I just realized how long it's been since I last updated my blog. My bad. So I was at work on the 19th... no big deal... then came home and heated up my lasagna for dinner. Went to heat up a second piece and the microwave was dead. Not what I wanted. How to start my birthday off with a bang. I am still blown away by the fact Dawn showed up with a microwave for me. She traded in my original present for this... since a microwave is pretty much a necessity for me. First up on my actual plans for the day was the chiropractor. I wanted to at least feel good for the day. It also gave me a chance to see mom. From there we went out to dinner. Mmm chicken and ribs. Can't forget the daiquiri either. And then I went to see Quantum of Solace with Dawn to round out the evening. It was a great day... and was relaxing.
Now I was supposed to go out on the weekend as well to finish off the celebrations but it just wasn't meant to be. Seems like everyone, but me, was sick that weekend. So those plans are still in pending status. Making it up is going to be a challenge since everyone's schedules vary wildly. Since it's now December and the holiday season I have a feeling it is going to be January before that happens. But I am now 30... and aging gracefully I might add. Helps that I am still carded virtually everywhere I go. *lol*
Showing posts with label Movies. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Movies. Show all posts
Monday, December 08, 2008
Sunday, February 10, 2008
Tales in Customer Service
For once I am not venting about Apple's lack of service. Back in December I pre-ordered the Resident Evil trilogy from Blockbuster. I had $100 in store credit and they really haven't been getting in any Blu-rays. So I went with something expensive since I knew that I would end up paying more any ways. The customer service rep wasn't sure if they would be able to order it since it was a Blu-ray title but promised that he would look into it and let me know if there was a problem. I went in a week before the release date to make sure it was ordered. "Oh yeah, no problem" I was told. So I go in January 1 to pick up my movies and everything came to a crashing halt. It had not been ordered at all. Say what? I was told that they would look into it and get back to me. A few days later I got a phone call promising that it would be in the following week.
So I called on Tuesday to see if there was any news. I figured since movies were released that day it meant that they would be getting in shipments on Mondays. Turns out the shipments come in on Wednesdays so I was told to call back. I stopped in on my way to work. Why waste cell phone minutes? I was already in the area to get dinner so it was all good. No sign of it. But I was told it might be in by the end of the week. Since I had been promised that it would be in that week I went back in. The customer service rep this time was pretty rude. First words out of her mouth were, "Did we call?" This was followed by "wait until we call." Guess they don't want me shopping for anything else.
The following week I still hadn't heard anything so, while at work (of course), I managed to locate an email address for Blockbuster's customer service. I decided to email them with my tail of woe and see what happens. I didn't figure I'd even hear back. But I was getting frustrated. After all I paid for the movies... cost me something like $140 in the end (including the store credit) so I wanted my merchandise. They replied within a few days (which made sense since I emailed them on the weekend). Sent it off to the district guy who got back to me pretty quickly as well. Here I was getting my hopes up. They were telling me that there was a problem with the order. According to the supplier the title was not available and according to Sony it is. They basically said that they would know that day (or the next) if they could get it. They were also going to match Future Shop's price if they could get it (since it was $40 cheaper). So far so good right? Except that I didn't hear back. I waited until the beginning of the following week and then emailed the district guy again. All I wanted was a yes/no answer. Is it available? Didn't get that... He told me that he was going to be checking with the store that day. And once again I never heard back.
Almost a month after it was released I still did not have my merchandise and had no way to know if I was ever going to get it. I keep checking for good deals on Blu (like my misprint for Lost: Season 3 which I got for $24.99) and discovered that Amazon.com had the Resident Evil trilogy for $48.99. Since Future Shop had it for $72.99 that was a wee bit of a difference. I jumped on that deal. Got it for $58 including shipping. So then I had to go into Blockbuster to get my money back. Almost 2 months after the whole ordeal started I still had the $100 in store credit to spend and was back where I started. But I did save quite a bit of money in the process.
