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Geek Vibes Nation
2 hours ago
- Automotive
- Geek Vibes Nation
'Self Driver' Blu-Ray Review - A Tense Heightening Of The Gig Economy
Facing mounting expenses and the unrelenting pressure of modern living, a down-on-his-luck cab driver is lured on to a mysterious new app that promises fast, easy money. As his first night on the job unfolds, he is pulled ever deeper into the dark underbelly of society, embarking on a journey that will test his moral code and shake his understanding of what it means to have freewill. The question becomes not how much money he can make, but what he'll be compelled to do to make it. If you've got nothing to lose, how far would you go? For thoughts on Self Driver, please see my colleague Lane Mills's review from its original festival release here. Video Quality Self Driver makes its Blu-Ray debut with a very strong 1080p video presentation that translates the film's look with great care. The ultra low-budget feature was reportedly shot using handheld cameras, which gives this a very claustrophobic, visceral aesthetic that makes you feel as if you are along for the ride. This also means the image is not always the most crisp and does not have the most complex color palette, but everything appears to be accurate to the source. The film primarily takes place at night, and there are some notable colors within the lighting such as neon signs along the road. The skin tones are natural with a fine amount of detail present in close-ups. The interior of the car and clothing provide some worthwhile textural details. Black levels reveal the slightest signs of banding in a few moments, but they largely hold up well enough. This Blu-Ray ensures this film maintains its authenticity as it is translated to physical media. Audio Quality Cinephobia Releasing gives this Blu-Ray a DTS-HD 5.1 Master Audio track that brings the soundscape to life without issue. Dialogue emerges clearly without being overshadowed by any competing sounds. Environmental sounds perk up the surround speakers with unique ambient details that settle you in the world of this vehicle. Any music maintains its fidelity as it complements parallel elements. There is a bit of texture in the lower registers during a few fraught moments when it comes to some of the bass in the music. The results are everything you want them to be when it comes to bringing this contained story to life. Optional English SDH subtitles are provided. Special Features Audio Commentary: Writer/Director Michael Pierro, producer Kire Paputts, and actor Nathanael Chadwick provide a commentary track that delves into the background of the production, collaborating with the other performers, the aesthetic of the film, the night shoots, and more. Alternate Scenes with Commentary by Writer/Director Michael Pierro: A 16-minute collection of footage that didn't make the final cut, including a full take of a scene from multiple angles that gives you an idea of how the movie was pieced together. Deleted Scenes: An 11-minute selection of footage that was not chosen for the film. Original Trailer (1:42) Behind The Scenes Still Gallery: A two-minute collection of moments from the production. Final Thoughts Self Driver is a really fun satire of the gig economy that forces you to question how far you are willing to go in order to serve your own needs. The film is compact in terms of scale, which allows the narrative to drill down on what is most prescient. Things stay relatively grounded, so gorehounds looking for something particularly grisly may feel underwhelmed, but the tension rings true throughout for a particularly captivating experience. Cinephobia Releasing has released a Blu-Ray featuring a strong A/V presentation and a decent selection of special features. Recommended Self Driver is currently available to purchase on Standard Edition Blu-Ray or with a Limited Edition Slipcover exclusively through Vinegar Syndrome. Note: Images presented in this review are not reflective of the image quality of the Blu-Ray. Disclaimer: Cinephobia Releasing and OCN Distribution have supplied a copy of this disc free of charge for review purposes. All opinions in this review are the honest reactions of the author.
