I have to say that the 50 years commemoration montage video of James Bond at the Academy awards was very disappointing and weak.  Bond movies have become a cultural phenomenon, over the years celebrating the pinnacle of gadget wizardry, state of the art special effects, beautiful women and well written scripts of a secret agent who stands up to the tyranny of evil men no matter what the cost.

Their video was overloaded with unnecessary graphics that only superficially captured bits and pieces of what seemed like a B grade action movie and because they chose to leave out dialogue,none of the satirical attributes that adhered audiences to bond emanated from the video which should have been critical in establishing the connection the academy awards were looking for from the audience.

It would have been cool to see all the James bonds in one place commemorating 50 years, or maybe even a scripted stunt like the opening of the Olympics from last year, cleverly weaved into the evening.

Nevertheless everything turned out ok with dame Shirley Bassey singing Goldfinger (although I think Carly Simon's "Nobody does it better" would also have worked) and Adele winning her first Academy Award for Best Original Song for Skyfall. 

The first video was created by a fan and uploaded to youtube and the second is what appeared at the academy award, take a look at them  both and see why I think the first video is much better.

Keeping in line with their Hard hitting journalism and their sensationally dramatic cover photography, Oscar Pistorius appears on the cover of this weeks time magazine. The iconic paralympic athlete is featured bear chested in a heroic pose very, reminiscent of fantasy artists Borris Vallejo and Julie bell.

The picture of Pistorius - taken by Pieter Hugo - was first used in the New York Times last year. The alleged tragic accident that took place on valentines day has grabbed the worlds attention and if it where any other time, South Africa would be celebrating the appearance of the Blade Runner on one of the worlds most widey read publications, seeing Oscar on the cover now however just fills me with deep regret and disbelief.


The headline 'Man Superman Gunman' is simply entitled 'Pistorius And South Africa's Culture Of Violence'.

Watch Jim Frederick, the Time International Editor, explain in this short video, What the Oscar Pistorius Case reveals about South Africa and its culture of violence. 

Be sure to also have a look at the outakes of this photo here

In an interview with the Australian Broadcasting Corporation, Women, Children and Persons with Disabilities Minister Lulama Xingwana spoke out about the arrest and murder charge against paralympian Oscar Pistorius. She unflinchingly made the following racist remarks.

“Young Afrikaner men are brought up in the Calvinist religion

 believing that they own a woman, they own a child, they own everything and therefore they can take that life because they own it.”  

And to make matters worse, she thereafter apologised and said

 "I was quoted out of context. I was not speaking about Afrikaner men per say, 

I was talking about religious practices". 

Either way it sounds ridiculous, which ever context she is referring to.  I think her racist comment is only applicable and in its best context in "Lululand". Her apology comes amidst a flurry of complaints that are threatening to be lodged against her at the South African Human Rights Commission from other parties and Parliamentry representatives 

This original video and transcript of the interview originally appear in the Article titled "Pistorius case highlights South Africas's gun violence" at the following link  http://www.abc.net.au/7.30/content/2013/s3698076.htm

On Thursday Morning 14 February 2013, the world awoke to the tragic news that Oscar Pistorius shot and killed his girlfriend, it immediately grabbed public interest because of the mountain of a man that the world as well as South Africa looked up to with great admiration.

In case you missed it, last night 3rd Degree aired their Oscar Pistorius package and the murder investigation surrounding him where they investigate the side of Oscar rarely seen by the public.

Although it lacks the dramatic 3d layout Carte blanche used in their feature 2 days before, it does have its own merits, like the interview with Kevin Larena, Oscars friend involved in the gun passing incident in the restaurant, former soccer player Mark Batchelor and his account of the "I'll break your legs" incident and an old interview with Pat Pillai about another domestic related incident with one of his former girlfriends.The rest of the episode covers the media commentary and insight and opinion from a psychologist an Olympic journalist and a criminologist.



3rd Degree takes a more controversial standpoint in their presentation than Carte Blanche did, where they present to you the history of a flawed individual with anger management issues and a propensity for violent behaviour.

Watch the full episode here in 3 parts. This episode of 3rd degree aired on ETV on the 26 February 2012.

