Monday, November 9, 2015

The Peanuts Movie

The Peanuts Movie
Charles Schulz's beloved masterpiece, the Peanuts, has landed on the big screen with their first-ever CGI-animated film that is fit for the whole family, even the kids who aren't familiar with the Peanuts or heard of it. The Peanuts Movie brings most of your favorite characters in one place from Charlie Brown, Linus, Lucy, Schroeder, Snoopy, Woodstock, and many many of the Peanuts kids because in this film, well...it's partly random if moviegoers are honest.

Made by the people who brought you the Ice Age films, The Peanuts Movie is a CGI-animated take on the classic cartoon icons where everyone's favorite blockhead, Charlie Brown, tries to become the best but sometimes, his lack of motivation is what makes Charlie Brown...well, Charlie Brown. When the arrival of the new girl sparks Charlie Brown, how can he redeem himself for being a blockhead and become the achiever he hoped for?

In true Peanuts fashion, this film is all about fun and games at the start because every time you see most of the Peanuts characters donning their signature personalities, even Snoopy, they can be easily recognized by people who are familiar with them back when they were young and that's old-school for some. For those who aren't familiar with the Peanuts, this film may found out to be unknown to them but they can get used to it as long as there's someone familiar with the Peanuts teaching who these characters are. Even though this is a modern take on the classic cartoon icons, it feels unknown and a bit Charlie Brown-ish, but behind most of the niggles, there are some values learned through the film and it's all about encouragement, motivation, and the will to pursue your dreams.

That's what The Peanuts Movie is made for...reaching for your dreams and never giving up on the challenges you set foot on. Even if you're familiar or not with the Peanuts characters and the heritage that Charles Schulz did for them, you should try watching it for a change, even your kids would enjoy it for a change.

My rating: 3.4 out of 5.


Forza Motorsport 6: Night Prowls

One of the cars featured on Forza Motorsport 6's eBay Motors Car Pack is what I believed to be a 21st century take on those classic open-top hotrods. It's called the Prowler, and despite its flaws, it remains a future classic that is very rare to see on today's roads.

prowler (2)

Heavily inspired from the hotrods of the pre-war era, the Prowler is a unique roadster featuring a signature chassis, which is different from existing production components, featuring an aluminum space frame.

Powering it is a 3.5L V6 engine which develops 214HP but in 1999, it was replaced with a more powerful version which develops 257PS of power while being mated with a 4-speed automatic.

There is a trivia that since its launch, a Prowler was sealed in a mausoleum as a time capsule somewhere in Oklahoma and experts are looking forward what would a Prowler look like when it was sealed when the time capsule is opened in the not too distant future, when it will be returned to Chrysler.

Although intended to be Plymouth's flagship sports car, the Plymouth brand was discontinued from 2001 and it was sold as a Chrysler Prowler thereafter until the Prowler's production discontinued a year after, with a final limited edition model of 300 cars painted in special Candy Deep Red body color. A total of 11,479 units have been produced from 1997 to 2002.

prowler

Although the 4-speed automatic gearbox sounds like it's one of the key faults why the Prowler failed to keep up against most sportscars, it's still a quick car to drive. It's so quick, you might never noticed that there's someone got his clothes stuck at one of its doors and pops up unexpectedly. Quite a surprise, eh?

Imagine if that's you driving in one of these, some guy thinks that your Prowler looks cool and then you explain all about your ride, including the fact that its V6 engine is fuel-injected, and you get off after saying bye to that fellow.

Anyway, enough chitchat for that, because even though its performance is somewhat lacking, the Prowler is one of the good definition of a grand tourer like in the case of the BMW Z8 I drove in-game.

You may find that its abilities hadn't been used properly at first but you'll be able to unlock its hidden potential beneath its bespoke chassis as I shall now demonstrate by driving round Daytona's road course...at night because it's like referring to the AC/DC song Night Prowler. Shazbot, Nanu Nanu...



Can't believe this is the first time making an impression with this future classic in the nighttime but I'm very glad that this Prowler really is a great car to enjoy it the more you use it to find its hidden potential beneath its hotrod looks.

Let's Do The News! (November 9, 2015)


- It's been two years have passed since Superstorm Yolanda wreck havoc in the Visayan cities of the Philippines. According to the Catholic Church's Caritas Internationalis, 1.8 million people affected by the calamity have been served by providing them with disaster-resilient shelters, water and sanitation facilities, and livelihood among many others. 

- According to sources, the Philippines had invested over ten billion pesos for the year long hosting of the APEC Summit happening this Friday until the 19th of November where the world's top leaders coming together to discuss economic issues in the Asia-Pacific region.

- Australian media reports that hackers have attempted to steal information about a future submarine project in the country from one of the German bidders. There have been numerous attempts to hack top-secret files on the project from ThyssenKrupp Marines Systems as well as the company's submarine shipyard in Kiel has been targeted by hackers between 30 and 40 times per night.

- Sierra Leone celebrated the end of the Ebola outbreak in the country, a day after the World Health Organization declared this nation virus-free. Last year, the deadly disease began spreading in Sierra Leone, Liberia, and Guinea in West Africa. In Sierra Leone, over 3,900 people died.

- The World Bank warned that global warming could result in over 100 million additional people living in poverty by the next two decades if sufficient countermeasures are not taken. The bank says an estimated 700 million people are already living on less than 1.9 dollars a day.

