-assist strut. With the seat in the deployed position there is a barrel-bolt over to the port-hand side that will release the seat back from a hinged panel to access the storage area underneath the seat. To the port hand side is a hatch leading to the shore power cords, the master breakers for the 120 V cords, the freshwater outlet, TV and phone jack and the city water inlets. At the bottom of the hatch is a notch for allowing the shore cords to run out, and then they just simply run across the swim platform. I'd like to see a channel in the swim platform with a cover over it so that the cords can run underneath without causing a tripping hazard. Also in the two quarters of the swim platform are speakers which compliment the aft section as an entertainment center. In addition to being able to board from the swim platform there are steps to the port and starboard side of the cockpit leading up to the exceedingly wide caprails at 13" (33.02 cm).
Entering the Cockpit
The entryway to the cockpit is over to the starboard side and right in the entryway is a hot and cold transom shower and an acrylic boarding gate that allows the captain to see through from the helm, giving a clear sightline to the end of the swim platform when backing into a slip. The door is a lift and open arrangement and I find that in the closed position it remains very solid.
Just inside, there's a storage hatch to the starboard side bulwarks and that hatch has a micro switch inside so that when it's in the open position the electric lift engine hatch will not function.
Standard Wet Bar
The cockpit itself features L-shaped seating with storage underneath all seats. To starboard is a standard wet bar and on our test boat we had an optional 110v electric smokeless grill installed. A single basin stainless steel sink is just forward surrounded by a stainless grab handle. Underneath are two hatches, one gives access to an optional air compressor line for inflating water toys with a switch just above to activate the compressor. Just below the stove is an optional dual voltage Dometic refrigerator. Another speaker is just above the range. Above it all is a very large hardtop, which is standard on the 370 Sundancer and it includes a forward opening sun hatch in the center. There are two white LED lights just ahead of the hatch that I'd like to see cycle through blue, red and white. Sea Ray included flush-mounted rod holders in the caprails. There is a pedestal for a teak table and a lower pedestal will turn the entire L-shaped seating into a sun lounge.Under the observer's seat is space for a pullout 36-quart (34 L) cooler and there are brackets to hold this cooler in position. The hatch opens down and lays flush against the deck and is held in position by a stainless steel piano hinge.
Engine Compartment
A push-button at the helm actuates the electric lift engine room hatch (provided the previously mentioned bulwarks storage door is closed) and there is access in and out of the cockpit with the hatch in the open position. Our test boat was powered by twin 375-hp MerCruiser 8.2 MAG engines with SeaCore corrosion protection. To the starboard side is a 4KW low-CO emission Kohler generator. To the port side are the holding tanks. We also have a fixed firefighting system installed as standard equipment.
Both hydraulic engine hatch actuators can be removed so the hatch will open fully for more intensive maintenance on the engines. There is a removable step ladder leading down into the engine compartment with plenty of room ahead of the engines for doing any service.
Helm Area
Moving forward, the helm area is on the same level as the main cockpit deck. The seats are on elevated positions 7 ½" (19.05 cm) up from the main deck which allows more room down below in the mid-cabin. The observer seat is a 2' (.6 m) wide bucket seat. It slides and swivels and there is a sizable stainless steel grab handle just forward 1" (2.54 cm) thick as well as the conveniently located stainless steel windshield frame that I find strong and beefy, and I quite naturally found my hand on it during the entire test run. Two stainless steel drink holders are just ahead.
Helm Seating
The helm over to starboard features a double-wide captain's seat measuring 21" (53.34 cm) each for both the driver and observer. Both have flip-up bolsters and slide fore and aft. I appreciate the fact that Sea Ray included flip down foot rests for both positions, and while some tall captains may not appreciate it, short ones such as me will.
The double-wide helm seat swivels around to face the action in the cockpit which makes the entire helm and cockpit deck into a very intimate gathering area. With the seat in the rotated position there is room behind the seat for the captain to be at the helm. The flip-down footrests also serve well when the seat is rotated into the aft position so that when you're facing the crowd you still have a place to rest your feet. The seat latches into two positions, one at a 90-degree angle and another at 45.
Helm Console
The helm is very nicely laid out with burl wood accents surrounded by a tan fiberglass console to reduce glare. On our test model, a hybrid Raymarine navigation display was over to the portside. All switches are push-button and waterproof and flank the SmartCraft VesselView display. Even with the VesselView display it's nice to see that there are analog gauges running along the top of the console.
Power Quadrant
The Axius control pad is over to the starboard side and our test boat included the Skyhook position keeping feature with auto heading control and tracking to waypoint. The MerCruiser sticks are the Digital Throttle and Shift system, or DTS, which includes trolling mode, a low-speed docking mode, single lever and throttle only mode. Further aft is the Axius joystick that is positioned very nicely so that when you are facing aft it falls very naturally to my left-hand.
Walkthrough Windshield
Going up to the bow, the hatch to the cabin has integrally molded steps that are at a 30-degree angle which I found comfortable, and I noticed that I did not have to duck my head to avoid hitting the forward edge of the standard hardtop. The walkthrough windshield has two interconnected latches so that turning the top one also turns the bottom one. There's a grab handle over the hardtop for assistance when moving back into the cockpit.
At the working end of the bow the rails come up 24" (61 cm) which complies with ABYC standards. To the portside are foot controls for the Quick windlass which is under a concealed hatch. There's an 8" (20.32 cm) cleat for securing the anchor rode and an access hatch allows you to get underneath to manage any tangles. Underneath this hatch the deck is angled towards the bow channeling all water out either side of the stainless steel anchor chute. To the port side of the hatch is a remote control spotlight.
Sun Room
In the center of the foredeck is a double-wide sun pad that is adjustable to come up into the chaise lounge position and locks into three separate positions, plus laying flat of course. Our test boat was equipped with two stainless steel speakers mounted to the grab rails on both sides of the sun pad.
Lower Deck
The companionway has floating teak and holly tread stairs that are secured to a metal frame support. Immediately to port is the head. There is a separate compartment for the shower and the standard VacuFlush toilet and another compartment for the sink. Decking is a low-maintenance teak grained vinyl. There is a hull side window with an opening portlight embedded in the window and a full-length mirror on the inside of the door.
To port is the galley with 4'7" (1.4 m) of available counter space and the counters are designed to provide the familiarity of home with a 38" (95.5 cm) height. Headroom starts off at 6'7" (2 m) at the entry and drops to only 6'1" (1.85 m) at the forward berth. Off to the forward section is a double-burner electric Kenyon stove that is recessed into the solid surface counter which eliminates the need for sea rails. A micro-switch is on the left-hand side shutting the grill off when the cover is in the closed position. Just ahead is a single basin stainless sink. Outboard, and towards the port hullside window, is a deep and lengthy storage compartment. A microwave is above. Down below is a refrigerator. A cabinet houses a refrigerated drawer along with two storage drawers and under the sink is a waste basket and a sea rail.
Forward Berth
Forward is a queen-size island berth that is accessible from both the port and starboard sides with storage cabinets to either side. There are also additional storage compartments forward, above the berth. A hatch is overhead with both a screen and a blackout shade and the entire forward berth includes an electrically actuated extension and a lift up Posturepedic backrest.
Dinette and Mid-Berth
To starboard is a four-wide couch that has a release latch underneath to pull it out and easily deploy into a berth. A pedestal base is just in front of the couch allowing it to be used as a dining area. At the aft bulkhead is a flatscreen TV measuring 32" (81.28 cm) and speakers are concealed in the overhead.
And of course the mid cabin has seating that also deploys into a berth. The mid-cabin includes a 17" (43.18 cm) optional flatscreen TV mounted to the portside bulkhead.
The Sea Ray 370 Sundancer is a model that has been around for quite some time and hss been hugely popular for Sea Ray. Between the comfort level, ergonomics, multiple gathering venues, and kind handling characteristics there's little doubt why this boat has been popular.When we compare the 370 Sundancer to other boats in class we discover that she falls roughly in the middle of the beam and displacement parameters. When we compare performance we see that the 370 actually compares favorably with most other boats in class.But the biggest take-away from our test is how good looking the new interior of the 370 is. The lavish and creative use of woods and the earth-tones of the fabrics employed give the vessel a yacht-like feel below. This is something that we are seeing with regularity on the new Sea Ray models and it should generate the desired response.
Test Result Highlights
- Top speed for the Sea Ray 370 Sundancer (2014-) is 43.8 mph (70.5 kph), burning 64.75 gallons per hour (gph) or 245.08 liters per hour (lph).
- Best cruise for the Sea Ray 370 Sundancer (2014-) is 27.3 mph (43.9 kph), and the boat gets 0.98 miles per gallon (mpg) or 0.42 kilometers per liter (kpl), giving the boat a cruising range of 200 miles (321.87 kilometers).
- Tested power is 2 x 380-hp MerCruiser 8.2 MAG DTS with Axius.
Standard and Optional Features
Marine Electronics
|VHF Radio
|Air Cond./Heat
|Battery Charger/Converter
|CD Stereo
|Dripless Shaft Seals
|Head: Fixed
|Shore Power
|Trim Tabs
|Washdown: Fresh Water
|Water Heater
Exterior Features
|Carpet: Cockpit
|Standard Snap-in
|Outlet: 12-Volt Acc
|Swim Ladder
|Swim Platform
|Transom Door
|Transom Shower
|Wet bar
|Cockpit Cover
Boats More Than 30 Feet
|Bow Thruster
|NMMA Certification
(It's quick and FREE!)


