The movie astounds: it’s a visual treat like no other, and EVERYONE should watch it in 3D. If you can bear the gigantic (and quite uncomfortable) 3D glasses designed specifically for the huge IMAX screens, you’ll love it.

See what I mean with "gigantic glasses"?

The story itself is a bit trite, it’s true, but the way it is crafted is impeccable and Cameron does a wonderful job of not giving anything away until the right time comes. He wants you to discover things. It’s masterful storytelling.

I was actually impressed with the actors. They’re all absolutely great: the protagonist (Sam Worthington) is a new face, a good looking guy who manages to be both expressive and uninhibited in front of the camera. The marines colonel (Stephen Lang) is a great Duke-Nukem-like character that is exactly what you’d expect: tough, single-minded and.. tough. The “corporation guy” who is on planet Pandora for the money is a personal favorite of mine, Giovanni Ribisi, who always shines with his brilliant acting, even in ‘small’ roles such as this. And, as far as the Pandora natives go, the protagonist’s woman (Zoe Saldana) does a stunningly good job at introducing the protagonist and the audience to the Na’vi culture in a plausible and effortless manner. Really, though, with all the kudos to the actors, I think that where there is brilliant screenwriting the characters come alive almost by themselves. And Avatar is no exception.

So, is it a gamechanger? Yes, definitely.
This movie is what 3D was all about. It is a huge technical achievement and a great movie at the same time. What Cameron did, was effectively sit you down and tell you: “here, let me show you what the future of cinema is like”.

2. Silence: Speak not but what may benefit others or yourself. Avoid trifling conversation.

3. Order: Let all your things have their places. Let each part of your business have its time.

4. Resolution: Resolve to perform what you ought. Perform without fail what you resolve.

5. Frugality: Make no expense but to do good to others or yourself: i.e. Waste nothing.

6. Industry: Lose no time. Be always employed in something useful. Cut off all unnecessary actions.

7. Sincerity: Use no hurtful deceit. Think innocently and justly; and, if you speak, speak accordingly.

8. Justice: Wrong none, by doing injuries or omitting the benefits that are your duty.

9. Moderation: Avoid extremes. Forebear resenting injuries so much as you think they deserve.

10. Cleanliness: Tolerate no uncleanness in body, clothes or habitation.

11. Chastity: Rarely use venery but for health or offspring; Never to dullness, weakness, or the injury of your own or another’s peace or reputation.

12. Tranquility: Be not disturbed at trifles, or at accidents common or unavoidable.

13. Humility: Imitate Jesus and Socrates.

Someone help me!

Such a powerful picture..

I feel that any comment I could ever make would be unnecessary.

It features an immense amount of new stuff and it’s just brilliant. I especially like the way it now handles pictures and media, a field where I found previous versions were a bit lacking.

You should check out the cool screencast by Matt, and the list of new features.

Enjoy!

I had noticed, though, that my speed hadn’t variated in years.

I did not use to hunt and peck, of course: I looked at the screen, and I would basically use just two fingers to pick any letter on the keyboard.

So, recently, I remembered an article which talked about Tiger Woods, and how he had to re-make his swing from scratch 3 times in order to be the best.

Driven by inspiration, I went on to do a bit of reading, and got to work, ready to demolish my not optimal but already-pretty-fast-by-any-standards typing technique.

And here I am again, being slow and sluggish all over again. Feeling like a newbie once again.

Sacrificing my productivity for a greater good: in fact, it’s like an investment: I pay the price now, but will make it all back and then some when I will (hopefully) type at 120-150 words per minute.

On a side note: cool projects coming up soon. Stay tuned!

This post was written at an average speed of 37 wpm

God, the guys at Google do work hard even on their April Fools..

Of course, it took me like twenty times longer to write this post than it would if I had used a keyboard.
But I must say it’s fun to open programs with your voice.