Metrolux 14 shows blurry version of Thor

Recently I commented on Roger Ebert’s commentary on poor projection. Since then I have had a poort movie experience myself.

My sister had arrangements to watch her kids so a few of us went out to watch Thor about a week ago. We visited the only theater in Loveland Colorado, the Metrolux 14. Prior to our visit, I actually submitted a link to Ebert’s article through the contact page on their website and asked them if they had problems with Sony projectors and 2D/3D. I did not receive a response.

We chose the 2D version of Thor since my previous 3D experiences have not been enjoyable. The first thing I noticed about the film was it’s blurriness. As the title sequence played, my first thought was that I needed to visit the eye doctor for a new prescription. The titles were just blurry. As the movie continued, it did not get more clear. The close up scenes were OK, but the sweeping views of Asgard that someone spent a lot of time and money creating were fuzzy.

So what did I do about this? Did I chase down a Metrolux 14 employee and demand my money back? Did I storm out? No, I sat and watched the movie. My job isn’t quality control for Metrolux 14. I have no idea if they have sony projectors, if they were using 3D lenses or if somebody just didn’t adjust the focus. All I know is we spent $35 on four tickets to watch a movie in a theater. We could have waited a month, bought the blu-ray copy and watched it on the 46 inch flatscreen or with the home theater projector and had a much better experience.

It may be a while before I go watch another movie, but when I do it probably won’t be at the Metrolux 14. There are a few movies opening soon (Super 8, Green Lantern) that are on my list to view, so a visit to other local theaters are may be in order. As I watch these movies I will post the name of the theater and my experience so you can know what to avoid. Likewise, if you have comments about the Metrolux 14 or any regional theaters in Northern Colorado pleas feel free to share.

Watching a dim movie with a 3D Projector

The dying of the light

Driven by a mania to abandon celluloid in favor of digital, increasing numbers of chains are installing 3D-ready digital projectors. As everyone can tell simply by taking off their 3D glasses, the process noticeably reduces the visible light from the screen. I got emails from readers saying the night scenes in “Pirates of the Caribbean” were so dim they were annoying.

Ah, but what if you saw the movie in 2D? As it happens, a lot of people did; Gitesh Pandya of BoxOfficeGuru.com reported: “less than half of the Pirates weekend gross came from 3D screens, with more opting for the 2D version.” He attributes that to moviegoers being “cautious with their dollars.” After the weekend, David Poland of MovieCityNews.com ran the numbers and determined 60% of sales were in 2D and 40% in 3D: “Not only is this a clear rejection of 3D on a major movie, but given how distribution is currently designed, it makes you wonder whether Disney cost themselves a lot of gross by putting their film on too high a percentage of 3D screens.”

So not only are movie theaters charging $10 to watch a movie, but they can’t even be bothered to give a good projection??? Maybe Roger Ebert’s article will prompt some of these theaters to change their policies. I went ahead and sent this to the multiplex here in town, I’ll be interested to see if they respond to my question.

How power corrupts

This is an interesting scientific analysis on how power corrupts.

Psychologists refer to this as the paradox of power. The very traits that helped leaders accumulate control in the first place all but disappear once they rise to power. Instead of being polite, honest and outgoing, they become impulsive, reckless and rude. According to psychologists, one of the main problems with authority is that it makes us less sympathetic to the concerns and emotions of others. For instance, several studies have found that people in positions of authority are more likely to rely on stereotypes and generalizations when judging other people. They also spend much less time making eye contact, at least when a person without power is talking.

Rosie Pope – Pregnant in Heels

If you haven’t heard of this show, DON’T WATCH IT. I found a random link that sent me to this show on Hulu. I would review it, but I would rather quote from this review by Ken Levine

Bravo’s PREGNANT IN HEELS — Oh my f-ing God!

The show centers around Rosie Pope, a willowy opportunist who calls herself a “Maternity Concierge” to the “million dollar mamas” of New York’s Upper East Side. These rich sheep now have consultants for everything. I imagine these self-proclaimed experts are selected by which cable network their reality show is on.

Read the rest of his review, it’s brilliant.