I did get a couple of Blus while I was in Blockbuster but they were still overpriced. Why is it that they specialize in movies and can't even compete price wise with other stores? I still have $14 left and no idea what to buy.... As I mentioned previously, I might put it towards a previously viewed movie so that I don't have to spend as much on both formats. Or perhaps a previously played game. But I am not playing that many PS3 games these days. Or maybe they will even start getting in Blu-rays... but then again they even say on their web site that prices start at $34.99. Definitely overpriced... especially compared to the States.
I can say this... after using Blockbuster to build up my DVD collection I have absolutely no desire to ever step foot in that Blockbuster ever again.... other then to use up my store credit. This whole experience has been extremely poor and they really have done nothing to retain me as a customer. I am more then happy to support Future Shop and Amazon with my hard earned cash. Blockbuster is now on my boycott list.
So I called on Tuesday to see if there was any news. I figured since movies were released that day it meant that they would be getting in shipments on Mondays. Turns out the shipments come in on Wednesdays so I was told to call back. I stopped in on my way to work. Why waste cell phone minutes? I was already in the area to get dinner so it was all good. No sign of it. But I was told it might be in by the end of the week. Since I had been promised that it would be in that week I went back in. The customer service rep this time was pretty rude. First words out of her mouth were, "Did we call?" This was followed by "wait until we call." Guess they don't want me shopping for anything else.
The following week I still hadn't heard anything so, while at work (of course), I managed to locate an email address for Blockbuster's customer service. I decided to email them with my tail of woe and see what happens. I didn't figure I'd even hear back. But I was getting frustrated. After all I paid for the movies... cost me something like $140 in the end (including the store credit) so I wanted my merchandise. They replied within a few days (which made sense since I emailed them on the weekend). Sent it off to the district guy who got back to me pretty quickly as well. Here I was getting my hopes up. They were telling me that there was a problem with the order. According to the supplier the title was not available and according to Sony it is. They basically said that they would know that day (or the next) if they could get it. They were also going to match Future Shop's price if they could get it (since it was $40 cheaper). So far so good right? Except that I didn't hear back. I waited until the beginning of the following week and then emailed the district guy again. All I wanted was a yes/no answer. Is it available? Didn't get that... He told me that he was going to be checking with the store that day. And once again I never heard back.
Almost a month after it was released I still did not have my merchandise and had no way to know if I was ever going to get it. I keep checking for good deals on Blu (like my misprint for Lost: Season 3 which I got for $24.99) and discovered that Amazon.com had the Resident Evil trilogy for $48.99. Since Future Shop had it for $72.99 that was a wee bit of a difference. I jumped on that deal. Got it for $58 including shipping. So then I had to go into Blockbuster to get my money back. Almost 2 months after the whole ordeal started I still had the $100 in store credit to spend and was back where I started. But I did save quite a bit of money in the process.
I did get a couple of Blus while I was in Blockbuster but they were still overpriced. Why is it that they specialize in movies and can't even compete price wise with other stores? I still have $14 left and no idea what to buy.... As I mentioned previously, I might put it towards a previously viewed movie so that I don't have to spend as much on both formats. Or perhaps a previously played game. But I am not playing that many PS3 games these days. Or maybe they will even start getting in Blu-rays... but then again they even say on their web site that prices start at $34.99. Definitely overpriced... especially compared to the States.
I can say this... after using Blockbuster to build up my DVD collection I have absolutely no desire to ever step foot in that Blockbuster ever again.... other then to use up my store credit. This whole experience has been extremely poor and they really have done nothing to retain me as a customer. I am more then happy to support Future Shop and Amazon with my hard earned cash. Blockbuster is now on my boycott list.
Monday, January 07, 2008
The End is Near
The end just might be near... at least as far as the high-definition format war goes. Warner announced the other day that they were going blu... Blu-ray that is. Right now I am glad that I didn't buy an HD DVD player for Boxing Day like I was thinking of. After all that leaves Universal and Paramount as the ONLY HD supporters... Everyone else (Disney, Sony, Fox, Warner) all support Blu-ray. I hear the death knell already....
Thursday, September 27, 2007
At the Movies
Over the weekend I went to see Resident Evil: Extinction with Adam. I have never played the video games but Adam was pretty happy to see them introduce the crows into the movie. I own the other two movies so it was really a no-brainer that I was going to see the movie... or just wait for it to come out. I must say that I really liked it. It's pretty graphic though so it's no wonder it got an 18+ rating in Canada.
