When I was a kid, us Gen-X-ers (thanks for that term Doug) only had to worry about getting bullied by real kids – ones with real fists. These days poor Gen-Y-ers lives in a world of cyberbullies. Not all of the threats are real. And only some of them human.

(2010) USA, 109 mins

WRITER: Nicholas Stoller
DIRECTOR: Nicholas Stoller
CAST: Jonah Hill, Rusell Brand, Rose Byrne, Sean Combs

Aaron Green (Hill), a record company intern is charged with the task of accompanying his idol, out-of-control British rock star Aldous Snow (Brand) from London to a tenth anniversary concert at L.A.’s Greek Theater. The event could save Snow’s nose-diving fortunes and it could establish Green’s career. However, getting the wily, sex-addicted, substance-abusing rocker to stick to any kind of schedule will take all of Green’s patience and ingenuity. Read More

We know that robots are becoming more prevalent in the home. Sure, they’re only vacuum cleaners at the moment, but robots of greater utitlity – say the ability to mix fantastic, perfect cocktails 100% of the time – are just around the corner. The Japanese fascination with the notion of artificial life have made them leaders in robot research and experimentation. Which is another way of saying, we all love ASIMO, no? Although Honda’s cute little walker is somewhat old hat these days.

The ASADA Synergistic Intelligence Team have just released video of their M3-Kindy a “kindergarten-age/sized humanoiod robot that emulates the movements and reactions of a toddler. At first this little tyke seems rather average. However keep watching this 2 minute vid – the ability to react to a human smile, make this a creepily impressive demonstration.  Just don’t let M3-Kindy eat the broccoli.

Best video clip in the entire world. I’m assuming it’s HTML5 iPadders?

I knew it! Although I didn’t think it would happen so soon. E-readers are taking off in a big way! Manufacturers are astounded. Understandably, book-publishers and distributors are nervous. You can buy a Kobo (electronic document reader pre-loaded with 100 novels) at Borders in Australia for $200. And it uses e-ink just like the Kindle. Actually – scratch that. No you can’t buy a Kobo because they’re out of stock! Read More

Since the release of the iPad in Australia this month, things are changing. The iPad is basically a computer without a keyboard and this sort of thing has been a long time coming. Apple is the new market leader amidst a whole range of tablet computers and portable readers. The computer is truly leaving the home office and nuzzling up to us on the couch – right between our cup of coffee and widescreen Plasma (3DTV anyone? Nahhh.) So how does this affect the social media landscape? Or does it? And what the hell is social media really? Why should I care about what my friends are eating for lunch?
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(2010) USA, 124 minutes

DIRECTOR: Jon Favreau
WRITER: Justin Theroux
CAST: Robert Downey, Jr.Don Cheadle, Mickey Rourke, Gwyneth Paltrow ,Sam Rockwell, Samuel L. Jackson
RATING: 2.5/5

Weapons manufacturer Tony Stark’s identity as Iron Man is now public knowledge. After six months of keeping the world safe from war, Stark finds himself pitted against his Russian arch nemesis, Whiplash (Mickey Rourke) and corporate rival Justin Hammer (Sam Rockwell).  Whiplash wants revenge for past wrongs, Hammer wants to defeat Stark in business and is ruthless about pursuing his ends. Stark is also under investigation from the US Government which doesn’t want a weapon so powerful as the Iron Man suit in private hands. Read More

There are only a few stories in the movie business and most of those have already been told.

The Internet Public Library has a great list of some of the basic plots in literature, but it’s up to you and the zeitgeist to come up with something original, relevant and interesting – and yet not predictive.

Many screenplay puritans (and perhaps, more recently, The Academy itself) have spurned the film Avatar as being derivative. It borrows too much from the storylines of both Pocahontas and The Emerald Forest. Do you think it’s a bad thing that James Cameron borrowed a tired old storyline for his movie, Avatar OR are we at the point where it’s all been done before, so it’s time to do it again – only this time, with computers?

There are many arguments regarding the piracy of movies, games, music and television. Many of us do it (but this isn’t a confession, copyright cops) and we are in breach of a slew of international copyright agreements when we do.

The Old School system way back in the pre-digital era had clear cut institutions for composers, producers and other owners creators of intellectual and creative products to enforce their copyright and collect a fee. Read More

The iPad is coming to Australia. But will it live up to the hype? It has some serious issues and, to my mind, may just be Apple’s final hurrah. , you need to be really close to your wi-fi hub in order for it to work. This problem can’t get fixed with a software update because of a tiny receiver behind the screen and most people use the iPad on their laps / cushions etc. – further reducing the signal. Read More