- The world's top aircraft manufactures are showcasing their latest models at the Dubai Airshow in the Middle East. The largest ever biennial show opened on Sunday with over 1,100 industry players from about 60 countries are exhibiting commercial and military aircraft as well as many others.

- According to German reports, Volkswagen began manipulating CO2 emissions data two years ago. Several workers indicated in an internal investigation that falsification continued until the spring of this year by increasing tire pressure and mixed diesel into engine oil to make the cars consume less fuel. Then, they reported the dubious data to transport regulators.

- The first-ever Range Rover Evoque Convertible was unveiled with a foldable fabric roof that can be closed or open at the touch of a button. It will be making an appearance at this year's LA Auto Show.



- Fiat is teasing a brand new convertible set to debut at this year's LA Auto Show.



- Veteran film director Willy Milan passed away at the age of 68 due to heart failure. He was known for directing acting films from the 80's to the early 2000s. Most of his works include Bambang (1982), W (1983), Bago Kumalat ang Kamandag (1983), Mianong Magat (1984), Alyas Junior Buang (1985), Moises Padilla Story (1985), Kamandag ng Kris (1986).

TTFN!!!

The PBB 737 big winners are named



Last Saturday, the big winner of this edition of Pinoy Big Brother, called PBB 737, was named in front of the live audience in the Albay Astrodome at Legazpi City, Albay. In 737, two categories, normal and teen versions, join together as one and they undergo series of challenges inside the Big Brother house for several days. In the regular category, Miho Nishida is named as the big winner while in the teen category, Jimboy Martin was named.

The fourth big placers are Bailey Thomas May and Dawn Chang, third big placers are Franco Rodriguez and Roger Lutero, and 2nd big placers are Ylona Garcia and Tommy Esguerra.

Both winners gained one million pesos, a house and lot, and Asian package tour for two.

Sunday, November 8, 2015

FIA Formula E 2015-2016 - Putrajaya


There's madness happened during this season's Putrajaya ePrix, which includes sudden failures, few bumps, and some close-quarters combat between the best Formula e drivers gunning for the top spot. It's becoming one heck of a unpredictable race even though they're in a middle of starting point of the 2015-2016 Formula E season.

At the end of this 33-lap madness in Putrajaya, Lucas Di Grassi from ABT Schaeffler is the winner of the race with DS Virgin Racing's Sam Bird placed 2nd and Andretti's Robin Frijns placed 3rd.

Highlights:



The next race is set at Punta del Este, Uruguay, on the 19th of December.

Forza Motorsport 6: NIssan GT-R LM NISMO

On the recent monthly update for Forza Motorsport 6, which corrects most of the issues gamers faced during gameplay, we've been introduced by this month's free DLC car to drive in-game and I think I might spark some questions about this month's free car; it's the Nissan GT-R LM NISMO.

nismo

Nissan signalled the return in the world of LMP1 prototype racing at Le Mans after a 16-year hiatus with their brand-new GT-R LM NISMO. Unveiled minutes after the airing of Nissan's Big Game ad during the Super Bowl match between the Seattle Seahawks and the New England Patriots, Nissan's new GT-R LM NISMO is revealed to be the world's first first front-engine/front-wheel drive LMP1 prototype, a drivetrain unheard of for this category.

According to LMP1 Team Principal/Technical Director, Ben Bowlby, the front-wheel drive layout benefits traction and packaging while its long bonnet accommodating its twin-turbo 3.0L V6 engine, carrying 768HP of power and 889lb-ft of torque, providing better downforce and more efficient in the straights.

At the 2015 24 Hours of Le Mans, all three GT-R LM NISMO racing machines faced numerous setbacks. The #21 car retired late into the night after losing a rear tire, while the #23 stopped running with just an hour to go. Most of them operated with no or less hybrid assist, causing them lack of acceleration and more stress on the front brakes.

nismo (2)

Yes, this is highly questionable why the world's first FF Le Mans Prototype ever managed to secure a spot in the ever-growing FM6 car list but not as questionable as how it drives because at the first two gears, the wheelspin's giving me little traction at all, making it more difficult to get off the line quick when you're not careful, but if it's in the right speed at the right moment, it doesn't feel half bad to drive this front-wheel drive LMP.

When driving on the wet surface, well, I shall now demonstrate it by driving this one in Silverstone during a rainy weather because it's raining outside right away. I wanna see how this car survive a wet lap...



Well, it feels so technical to drive in this powertrain and even if you're a skilled driver, you need some improved concentration to find out where's the best place to accelerate or brake in the wet surface, even in this track I'm facing with. It maybe grippy but it's difficult to get around while stuck on its wheelspinning phase.

So, with its FF layout unheard for most LMPs, the GT-R LM NISMO has unique characteristics that may find it difficult to control but at the hands of a skilled driver, it can adapt through various situations.

Doctor Who S09E08


Picking up where last week's Zygon Invasion left off, The Zygon Inversion episode sees The Doctor facing a critical choice while confronting against a renegade Zygon who held Clara Oswald hostage and most of mankind are in a knife edge. Having fooled by two Osgood Boxes, The Doctor forces to use persuation to stop the war between humans and Zygons and he did. 

Looks like Bonnie, or Zygella, decided to drop the act and live in peace much as all the Zygons on Earth after all.

Now, the real mystery is that now with the war between humans and Zygons was averted by The Doctor, we're still wondering if that Osgood we're meeting with is human or Zygon and now, with another Osgood appeared, we're back to where we started but best to leave it anyway.

NEXT EPISODE PREVIEW: