• My slowness with posts since last weekend is due to my cable modem connection at the house being a bit flaky. Actually, if you can’t get to any of the guygordon.com web sites, that’s also the reason why. It’s been a bit better over the last couple days, and it’s still being worked on. Hopefully, it’ll be smooth and stable soon.
• Heck yeah. Dell intros a couple new monitors. I want that 24 incher. They’ve gotten the color range up on it, which is something I’ve been wanting to see happen. I have their 24 inch model from a couple years ago. It lacks HDCP which makes it a real pain for HD disc viewing. The new models have that, of course (as did the first model after the one I have). But my main visual complaint with the otherwise beautiful monitor I have is the color range/contrast ratio, which causes some artifact halo issues in darker or wide contrast scenes. Sounds like they’ve got it pretty much ironed out.
• Here’s a funny segment from Conan’s show during an accidental fire alarm.
• Now here a cool, tricked out ride
• So, looks like the AT&T death star is gunning for another big target
• The end of times for analog TV broadcast
• The Sarah Conner Chronicles gets a launch date
• Another step in the right direction for the LONG in gestation second X-Files film. Can’t say how much I’d love to see said movie finally get made.
• A few more movie reviews are pending. Speaking of which, I don’t know if I mentioned it in a previous post and I don’t feel like searching to find out, but Blade Runner: The Final Cut is actually getting a screening in Chicago (at the Music Box Theatre). I’m definitely going.

A fairly decent off-shoot of the mobster movie genre. For the record, I hate most mob movies, so for me to like one that’s even remotely related to the genre is pretty high praise. This movie ain’t for the squeemish, with more than enough in a few scenes to easily earn its R rating.

Writing: The plot of the film is fairly simple, pieced together from many that have come before. It doesn’t break a whole lot of new ground, but it stays fresh enough to work. Putting the Russian spin on the subject helps make it feel somewhat unique.

Production: David Cronenberg has a varied enough directing history to be able to take on most anything. He employs his “less is more” approach to filming this story, avoiding much by way of flashy production. Most of the effort is on getting the gritty feel of the environment right.

Cast: There’s little doubt that the cast is the strongest aspect of the movie. I’m a fan of Naomi Watts, and she does a fine job here. Viggo Mortensen also does an excellent job, and the two play off each other rather well. And Armin Mueller-Stahl is very well cast as the seemingly warm and charming mob boss.

Music: Big surprise having Howard Shore doing the score. Or not. This is something along the lines of their 13th film together. As such, Shore does a good job matching the subject matter, playing things somewhat understated.