On Friday Talk Radio 702 made media history on twitter in South Africa during the bail hearing decision of  Oscar Pistorius. For just over 2 hours, more South Africans than ever before where tuned into twitter, anxiously listening to the live audio Google hangout. Journalists like Barry Bateman, Alex Eliseev and Mandy Wiener set new standards with their online reporting, making use of all the social media tools at their disposal thereby dramatically increasing their following.

Its not that they were just reporting what was going on in court, as a team, they are dynamic, offering insightful reporting and along the way educating the public of the intricacies of legal principals and interpretation. For the past week the South African public including myself were schooled in law 101, which made it absolutely fascinating to listen to ordinary people throw around terms and phrases like "putative self-defence", "dolus eventualis"and "a state of mind akin to that of a reasonable man" in their arguments on both the radio and in the work places. Their reporting and informative tweets with resourceful links have empowered people with the interpretive skills to logically debate opposing sides of the case.

I think, like myself, lots of people out there have Google Plus accounts but haven't really used it much till Mandy Weiners live Google hangouts. In this past week, I have constructively started using my Google plus account for the first time since signing up for it over a year ago. The stream of tweets were fast and furious and for two hours on Friday afternoon, I was in awe of how my twitter feed came to a standstill and the only tweets I could see were #OscarPistorius related from mostly Talk Radio 702 reporters, at one point a follower even threatened to unfollow me because I was disturbing his Oscar tweet stream.

As social media is evolving, the landscape of reporting in South Africa is rapidly changing and its incredible to watch how reporters are becoming superstars on the internet.

Also Read "A Fallen Oscar"

 
With summer peaking, KFC couldn't have capitalised on a better time for their big movie experience. The Saturday evening Back To the Future event was well attended with families coming out in their numbers for a relaxing enjoyable social afternoon and thereafter evening under the stars.

The event was very well organised, all movie goers where given a wrist strap for entry and a goodie bag along with free popcorn. There were plenty of activities before the movie started that kept the audience entertained with spot prizes for people who were seen eating KFC. The rugby stadium accommodated the large crowd with ease, mostly because of the strategic layout plan executed by the organisers.The movie started at 8pm shortly after the sun set but this is definitely the kind of event that you need to get to super early in order to secure a good space.


Nothing feels more like a summer evening to me than watching a movie in an open space on a picnic blanket, and under the stars. Although I have been to outdoor movies before, each event is unique in its own way. We watched Back to the future, an absolute classic that seems to be getting better with time.

THIS IS A GREAT EVENT BECAUSE

1.It's a free event for the public
2. They encourage picnicking, how Rad is that? So if you're one of those Grinches who buys KFC and sneaks it into the movies because you don't want to pay for the expensive popcorn and coldrink, this is definitely for you.
3. You get to spend quality time with friends and family
4. The location Diggers rugby stadium is great and its hard to get a bad seat since the screen is quite visible from anywhere you choose to sit. Bonus points to the organisers for their seating arrangements, separating people who have picnic chairs from people who have picnic blankets eliminating the possibility of getting blocked.
5. Brilliant Picture and sound, nothing is compromised here.

I HOPE....
 
1. That this can be something regular in the future 
2. More people from the public can contribute to the logistics of making such an event possible, maybe through means of a Outdoor Movie enthusiast club.
3.It can be held in different parts of Joburg and not only restricted to Randburg.
4. A bigger variety of themed movies simultaneously screened around Jozi on a rotational basis, example, 12 Venues, 12 different genres, rotating each month giving each venue an equal opportunity for good variety. 


The KFC Big Movie Experience far exceeded my expectations with their well thought of engaging and interactive viewing experience.The pyrotechnics were well timed and appropriately placed throughout the movie and the Enchantment under the sea dance was stunning to say the least, poignantly bringing one of the most important scenes of the movie to life. Tonight proved that there is a demand for such an event to be more regular and that people are akin to social experiences of watching nostalgic movies. I want more....

Next weekend is the last weekend. So make it a point of going if your weekend is free. Bring a blanket and a picnic basket and escape to KFC's Big Movie Experience! This is a great FREE laid back, wholesome activity to take advantage of while its going on. Take the family, take a date, go with a group of friends and experience something Jozi has been longing for, for a long while now.

Well Done KFC, Big thumbs up for giving back! 