CBC
2 hours ago
- General
- CBC
CBC Calgary Headline News July 25: Downtown stabbings, stolen brass plaques & AI health scams
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CBC
a day ago
- General
- CBC
CBC Calgary Headline News July 24: Transitional housing, blue-green algae & housing target exceeded
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CNET
a day ago
- General
- CNET
This Simple Bed Frame Took Me Less Than 5 Minutes to Put Together. Yes, I Timed It
CNET's key takeaways The Helix Madison bed frame, available in natural wood or white, is $929 for a queen before sales. It's straightforward to put together and requires no tools. That said, the frame is a little expensive and incompatible with headboards. My beautiful, four-poster bed frame broke a few months ago. Immediately afterward, as I was lying there, slowly sliding to the corner of my mattress that had plummeted to the ground (from a decent height, I might add), I cursed that antique frame. It was creaky to the point it would wake me up, and it was higher off the floor than frames are nowadays. Part of me was happy to be rid of it. As my boyfriend and I yanked the wooden side rails apart from the headboard, I realized I wasn't ready to start looking for a new bed frame. They're expensive, and many are so low-quality that they break while you're assembling them or after just a few months. Through the years, I've seen plenty of sleep products not live up to the hype, and I was unwilling to lug another one up the stairs to my bedroom. However, after a few days of floor sleeping, I was neck deep in research for my next bed frame. I've tested plenty of bed frames and mattresses during my career, but even I was a little overwhelmed by the many options. All I knew was that I was done with complicated bed frames. I wanted something simple. Then I started testing the Helix Madison bed frame, and I haven't looked back. My experience with the Helix Madison bed frame The Helix Madison is the perfect choice for people (like me) who don't want to deal with a bunch of screws and sacrifice time deciphering the illustrations in the instructions packet. It's hands down the easiest piece of furniture I've put together. I should mention that I'm not the best at that -- the desk I put together in college shook if you put any weight on it. The Madison bed frame is foolproof. It has a brilliant interlocking design that doesn't require any tools. Taylor Leamey/CNET The outer frame consists of four corner pieces and four pieces of wood that fit together without screws or dowels. The outside wood pieces are notched so you can tell how they interlock with the legs. Then, you add the center support beam and the slats, and you're done. I timed the setup, and it took less than 5 minutes. Um, 5 minutes! It took us at least 30 minutes to get our old bed frame apart, and we had to break it to do so. The old pieces were heavy and difficult to move out of the bedroom. The Helix Madison bed frame was a breeze to move. My partner and I could easily pick up the box and carry it upstairs. I can't imagine the average person would have a difficult time lifting the bed frame in the box or once it's put together. It took longer to take the Helix bed frame out of the box than it did to put it together. It was pretty snuggly packaged, so unpacking took a little longer than 5 minutes, but once it was out and I had the pieces sorted, putting it together was simple. Taylor Leamey/CNET As easy as it was to put together, I was a little worried about the quality and stability of the bed, mainly because it has no screws. But I've been sleeping on this bed frame for a few months now, and it's a night-and-day difference compared with my vintage four-poster. I no longer wake up from the creaks that echo around my room when my partner rolls over. The specs: Besides being easy to put together, this bed has a few other key features you should know about. 30-night sleep trial Free shipping and five-year limited warranty Available in natural (what I have) or white Tool-free assembly Bedrails: 100% Appalachian hardwood; slats: 100% southern yellow pine; legs: 100% Appalachian maple Available in twin, twin XL, full, queen, king and California king Not compatible with headboards CNET's buying advice The Helix Madison bed frame is a no-brainer if you don't want a fancy bed frame but want something slightly more elevated than a bare metal one. It's a little on the expensive side for how simple it is to put together, but with sales, I've seen the price of a queen drop from $930 to around $695. Helix often runs sitewide sales around big holidays like Memorial Day, July 4 and Labor Day. The discount will vary by holiday, though in my experience, Helix averages around 25% off. I can't ignore that even with sales, it's still a big investment, especially if you compare it with a basic metal frame that costs only $60 on Amazon. However, I can vouch for the quality of this bed frame. The novelty of being able to put it together in 5 minutes may also make it more appealing, if you can afford it. I've had plenty of heavy frames that were a pain to put together, and sometimes worse to take apart. The Helix Madison bed frame was a breath of fresh air, every step of the way. I've only noticed a little chip in the protective coating around the wood side rail, but nothing that's worried me about the stability. Overall, it's a solid bed frame that I'd recommend to anyone. The only thing that bums me out about this product is that it's not compatible with headboards. But if you don't care about that or want a simple frame for your guest bed, you'll like the Helix Madison bed frame.