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When the country's largest museum devoted to African-American history and culture opens in Washington, Maryland people and places will get a healthy share of the limelight.
A two-story log house built by freed slaves from Montgomery County, dubbed the Freedom House, is one of the largest single objects planned for display inside the $500 million museum, for which ground was broken Wednesday.
Other Maryland-related objects include a silk shawl given to abolitionist Harriet Tubman by Britain's Queen Victoria, a hymn book used by Tubman and a first edition of abolitionist Frederick Douglass' autobiography.
These are among 20,000 objects collected by the National Museum...

subset: commoncrawl


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A happy vocal-based song in the style of 60's pop music, with a more contemporary production style. In addition to the main version, there is also an instrumental version (without vocals or lead guitar), a shortened version without the intro, and two loopable outtakes.
Instruments used are vocal, electric guitar, piano, string and brass samples, vintage drum samples and rhythm and percussion instruments.
Both the main version and instrumental version are in the preview file.
Main version: 1:02— Instrumental: 1:02— Shortened version (without intro): 0:47— Loop 1: 0:15— Loop 2: 0:15


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OPM: From Killzone Mercenary's cash up front space wars to a new take on Bioshock these are the 8 games of 2013 that make a PS Vita worth owning.
I am really curious about Killzone Mercenary. It looks insanely good for a handheld and I keep hearing it has an actual campaign. Tearaway and Persona 4 are also must buys for me. I think we are going to have some great games in 2013 for the Vita.
Now is the right time Sony should focus more on the Vita now that the PS3 is on their way to the top., All hail Sony.
I bought a Vita at launch, and really enjoy its PSOne classics (and LBP, natch), but I'm not sure that those eight games are going to bother some of the massive 3DS games coming out this year. Fire Emblem, MH3U/4, Animal Crossing, Luigi's Mansion 2, Pokemon X/Y, Etrian Odyssey 6 etc. More to the point, I'm a bit worried that we barely know anything about KZ Mercenary and the BioShock game yet.
I'm not ragging on the Vita and I want it to do well, but I think that Sony really needs to step up the publicity surrounding incoming games and sign on some more killer exclusives. Plus, encouraging PSN devs to release simultaneously on PS3 and Vita would be great.
Why would OPM include BioShock Vita when they know full well that it's not even in development nor coming out in 2013? padding of course.
Good list otherwise though.
Thats odd, P4G is already out O_O
Anyways, I cant wait to play all these games :D
First game I'll be getting this year is Sly Thieves In Times with that cross buy deal :)


text: Waxom is a responsive, clean and universal wordpress theme download. Powered by the Visual Composer plugin, Waxom theme let's you build absolutely any page layout and display your content just as you wish. It comes with the best two premium sliders available out there: Revolution and Layer sliders that will make your website stand out of the crowd even more. Go ahead and check theme demos.


text: Health Care, News of the Region, Vet/Chiro/Health TAHC Reminds Equine Owners to Practice Sound Biosecurity Measures May 23, 2014 The Texas Animal Health Commission (TAHC) reminds equine owners to keep their horses healthy by practicing simple and good biosecurity measures. Biosecurity is a set of preventative measures designed to reduce the risk of introduction and transmission of an infectious disease agent, such as Equine Herpes Virus-1 (EHV-1). Although Texas horses have not been implicated, EHV-1 has recently been found in other states. Any time horses are congregated at events, owners increase the chance that their horses may be exposed to an infectious disease agent. Pathogens may be brought to and spread at an event by horses, people, domestic animals other than horses, vehicles, equipment, insects, ticks, birds, wildlife including rodents, feed, waste and water. By following these simple guidelines you can help minimize that risk. Consult your veterinarian to establish an appropriate vaccination program for your horse(s) Tie your horse(s) to your trailer. If using a stall, clean and disinfect it, if possible, before stalling your horse. Always use clean, fresh bedding. Minimize your horse(s) having direct contact with unknown horses, especially nose to nose contact. Use your own water and feed buckets. Avoid letting your horse(s) drink from a communal water trough. Fill water buckets from a faucet. Do not share grooming equipment or tack. If you must, then wash and disinfect it before returning to your own horse(s). Avoid petting and touching other horses in order to minimize the risk of transferring a disease back to your horse. If you must handle other horses then wash your hands or use hand sanitizer. Avoid letting strangers pet your horse especially if they have horses of their own. Before returning home from an event clean up your equipment (boots, tack, grooming supplies, buckets, etc.) to help reduce the risk of transporting an infectious agent back home. Consider washing and disinfecting your trailer when you return home. If possible, isolate your returning horses for 2 weeks or at least prevent nose to nose contact with your other horses. Don't forget to consult your veterinarian concerning these and other steps you can follow which may reduce the risk of your horse acquiring an infectious disease while traveling. Biosecurity suggestions for event organizers: Minimize nose-to-nose contact between horses where possible. Minimize spread by human hands (limit public access, provide hand sanitizer, establish restricted areas in front of stalls and trailers, post hand-washing signs). Minimize spread by shared tack (post signs advising participants not to share equipment). Solid, high-walled stalls are ideal to minimize spread of infectious nasal droplets. For multi-day events, consider implementation of a "No Fever" Policy. For more details see the following references: http://www.cdfa.ca.gov/ahfss/Animal_Health/Equine_Biosecurity.html http://www.aphis.usda.gov/publications/animal_health/2011/bro_keep_horses_healthy.pdf For more information, visit www.tahc.texas.gov , call 1-800-550-8242 or contact your local TAHC region office. Founded in 1893, the Texas Animal Health Commission works to protect the health of all Texas livestock, including: cattle, swine, poultry, sheep, goats, equine animals, and exotic livestock. The TAHC strives to keep Texas' livestock disease free, ultimately allowing for better marketability and commerce. ### Related


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We are talking about the "NU" Class attack shuttle right?
Republic Attack Ship image from UK Toyfair
Quote from: Jayson on January 25, 2011, 11:17 AMRepublic Attack Ship image from UK ToyfairCsillagok Haboruja!!!Pretty cool, although they kinda got the front ramp wrong. (no perforations) and WE HAVE A PACK-IN FIGURE!!! Would love to see a close-up of that guy, looks like an all-new sculpt. Great find, Jayson.
the site must be getting hammered. cant get the page to load. someone get this pic for me.
Does the ship have any lights or sounds?
Page created in 0.059 seconds with 18 queries.


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Mechatronics a main focus at Pack Expo 2011
Bosch Rexroth automation technology for packaging equipment, on exhibit at Pack Expo 2011, Sept. 26-28, in Las Vegas, will include open control motion software for packaging applications, an integrated motor/drive with Ethernet communications, and corrosion-resistant pneumatics.
Also expected at the Rexroth booth are OEM partners like CAMA, CP Packaging, Brenton Engineering, and new drive and control products and systems designed to lower equipment and operational costs, enhance safety and improve energy efficiency, including control systems, linear modules, specially-designed pneumatics and conveyor systems.
IndraMotion for packaging
Rexroth will show the new software version of its fully open control system solution IndraMotion for Packaging version 12. With this automation solution, Rexroth offers an open IEC 61131-3 programming environment allowing OEMs to configure and program packaging applications. Applications that require precise synchronization, camming, registration, electronic gearing, collating, robotic path planning and dynamic belt synchronization in highly automated modular production lines. The open architecture programming environment supports the use of the OMAC for packaging guidelines like PackML and use of PackTags including a wizard to configure the template and be up and running with your machine axes in minutes.
IndraDrive Mi integrated motor/drive with multi-Ethernet interface
With its decentralized IndraDrive Mi integrated motor/drive, Rexroth offers a means for speedy engineering and the simple realization of modular machine designs and effective distributed safety concepts. The IndraDrive Mi features a Multi-Ethernet interface that simplifies the commissioning of various Ethernet automation architectures in one type of hardware. In addition, it allows for Ethernet components, such as I/O connections or pneumatics valves, to be connected directly to the drives, which reduces wiring and lowers the cost of installation.
NFRG linear ball rail system for wash-down environments
Rexroth has designed a series of linear motion products designed to withstand the challenges of harsh food packaging environments. Attendees can get the first look at the new NFRG ball rail system designed with materials and engineering that are suitable in dry working zones and in wash-down environments. Materials are corrosion resistant and unaffected by surface damage, lengthening product life cycles and lowering the total cost of ownership.
Pneumatic solutions for the food and packaging industry
Designed for use in the food and packaging industry, pneumatic components from Rexroth enable hygienic handling of food products and efficient packaging of all types of products. Whether the products are grippers, cylinders or valve terminal systems, all components in this family of hygienic products are perfectly matched and can be combined according to the special requirements of food processing as well as packaging needs. Products includ the CL03 valve terminal system, the corrosion-resistant ICS-D1 ISO cylinder, GPC Clean Series guide cylinders and the NCT non-contact transport system.
Education in automation
The company will highlight its work to provide automation training to the industry through demonstration of its mechatronic training simulators, and an introduction to its online and cooperative training courses.
OEM partners, solutions
Rexroth's presentation will also feature dynamic packaging equipment from several OEM partners including: CP Packaging for primary packaging in a wash-down environment, a dynamic demonstration of a high-speed Delta-style robot from CAMA, multiple conveyor capabilities, and an all-servo-driven case packing application from Brenton Engineering. Rexroth's OMAC PackML template will monitor each OEM's machine to demonstrate ease of connectivity and system integration as well as monitoring performance and energy efficiency.
Bosch Rexroth AG
– Edited by Chris Vavra, Control Engineering, www.controleng.com