Tuesday nights are cheap nights at the theater. So I went to see Eastern Promises on Tuesday. Now throughout most of the movie I was wondering why it too got an 18+ rating. Granted it was a Cronenberg film and was about a crime family. And then came the fight in the steam bath and all doubts as to the rating was quickly removed. Stylistically it is different then what we have come to expect from Hollywood. If you want something that is nice and neatly packaged then you may want to go see something else. If you want something that is gritty and leaves things open for interpretation then you just might want to check it out. But it's definitely not for the squeamish.
Tuesday nights are cheap nights at the theater. So I went to see Eastern Promises on Tuesday. Now throughout most of the movie I was wondering why it too got an 18+ rating. Granted it was a Cronenberg film and was about a crime family. And then came the fight in the steam bath and all doubts as to the rating was quickly removed. Stylistically it is different then what we have come to expect from Hollywood. If you want something that is nice and neatly packaged then you may want to go see something else. If you want something that is gritty and leaves things open for interpretation then you just might want to check it out. But it's definitely not for the squeamish.
Tuesday, July 24, 2007
Disney and Voodoo
As an interesting note to go with the last post I discovered yesterday that Disney is developing a film called The Princess and the Frog about a black princess from New Orleans. It seems to be full of stereotypes but I guess that is not really a surprise. And there will be two characters that practice voodoo in the film, one being the evil villain. From what I can tell it will do nothing more than propagate the image that pop culture likes to show... namely that voodoo proliferates in New Orleans.... and that voodoo is all about the black magic and cursing people which is really not the case. But if Disney shows it then it must be true, right?
Wednesday, February 28, 2007
Ghost Rider
Finally a day off.... I am starting to feel a bit better although I have developed a dry, hacking cough now. Adam and I went to see Ghost Rider. I was a little skeptical of Nicolas Cage as Johnny Blaze but he pulled it off. I thought it was really good... Of course it's not Oscar quality and isn't going to make you think.... but it was never designed to be that way. All in all it was a good night.
Saturday, February 25, 2006
Rent
After watching "Rent" with Steve he asked me why I had such an interest in homosexuality. I think he missed something in the meaning behind the film. In my movie collection I can't pick out any with homosexuality as being a central theme (well okay it is a theme in Rent... but I wouldn't necessarily pick it as the overall theme). Drug use is also represented, does that make me an addict? In terms of TV shows I like Six Feet Under... does that make me morbid and mean I have a fascination with death? I think he was basing it on the fact I have the first 4 seasons of Queer as Folk and will be buying Season 5 as soon as it is released. Showtime pushed the envelope and challenged societal norms. For once it wasn't a sitcom. I like shows, and movies that challenge you to think, to question society. I even got Adam hooked on Queer as Folk. I'm not sure I can explain why I enjoyed the show so much. When you think about it, how many dramas are there about human life and social interactions? Now that Queer as Folk is off the air if there are any I'm not watching them. It's a character driven drama. That was what made it appealing. A lot of shows stay away from the character development... but don't you ever wonder what they are doing when not at work? I don't think it was so much the fact it was about the gay lifestyle as it was the fact I was sucked in by the storylines. I also have a great deal of respect for the actors for taking on such a role.
I'm not rushing 0ut to see Brokebac Mountain. It has received a number of critical acclaims but to me it is just another story of forbidden love. I'm sure it is a good movie but it doesn't do much for me. Maybe I'll see it when it comes out but it's not high on my priority list.
Any ways... back to Rent. It is about a year in the life of eight friends. The biggest theme in the movie (to me any ways) is to live for the moment. It is about AIDS, homosexuality, drug abuse, homelessness, death and life. It doesn't shy away from the dfficult topics. Rent challenges you to think about life and what is important since it can all change in an instant. I identify most with Mark, the filmmaker. The one disappointment from the film is that they cut "Goodbye Love", a scene I (and other Rent fas) feel is pivotal to the movie. Columbus felt it was too emotional. In my opinion, following the outrage from devoted Rentheads, a director's cut should have been made available that includeed this scene. In it Roger and Mark fight and Roger calls Mark a hypocrite for preaching not to be numb when that's exactly what he is himself. For anyone that knows me, sound familiar? I think there is a lot to be said for living in the moment and not living a life of regrets. Life is too short for regrets.