BBC News
a day ago
- Sport
- BBC News
Stokes and Archer run through India to leave tourists 358 all out
Update: Date: 114.1 overs Title: WICKET Content: Bumrah c Smith b Archer 4 (358 all out) A glove on it! Update: Date: 14:21 BST Title: Post Content: Andy ZaltzmanTest Match Special statistician Joe Root seems to be convinced. Update: Date: 14:21 BST Title: Post Content: Daniel NorcrossTest Match Special commentator on BBC Radio 5 Sports Extra Oh my word. This has come completely out of nowhere. Update: Date: 114.1 overs Title: England review Content: Jasprit Bumrah swishes at one which has gone down leg side from Jofra Archer. Jamie Smith appeals, but only half-heartedly. The game looks set continue before Joe Root urges Ben Stokes to review. Update: Date: 14:19 BST Title: Get Involved Content: #bbccricket, via WhatsApp on 03301231826 or text 81111 (standard network charges apply) Re cricketing hills. Monty Blanc Panesar Ben Stokes Nevis Mount (Alastair) Cook, New Zealand. Martin, London Update: Date: 14:18 BST Title: How's stat?! Content: Andy ZaltzmanTest Match Special statistician England have had almost twice the amount of movement in the air and almost a third more off the pitch in comparison to yesterday. Update: Date: 14:18 BST Title: Post Content: Daniel NorcrossTest Match Special commentator on BBC Radio 5 Sports Extra Jasprit Bumrah will be licking his lips at the thought of bowling on this surface, as will Mohammed Siraj. Update: Date: 114 overs Title: Ind 358-9 Content: Mohammed Siraj backs away and gives it the long handle down the ground for a one-bounce four off Ben Stokes. That will perturb the England captain. Jofra Archer is primed to wrap this up... Update: Date: 14:17 BST Title: Post Content: Michael VaughanFormer England captain on BBC Test Match Special Rishabh Pant provided special moment in the whole series. He's been tremendous throughout but to see him hobble out there to continue to bat is remarkable. I can only imagine what is going on in that boot. Update: Date: 113.4 overs Title: Ind 354-9 Content: Mohammed Siraj backs away to Ben Stokes and goes for a filthy slog but cannot make contact. Next ball Stokes goes full and Siraj digs out a yorker. Update: Date: 14:16 BST Title: Post Content: Daniel NorcrossTest Match Special commentator on BBC Radio 5 Sports Extra Rishabh Pant has probably added about 30-40 runs that could be very significant in the context of this game. Update: Date: 14:15 BST Title: Post Content: Stephan ShemiltBBC Sport chief cricket reporter at Old Trafford Foot or no foot, I think I've identified a weakness in Pant's game. It's deliveries bowled at 90mph from round the wicket, angling in, nipping away and just clipping the top of off stump. Work to be done there, I'd say... Update: Date: 113 overs Title: Ind 354-9 Content: I guess it depends on the game situation in the second innings on whether we see Rishabh Pant bat again. Mohammed Siraj and Jasprit Bumrah are India's last-wicket pair. Will they eke or attack? Update: Date: 14:13 BST Title: Post Content: Matthew HenryBBC Sport journalist at Old Trafford Almost everyone on their feet again to applaud Rishabh Pant. That may be the last we see of him in this series. I really hope not. Update: Date: 14:13 BST Title: Post Content: Daniel NorcrossTest Match Special commentator on BBC Radio 5 Sports Extra Just a little prod from Rishabh Pant, Jofra Archer is delighted to get that one. The brave run from Rishabh Pant comes to an end, every run precious for India. He's extracted as many as he could. Update: Date: 112.3 overs Title: WICKET Content: Pant b Archer 54 (ind 349-9) Jofra Archer knocks Rishabh Pant's off stump out of the ground! Pant attempts to defend backwards but ends up stuck on the crease a little and Archer manages to find sufficient movement off the seam from round the wicket. The stump is sent cartwheeling before spiking in the ground like a javelin. Update: Date: 14:09 BST Title: Get Involved Content: #bbccricket, via WhatsApp on 03301231826 or text 81111 (standard network charges apply) Rishabh Pant. Last man, half standing. Iain, Barcelona Update: Date: 112.2 overs Title: Ind 349-8 Content: A fair bit of bottom hand as Rishabh Pant biffs Jofra Archer to cow corner but he declines to run with four balls left in the over. Update: Date: 14:08 BST Title: How's stat?! Content: Andy ZaltzmanTest Match Special statistician This is Ben Stokes' fifth five-fer in 115 Test matches. It's his first since 2017 where he had a six-fer against the West Indies at Lords. This is his 76th Test since his last five-fer. He's taken the most wickets in this series compared to any other that he's played in, he currently has 16. Update: Date: 112 overs Title: Ind 349-8 Content: Rishabh Pant is waddling singles, in the manner of a penguin trying to run the 100m. Ben Stokes throws his head back in anguish after a delivery zips off the pitch which beats the outside edge of Jasprit Bumrah's bat.