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Tuesday, May 10, 2011 - Ivan & Slavomir
Latest Updates at WilliamHiggins.com
Ivan Kufan's Screentest with Slavomir Zeleny is a scene that we set up after Ivan asked for some more work. He said that he would like to try out as a bottom, and maybe could be a top as well. So we paired him with Slavomir who always seems to be ready for anything. The guys get right into it, with Slavomir sucking Ivan for a while and then Ivan reciprocating. Then after a bit of 69 Slavomir decides to rim Ivan and slides some fingers in his ass to get him ready. Once he is ready Slavomir fucks Ivan deep and hard. I must say Ivan takes it very well and then he flips Slavomir and shows us that he can fuck very well too. The climax comes with Slavomir blowing his load while Ivan is deep inside him, and then scooting around to take Ivan's load on his face. I must say it all went very well indeed.
Anton Modrey is aged 20 and lives in Stemberk. He is self-employed and likes football, hockey and tennis. Anton is a Very handsome guy, who looks quite fit. He does very well in this stills shoot, displaying his naked body for us, in all its glory. He certainly has a very upstanding qualification and a most inviting, hairy hole.
We recently did a very good nude submission wrestling match with Anton as well. I have hopes that we can persuade him to go further.
Mara Kratky is a fine looking guy, with a very good body. We called him in for a massage, by a workshop student, luckily for us he agreed. Mara looks very good as he strips down and climbs onto the table. Then the masseur gets to work and quickly we can see that Marek is hard as he lays there. So the masseur pays some attention to the dick, and also oils Mara's sweet pucker hole. Then the masseur raises Mara's ass,slightly, from the table and introduces the first of two vibrators, which slides in quiet easily, so he moves on to a larger vibrator, which stretches the hole somewhat. Then Mara turns over, to lay on his back, and quickly his dick is hard again and is worked to a very good cum shot.
Pavol Zbynek and Ivan Cakovsky give us a wonderful Raunchy Sex Duo. Both guys are great performers so it is no surprise how good this scene is. Ivan takes the bottom role in this one, which starts with him under the influence of rather too much vodka. Pavol takes advantage of the situation and induces Ivan to suck his dick. Then he ties his hands above his head so he is almost hanging from the ceiling before stripping Ivan and sucking his dick too. Then to make the advantage complete he proceeds to throw him a very good fuck. It is great to see two guys who really know how to do it, and who do it so well. At the end of the scene there is also a short interview with the guys.