"I don't own emotion - I rent" (Mark & Roger, from "What You Own")
"No day but today" (Mimi, from "Another Day")
"Forget regret, or life is yours to miss" (Mimi, from "Another Day")
"Five hundred twenty-five thousand six hundred minutes. Five hundred twenty-five thousand moments so dear. Five hundred twenty-five thousand six hundred minutes. How do you measure, measure a year? In daylights, in sunsets, in midnights in cups of coffee. In inches, in miles in laughter in strife. In five hundred twenty-five thousand six hundred minutes - how do you measure a year in the life? How about love? How about love? How about love? Measure in love... seasons of love." (Everyone, from "Seasons of Love")
I'm not rushing 0ut to see Brokebac Mountain. It has received a number of critical acclaims but to me it is just another story of forbidden love. I'm sure it is a good movie but it doesn't do much for me. Maybe I'll see it when it comes out but it's not high on my priority list.
Any ways... back to Rent. It is about a year in the life of eight friends. The biggest theme in the movie (to me any ways) is to live for the moment. It is about AIDS, homosexuality, drug abuse, homelessness, death and life. It doesn't shy away from the dfficult topics. Rent challenges you to think about life and what is important since it can all change in an instant. I identify most with Mark, the filmmaker. The one disappointment from the film is that they cut "Goodbye Love", a scene I (and other Rent fas) feel is pivotal to the movie. Columbus felt it was too emotional. In my opinion, following the outrage from devoted Rentheads, a director's cut should have been made available that includeed this scene. In it Roger and Mark fight and Roger calls Mark a hypocrite for preaching not to be numb when that's exactly what he is himself. For anyone that knows me, sound familiar? I think there is a lot to be said for living in the moment and not living a life of regrets. Life is too short for regrets.
"I don't own emotion - I rent" (Mark & Roger, from "What You Own")
"No day but today" (Mimi, from "Another Day")
"Forget regret, or life is yours to miss" (Mimi, from "Another Day")
"Five hundred twenty-five thousand six hundred minutes. Five hundred twenty-five thousand moments so dear. Five hundred twenty-five thousand six hundred minutes. How do you measure, measure a year? In daylights, in sunsets, in midnights in cups of coffee. In inches, in miles in laughter in strife. In five hundred twenty-five thousand six hundred minutes - how do you measure a year in the life? How about love? How about love? How about love? Measure in love... seasons of love." (Everyone, from "Seasons of Love")
Wednesday, February 22, 2006
Movie Reviews
Okay so I really wouldn't call them reviews... but I have been watching more movies recently then I had been in quite a while so I thought I'd give my thoughts on them.
Transporter 2
This is definitely a brainless action flick and not exactly believeable. I enjoyed it more the first time I saw it. But the firehose fight scene makes the movie. Good movie if you want some fight scenes and a movie that does not require any thought.
Lord of War
More of a desert movie. I didn't expect to enjoy this movie but I actually did. The opening was pretty original. It's not the kind of movie that you would watch repeatedly but I do enjoy movies that make me think. Would be a good movie for the media studies course on war I took in university.
Domino
This movie is more like a music video on acid. It was a decent action flick... again that's assuming you want something that won't be thought provoking. You only get the occassional glimpse into Domino's life and they left out a lot of the character development since most of the movie is based on one job. And they truly took some liberties in this film. They didn't even bother to address the heroin addiction or the fact she was arrested for drug trafficking. Obviously, the film didn't extend to her death of a fetanyl overdose. And to sell the movie they used Kiera Knightley and threw in Edgar Ramirez as Choco. But this is Hollywood after all... so if you're not looking at it as a biography it is entertaining.
Saw 2
Saw 2 was a bit of a disappointment. It reminded me a bit of Cube. It was pretty predictible. Not a bad movie but not nearly as good as the original. One of the problems of sequels is that they generally do not live up to the first one.
