Hostiles

Caught Hostiles tonight. Great acting performances, for the most part gorgeous cinematography in terms of lighting & composition, but the 2 fatal flaws: It is slow as molasses (the editor failed miserably) & this this is a political movie packaged as entertainment, with strong undertones of an anti-America sentiment. Thats a deal breaker for me.

I can’t give it a recommendation to see in theaters and I don’t think the over 2 hours would be worth it as a DVD. Skip it!


12 Strong

I have some mixed feelings about the film 12 Strong.

I LOVED the story, especially because it is true and we (the United States) did a lot of bad things to a lot of bad people (the Taliban & terrorists (not “insurgents”)). I truly feel any religion that does the things they do to innocent men, women and especially, children have a special place in hell. Yes, you are reading this correctly, for all of the disaster aid work I am a part of, sometimes violence is still the answer. I got into an argument with a friend today over this, but Im pretty certain they didn’t really have a comprehension of how bad these guys really are. I think the horseback riders were determined, innovative and did whatever it took to get the job done and I salute them! There should be more films like this, especially the true ones. So from a historical perspective, I appreciate they are getting the airtime they deserve.

As far as a film itself goes for entertainment….something was missing and I really can’t put my finger on it. Something in the editing, something in the firefights. I felt the dynamic of the Captain (Hemmsworth) and the Northern Commander was realistic, because that feels the way things really are on disaster aid trips. You have a mission, and have to worry about something as trivial as navigating an individuals personality or hurting someone’s feelings.

What I didn’t like, were the gun battles felt a little too unrealistic. Unlimited ammo. Charging at hundreds of emery on horseback, it was too Rambish. I also wanted to know the characters more.

Other than that, its a YES!

If you do see it, follow it up with an interview from one of the REAL horseback soldiers as interviewed by my friend Thad Forester on Patriot to the Core: A GREAT Interview with one of the original 12 Strong Soldiers


When I did my Flagship Epic Shootout last August,…

When I did my Flagship Epic Shootout last August, my inbox was flooded with complaints that my rack zoom while focusing & accuracy tests were whacky. Over 100 negative comments on the video to that. As far as I know, I was the first and only tester to publish data on this specific af zoom issue.
Yesterday, Sony released a firmware update to fix a ‘AF-C when zooming’ issue, as well as improve focusing on moving subjects.

I don’t test cameras based on ‘feelings’, I test by numbers and measurable data in repeatable conditions that anyone can try for themselves and get the same results if they follow the same methodology.

This is not the first time a major camera manufacturer has released a firmware update to serious flaw I have found in a camera system, so typically if I am saying something is off…there is actual data to back it up. I don’t know of many other camera testers in world who go through the trouble I do to find these things.
To all my haters, keep fighting the good fight, but in the mean time…you’re welcome! #a9 #sonya9 #validated #haters #hatersgonhateWhen I did my Flagship Epic Shootout last August, my inbox was flooded with complaints that my rack zoom while focusing & accuracy tests were whacky. Over 100 negative comments on the video to that. As far as I know, I was the first and only tester to publish data on this specific af zoom issue.
Yesterday, Sony released a firmware update to fix a ‘AF-C when zooming’ issue, as well as improve focusing on moving subjects.

I don’t test cameras based on ‘feelings’, I test by numbers and measurable data in repeatable conditions that anyone can try for themselves and get the same results if they follow the same methodology.

This is not the first time a major camera manufacturer has released a firmware update to serious flaw I have found in a camera system, so typically if I am saying something is off…there is actual data to back it up. I don’t know of many other camera testers in world who go through the trouble I do to find these things.
To all my haters, keep fighting the good fight, but in the mean time…you’re welcome! #a9 #sonya9 #validated #haters #hatersgonhate


The Nikon D850 does not disappoint! Incredible…

The Nikon D850 does not disappoint! Incredible dynamic range & resolution packed with all the bells and whistles. As far as DSLRs go, I think it’s the most well rounded do-it-all camera I’ve ever seen. Paired with that new 70-200, the sharpness is just insane. Im excited for every shooting opportunity with that pair. #mauisunsets #d850 #nikon #nikond850The Nikon D850 does not disappoint! Incredible dynamic range & resolution packed with all the bells and whistles. As far as DSLRs go, I think it’s the most well rounded do-it-all camera I’ve ever seen. Paired with that new 70-200, the sharpness is just insane. Im excited for every shooting opportunity with that pair. #mauisunsets #d850 #nikon #nikond850