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Last Stand, The (US - BD RA)
Gabe is happy Arnold can still stand at all and that he's working with Kim Ji-Woon...
After leaving his LAPD narcotics post following a bungled operation that left him wracked with remorse and regret, Sheriff Ray Owens (Arnold Schwarzenegger) moved out of Los Angeles and settled into a life fighting what little crime takes place in sleepy border town of Sommerton Junction. But that peaceful existence is shattered when Gabriel Cortez (Noriega), the most notorious, wanted drug kingpin in the western hemisphere, makes a deadly yet spectacular escape from an FBI prisoner convoy. With the help of a fierce band of lawless mercenaries led by the icy Burrell (Peter Stormare), Cortez begins racing towards the US-Mexico border at 250 mph in a specially-outfitted Corvette ZR1 with a hostage in tow. Cortez' path: straight through Summerton Junction, where the whole of the U.S. law enforcement, including Agent John Bannister (Forest Whitaker) will have their final opportunity to intercept him before the violent fugitive slips across the border forever. At first reluctant to become involved and then counted out because of the perceived ineptitude of his small town force, Owens ultimately rallies his team and takes the matter into his own hands, setting the stage for a classic showdown. (From Lionsgate's official synopsis)
The majority of American film audiences were made aware of The Last Stand as being an elderly Arnold Schwarzenegger's return to the big screen in a lead capacity (following some extended cameos in the Expendables films), but those of us more obsessively concerned with world cinema were excited to see South Korean filmmaker Kim Ji-Woon's Hollywood debut (or 'Jee-Woon' as he's credited in the English language credits here). Kim is one of the top film directors to come out of the Korean New Wave (sometimes 'Korean Wave') – an era that includes a series of important films and general increase in Western awareness of South Korean pop culture, including K-Pop musical icons, like Rain and Psy. When discussing the best of modern Korean cinema there are two names usually thrown about – Park Chan-Wook ( Oldboy, Joint Security Area) and Bong Joon-ho ( Memories of Murder, The Host). Both directors found crossover success in the Western world, which has lead to some comparative over exposure (if there can be such a thing). Other talented regional filmmakers include the likes of Ryoo Seung-wan ( Crying Fist), Jang Joon-hwan ( Save the Green Planet), and Park Kwang-hyun ( Welcome to Dongmakgol), but I'd personally complete the New Wave 'trifecta' with Kim, who is likely the most eclectic of any current South Korean filmmakers. Kim isn't quite the intellectual Park is and he isn't quite the consummate experimenter Bong is, but he's proven his sharp sense of humour ( The Quiet Family), his baroque sense of class ( A Tale of Two Sisters), and that he has energy to burn ( A Bittersweet Life). His biggest breakthrough outside of Asia is likely The Good, the Bad, the Weird – a rock 'em, sock 'em action flick on a scale that would make Sergio Leone proud.
What's particularly exciting is that The Last Stand isn't the only 2013 Hollywood release directed by a top-tier Korean filmmaker. Park Chan-Wook's Stoker, a psychodrama starring the likes of Nicole Kidman, Matthew Goode, and Mia Wasikowska, was met with good reviews and Bong Joon-ho's Snow Piercer (co-produced by Park), an ambitious sci-fi allegory starring Oscar winners/nominees John Hurt, Tilda Swinton, and Ed Harris, is set to be released later this year. Both Park and Bong seem to have taken what I'd like to refer to as the Ang Lee (or maybe Wong Kar Wai) approach to the a Hollywood crossover. Meanwhile, Kim appears to be taking the John Woo approach. Woo had the skill set to make a real impact on Hollywood, but he chose to start things off with a B-picture built around an established action star (in this case, Jean-Claude Van Damme, who served more or less the same purpose for Ringo Lam and Tsui Hark when they stumbled into their English language debuts). I'd like to think that, while working as the governor of California, Schwarzenegger was spending his nights watching South Korean New Wave movies, but it's more likely that someone handed him a copy of The Good, the Bad, the Weird and he watched enough of it to know Kim knew what he was doing. Whatever actually brought Schwarzenegger and Kim together for a modestly budgeted action flick isn't important – it's just cool that it happened. Even if The Last Stand would've been an utter failure, the combination is still unique enough to celebrate.
Stylistically speaking, The Last Stand is the movie The Expendables should've been. Obviously, The Expendables was a more ambitious concept, but Stallone kind of missed the boat by making his ensemble throw-back so modern. The only nostalgia is found in the casting choices, not the imagery or the impact of the heavily CG-assisted, over-edited action sequences. At its base, The Last Stand is a western. Screenwriter Andrew Knauer (whose only other feature credit is a comedy/horror quickie called Ghost Team One) doesn't try to hide this influence and draws upon some of the genre's most popular and commonly adapted classics, including Rio Bravo, Rio Grande, and High Noon. Kim had already successfully dabbled in re-tooling western themes, most obviously with the The Good, the Bad, the Weird, but also with Bittersweet Life – a gangster film brimming with classic and revisionist western tropes. The screenplay suffers from quite a bit of awkward exposition (most of which is, thankfully, delegated to the first act), has issues with overlapping, yet hard-to-differentiate characters, and over-complicated technical aspects that don't really serve any purpose (try not to ask why the villains are doing anything they do – you'll just get a headache), but the whole thing serves the basic needs of a modest production. That's a low bar, I admit. Perhaps even too low.
Despite being Kim's largest movie to date in terms of raw budget, The Last Stand never feels as big as The Good, the Bad, the Weird. Part of this is the structure of the story, which is something of an anti-epic (not to mention the fact that a dollar goes a whole lot further in Korea than it does in Hollywood), but, even though I understand the intended limitations of the scope, I still find myself a little disappointed that Kim's skills haven't been unleashed on a truly massive scale. I fear that The Last Stand's disappointing box office (clearly an indication of the public's disinterest in Schwarzenegger's come-back over an indication of their disinterest in the director) means I still won't get to see an appropriately epic, Kim-Ji Woon blockbuster anytime soon. Limited by the region or not, the director never drops the ball in blocking and cutting his dynamic action sequences. Even the most convoluted action sequences have real physical weight and make geographical sense. The handheld sequences aren't indiscernible, the editing is clear, and the camera movements aren't arbitrary or counterintuitive.
This is certainly an 'Americanization' of the director's aesthetic, but his personality is not lost in the exchange – it's merely a minor 'censoring' of his likeable oddball tendencies. He only really 'fails' when it comes to making the film's few dramatic moments land, which isn't really much of a problem, since he's dealing with an action/comedy that takes place in a universe of action movie clichés. I think it's important that The Last Stand is a comedy, not only because so many of Schwarzenegger's best films were anchored in ironic humour, but because humour plays such an important role in Kim's Korean films, even those that aren't easily categorized as 'funny' ( I Saw the Devil in particular). In the larger scheme of things, modern Korean cinema is largely defined by tonal shifts and a willingness to find comedy in absurdly violent and tragic situations. The Last Stand mixes satirizing Arnold's return to form with unabashed jokery and particularly Kim-flavoured laughs at the expense of graphic violence.
Arnold is cast for his strengths, obviously, and generally plays straight man to the entire rest of the cast, unlike his part as one of many clowns in Expendables 2. He's stiff and tired, but it works for the material. This cast of clowns includes Johnny Knoxville and Luis Guzmán, both of whom can single-handedly sink the comedy value of an entire film if overexposed. Fortunately, both appear in a pretty limited capacity, despite several of their gags appearing in the film's trailer. In smaller doses, these guys work very well. Other Hollywood character actor favourites surrounding Schwarzenegger include Harry Dean Stanton, Forest Whitaker, and Peter Stormare. Stormare is characteristically fantastic, but Stanton has such little screentime that he's, sadly, a non-entity and Whitaker is wasted as a caricature of a character he's been playing for years and has already spoofed on a handful of episodes of American Dad. Kim's cast is rounded out with some international flavour with Brazilian Rodrigo Santoro (recently seen in the vastly undervalued I Love You Phillip Morris), Alejandro Amenábar favourite Eduardo Noriega, who is, sadly, also mostly wasted as the film's 'big-boss' villain who spends 95% of the movie in a car. The overly-busy cast does the most damage to the female characters, however, as Telenovelo star Génesis Rodriguez and Jaimie Alexander exist only as weak and reactive witnesses to the stuff the men do.
The Last Stand was shot using Arri Alexa digital cameras, but wasn't made to look particularly digital-y. I believe this is Kim's first foray into the world of digital HD, though cinematographer Kim Ji-Yong used Red Epic cameras for Hwang Dong-Hyuk's Silenced. Regardless of Ji-Yong's experience, he and the other Kim (no relation) don't bend over backwards to adjust the crisp and filmic look developed over the director's other films. This 1080p, 2.35:1 Blu-ray image is clean, without more than hints of compression noise. The cleanliness doesn't lead to that smooth look that curses some digital HD productions. The gradations are plenty fluid, especially in the more colourful and less in-focus backgrounds, but contrast levels are strong and the textures are consistently complex throughout the foregrounds and backgrounds. There are minor sharpening effects on some of the most harshly cut details, but there's generally nothing notable in terms of edge enhancement. During the busiest action there are some ghosting/doubling effects, but these are likely an inherent part of the source material. The colour palette is reasonably eclectic, but tends to skew golden in an effort to make things look more desert-y (some scenes are practically monochromatic). These hues are strong and pure without blocking and work very nicely against the high contrast blacks and blown-out white highlights. Some of the darker shots (mostly those taking place in Vegas) are not as attractive, utilizing that weird amalgamation of yellows, oranges, reds, and teals that every generic action and crime flick uses these days (skin tones are yellow, blends are teal or green, and highlights are almost exclusively red), but, even here, the overall detail levels aren't obscured by the processed look.
This disc features Lionsgate's usual DTS-HD Master Audio 7.1 soundtrack. Surprisingly, I found the overall mix to be pitched a little low volume-wise than expected. This isn't an issue for the more aggressive moments, but is a slight annoyance when characters are talking too each other too softly. Those aggressive moments are pretty consistent, though. The punchy shootouts include a wide array of calibres, including poppy machine guns, booming hand cannons, and crunchy shotguns – all of which crackle with the appropriate dynamic range and directional enhancement. The track comes most loudly to life anywhere the Corvette ZR1 is concerned. The sound designers treat the car as a character in its own right, leaving the driver obscured by tinted glasses and giving its roaring motor something of a voice. The vehicle moves noisily from channel to channel and increases in volume power every time the driver changes gears. Other vehicles also give the LFE a workout, especially the weird plow-truck that appears, flips the cop cars, then disappears. The musical score, composed by Mowg (who also worked with Kim on I Saw the Devil and Doomsday Book), is lively without overstating itself and quite eclectic in terms of style. Mowg's music rarely lets up entirely and also fills in quite a bit of ambient space during those occasionally overly-quiet talking scenes.
The extras begin with Not in My Town: Making The Last Stand (28:10, HD), a basic behind-the-scenes featurette covering the film's old western themes, hiring Kim, re-introducing Arnold to movie audiences, stunts, casting, the complications of Kim directing through a translator, production design, cinematography, special effects, and a bunch of car stuff. The Dinkum Firearm and Historic Weaponry Museum Tour (11:20, HD) takes us through the weapons cache Knoxville's character maintains in the film with the prop masters and cast. The disc also includes a breakdown of the cornfield chase scene (11:20, HD), Actor-Cam Anarchy video log footage with Johnny Knoxville and Jaimie Alexander (10:30, HD), six deleted scenes (8:20, HD), seven extended scenes (14:10, HD), and trailers.
Interview subjects throughout the featurettes include Kim, producers Lorenzo di Bonaventura and Guy Ridel, second-unit stunt coordinators Darrin Prescott and Wade Allen, production designer Frank Carbone, special effects coordinator David Waine, weapons prop master Brent Andrews, aerial photographer Tad Firchau, and cast members Schwarzenegger, Johnny Knoxville, Forest Whitaker, Rodrigo Santoro, Luis Guzmán, Jaimie Alexander, Peter Stormare, and Eduardo Noriega.
The Last Stand isn't great. It might not even be good or a deserving American debut for Kim Ji-Woon, but it does scratch an itch that's been bugging me since The Expendables failed to deliver. With a little more quirk and comedy and maybe a few less obvious genre clichés, it could've been something special. The third act is almost enough to make up for the shortcomings, at least for a single viewing. The cornfield sequence alone is a good enough time to justify the entire film. Lionsgate's Blu-ray looks sharp, sounds good, despite some low volume levels during dialogue-heavy sequences, but, unfortunately, doesn't feature much in terms of extra features.
* Note: The images on this page are not representative of the Blu-ray image quality.
Review by Gabriel Powers
iconoclast Member Join Date: November 2006 Location: United States Posts: 264
I totally agree that this is what the Expendables movies should have been like.
David Blackwell Senior Member Join Date: February 2004 Location: United States Posts: 2,835
I liked I SAW THE DEVIL much more than THE LAST STAND
Under 17 requires accompanying parent or adult guardian
Disc Details
Release Date: 21st May 2013
Discs: 2
Disc Type: Blu-ray Disc
RCE: No
Video: 1080p
Aspect: 2.35:1
Anamorphic: No
Colour: Yes
Audio: DTS-HD Master Audio 7.1 English, Dolby Digital 5.1 Spanish
Subtitles: English SDH, Spanish
Extras: Not in My Town: Making The Last Stand, The Dinkum Firearm and Historic Weaponry Museum Tour, Actor-Cam Anarchy, Cornfield Chase Breakdown, Deleted and Extended Scenes, Trailers, Digital Copy, UltraViolet Copy
Easter Egg: No
Feature Details
Director: Kim Ji-Woon
Cast: Arnold Schwarzenegger, Forest Whitaker, Johnny Knoxville, Rodrigo Santoro, Luis Guzmán, Jaimie Alexander, Eduardo Noriega, Peter Stormare, Zach Gilford, Génesis Rodríguez
Genre: Action, Adventure, Crime, Thriller and Western
Length: 107 minutes
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text:
CAMBRIDGE, Mass.—The Radcliffe heavyweight varsity eight captured its fourth title, and victories by the second varsity eight and varsity four helped the No. 13 Black and White continue its team dominance in the fifth annual Beanpot regatta Saturday morning on the Charles River Basin.
In the varsity race (video available at GoNU.tv), Radcliffe (11-4) and defending champion Northeastern distanced themselves quickly, gaining a boat-length margin on the field in the first 500 meters. The Black and White held a three-seat lead for much of the second 500 meters before pushing out to a length ahead of the Huskies shortly after the race's midway point.
The Black and White distanced itself farther down the stretch, winning by 8.1 seconds in 6:43.9. Boston University outlasted MIT for third place, 7.7 seconds behind Northeastern and 2.7 ahead of the Engineers. Boston College was fifth, another 17.2 seconds back. Radcliffe also claimed the Allen-DeWolfe Trophy with its win over BU and the Rowlands Trophy with the defeat of Northeastern. The Black and White holds a 12-3 lead in the Allen-DeWolfe cup series and a 13-5 edge in the Rowlands series.
"It's always a pleasure and a challenge to race our neighbors on the Charles, and I was very happy with our performance today." said Radcliffe head coach Liz O'Leary. "We expected Northeastern to be a tough opponent, and they were. I liked the way our varsity withstood that challenge and kept racing hard until the end. The second varsity and the four had very nice wins, and the 3V fought its way back from behind to give Northeastern all it could handle."
The Radcliffe second varsity finished far ahead of the field, pulling away to a 12.8-second win in 7:07.0, followed by Northeastern, BU, MIT and BC. The varsity four followed with an open-water win of its own, by 9.3 seconds in 7:43.5. Northeastern placed second, with BU third and BC fourth.
The closest race of the regatta was the final one. Northeastern appeared to be in total control in the second half of the race, but Radcliffe battled back to challenge before the Huskies hung on by 1.9 seconds. The Black and White finished in 7:16.9, more than 12 seconds ahead of third-place BU. The Radcliffe fourth varsity eight placed fourth in 8:04.1.
Varsity Eight
Radcliffe 6:43.9
Northeastern 6:52.0
Boston University 6:59.7
Boston College 7:19.6
Second Varsity Eight
Radcliffe 7:07.0
Northeastern 7:19.8
Boston University 7:26.3
Boston College 7:43.5
Varsity Four A
Radcliffe 7:43.5
Northeastern 7:52.8
Boston University 7:58.5
Boston College 8:15.4
Third Varsity Eight
Northeastern 7:15.0
Radcliffe 7:16.9
Boston University 7:29.2
Boston College 7:39.6
Radcliffe 4V 8:04.1
Varsity Four B
Boston University 8:09.6
Boston College 8:53.5


text:
14 April 2006 19:45
gotAPI.com :: API lookup serviceby 27 others (via)
GotAPI.com regroupe les documentations HTML, JavaScript/DOM, CSS, XSL, XPath, XMLSchema, MySQL, PHP, Ant, Java, Perl et Dita.
1 (1 marks)
Founded in late 2003 and heartquartered in France, we are non-profit and independant.
We believe in the open web, think internet services should be sustainable, build for the long term.
While we are re-launching the service, we only accept new members through invitation.