Rent
I have been waiting for Rent for a very long time. I'm not sure I ever thought I'd see the day when I wanted to see a musical. Not even sure why I identify so much with it since the main story is about AIDS and homosexuality in New York's east village. Loosely based on "La vie Boheme" it began as a Broadway musical. I guess part of the attraction is the fact it's not mainstream and is not something that too many directors would even touch. I'm a little disappointed that they left the song "Hallowe'en" out of it but otherwise I do think it was well done.
Now I'll end it with a quote from Rent, "Forget regret, or life is yours to miss."
Transporter 2
This is definitely a brainless action flick and not exactly believeable. I enjoyed it more the first time I saw it. But the firehose fight scene makes the movie. Good movie if you want some fight scenes and a movie that does not require any thought.
Lord of War
More of a desert movie. I didn't expect to enjoy this movie but I actually did. The opening was pretty original. It's not the kind of movie that you would watch repeatedly but I do enjoy movies that make me think. Would be a good movie for the media studies course on war I took in university.
Domino
This movie is more like a music video on acid. It was a decent action flick... again that's assuming you want something that won't be thought provoking. You only get the occassional glimpse into Domino's life and they left out a lot of the character development since most of the movie is based on one job. And they truly took some liberties in this film. They didn't even bother to address the heroin addiction or the fact she was arrested for drug trafficking. Obviously, the film didn't extend to her death of a fetanyl overdose. And to sell the movie they used Kiera Knightley and threw in Edgar Ramirez as Choco. But this is Hollywood after all... so if you're not looking at it as a biography it is entertaining.
Saw 2
Saw 2 was a bit of a disappointment. It reminded me a bit of Cube. It was pretty predictible. Not a bad movie but not nearly as good as the original. One of the problems of sequels is that they generally do not live up to the first one.
Rent
I have been waiting for Rent for a very long time. I'm not sure I ever thought I'd see the day when I wanted to see a musical. Not even sure why I identify so much with it since the main story is about AIDS and homosexuality in New York's east village. Loosely based on "La vie Boheme" it began as a Broadway musical. I guess part of the attraction is the fact it's not mainstream and is not something that too many directors would even touch. I'm a little disappointed that they left the song "Hallowe'en" out of it but otherwise I do think it was well done.
Now I'll end it with a quote from Rent, "Forget regret, or life is yours to miss."
Wednesday, December 21, 2005
Insomnia
I was just watching some TV and an ad came on for some insomnia medication. Probably a good thing it wasn't an informercial or I might have been watching it for a while and then calling the number to order some. Some days it really sucks to be an insomniac. All you want is one decent night's sleep. And it seems like everyone has some idea of how to achieve that. The doctors always tell you to quit smoking. I did that and it didn't help. They also tell you to cut back on caffeine. Yeah like that is going to happen. Doctors also tell you just to use the bedroom for sleep and sex, nothing else. They really wouldn't want to see my bedroom right now then. There's the TV, PS2 and computer. But even with just my bed and dresser it didn't help. Or there are always medications... most of them make you so groggy you can barely function in the morning and still don't want to get out of bed. Mind you I love reading the side effects where it says "may cause drowsiness." Wasn't that the whole point? There's also 101 herbal remedies to help you sleep. Or white noise... CDs... light therapy... etc. If that doesn't work maybe you need therapy to work on those issues causing you not to sleep. I did a sleep study once. They forced me to try and sleep earlier then I normally would and then wondered why I couldn't fall asleep. If it wasn't bad enough that it was only midnight and still early for me... I was hooked up to all these electrodes so it was not exactly comfortable. When I did manage to fall asleep an electrode would come off so they'd wake me up to put it back on. I'm still not sure if they're goal was to study sleep patterns or make me so tired that I would sleep well the next night. This is one of those times I miss not having a doctor. Not so I can take that drug I saw in the ad earlier... but to go back on the Lorazapam. Now that stuff was great. I can't imagine why they say it's addictive. Knocks you out and you wake up the next morning. In the quest for sleep I even spent $1000 on my mattress. It helps the Fibro but I'm still an insomniac. Although it could be worse... I could be Edward Norton in Fight Club or Christian Bale in the Machinist. So there's always that.
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