Visit 
For the Full Programme of events,read KFC Big movie Experience
http://www.facebook.com/kfcsa
www.twitter.com/kfcsa
#Ampitup

Where do Internet trolls come from and why do they exist? I know of many trolls who exist on some of the sites I regularly frequent like Facebook, YouTube and News24. I don't want to mention any names because I don't want to empower them.

Trolls seem to derive a great deal of joy from criticising and humiliating anything and everybody and often times say the most distasteful things. They particularly gain momentum when they are in groups as often seen on News24. There is a fine line that exists between freedom of speech and defamatory and this line is often crossed to the latter and perceived as exercising our constitutional right.

One doesn't really have to look far for examples, read the comments on any article on News24 about Oscar Pistorius's bail hearings, the trolls have come out in true form and like some of our journalists who are quite possibly doing their best work to date and setting new precedents in the way they are reporting from the Pretoria Magistrates court so too are the troll networks flourishing in delivering some of their best defamatory material.

This insightful infographic describes the inner workings of Internet trolls, explaining why they decide to spend their online time in attack mode.

Tapping the expertise of psychologists and experts, it offers solid reasons why this scourge of the Internet continues. This infographic, presented by bestpsychologyschoolsonline.com, concludes with University of Central Lancashire lecturer Claire Hardaker offering ways to prevail over Internet trolls. She combed through nine years' worth of unmoderated comments on an Internet forum, and suggests ways to frustrate — and even thwart — trolls.

So if you have troll stalking your facebook and you want to understand him or her a little better take a look at this infographic.

sources:
http://mashable.com/2013/02/10/internet-trolls/

 For the next two weekends KFC will be hosting its big movie experience at the Diggers Rugby club, Hans Schoeman str, Randburg, Johannesburg. The event follows the successful outdoor screenings from Durban and Cape Town.

These movie outdoor screening events are few and far between. For the few that have hosted moonlight cinema's, people have to pay a premium. With so many drive inns that have closed down in recent years this is a very encouraging event for the general public to get out and experience the beautiful Highveld summer nights and the best part of it all is that "The KFC big movie experience" is ABSOLUTELY FREE!!!

"On arrival, you can expect free popcorn, theme prop packs, giant board games and entertainers mimicking classic scenes from the movie on show. You will receive a “movie experience” gift pack upon your arrival which will give you the chance to join in the action. "

and not only that, if you visit their website and read their press release for the event, their outdoor experience have pulled out all the stops and is offering a host of fun filled events throughout the evening as well as their bucket list competition where they are offering a "unique experience" as the prize. As an optional extra, these events are themed to add to the dynamic of the nostalgic movie atmosphere, so there will be photo booths offering on set experiences with exciting wardrobes accessories and options to capture your experience


Further details and restrictions can be found at: www.facebook.com/kfcsa and www.twitter.com/kfcsa

Venues and dates below.

Event 1:

Date: 22nd of February Venue: Diggers Rugby Club, Hans Schoeman Str, Randburg, Johannesburg Movie: Grease Time: Gates open 17:00 and movie starts 20:00

Event 2:

Date: 23rd of February Venue: Diggers Rugby Club, Hans Schoeman Str, Randburg, Johannesburg Movie: Back to the Future Time: Gates open 17:00 and movie starts 20:00

Event 3:

Date: 1st of March Venue: Diggers Rugby Club, Hans Schoeman Str, Randburg, Johannesburg Movie: Top Gun Time: Gates open 17:00 and movie starts 20:00


Event 4:

Date: 2md of March Venue: Diggers Rugby Club, Hans Schoeman Str, Randburg, Johannesburg Movie: Avengers Time: Gates open 17:00 and movie starts 20:00


Remember to bring along your picnicking gear for a lovely night under the stars.The event is by RSVP on facebook, so hurry along to www.facebook.com/kfcsa and like their page first and click the "going" button


Also Read KFC Big Movie Experience - Review

Ubuntu is open source software and is free to everybody, it is an amazing OS that can optimally perform any of your daily computing tasks with far more efficiency than you may you think. Because it is open source, development works very differently from traditionally propriety branded Os's, case in point, if you are battling to get a driver working on your OS, there is a active community of developers always at hand to provide assistance directly from Ubuntu forums. It has an amazing software centre built into the OS that will always make sure your PC is up to date with thousands of applications available to make your machine more functional, all at no cost. If you haven't yet used Ubuntu you can download for free from here  

And now Ubuntu is heading to the tablet devices. An exciting move that canonical whose founder happens to be South African born Mark Shuttleworth have taken their time in developing what he describes as the following

"Multi-tasking productivity meets elegance and rigorous security in our tablet experience," “Our family of interfaces now scales across all screens, so your phone can provide tablet, PC and TV experiences when you dock it. That's unique to Ubuntu and it's the future of personal computing."