text:
To add or change your team name, please email email@example.com or call the KCBS office at 1-800-963-5227.
KCBS Team Bios
ROOTER-TOOTER BBQYear Started: 2011
Founded in Jan. 2011, Rooter Tooter BBQ is a competition BBQ team from Henderson, KY combining the passion for cooking and its competitive spirit in the arena of BBQ competition events. With little experience but plenty of desire and drive Rooter Tooter BBQ plans on making an impact in the world of Competition BBQ this year and years to come.
Rooter-Tooter BBQ primarily competes in events sanctioned by the Kansas City Barbeque Society (KCBS), an organization of over 13,000 members worldwide, dedicated to promoting and enjoying BBQ. KCBS sanctions nearly 300 of these events across the country each year, and competitors like Rooter-Tooter BBQ compete in the categories of chicken, ribs, pork, and beef brisket at each event. Judging is done by a team of 6 certified KCBS judges on the food?s taste, and tenderness, and appearance. Scoring is ranked from 9 for excellent to 2 for inedible. Awards are awarded for each category, as well as overall rankings based on composite scores across all categories. In the end, the Reserve Grand Champion (2nd Place) and Grand Champion (1st Place) winners get to take home the big trophies and the bragging rights.
Hometown: Henderson
State: KY
Country: US
Most wins in a year:
Biggest Wins: Heart of Kentucky Bourbon and BBQ Musicfest
5th Place Chicken
10th Place Pork
11th Place Overall
Sponsors: Any who want to help out
Website: http://www.rootertooterbbq.com


text:
At 77, Robert B. Bowen said he would like to sell his three-bedroom home and move with his wife into an apartment. But the retired Lunenburg lawyer said it's no easy task since most apartments and condominiums allow smoking.
"I can't move into an apartment because I'm severely allergic to cigarette smoke," Mr. Bowen said. "Anybody who wants to smoke should move into a single-family home so they can have a great time for themselves."
For the past three legislative sessions, Mr. Bowen has had state Rep. Jennifer E. Benson, D-Lunenburg, file a bill that would limit smoking to detached single-family homes. The first two bills were recommended to be studied, or to die quietly. This time around, Mr. Bowen said, he hopes anti-smoking groups will help advocate for passage of the bill. But he said he isn't optimistic, because no one he has spoken with will help, including Ms. Benson, who filed the bill.
"She's not the slightest bit interested. She said she filed it because I have a constitutional right to file a bill," said Mr. Bowen. Ms. Benson did not return phone calls seeking comment. An aide said she would not have any comment on House bill No. 1897.
The bill has been referred to the Joint Committee on Public Health. State. Rep. Carolyn C. Dykema, D-Holliston, is the only member from Central Massachusetts on the committee. Her 8th Middlesex District includes Southboro and Precinct 2 in Westboro. She said she is looking forward to input from Mr. Bowen and others when a hearing is held.
State Rep. John P. Fresolo, D-Worcester, and state Sen. James B. Eldridge, D-Acton, both members of the Joint Committee on Housing and nonsmokers, said they do not support the proposal. Each cited people's right to generally do what they want inside their homes.
"I believe people have the right to smoke legal substances, especially if it's in the confines of their home," said Mr. Fresolo. "Everybody knows it's not healthy to smoke, but I think it crosses the line when you tell people you can't smoke in your own home. And I would vote accordingly if that bill came up for a vote."
The state Department of Public Health and the American Lung Association of the Northeast support voluntary smoke-free housing programs.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recently completed the country's first research that estimates how many Americans live in multi-unit housing and are at risk of secondhand smoke. The research, released in December, indicates that between 27 million and 29 million Americans experience secondhand smoke infiltration in housing. And about 49,000 people die from secondhand smoke each year, mostly from heart disease and lung cancer. Thousands of cases of other health problems, including bronchitis, asthma, pneumonia and Sudden Infant Death Syndrome, are also attributed to secondhand smoke.
The CDC study found that 39.8 percent, or 2.6 million Massachusetts residents, live in multi-unit housing. While 2.1 million of them don't allow smoking in their homes, nearly one million still experience the infiltration of secondhand smoke into their apartments or condominiums. Smoke travels from one apartment to another through cracks, insulation, power outlets and HVAC systems.
Brian A. King, an epidemiologist in the CDC's Office on Smoking and Health, who authored the study, said that to enhance public acceptance of smoke-free initiatives, it is important to educate the public about the dangers of secondhand smoke exposure and where it is occurring.
"A lot of people are concerned about government intrusion in private areas," he said in a telephone interview last week. "In the end, it's most important to consider the adverse health effects that secondhand smoke can have on nonsmokers. A sizeable proportion of multi-unit housing residents in the U.S. are still exposed to dangerous toxins and carcinogens from secondhand smoke."
Jen MacDonald, a trustee at the 12-unit Dickinson Place Condominiums on Williams Street in Worcester, said her board plans to discuss the complicated issue at its meeting next month.
She said on a personal level, as a nonsmoker and an MD/PhD student at UMass Medical School, she feels she deserves clean air in her home. And as a property owner, she would like to protect her investment from the odor of smoke.
But as a condo association trustee, she finds the issue more complicated, she said.
"It is very difficult to determine which person's rights trump the other's, but in this case, it seems that those who smoke have alternatives, including going outside, while those that do not and would like clean air have no reasonable alternative," she said. "Lastly, as someone who works in the medical profession, I am for such a law, as I think it could be beneficial to the health of the community."
Twenty-six states, including Massachusetts, have banned smoking in public areas, including restaurants, bars and parks. But there are no statewide laws that prohibit smoking in multi-unit residences. There are, however, 10 municipalities in California where smoking is not allowed in apartments and condominiums. A bill is pending in California, with the support of that state's American Lung Association, to extend that policy statewide.
The CDC study revealed that 80 percent of nonsmokers in the U.S. support smoke-free housing.
Efforts are growing to prohibit smoking in public housing. The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development has been urging public housing authorities to implement no-smoking policies since 2009. James Bergman, co-director of the 30-year-old Michigan-based Smoke-free Environment Law project, estimates that about 350 housing authorities across the country have adopted smoke-free polices for some or all of their properties. Maine, he said, is the only state that has banned smoking in all public housing units.
The state Department of Housing and Community Development, which oversees public housing authorities, approved Boston Housing Authority's no-smoking policy as a pilot a few months ago. The outcome will be used to create a statewide no-smoking policy for all state-aided housing within the next two years.
Housing authorities in Lunenburg, Leominster and Worcester began addressing the issue three years ago. Smoking is banned in public housing in Lunenburg. It becomes effective at the 104-unit LaPierre East development in Leominster April 1.
Raymond Mariano, executive director of the Worcester Housing Authority, said smoking is not allowed in four WHA buildings. Anyone caught smoking in those facilities receives a written warning the first instance, followed by a $25 fine the second time and a $150 fine for the third violation.
He said emotions have run very high on both sides of the issue when it has been discussed at various housing developments.
"It's the only time in my 10-1/2 years as executive director where people have used profane language and yelled and screamed out of order," he said.
He said tenants have been told the housing authority would pay to help anyone quit smoking, they could transfer to a property where smoking is allowed, and a shelter would be provided for them to smoke outside.
Mr. Mariano, a nonsmoker, said he understands how hard it is for people to give up smoking. He said his late mother was never able to quit smoking until she was diagnosed with terminal lung cancer.
But, he said, banning smoking lowers the chance of fires and lessens damage to apartment walls and other items caused by the stench and discoloration. He said he has been in apartments where the walls were golden-yellow from cigarette smoke.
"As a person, I recognize that people struggle, so we try to provide them with some kind of balance," said Mr. Mariano. "If the bill passes, we're happy to implement it. "If it doesn't, we're very happy to continue doing what we're doing now."
Contact Elaine Thompson at email@example.com. Follow her on Twitter @EThompsonTG


text:
I just talked to a troubled lady this morning and she revealed to me that her long-time husband had died recently. Then she added that he had cancer, and was given a 6 month prognosis 10 years ago. She said she was so blessed because god had given her all those extra years. She also said that the he really suffered for the second half of those years.
????????????????? ??
Just wanted to vent and see how often you encounter crazy shit like this.
Views: 775
Glad you are doing better, Edward. that sounds awful. I think you'd be well justified in saying, "If god had been looking out for me, I wouldn't have gotten into the fucking accident in the first place!"
Exactly, thank you!
I said something reminiscent of that here after the tornadoes last year Shannon and you'd have thought I crucified Jesus myself! However, I agree wholeheartedly with you!
I'm still shaking my head over the death of the young man here wherein neighbors next door to where he lived, 'felt the grace of gawd watching over them through the storms'... I wonder was god on a coffee break when he that young man got killed while talking on the phone to his fiance?
This is why I keep to myself around here during tornado/hurricane season, Tammy. You know how these people in these parts are. All about gawd this, gawd that. Your house got torn to pieces? Well at least gawd didn't kill you! So what if you lost everything you owned in the storm!! It's maddening.
She can bless medical science for giving him those extra years. Why would "god" favor him over any other cancer patient? I live in the south so I hear these sorts of comments anytime I am out in public. You are venting for me, too. It is crazy making.
Sad story, but after all she's been through, she feels blessed.
It's frightening the lengths of mental gymnastics they have to go through to compartmentalize this belief and protect it from all the striking evidence that their very natures and experience of the natural world are throwing at them. They do all this because they are assured suffering here will assure them a glorious life in some far away heaven.... how does one say to themselves, well then this life doesn't really matter and still think life a gift or blessing? I will never understand that.
IIRC, Pope John Paul II said after he was shot that Our Lady of Guadalupe or somewhere had guided the bullet wide of his major organs. What a bitch! She couldn't make it miss him entirely?
Nope. And they still don't fully rely on her since they use the bullet-proof pope mobile.
To both you and Craigart....*SNERK!*
Under the xtian wording there is this attitude - now that I'm here I'll make the best of it - and that makes sense. I wonder how much is just the wording? Yes, a sad story.
I agree with Steph. We can roll our eyes, but people take it seriously and don't like anybody questioning it. It's their coping method, and it works for them.
© 2018 Atheist Nexus. All rights reserved. Admin: The Nexus Group. Powered by


text:
BJJ Self Defense DVD by Marcus Vinicius Di Lucia
Sport Videos
Marcus Vinicius Di Lucia started training in Judo at the age of five. He won several titles such as State, National and International Championships. At the age of 17, he started to train in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. Marcus received a black belt in Judo in 1986 from Master Alfredo Dornelles. He also received a black belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu in 1992 from Grand Master Fransisco Mansur. He is presently a 4th Degree Black Belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu and the owner of The Beverly Hills Jiu-Jitsu Club.


