Back in Business!

Awwwright! Got my new headphones the Koss Porta Pros and they do work well. They block out most sound and have a crisp response. They don't muff my ears so they don't sweat and get icky! Now I'll be ready to continue reviewing in style. Here's a pic of me at the "office" with my new headgear...



Also the mobile site is complete with all the back catalogue available now. You can view it from your regular browser but it's formatted especially for mobile phones. Now you can check out reviews while your at the video store!*


*As a belated thought I decided to add some fine print about using your phone. So here it is: the mobile website is subject to all applicable data/usage charges. Please check with your provider before using the mobile web. Tabula Imago recommendes an unlimited data plan.

Rough Week

Man this week has been rough. First my Sennheiser HD-202 Headphones died (the ones I'm always pictured with) and now I have to get a new pair. I think I'm going with a pair of Koss Porta Pros, recommended by CNET. Just have to wait for my tax refund to come in, garrr.

Also our heat pump is frozen over so we've had to build a fire in our basement stove just to get the house temperature up to 60 Degrees F. So I've spent most of the morning wrapped up in blankets and not watching movies and doing reviews.

So I'm now behind, having to watch The Secret Life of Bees before supper. God it's been a hard week. Things are going to get better though.

I've got my mobile friendly version of my site at m.tabfilm.net and I've got my main site at tabfilm.net, so be sure to update your bookmarks (all 5 of you). Man this week has sucked. And to top it off I'll be 29 in 4 days. God help us all...

Sad news from my local Blockbuster

I've learned today that as part of a nationwide reduction, Blockbuster is shortening its daily hours. Now Mon-Thu it's Noon-9PM and weekends 12A-12P. So it looks like my reviews may be a little delayed on Tuesdays as I can't get my flicks at 10 AM anymore. I'll keep you updated.

Introducing... GIGANTOR

Hey, just thought I'd give you guys a behind the scenes glimpse here at Tabula Imago. Today I'm going to introduce this reviewer's best friend for film: Gigantor.

It's a Stanley insulated mug and does a pretty good job. It holds 20 some ounces and gets me through some real stinkers. Of course since it's usually filled with room temperature soda, I don't really put it to a test.

You can buy a similar model on Amazon here: STANLEY CLASSIC MUG

I got the name from the remote control robot off of an old cartoon called Gigantor.

Here's a vid of the opening of the cartoon.



Here's to Gigantor, getting me through bad movies by always being full of soda, milk, juice and the occasional alcoholic reinforcement. More movie reviews coming soon, so many movies so little time. Hope you enjoyed this brief behind the scenes glimpse of my and Gigantor.



GIGAAAAAAANTOOOOOR!

Busy Busy Busy

Oh, so many movies, so little time. I've been trying to stay busy. My initial application for disability has been denied by Social Security. Apparently I'm not disabled enough since I can communicate and perform certain daily activities. Oh well, it's on to the first appeal. As I understand it takes 2 appeals, a lawyer and a judge and about another 6 months or so. Fortunately I have things to keep me busy, like this website.

My brother in law yesterday asks me, "are you going to review movies that people actually watch like family movies and kids films?" That was actually a good question. I'm sure anyone who's been reading my reviews have notice a dearth of family friendly entertainment. The fact that it's mostly foreign films and documentaries doesn't help much either.

SO with that in mind, I've decided to review a few family films including: Kit Kittredge: All American Girl, Journey To The Center Of The Earth, WALL-E, Nim's Island, and Veggie Tales Presents: The Pirates Who Don't Do Anything. (all links are IMDB).

Of course I'll have to fit these in with regular weekly releases (family films don't come out every week) but I'll shoot for one a week starting out and we'll see how it goes from there.

So, I'm branching out to watch movies I don't usually, not just chick flicks and period dramas (although those are bad enough). I guess it comes with the territory. I promised myself I wouldn't be a snobby site that only reviewed films that came out on one screen in your town (if at all). Guess it's time to live up to my promise.

Enjoy, more reviews coming soon!

One goal reached, another moves away

Well, I have reached my 50th review with Gaspar Noe's Irreversible! I can't believe that in less than a month and a half I've generated so much content. It's been a lot of fun and a lot of work. Every review brings me closer to my goal of being on Rotten Tomatoes.

Unfortunately it looks like that goal has moved a good distance into the future now. I examined the by-laws of the Online Film Critics Association and it says that you not only have to have 50 reviews in the last year, you also have to have a minimum of one year of experience. So it looks like I can't join until next year around this time.

So, things are tough but I'm making it. I figured I can slow down and review new releases over the course of the week instead of doing a whole bunch on Tuesday. That said there will still be the latest and biggest releases reviewed by Wednesday. Coming up I've got Swing Vote (when it comes back to the local shop) and Brideshead Revisited. Stay tuned faithful readers, I'm in for the long haul.