Ubuntu have really overhauled the desktop experience since Ubuntu 11, providing a richer experience to users with more Internet integration. A massive step toward their OS convergence after which Microsoft followed a similar route with their windows 8.

The full release, for users, will be available in Ubuntu 13.10 in October. The full, ready-for-anyone version will be out in Ubuntu 14.04 in April 2014. Shuttleworth also said in today's conference call that Canonical has just signed a deal with "a very large supplier of silicon to mobile industry [who] will be optimizing Ubuntu on their chips." Further details on this partnership will be revealed at the Mobile World Congress in Barcelona in late February.


In addition, Shuttleworth said that major phone carriers in the North America, Europe and China will be shipping Ubuntu phones in 2014.
What will Ubuntu bring to the tablet that Apple's iOS and Google's Android don't? Canonical makes the following claims:

• Unique 'side stage' multi-tasking puts phone and tablet apps on a single tablet screen

• Secure enterprise tablets: with full disk encryption, multiple secure user accounts and standard management tool that covers Ubuntu server, PC and touch.

• Real multitasking: Uniquely, Ubuntu allows a phone app on the screen at the same time as a tablet app. The Ubuntu side stage was invented both to enable efficient multitasking and to improve the usability of phone apps on tablets.

• Secure multi-user: Multiple accounts on one tablet with full encryption for personal data, combined with the trusted Ubuntu security model that is widely used in banks, governments and sensitive environments, making it ideal for work and family use.

• Voice controlled HUD productivity: The Heads-Up Display, unique to Ubuntu, makes it fast and easy to do complex things on touch devices, and transforms touch interfaces for rich applications, bringing all the power of the PC to your tablet. 

• Edge magic for cleaner apps: Screen edges are used for navigation between apps, settings and controls. That makes for less clutter, more content, and sleeker hardware. No physical or soft buttons are required. It’s pure touch elegance

• Content focus: Media is neatly presented on the customizable home screen, which can search hundreds of sources. Perfect for carriers and content owners that want to highlight their own content, while still providing access to a global catalog.

• Program convergence: Users won't need to worry about which version they'll run on a device. A Ubuntu program will run on all Ubuntu platforms

• Full convergence: The tablet interface is presented by exactly the same OS and code that provides the phone, PC and TV interfaces, enabling true device convergence. Ubuntu is uniquely designed to scale smoothly across all form factors.

• Unique convergence across all four form factors: a phone can provide tablet, TV and PC interfaces when docked to the appropriate screen / keyboard / remote.

These are definitely exciting times, Ubuntu offers an unparalleled tablet experience with its convergence and its ability to seamlessly integrate the smart-phone to the tablet to the PC, Ubuntu is not about syncing files and folders, its about continuing the user experience uninterrupted across all of the different platforms something that android, Microsoft or apple haven't yet been able to accomplish.

sources and tools
http://www.zdnet.com/canonical-reveals-ubuntu-tablet-plans-7000011508/
http://www.ubuntu.com
http://developer.ubuntu.com/ 

Waiting at Mary Fitzegerald square in Newtown

If you're living in Johannesburg and haven't yet come across the Critical Mass Moonlight ride, you really are missing out on a great cycling experience. The ride takes place on the last Friday evening of every month through the inner city of Johannesburg usually under a beautifully moonlit sky. It's a very casual ride that accommodates a variety of bicycles ranging from bmx's, mountain bikes, road bikes, to modified bikes with electrical dynamo motors

Hundreds of cyclists take to the streets of varying fitness levels. The ride is approximately 15km to 20km long and apart from the awesome company it also brings with it lots of awareness. If you haven't cycled before because you afraid of the road, this is a great event that will allow you to make that transition whilst simultaneously giving you a cursory knowledge of the inner city and learning new routes.The cycle is well organised and extremely well marshalled. The safety of all riders is of paramount concern to the organisers. The marshalling motorcyclists are extremely protective of every single cyclist, making sure nobody gets left behind. During the course of the ride, there are several stops, so if you are worried about getting left behind in the dark, there is no way that is going to happen.