text:
The Chair of CEL gave a presentation at the international conference "The Protection and Sustainable Development of the Mediterranean-Black Sea Ecosystem" on May 24-26 2007, organised by ICEF (International Court of the Environment Foundation), by invitation of its Director, CEL Honorary Member Prof. Amedeo Postiglione.
The conference took place in Venice, at the Scuola Grande di S. Giovanni Evangelista - a magnificent venue! - with the scientific support of UNEP/MAP; Commission on the Protection of the Black Sea Against Pollution; EU Forum of Judges for the Environment, Arab Forum of Judges for the Environment and IUCN. The following people and institutions granted their patronage for the conference's organization: Stavros Dimas (member of the European Commission); Italian National Commission for UNESCO; Italian National Research Council; Italian Ministry of the Environment and Italian Ministry of University and Scientific Research. This forum was organized under an initiative involving 25 countries around the Mediterranean-Black Sea basin and is aimed at reviewing the current state of progress in the implementation of existing environmental law for the protection of the sea and coast (domestic law of the States, community law and international law) and at building a dynamic network of knowledge, by exchanging and sharing experiences and best practices.
Please take advantage of our CEL List to share your activities and accomplishments with all members.


text:
|2006-12-08, 02:54
|Link #2
I hear voices
Join Date: Dec 2005
Location: Chicago, IL
Age: 31
Yea I posted that earlier in the PS3 thread. Didn't know if I wanted to make a new thread, since the game is still a ways off from being released, earliest would be in middle to late '08. But I still see it having a '09 release, judging by since by the time of TGS they were around 1.9% complete, lol. Not to mention right now FF13 is the main focus.
OK with all that out of the way, I really can't wait for this game. I actually am looking more forward to it than FF13. I really like the KH series, so it having the same team working on it just makes me happy.
|2006-12-08, 03:26
|Link #4
I hear voices
Join Date: Dec 2005
Location: Chicago, IL
Age: 31
Its ok, my posts all get ignored, anyway.
Anywhoo, there really isn't much to say about the game. Since SE hasn't really released any info on it, yet. All I know is that its not a prequel or sequel to FF13, they both just happen to take place in the same universe, but they will both be 2 different games. Also that it should be action based, like the KH series.
Last edited by Lebron; 2006-12-08 at 03:38.
|2006-12-08, 12:59
|Link #7
I see...
Join Date: Jun 2006
Age: 28
Square Enix wants to sell more, I belive. A lot of FF fans are probably going to buy both versions.
|2006-12-08, 13:44
|Link #9
Join Date: Dec 2003
Age: 36
|2006-12-08, 14:01
|Link #10
Nitro+ fan
Join Date: Feb 2004
Location: Hyogo
|2006-12-08, 16:18
|Link #11
I hear voices
Join Date: Dec 2005
Location: Chicago, IL
Age: 31
Owell, I can't wait for Vs 13, anyway. Not cause its an FF, but more so due to the talent behind the game. It has the teams that worked on KH and the AC movie, so I have faith in them. I don't mind waiting till '08-09 if the game will be awesome. This will just have to be my KH3, since they aren't starting on that game anytime soon.
|2006-12-09, 07:08
|Link #12
Join Date: Aug 2006
Location: United States
Age: 31
The only thing that makes Final Fantasy XIII & Final Fantasy Versus XIII Connected/Related is the Crystals, thats it. The Crystal is what gives you "powers, magic, strenght, etc." http://finalfantasy-xiii.net/ They are not on the same place, world, galaxy.
About the CGI thing...
|2006-12-09, 07:26
|Link #13
I hear voices
Join Date: Dec 2005
Location: Chicago, IL
Age: 31
Can't wait till they can get to the point to show real-time. After seeing what Mistwalker was able to do with the switch from Real-time to CGI, meaning making it really unnoticeable, can't wait to see what FF vs 13 will look and play like.
|2006-12-09, 16:14
|Link #14
Combating Spoiler Scum
Join Date: Nov 2003
Age: 35
4 of 6 parts of the cell processor? That's impressive. I didn't think programmers would be able to utilize much of the PS3's power for at least a year. I know this isn't due for a while, but that explains perfectly why the FFXIII (not versus) in-game stuff looked so magnificent.
|2006-12-09, 19:18
|Link #16
Join Date: Feb 2004
Wonder what kind of cell phone is needed to play Final Fantasy XIII: Agito. Depending on how it looks, it could be pretty fun to have FF on the go. Supposedly it's to be multiplayer/online, but I wouldn't buy a NEW phone just to play it... maybe.
I would think that FXIII: Versus would look comparable FFXIII since it uses the "White Engine" which the FFXIII trailer was run on. Hopefully as Square gets further into development, they'll use the last two SPE's and make it look even better =3.
~Maybe someday they'll make another entry into the Chrono Trigger/Cross series. I'm still upset over the "Chrono Break" fiasco TT_TT.
Last edited by Liquidus; 2006-12-09 at 19:29.
|Thread Tools


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Elizabeth Fox, age 75, formerly of Washington Street, Warwick, died on July 16, 2012 at Chestnut Terrace Nursing & Rehabilitation Center in East Providence.
Born in Providence, the daughter of the late Major Robert T. Fox, United States Army, and Mary (Gilgun) Fox, she lived in Warwick for most of her life. She was a 1955 graduate of Aldrich High School in Warwick and a 1959 graduate of Pembroke College (now Brown University). Ms. Fox was a teacher in the Providence Public Schools for 20 years. She was also employed in the credit department at the Outlet Co. for 30 years.
She is survived by several cousins, including her caregiver, former RI State Senator John J. Gilgun.
Relatives and friends are invited to attend a Mass of Christian Burial on Friday, July 20, at 10 a.m. in St. Francis of Assisi Church, 128 High Street, Wakefield. Burial will follow in St. Francis Cemetery. Visiting hours are omitted.
In lieu of flowers, contributions in her memory may be made to Home & Hospice Care of RI, 1085 North Main Street, Providence, RI 02904. Arrangements by Barrett & Cotter Funeral Home, Warwick.


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Canon PowerShot ELPH 320 HS
The Canon PowerShot ELPH 320 HS features built in Wi-Fi technology. It offers full HD video.It has a sleek design that is easy to carry in your pocket.
- Good image quality
- Smart Auto mode is intuitive
- Compact design makes it easy to carry anywhere
- Macro mode was extremely fun to use
- Wide range of creative in-camera functions
- Lack of responsiveness in touchscreen
- Video quality was mediocre
- High ISO results in image grain and loss of detail
Read Our Full Review: Canon PowerShot 320 HS Review


text:
Cake Display
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- All orders are subject to minimum production lead time of 15 working Days from receipt of payment, Clear Design operates on a first come first serve basis.
- All orders are subject to minimum order quantities and/or value.
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- All prices quoted are cash prices, excluding 14% VAT
- Pricing is subject to change without notice.
- Price quoted is excluding delivery / shipping cost.
Complete T&C can be viewed on the Clear Design website
Clear Design Acrylic Dome Sphere
Clear Design's range of modern dome sphere options are designed and moulded using highest quality acrylic materials available with extra care and attention to detail in the manufacturing process.
Clear Design team of experienced fabricators pride themselves in delivering high quality products at all times, satisfying our client's expectations. The sphere range of products are in use across Africa supporting large and small retails stores displaying items such as clothing , shoes , eyewear and cosmetics including displays for exhibition and special event displays.
Acrylic Cake Dome
Crystal clear Plexiglas acrylic counter standing cake display stand. On request colour acrylic option can be included in the design. All clear edges are polished crystal clear with smooth edge.
Size: 300mm, 400mm, 500mm Diameter


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The most important thing you can do to assure yourself high-quality medical care is to form a strong relationship with a good primary care physician and, at times, together make informed decisions on specialty care. We identify top area doctors.
Once you have identified doctors who are potential candidates, you may want to get answers to several questions about each. Here's a list of things to ask.
Whichever doctor you select, how you interact with the doctor will have a big effect on the success of your care. Here are some suggestions on how to get the best care from doctors.


