Latest Gear Live Videos
Ebert & Roeper Continues without Roger

Posted by Veronica Santiago Categories: Celeb News,
Although he will continue to watch movies, don’t be expecting Roger Ebert to be speaking about them anytime soon.
The former co-host of Ebert & Roeper (or Siskel & Ebert) has not been seen in his usual theater chair since he required surgery on his salivary glands back in 2006. That was one of several operations the 65-year-old has had in the past few years for removal of growths.
In a recent post for the Chicago Sun-Times, the famous film critic said that he won’t be able to engage in a friendly argument with Richard Roeper anytime soon:
“I underwent a third surgery in January, this one in Houston, and once again there were complications. I am sorry to say that my ability to speak was not restored. That would require another surgery.”
Click to continue reading Ebert & Roeper Continues without Roger
Chicago Sun Times
Advertisement
The Big Skinny Wallet review

Posted by Sparky Categories: Accessories, Wearables, Misc. Tech, Product Reviews,
While overly-thick wallets are not an oft discussed problem in our modern world, having a big fat wad of a wallet in your pocket can lead to back strain and unsightly bulging of the pants. The folks over at Big Skinny have an ingenious (although blindingly obvious) solution: a line of thin, lightweight wallets.
We got our hands on two of their most popular models and took them for a spin. Check out our review after the jump, as well as our Big Skinny wallet image gallery.
Click to continue reading The Big Skinny Wallet review
Gallery:
MacBook Air SSD review

Posted by Andru Edwards Categories: Apple, Features, PC / Laptop, Product Reviews, Wireless / WiFi,
First things first - the MacBook Air took no one by surprise. We all knew, based on the reports churning out of the rumor mill, that Apple had a subnotebook up their sleeve, and all signs were pointing at MacWorld 2008 for it’s introduction to the world. Heck, even the name of the product got out there before Steve got a chance to announce it at the event. Of course, that wasn’t the only thing that leaked before MacWorld 2008, as we got our hands on the iPhone 1.1.3 firmware weeks before it was officially announced.
What we didn’t know was how the Air would look. When Steve pulled the computer out of manila envelope, everyone was wowed. The MacBook Air is thin. T-H-I-N. At it’s smallest point, the Air is just 0.16 inches thin. That is thinner than both the iPhone and iPod touch. The larger side is just 0.76 inches. Again, tiny. See for yourself in our MacBook Air unboxing gallery.
As for the rest of the specs, the Air is the same brushed aluminum color that you will find on the MacBook Pro line, and is available in 1.6GHz and 1.8GHz Core 2 Duo speeds. Both models come with 2GB of non-upgradable RAM, 802.11a/b/g/n Wi-Fi, a 13.3-inch widescreen LED-backlit display, and Bluetooth 2.1. As far as ports go, you will only find one micro-DVI, one USB, and one audio out jack. That’s it. As for storage, this is where the major choice comes in. You can choose between an 80 GB 4200 RPM ATA hard drive, or a 64 GB SSD (solid-state flash drive). We got our hands on the SSD version of the MacBook Air.
We give you our thoughts on the SSD-based MacBook Air in our full review.
Click to continue reading MacBook Air SSD review
Lost Odyssey Review

Posted by Andru Edwards Categories: Adventure, Features, Microsoft, Reviews, Role Playing Games, Square Enix, Xbox 360,

It is no secret to anyone who knows me that I have a deep appreciation for games in quirky, niche, genres, and also intelligent stories. Frankly, it is rare that I get to find both of these needs met in a single game, but Lost Odyssey manages to do it.
But wait! I thought Lost Odyssey was a Japanese-RPG and thus not really niche? Sadly (in my opinion), the gaming landscape has changed so profoundly over the years that the once thriving JRPG is now increasingly a rarity; One with high-production values, so much the more. Several early reviews would have you believe that Lost Odyssey does something fundamentally wrong simply for being true to its genre. Mercifully, you are reading this review so at the very least let me try to paint a slightly different picture of Hironobu Sakaguchi’s latest opus.
Click to continue reading Lost Odyssey Review
American Teen: Teen Drama for Today

Posted by K.C. Morgan Categories: Paramount, Documentary, Upcoming Releases,
In the ‘80s, teens watched movies like Pretty in Pink and The Breakfast Club, which showed the angst and agony of growing up with plenty of bubble gum cheer mixed in. Those same ‘80s teens grew up and found out (like Jay and Silent Bob, two View Askew characters) that there is no Shermer, Illinois. Even in the ‘80s, teens just aren’t that tame. Or…are they?
There’s only one way to find out. The documentary American Teen features four Warsaw, Indiana High School students. Which High School do they attend? The only one available in Warsaw, Indiana - and yes, I’m totally serious. The movie follows four stereotyped teens - a homecoming queen, an artistic female student, a jock and a “geeky” loner. Throw in one of those catchy, mellow ‘80s rock tunes and you’ve got a good start on re-making St. Elmo’s Fire. But for this flick, there’s no script. There might not even be a happy ending where the somewhat awkward girl gets the hotter-than-hot guy.
Click to continue reading American Teen: Teen Drama for Today
CNN
‘Lipstick Jungle’ Premiere