Miss Maine, Emily Johnson, has to give up title because of NBC scheduling

Back in November Emily Johnson was crowned Miss Maine, but six weeks into her reign NBC announced they had moved the Miss USA pageant to June from the traditional April to better fit in their schedule. Miss Johnson had a prior commitment, her sister’s wedding

“That was the only date the entire year I couldn’t do it,” Johnson said. “For a while, I was bawling my eyes out. I was so devastated.”

Miss Maine officials weren’t pleased.

Mackenzie Davis, executive director of the Miss Maine USA pageant, says she understands Johnson’s reasoning, but she says Miss Maine is a serious commitment and that she’s disappointed Johnson withdrew from her duties.

Emily has given up the title, prizes, trip to the Miss USA pageant in Las Vegas so she can be in her sister’s wedding.

What will a government shutdown cost?

So we are potentially on the eve of a ‘government shut down’. Why? Because Congress and the President can’t agree on a budget and there is no more debt authorized, so the US Government is going to furlough workers, close down museums and national parks and take a few days off.

Thing is, unlike a normal company that might save a few bucks with a ‘mandatory vacation’ or ‘layoff’, this is going to actually COST MORE money than business as usual. The National Park system brings in $32 Million per day in entrance fees. The Government is going to close the gates, shut the park, stop collecting entrance fees, but they are going to keep rangers working, patrolling and issuing tickets to keep people out of the park.

Workers will be furloughed, but will be given back pay and overtime to catch up on their work, so it’s more like a paid vacation with a bonus than it is a layoff.

Who knows how many millions or billions of extra money this will cost taxpayers. In 1995 cost estimates were $1.25 billion for 3 weeks.

This shouldn’t be called a Government Shutdown, this is a Lockout, the same kind of tactics that the NFL owners are using in their labor dispute. A typical, heavy-handed business tactic that let’s Obama and the Democrats get what they want instead of agreeing to some reasonable budget cuts.

Hiring overseas developers

I have a question for everyone out there. Have you ever tried to hire a development team from overseas, India, the Phillipines, etc… I’ve just tried it and I would like to share my experiences.

Developer 1:

Accepted my project at a low hourly rate. Got started, but didn’t seem to grasp the project. After about a week of back and forth it was obvious he wasn’t going to do what I asked, so I cancelled it.

Developer 2:

This is a well reviewed development company, who seemed to have it all together. I created a project with three relatively simple tasks and got and estimate back that was about 10 times the length that I had anticipated. Sure, the hourly rate was low, but the project time was huge.

My question is, is this typical? I have a theory that overseas development firms are charging ridiculously low rates (1/10th of what an American developer would charge) but making up for it in the hours they bill on the project. This isn’t any observation about the technical skills of the developers, but more of a review on how their business model works.

Does anyone have any thoughts/similar experiences? I would love to hear them.

New site from e-Marketing Partner

We have a new site launch from e-Marketing Partner. If you need Fire Sprinklers in Fort Collins take a look.

Bill Gates was the Mark Zuckerberg of His Time

Paul Allen’s new book accuses Bill Gates of attempting to steal shares of Microsoft from him while he Paul was undergoing treatment for cancer. In this video from the Wall Street Journal – The News Hub discusses if these accusations hurt Bill Gates. During the segment author Julia Angwin states that Gates ‘was the Mark Zuckerberg of his time’? The Mark Zuckerberg of his time? Really? (shakes head)

95 year old WWII Vet finds out he’s not an American Citizen?

Ninety Five year old Leeland Davidson of Washington wanted to visit relatives in Canada and needed an ‘enhanced drivers license’ to do it. The license was denied because he ‘wasn’t a citizen’ in spite of being born to two US Citizens from Nebraska? Since his parents were born in Nebraska before there were good records, and Leeland was born in British Columbia, the US government has decided he isn’t a citizen. When he decided to pursue the citizenship issue, the officials at the US Passport office threatened to deport him and take away his Social Security

What is wrong with this country?

I live in a town with hundreds if not thousands of illegal immigrants. They are working on every construction site and shopping at the Wal-Mart, but someone is wasting resources threatening a 95 year old World War II vet that has lived in this country his whole life.