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COMMENT: KKR places bets on Vietnam with Masan investment
While multinationals and private equity firms scramble to grab a slice of the dynamic emerging markets of China and India, buyout firm KKR appears to have its eye firmly on the smaller Southeast Asian country of Vietnam. What does it know?
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text:
As Apple has finally launched a model of the the small, set-top Apple TV that offers full HD, 1080p resolution, consumers looking for a streaming option to take advantage of video over the Internet within the home theater may be comparing the new hardware from Apple against other options such as the Roku 2. Gaming consoles like the PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360 also offer a solution for streaming video content within the home theater, but these options are at least twice as much as standalone set-top boxes like the Roku 2 or the Apple TV.
The only model of the Apple TV sells for $99 and is devoid of ports to access additional memory cards or flash drives. However, the Apple TV comes with AirPlay and will allow users to stream content from other Apple devices like the new iPad or the iPhone 4S. For instance, a user could stream music from Spotify from an iPhone into the Apple TV. During a party, this would allow the host to pump music through a home theater system while changing the music from the iPhone.
The Roku comes in a variety of hardware options including a $49.99 base model called the Roku LT. However, only two of those options are capable of 1080p output. These options are the Roku 2 XD for $79.99 and the Roku 2 XS for $99.99. The latter option also includes a motion controller to play games like Angry Birds, an Ethernet port and a USB port for accessing content such as movies or music from a flash drive. The Roku 2 also comes with a MicroSD memory slot for adding additional storage as well as Bluetooth for RF remote control compatibility.
Apple TV users are tied to Apple's closed iTunes platform for access to new movies and television shows. Standard definition movie rentals for new releases are $3.99 while high definition rentals are priced at $4.99. After Apple discontinued 99-cent rentals of television shows during August 2011, the only options left available are to purchase the entire season of the program or specific episodes. For instance, the ten episodes of HBO's Game of Thrones season one can be purchased for $3.99 each or the entire season can be purchased for $38.99. Additional Apple TV subscriptions include:
- Netflix at $7.99 a month
- MLB.TV / Premium service at $124.99 yearly or $24.99 monthly / Standard service at $109.99 yearly or $19.99 monthly
- NBA League Pass at $65 yearly for seven teams or $100 yearly for all teams
- NHL Gamecenter at $169 yearly
In order to access recent releases, Roku users will have to rely on Amazon Instant Video to rent movies at $3.99 for SD and $4.99 for HD. Additional subscriptions on the Roku 2 include:
- Netflix at $7.99 a month
- Hulu Plus at $7.99 a month
- Amazon Prime at $79.99 yearly (provides access to many streaming titles in addition to free two-day shipping on all items)
- HBO GO (requires compatible cable or satellite subscription)
- NHL Gamecenter at $169 yearly
- UFC Vault at $59.99 for six months
- MLS MatchDay Live at $59.95 per season
- NBA League Pass at $65 yearly for seven teams or $100 yearly for all teams
- MLB.TV / Premium service at $124.99 yearly or $24.99 monthly / Standard service at $109.99 yearly or $19.99 monthly
- EPIX HD (dependent on cable provider)
While Apple only offers access to YouTube, Vimeo, Flickr and the Wall Street Journal on the Apple TV, more applications can be displayed on the television through mirroring. For instance, the free version of Angry Birds can be played on the iPhone while it's being mirrored on a HDTV through the Apple TV. However, the sheer amount of free applications built specifically for the Roku is overwhelming. The more popular applications include Crackle, Pandora, Mog, Rdio, Revision3, Facebook and a variety of news networks including NBC News, CNBC and Fox News.
Which one?
Deciding between the two set-top boxes is very dependent on which content ecosystem that a user has already invested within. If a user already owns a mobile Apple device and has a ton of content stored within iTunes, the Apple TV would be a useful tool in accessing that content within the home theater. If a user has plenty of content encoded in a variety of formats, stores that content on a standard PC and is looking for more Internet video options, the Roku hardware would likely be a better fit for the home theater.


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Another SuperPAC Trying Another Approach To Getting 'Dark' Money Out Of Politics
from the using-the-system dept
It's based on the (mostly successful) pledge that Senate candidates Elizabeth Warren and Scott Brown took in the 2012 Massachusetts Senate race, that if any such group spent money on their campaigns, the campaigns would give a similar amount to charity. As CounterPAC notes, the pledge was a success:
It worked. Outside spending was drastically reduced to merely 9% of total spending in contrast to upwards of 60% in other states.CounterPAC was apparently put together by a bunch of Silicon Valley folks, including (currently on leave from Google) Matt Cutts (who I know a little bit, but had no idea he was doing this), Ethan Beard from Greylock, well-known Silicon Valley lawyer Ted Wang and some others. It was officially started by Jim Greer (who ran the site Kongregate) and Zack Booth Simpson.
CounterPAC's mission this year is to get as many candidates as possible to agree to a similar pledge rejecting untraceable dark money.
Who knows if any of these approaches will be successful, but it's encouraging to see people trying to do something different, rather than just complaining about things and being cynical and defeatist. Part of the Silicon Valley world is that you need a lot of experiments to see what works, and here's another one to throw at the wall.


text:
Skip to comments.Wrigley halts production of caffeine gum following FDA concern
Posted on 05/09/2013 6:07:52 AM PDT by Olog-hai
Wrigley temporarily halted production of its new Alert Energy Caffeine Gum in response to concerns expressed by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration over the impact of caffeine on children and adolescents.
The company said it had paused the production, sale and marketing of Alert to give the FDA time to develop a new regulatory framework for the addition of caffeine to food and drinks.
The recently launched gum has about 40 milligrams of caffeine, as much as a half a cup of coffee, in each piece.
(Excerpt) Read more at reuters.com ...
Big Brother butts in again
Remember - they hate our freedom.
Is this more or less earth shaking news than the depravity in Cleveland and Arizona?
Benghazi?? What's that?
God forbid that someone gets caffeine into their system by some means other than coffee or soda.
hmmmm......Doublemint twins who never want to go to sleep....
This is such BS.
My daughter was issued this gum by the Army Medical Corps (in which she now serves) when she went out on prolonged field exercises during med school.
She gave me a pack, and I keep it in the car in case I get drowsy when driving. It works instantly.
I liked it so much that I bought a half-dozen packs online, and keep it in each of our cars.
A great product.
God forbid that someone gets caffeine into their system by some means other than coffee or soda.
Don't F*** with Big Coffee and Big Soda.... Well unless you are Nanny Bloomberg...
Listen up you stuipid slave, you are ONLY allowed to be given the Central Nervous Systems(meth like) stimulants such as Ridalin, you are not allowed to self medicate with caffine, you hear me slave, now get back to work memorzing "2+2 equals 5" you pathetic slave!!
There were plans for one fo the smokes companies to make a "Nictine enhanced mint" that I would have LOVED to get my hands on, why you ask...
Well I grew up on a farm and my brothers who stayed to take over the family farm usually end up smoking cigarettes or using chewing tobacco to stay up during planting and harvest season, I would much rather have them pop a FAR safer mint than smoking or chewing, both of which are horrible for you.
But because of the liberal narritive of "Big Tobacco BAD" crap they had to NIX this idea....
The smoking Nazis can go straight to hell for that one...
Is Jolt Cola next?
OK, I guess I'll chew some regular gum, go back to bed and get nothing done until 5 pm.
Nanny State PING!
Thanks for the ping!
Gum chomping hyper kids with 'chipmunk cheeks' might have a problem with it, but that'd be kinda obvious...
Let 'em chew khat, instead...?
Psssst! Hey kid! Wanna buy some gum???
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.


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Get DVD Talk Feeds
The folks who run Blue Underground were probably searching the internet, on the hunt for a quote they could use on the cover of their Bare Behind Bars DVD. And since BBB is a rather obscure and justifiably forgotten Brazilian "chicks in prison" exploitationer, those Blue Underground folks didn't have a whole lot of reviews to choose from. But they found one:
"Chicks-in-Prison Flick That Will Make You Need a Shower!" -- Scott Weinberg, eFilmCritic.com
That's the quote you'll find emblazoned across the Bare Behind Bars DVD cover, and while it's a goofy little thrill to be quoted so prominently, this is an astonishingly bad piece of grindhouse filmmaking. But the fact that the distributor chose that quote, as opposed to simply using no quote at all, tells me that Blue Underground has a snarky sense of humor where Bare Behind Bars is concerned. And boy does this flick need it.
Here's the review from where the blurb sprung:
Bare Behind Bars (a.k.a. A Prisão) isn't just one of those mindless "chicks-in-prison" flicks; it may be the original blueprint! (NOTE: That's the quote they used for the back of the DVD case. I'm famous!)
Enjoyable solely to those who enjoy seeing elaborate forms of naked female degradation or those trying to gauge precisely how low the cinematic medium can sink, Bare Behind Bars is the opposite of a refreshing shower. Released in the U.S. in 1980 (with an X rating to boot), this one makes movies like Chained Heat, Caged Fury, and Reform School Girls look like the original Star Wars trilogy.
More a series of painful and dingy sequences of sex and humiliation than anything resembling an actual story, Bare Behind Bars parades its requisite components with an assembly-line regularity: evil she-bitch lesbian wardens, virginal newcomers experiencing their first tastes of reluctant cunnilingus, whips, shackles, sex slaves, brutal brawls, a few large tables you'd never want to eat off of, and a gaggle of freaky naked ladies. Throw all these ingredients into a dank dungeon, light the whole production with a few dedicated flashlights, and slap a lurid cover on the video box! (Wow, kinda creepy huh?)
If my criticisms seem a bit extreme, you could attribute that to my overwhelming hatred for the whole "chicks in prison" sub-genre. Those who get a devious little thrill from this form of entertainment (and I'm certainly not judging) will certainly want to search this obscure little flick out. Probably closest in attitude and content to the world-infamous Ilsa: She-Wolf of the SS series, Bare Behind Bars is one of the grimiest experiences I've ever withstood ... which means it may be the finest film ever made of this decidedly unsavory variety.
The DVD
Video: With its anamorphic widescreen (1.66:1) transfer, Bare Behind Bars, a flick that's lower than hardcore porn, now has a better DVD presentation than most real movies do.
Audio: Just like most of the chicks onscreen, the audio's got mono written all over it.
Extras: Just the kooky old theatrical trailer. (Hey, Blue Underground, I would've done an audio commentary for free.)
Final Thoughts
Still unsure if Bare Behind Bars is for you? Some of the chapter titles are "Full Body Search," "Nude Aerobics," "Fun in the Shower," "Razor Retrieval," and "Fingered." So now you know. If, however, you really dig the sleazy stuff, Bare Behind Bars should be right up your alley. Just don't let any women know you watch this stuff.


