I have cajoled, lent, and blackmailed many people into watching Bowfinger over the years and I have learned that this is one of those love it or hate it kind of movies.

I am definitely in the love it camp. I have never figured out why the people it the hate it camp react so negatively but to me this movie is sheer genius. The story is about Bowfinger (Steve Martin) who is a wannabe movie maker who tries to make an action movie. But there is only one problem. His big name star won't do the movie. So he does it without him knowing.

Eddie Murphy plays Kit Ramsey, the biggest black star in the world. He also plays his brother. Of course Eddie plays multiple characters in many movies, but in this one he does it without make-up and he does it very well.

Heather Graham, in all her Heather Grahamy goodness, is great as a fresh off the bus actress who gives herself a whole week to succeed in Hollywood. She works her way through the entire movie company to gain screen time.

I love movies like this where the more I see it the more littl efunny details I see. That is one of the things that makes a movie worht owning. Also if it was one that didn't do great at the box office you can suprise your guest with it.

Now I might have put you off by saying this is a love it or hate it movie. But believe me if you are in the love it side you will be glad you saw it. If you hate it I can only say don't be a hater.

Murphy and Martin at the top of their game. Give it a try and see for yourself.

This movie is #10 on my All-Time Best Comedy list.

I hadn't given the whole Plasma vs LCD debate much thought until I was making my buying decision. I have to admit I was drawn in by the price and was prepared to buy the Plasma. But when I saw them side by side I liked the LCD better. I like that the screen has more a a flat finish instead of the shiny surface of the plasma screen. This might make a noticeable difference when watching the TV in a room with windows or lights.

I have actually had the Vizio for several months (so long in fact the price has already dropped). After living with it for a while I think I can really give it a hearty endorsement. This model has 1080P resolution and the picture is stunning. I use a DVR and record Hd programs so I can demo the unit. Planet Earth and Equator are amazing HD shows. It is as if an HDTV salesman commissioned those shows just to sell TVs.

Ratchet and Clank:Future: Tools of Destruction

That title may be longer than my review. Not because I don't like the game but because I want to get back to it. I have to say I haven't played any of the other R&C games so I didn't know what to expect. So far I am really enjoying the game. It has a sly sense of humor. The graphics are great and it isn't just doing the same thing over and over.

Also it isn't just a shooter. You can shoot your enemies with a variety of weapons but you also have the Groovitron. It plays a funky beat and the bad guys can't help but dance. Then while they are getting their groove on you scoot on by.

The World's Fastest Indian is the story of Burt Munro a 70-something New Zealander obsessed with tinkering with his 1920 Indian Scout motorcycle and attempting to set land-speed records on it. I really enjoyed the movie. It is just a peek into one chapter of his life as he tries to make the trip from down under to Utah to attempt an official timed run at the Bonneville salt flats. The main action happens when he fires up his machine and shocks everybody with the speed.

So far we have only watched a few blu-ray movies. But I really enjoy them. The picture is pristine. It really is impressive. Particuclary when you relize how much I violate the viewing distance rule of thumb (2.5x screen width = seating distance, yeah right!) My projeotor will only do 720P: so now that is the limiting factor. I am having a hard time convincing the wife that I really NEED a 1080P projector. But when the bulb burns out I will have a tough choice to make.

I also like using the PS3 wireless controller as the remote. It works great if I can ever remeber which button does what. There is a great 120X FF that lets you zip right along. Also you can play the movie at 1.5X and still hear the sound and it isn't even high pitched. I bought the separate remote but so far I haven't been able to make it work at all.

One of the blu-ray movie we watched was 16 Blocks. This is a strong action movie with Bruce Willis. I love the clarity in the detrails like the reflections on the car windows as they drove. And the sound was amazing. Some of the gun shoots literally made me jump.

For games the graphics are amazing. I have only had one game so far. It is called Lair. In the game you fly a dragon and shoot fire and blow stuff up. I didn't even know that PS3 has a motion sensitve controller (like Wii but not quite as sophisticated). But in the Lair game you fly your dragon by just tilting the controller, tilt right and you go right. It really does give you the feeling of flying.

Playing these games in a dedicated Home Theater is really a sensory experience. My screen is huge. You can get a lttile of that dizzy feeling as you feel the motion. And the soundtrack for this game is full sounding like a major motion picture.

It baffles my mind that these video games have somehow evolved from Pong and Space Invaders.

Of course I am cheap so I don't like to pay $60 for a game. Or even the extra $10 for a blu-ray movie. So Netflix and Gamefly are really kicking in. It was a simple thing to change my Netflix so that all the movies in my que that are available in blu-ray were changed to blu-ray.

Let me just say this is the most dramatic improvement to my system since we got the HD hooked up.

I already got my reference disk - Fifth Element. I haven't watched it yet but soon and often....

Stay tuned.

I am so confused on home theaters what I really need to know is what is the difference between digital sound and hdmi is there one Im looking toward sony I need to know if digital sound will be good enough for new lcd tw please help!!!!!

Signed Confused

See my answer here ------->]]> http://cheapdaveshometheater.com/ask_cheap_dave/confused_about_digital_audio_v.php http://cheapdaveshometheater.com/ask_cheap_dave/confused_about_digital_audio_v.php Ask Cheap Dave Wed, 23 Apr 2008 18:19:32 -0800
I enjoy getting questions on this site. Here is one I recently received:

Hey Dave:

I found your review on the same TV I just bought. I wanted to know what Surround System you suggest I buy to go with this TV? I look forward to your reply and thank you!


Leanda

I responded:


Leanda,

I am glad you found my site. I have a lot of general advice on Home theater stuff. Particularly how to get the most bang for your buck. So check out my articles. But to answer your question I will have to ask you some questions. What is your price range? Are you mainly going to watch movies or TV? What other components do you have (receiver, subwoofer etc.)

I look forward to your reply

Whatever you do, don't run out and buy a Bose system.

This is exactly the type of movie to add to your home theater collection. Something a guest will not have seen but which you would like to see again.

This movie really got to me. It did it in ways I would not have expected. It didn't have the usual overly predictable Hollywood touhing moment at the end to make you cry. It got me early and often.

It might be hard to describe the plot, but it is about an estranged father who wants to make peace with his dieing son. He tries to pick up where his son left off and film a Chinese folk opera. {don't worry it all makes sense in the movie and it makes no sense} It is just a father desparately trying to make a gesture to fix past mistakes that really can't be fixed.

With the Logitech you just hook up to your computer and fill in your components and it downloads the codes. That's it.

Read the rest of the review here