Through Ellis Park sports Precinct

 I have done two of these events so far and I have seen the number of moonlight cycling enthusiasts increase. So if you are up for an adventure and a good time this Friday evening, make your way to the cnr DeBeer & Juta Streets, Braamfontein, Johannesburg at about 18h30, the ride starts at 19h00. Hope to see you there.

Be sure to join the Critical mass group on facebook and follow them on twitter @CriticalMassJhb for more information, rules and regulations about the event.

The Long awaited 2nd season of the hugely successful Mortal Kombat legacy webisodes is finally making its way to the web. Ed Boon and John Tobias couldn't be any prouder of the direction this series is taking the franchise to. Boasting an impressive new trailer with a host of new characters, this 2nd season looks very well funded and along with it, it has attracted some big names with it too not only in the casting of actors but also the casting of MK characters.

Harry Shum, Jr. (Glee) will play Kuai Liang (hey, that's Sub-Zero!), with Casper Van Dien (Starship Troopers) as Johnny Cage, Brian Tee (The Wolverine) as Liu Kang, Mark Dacascos (Hawaii Five-0) as Kung Lao, Ian Anthony Dale (Hawaii Five-0) back from Season 1 as Scorpion and, reprising his role from the first Mortal Kombat movie, Cary-Hiroyuki Tagawa (currently seen on Revenge) as Shang Tsung.Van Dien is replacing Matt Mullins, who played Johnny Cage in Season 1, with Tagawa replacing Season 1’s Shang Tsung, Johnson Phan.

This massive 2min13sec trailer show of a number of new and returning characters. The Kevin Tancharoen-directed series will span ten episodes. It’s the result of a deal between Machinima and Warner Bros and will release via the former’s media network. If you aren't feeling the excitement in your bones after watching this trailer, you dont belong on this planet

Read the press Release :

“In the second season the saga continues as Liu Kang and Ermac join the ranks of fighters introduced in the first season of the web series including Kenshi, Kung Lao, Kuai Lang, Stryker, Kitana, Mileena, Johnny Cage, Scorpion and Sub Zero. This new season will uncover the rivalries and histories of these fierce warriors as Raiden and his recruits clash against the dark forces of Outworld. The epic battle for Earthrealm has finally begun!”

No date has been announced yet for Season 2's debut - with the trailer saying it, of course, Koming Soon.

sources: 
http://www.ign.com/articles/2013/02/18/mortal-kombat-legacy-season-2-trailer-debuts
http://screenrant.com/mortal-kombat-legacy-season-2-trailer-announcement-kofi-187841/

Recently, cell phones were labeled as carcinogenic by the World Health Organization due to the amount of radiation they release, which means excessive use could be bad for your health. There are a few simple ways to prevent radiation exposure, one of which is using a headset (like a set of headphones with a phone-compatible microphone), or a handset attachment like the POP Phone adapter, which keeps the harmful radiation far away from your face. 

This is a very cool device but definitely for the serious fashionistas. It is a traditional telephone handset that connects to your cellphone, tablet or computer via a 3.5mm jack. I saw this device at Sandton Musica and it was selling  for R299-00, it also has a bluetooth counterpart that pairs itself with any bluetooth device.
 
The original retro handset, designed for Native Union by David Turpin. Inspired by the classic 1950s Bakelite phone, enjoy timeless style in fun, collectible colours. The POP phone allows you to navigate your device while you talk and reduces background noise for a crystal clear conversation.

Technical Features:

• Retro handset that connects to your mobile phone, smartphone, tablet or computer using a 3.5mm jack
• Eliminates up to 99% of absorbed radiation compared to using a mobile phone
• Noise reduction technology for improved audio clarity
• Allows you to navigate your device while talking
• Perfect for VoIP applications
• One button pick-up and hang-up functionality 

The downside of this device is that it is a bit cumbersome and when you are not using the telephone handset, I have no idea where you going to keep it, it's a fashion statement however and for its style factor I'm willing to walk around with it in my underpants. A pity Mr. Kravitz cut his afro, I think it would have made perfect storage for his pop phone. It would be even cooler if they made a wild west styled gun holster fashioned for the handset that you can strap around your hip for easy access with a compartment for your phone so that you don't have to keep taking out your pocket.

For more information about this device, click here to download the manual, or visit nativeunion.

sources : 
http://www.nativeunion.com/us/pop-phone.html#.USBHX_IhXw9
http://www.geeksugar.com/Lenny-Kravitz-POP-Phone-18057620

On Thursday Morning 14 February 2013, the world awoke to the tragic news that Oscar Pistorius shot and killed his girlfriend, it immediately grabbed public interest because of the mountain of a man that the world as well as South Africa look up to, he became an epitome of heroism the likes of which has never been seen.

His victories as an athlete and his triumphant human spirit were celebrated world wide last year when he became the first amputee to take part in the able-bodied London 2012 summer Olympics 400m track event. The world rejoiced in his victories and he became the embodiment of Pierre De Courbertins vision of the modern Olympics. Back home in South Africa, Oscars popularity and his affection from his fan base grew to enormous proportions in a very iconic way.

Heroes are important to us, what they stand for and the principles they live by. In South Africa we have great men too but most of these men stand in the giant shadow of our first democratically elected president, Nelson Mandela. In a country where morality and ethics are seriously lacking in our leadership we turn to the nobility of our athletes and South Africa is definitely blessed with some really great athletes who have transcended race to find their way into the hearts of their million supporters.

Such an athlete is Oscar Pistorius, whose endeavouring human spirit to rise above all odds make him such an endearing personality. This is why it is shocking and unfathomable to believe the tragic events that have unfolded, mostly because of our naivety and belief in him.

At the end of it all, we must resign ourselves to the facts, that Reeva Steenkamps life ended prematurely because of a act of negligence and irresponsibility, if it was premeditated, it makes it even worse. In both circumstances, Oscars actions/response are uncalled for. Which ever way you look at it, the circumstances that led to Reeva's death have irrevocably changed the lives of everybody involved.

As Oscar plummets from his former grace, the sweet innocence of the hero that world has come to love has been tarnished, possibly never to shine again in the same reverence.

Links:
Also Read "702 makes Twitter history"
Reevas Twitter
Oscars Twitter

Ster Kinekor Sandton hosted an awesome free premier of Warm Bodies last night. Being Valentines day and all, this romantic Zomedy (Zombie comedy that is) was quite fitting.

The film focuses on the development of the relationship between Julie, a young woman, and "R", a zombie, and how their eventual romance develops throughout. The film is noted for displaying human characteristics in zombie characters, and for being told from a zombie's perspective

 Far too often have we been at the receiving end of erhm… excuse the pun, mindless zombie movies. This is a wittingly charming movie that forces you to re-evaluate everything you’ve come to understand about zombies. The movie subtly engages you with with thought provoking life metaphors and subtexts, love and humanity as its core themes as its title “Warm Bodies” suggests.

Zombie movies have always been an experimental playground for directors to try out new things with the horror genre. This movie however, sets new boundaries, giving us a unique perspective from the zombies point of view, up until now nobody has really explored why zombies enjoy eating brains or really explored the social behaviour and dynamics of zombies, this movie does it in fine style. 

It definitely helps that the movie isn’t dark and broody but can be when it needs to. For the most part, it is playful and inviting and doesn’t rely very much on cheap scare tactics although they have their moments to every now and again.I really enjoyed that Warm Bodies took it’s cue from The Walking Dead where it provides a cursory full scale view of the city and the outdoors that adds to the reality of the characters experience.    

The movie references much of its storyline from Romeo and Juliet and carefully repackages themes of death and violence and how they are always connected to passion, whether that passion is love or hate. Love, is a grand passion, and as such it is blinding; it can overwhelm a person as powerfully and completely as hate can.The metaphor "that to love is to live" couldn’t be more appropriate for this movie.

I give this movie a very strong 7/10.Probably the best zombie movie I've seen so far, I definitely recommend you go out and watch this movie but leave your inhibitions at the door when you do. Warm bodies opens in theatres around the on country on Friday 15th March 2013, be sure not to miss it. For booking information visit the Ster Kinekor website.

sources (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Warm_Bodies_%28film%29)

             (http://www.sparknotes.com/shakespeare/romeojuliet/themes.html)