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2003 on DVD
Well, another year has passed us by, and it's again time to look back at what has been released this past year. So what might...
Every year is a year for the action DVD, and thankfully 2003 was no exception. The main action packed DVD release of the year is of course The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers (Extended Edition). This four-disc package really expands on the poor theatrical cut, giving the film a new lease of life and making it all the more entertaining. This new, longer cut of the film really helped the character progression, and in several places, stuck closely to the original books (particularly noticeable in the Treebeard sequences). Equilibrium was generally overlooked this past year. Many people weren't even aware of it theatrically, but this Christian Bale science fiction movie is well worth a watch. In a future where emotion is outlawed, the Grammaton Clerics police the public with incredible skill with both pistol and sword. However, one of these Cleric's misses a dose of the medication prescribed to pacify everyone, and he quickly realises something is amiss. The film received a very nicely presented disc with great audio and video, however not much in the way of extra features. Worth a look though.
A couple of Chow Yun Fat films have been received special edition re-releases this year. Unfortunately though, both God of Gamblers and A Better Tomorrow have very poor video presentations, which is a shame seeing as both films make for a genuinely fun few hours. One centres on a great gambler who hits his head and loses his memory, and the other on a man on the wrong side of the law, with a brother in the police. God of Gamblers is a light hearted film with comedy scenes and great gun play where as A Better Tomorrow is a violent gangster film with a lot of death and a pretty sad story. Both enjoyable though, if you like that sort of thing.
Another big budget action film of this year was X-Men 2. This was actually better than the first film in my opinion, so if you weren't a fan of the first, then you should still consider seeing the second. It has a more intriguing story, better effects and arrives on a well produced DVD. While not wanting to dwell on the year's big films too much, I should probably mention the mega-blockbusters and a one word review of the film and its DVD just in case you were wondering. So, Terminator 3 (average film, good DVD); Die Another Day (average film, good DVD); Hulk (poor film, good DVD); The Matrix Reloaded (below average film, above average DVD); Minority Report (above average film, good DVD). Of course, this is just a sample of the titles available, but I fear this list could go on forever, and so I will leave that there. It's interesting to note that all the major releases have pretty good DVD releases, no doubt to make the films look a little more appealing.
I'm not a great fan of scary films as I'm a bit of a wuss! However, I love monster movies in which some creature terrorises villagers/city folk/carnies, whatever. Again, these are Tinsel Town monsters – I will not be watching Anthropophagus, The Beast parts 1 or 2 nor any other banned films that would make me hide behind my sofa.
Alligator 1 and 2 were released on DVD as a double pack this year from Anchor Bay. A film which terrified my childhood, Alligator was about a genetic mutant reptile, that went around eating people in the water, much like the famous shark. It would also come onto land for a bit of (normal alligator in shrunken sized scenery) people chasing. The second film was dire but the first is still a decent monster flick, even if it is a few years old now. Along the same low budget theme was one of this year's surprise hits, Dog Soldiers. This film tells the story of a group of soldiers on a training exercise who, instead of encountering the Special Forces as planned, end up meeting werewolves. This is a great film which I actually found quite scary when I got into it. Some people just laugh at the effects, but I was more than happy to let that slide and enjoy the film for what it is. A lot of references to other films (both intentional and non) were also included. Topping it off, the disc receives a decent audio and video presentation, making this a bloody (pun intended) good disc and certainly one of my favourite monster films of 2003.
Another surprise British hit of 2003 was 28 Days Later directed by Trainspotting's Danny Boyle. This relatively low budget flick tells the story of a man who wakes up in a hospital in London to find that he is alone in the capital city. It turns out that a virus was released onto the British public, called Rage, which turns people into (for want of a better word) Zombies. Not your typical Zombie walking around with both arms up in front at right angles, but a fast moving, vicious being intent on causing damage. A fresh look at the genre with some interesting concepts and a fairly decent DVD presentation make this worth checking out.
Final Destination 2 is a monster movie with a difference – the monster isn't seen, as Death has no presence. However the fate of these teenagers has already been decided which means they are all going to die, and I don't mean pass away quietly in their sleep either. These deaths mostly involves somehow turning them inside out which means special effects and gallons of blood. It's not big and it is not clever, but it is kinda fun to see the fretful ensemble run around narrowly avoiding fate as one by one, they get squished/crushed/exploded etc. The DVD is presented nicely and this is worth a rental at least.
Staying on the theme of invisible monsters, we have Ghost Ship, a fairly basic premise of ghosts on a once lost glamorous ocean liner, found by a salvage crew who realise that given the choice of the gold in its bowls or life, they would all rather chose to live and what started out as a "get rich quick" scheme ends in a frantic dash to escape the current occupants of the ship. Good production values and a well presented DVD make this an entertaining movie.
It wouldn't be right to talk about this year's monster movies without mentioning the absurdly named Alien Quadrilogy, which features all four films based around Giger's Alien with a host of extra features, and even a longer cut of Alien 3 that most agree is needed. Lots of great extras and good DVD presentation make this a great purchase if you want to see how it all started.
The final (two) monster movie(s) I am going to mention is The Hills Have Eyes which by now is a clichéd story, however in 1977 this was a pretty original concept which scared many people. By today's standards however it is not as violent as it once was so if you do not want to go back so many years, check out Wrong Turn which is a very similar story and premise that centres around a group of travellers that get marooned in the middle of no-where, and who come across a family of inbred hill billys who like nothing more than to find lost travellers, and hack them into little pieces, and then maybe eat the remains. Wrong Turn was originally billed as going back to horrors roots but it doesn't quite make it. However it is a scary film and certainly one of the most intense films I have seen for a while. Often it is hard to care about the characters on screen when they start dying but in this I found it easy to feel terrible for the group when they started losing friends. So if The Hills Have Eyes is too "old" a film for you to consider, take a look at Wrong Turn.
I might be an adult but I still like animated films after all, just because it is animated, it does not mean that it cannot be a fantastic film. First up is the most recent film from Pixar/Disney - Finding Nemo. A lot of people have said this was not as good as the company's previous efforts; however it is still a good film in itself. The animation is incredible and DVD is presented excellently. The video is a little compressed with haloing around some of the on screen objects including the "cast"; however the colours are vibrant and the sound is rich, with a decent selection of extra features making this a kids and adults favourite wherever it goes. People with any DVD knowledge at all will have picked this up on Region 1 DVD whilst it was still playing on the cinema screens in the UK and their kids will have loved them for it.
Along the same Disney themes, The Lion King was released as a two disc edition this year. The story is that of a lion cub who is tricked into taking responsibility for his father's death and who leaves his home in shame, only to find new friends. The DVD is presented excellently, with great menus, video and audio presentation as well as a plethora of extra features. It is worth mentioning the audio again as the special 5.1 mix Disney have created here is outstanding and is well worth using to demo your home cinema to friends.
It has been a good year for big kids too, with releases of He-Man, Dogtanian, Battle of the Planets and The Adventures of Willy Fog all on DVD. None are beautiful DVDs but they are as good as childhood memories get and what with all the current sales on, perhaps it is time you relived part of your childhood? I did, and it was great.
My final animated DVD recommendation is called Spirited Away. This has been available from the Far East for a while now, albeit with subtitles, however Disney got their hooks into it and made a new version with a proper English dub of the audio. So those of you that can't read and watch TV at the same time, the Region 1 edition is the one to go for. The film is beautiful and of course being Japanese, a little strange at the same time, telling the story of a young girl whose family enter a spirit world. As she loses her parents the film portrays her struggle to get them back amongst other things. You really should see this - it even won an Oscar this year.
Others to Look at
There have been many good DVDs released this year and I am not listing them all by any means, however a few worth checking out are: Dances with Wolves: Special Edition, Day of the Dead, 8 Mile, Evil Dead Trilogy, The Hitcher, May, Red Dwarf, Fargo Special Edition, Ichi the Killer, Jason X, NARC, The Office, Phone Booth and finally the Indiana Jones Trilogy.
Ones to Miss
As with everything, with pleasure must come pain. To maintain balance, for every good film made, there must be twenty poor ones to balance out the universe. 2003 was no exception. My first choice is an odd one. Not based on the film itself, but the presentation of the DVD. Gangs of New York caused a fair amount of controversy when released for its poor picture quality and large use of Edge Enhancement (especially on the Region 1 DVD). Ok it wasn't that bad, but it is not what we would expect from a big budget epic production such as this. The film itself was quite good if a little bland but worth a rental if you can face sitting through its 160 minute running time. However especially if you have a large screen TV or projector, be prepared for a fairly average video presentation of an attempt at an epic film.
From here we go onto more films that whilst the DVDs could be good, the films themselves are so bad it pains me to even type their titles: 2 Fast 2 Furious, Charlie's Angels: Full Throttle, Daredevil, Hulk, xXx. Of course there have been many other appaling films on DVD this year but I expected a lot more from those listed above. It just shows that a big budget can't always buy a decent script.
One final disappointment of 2003 was the SE release of The Fifth Element on Region 2 DVD. Unfortunately the video quality is as it always was on standard Region 2 – rubbish. I took a look at this in a comparison article here if you are interested.
I hope some of that has given you an idea of an extra DVD to pick at your local store for a perusal, and if not, why not post your recommendations from 2003 below in our comments section. I'm always interested to hear what you lot consider to be a good DVD, especially over the last year.
Editorial by David Beamish
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