Posted by Jacci Lewis Categories: Drama, Prime Time, ABC, Cable, HBO, NBC, Editorial,

Remember those perfume ads back in the 1980’s for Parfums decoeur ‘Designer Imposters’? They went something like “if you like Giorgio you’ll love Primo!, if you like Opium you’ll love Ninja” or the more recent enticement, “If you like Juicy Couture you’ll love Yeah Baby.” It’s human to want a whiff of luxury at a bargain price - too bad the end result usually stinks.
NBC’s Lipstick Jungle reminds me of those ‘Designer Imposters’. The show, starring Brooke Shields, Kim Raver and Lindsay Price, premiered last night.
If you’re confused and could have sworn Lipstick Jungle stars Lucy Liu and two other chicks, you’re only half wrong. That show is on ABC and is called Cashmere Mafia.
Lipstick Jungle has the right pedigree. It’s based on a novel by Sex and the City author Candace Bushnell and its parallels to that hit HBO series are unmistakable until you scratch the surface.
Lipstick’s plot centers around three powerful Manhattan women who tread in dangerous waters of sex, lies and betrayal. At least, I think that’s what the plot is supposed to be. What I saw seemed more like a Lifetime movie for women than a glossy Primetime sex drama.
Click to continue reading ‘Lipstick Jungle’ Premiere
Mass Effect Review: Bioware’s latest masterpiece

Not to rest on the laurels provided by Baulders Gate and Knights of the Old Republic, Bioware has created another instant hit: Mass Effect. Mass Effect is in many ways the spiritual successor to the Knights of the Old Republic (KOTOR) series although it goes far beyond the capabilities and offerings of its predecessor.
Mass Effect is a third person shooter/space exploration game set in humanities future when alien discoveries have catapulted human technology ahead centuries and given our race a place among many in the galactic empire. Click through for our full thoughts on this stunning game.
Click to continue reading Mass Effect Review: Bioware’s latest masterpiece
Review: ‘American Gangster’

Posted by David Onda Categories: Universal, Action, Drama, Period, Political, Thrillers, New Releases, Theatrical Reviews,
American Gangster is based on the true story of Frank Lucas (Denzel Washington), an African American drug kingpin in 1970s Harlem who smuggles heroin in the caskets of dead soldiers returning from Vietnam. Lucas buys the drug wholesale from the source and sells a more purer form at half the price, effectively putting his competition out of business and making him one of the most powerful men in New York. Russell Crowe plays Detective Richie Roberts, a straight-laced cop who is assigned to solve the city's drug problem.
Bottom line: Ridley Scott turns a spellbinding American story into a riveting three hours of cinema. I foresee Oscar nominations abound for this flick.
Check out my detailed review after the jump and find out which Goonie put out one hell of a performance.
Click to continue reading Review: ‘American Gangster’
Casio Exilim EX-S880 Review

Posted by Jenny Lewis Categories: Cameras, Product Reviews,

The market for point and shoot digital cameras gets crowded. Casio’s Exilim EX-S880 is a standout. The EX-S880 comes in at a diminutive 2.4 x 3.7 x .7 inches and weighs 7 ounces, making it perfect to slip into a pocket or purse for the evening. Despite the small size, the EX-S880 packs 8.1 megapixels, 3x optical zoom and 4x digital zoom, H.264 MPEG 4 video capability, face detection and anti shake technology. Read on to get our full thoughts on the Exilim EX-S880.
Click to continue reading Casio Exilim EX-S880 Review
Manhunt 2 Review: The Good, The Bad and The Grisly

Posted by Lolita Beckwith Categories: Nintendo, Reviews, Survival Horror, Take2, Wii,
Along with the release of “Halo 3” and the unfortunate postponement of “GTA IV”, one of the biggest video game stories of the year is the saga of Rockstar’s “Manhunt 2”. First, it was banned in England due to its graphic violence. Then it was given the kiss-of-death “Adults Only” rating here in the US by the ESRB. Sony and Nintendo do not release games with that rating—and they’re not carried by Blockbuster and Walmart. Undaunted, Rockstar made some revisions, and eventually the game received a “Mature” rating.
So now “Manhunt 2” is available in stores for Nintendo Wii, Playstation 2 and PSP. Having followed the saga, and very curious about the game’s content (plus I’m a huge fan of previous Rockstar games), I made it my business to rent the Wii version and play it. Having never played the original “Manhunt”—and not being a fan of stealth games—I had little idea what to expect. After completing the tutorial of Wiimote and Nunchuk moves (which includes some very funny, if grisly, sound effects), I dove in.
Click to continue reading Manhunt 2 Review: The Good, The Bad and The Grisly