Archives for September 2018

BlacKkKlansman Release Date Announced for 4K Ultra HD, Blu-ray & DVD

09/26/2018 By Hakan Can

Available this November on store shelves and online everywhere comes Spike Lee’s BlacKkKlansman from Universal Pictures Home Entertainment. Focus Features BlacKkKlansman DVD, Blu-ray™, and 4K Ultra HD release date is set for November 6, 2018. The film is available on October 23rd on Digital format. List pricing has been set at $23 for the DVD and Blu-ray™ and $34 for the 4K Ultra HD copy. Of course if you shop at Amazon, you’ll pay less than these prices.

Focus Features BlacKkKlansman Release Date is Set for November 6th

PRESS RELEASE

“From visionary filmmaker Spike Lee comes the incredible true story of an American hero. In the early 1970s Ron Stallworth (Washington) becomes the first African-American detective in the Colorado Springs Police Department. Determined to make a difference, he bravely sets out on a dangerous mission: infiltrate and expose the Ku Klux Klan. He recruits a seasoned colleague, Flip Zimmerman (Driver), into the undercover investigation. Together, they team up to take down the extremist organization aiming to garner mainstream appeal. BlacKkKlansman offers an unflinching, true-life examination of race relations in 1970s America that is just as relevant in today’s tumultuous world.”

“Based on the book Black Klansman by Ron Stallworth, BlacKkKlansman is filled with outstanding performances from an all-star cast led by John David Washington (“Ballers,” Malcolm X), Adam Driver (Star Wars: The Force Awakens, Logan Lucky), Topher Grace (Interstellar, “That 70’s Show”) and Laura Harrier (Spider-Man: Homecoming, The Last Five Years) alongside an incredible roster of supporting talent including Alec Baldwin (“Saturday Night Live,” Mission Impossible – Fallout), Corey Hawkins (Straight Outta Compton, Kong: Skull Island), Ryan Eggold (“The Blacklist,” “Sons of Liberty”) and Paul Walter Hauser (I, Tonya, Super Troopers 2).”

“BlacKkKlansman comes from acclaimed producers Sean McKittrick (Get Out, Band Aid), Jason Blum (Get Out, Whiplash), Raymond Mansfield (Get Out, Band Aid), Jordan Peele (Get Out, “The Last O.G.”), Spike Lee (Malcolm X, “She’s Gotta Have It”), and Shaun Redick (Get Out, Band Aid).”

GIVEAWAY

One lucky winner will win our Blu-ray + Digital Giveaway. Enter now through November 6th. Good luck.

BlacKkKlansman TRAILER

Read: Silicon Valley Season 5 Release Date Announced for DVD

BONUS FEATURES

• A Spike Lee Joint – Producer Jordan Peele, cast and film subject Ron Stallworth discuss the unique experience of working with iconic director Spike Lee.
• BlacKkKlansman Extended Trailer Featuring Prince’s “Mary Don’t You Weep”

FILMMAKERS

Cast: John David Washington, Adam Driver, Topher Grace, Corey Hawkins
Original Score: Terence Blanchard
Costume Design: Marci Rodgers
Editor: Barry Alexander Brown
Production Design: Curt Beech
Director of Photography: Chayse Irvin, CSC
Executive Producers: Edward H. Hamm Jr., Jeanette Volturno, Win Rosenfeld, Matthrew A. Cherry, Marcei Brown
Produced By: Sean McKittrick, Jason Blum, Raymond Mansfield, Shaun Redick, Jordan Peele, Spike Lee
Based on the Book By: Ron Stallworth
Written By: Charlie Wachtel & David Rabinowitz and Kevin Willmott & Spike Lee
Directed By: Spike Lee

CAST INFORMATION

John David Washington as Ron Stallworth
Adam Driver as Flip Zimmerman
Topher Grace as David Duke
Laura Harrier as Patrice Dumas
Alec Baldwin as Dr. Kennebrew Beauregard
Corey Hawkins as Kwame Ture
Ryan Eggold as Walter Breachway
Paul Walter Hauser as Ivanhoe

Read: Fargo Season 3 DVD Review

TECHNICAL INFORMATION 4K ULTRA HD

Street Date: November 6, 2018
Copyright: 2018 Universal Pictures Home Entertainment
Selection Number: 62200089/62200094 (CDN)
Layers: BD-100
Aspect Ratio: Widescreen 16:9 2.40:1
Rating: R for language throughout, including racial epithets, and for disturbing/violent material and some sexual references
Video: 2160p UHD Dolby Vision/HDR 10
Languages/Subtitles: English SDH, Spanish and French Subtitles
Sound: English Dolby Digital 5.1 and Dolby Digital 2.0, French Dolby Digital Plus 7.1, Spanish Dolby Digital 5.1
Run Time: 2 hour 14 minutes

TECHNICAL INFORMATION BLU-RAY™

Street Date: November 6, 2018
Copyright: 2018 Universal Pictures Home Entertainment
Selection Number: 62200089/62198763 (CDN)
Layers: BD-50
Aspect Ratio: Widescreen 16:9 2.40:1
Rating: R for language throughout, including racial epithets, and for disturbing/violent material and some sexual references
Languages/Subtitles: English SDH, Spanish and French Subtitles
Sound: English Dolby Digital 5.1 and Dolby Digital 2.0, French Dolby Digital Plus 7.1, Spanish Dolby Digital 5.1
Run Time: 2 hour 14 minutes

TECHNICAL INFORMATION DVD

Street Date: November 6, 2018
Copyright: 2018 Universal Pictures Home Entertainment
Selection Number: 62198630/62198633 (CDN)
Layers: DVD 9
Aspect Ratio: Anamorphic Widescreen 16:9 2.39:1
Rating: R for language throughout, including racial epithets, and for disturbing/violent material and some sexual references
Languages/Subtitles: English SDH, Spanish and French Subtitles
Sound: English Dolby Digital 5.1 and Dolby Digital 2.0, Spanish and French Dolby Digital 5.1
Run Time: 2 hour 14 minutes

Read: Blu-ray/DVD: Den of Thieves Review

All photos are the courtesy and property of Universal Pictures Home Entertainment.

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Best Gaming Headset Under $90? Plantronics RIG 500 PRO Review

09/25/2018 By Brooke O'Connell

It’s been six months since the Consumer Electronics Show and Plantronics is back with the introduction of their RIG 500 PRO series of gaming headsets. Announced on June 5th, the RIG 500 Pro series is a multi-platform series of headsets geared towards use with Xbox, PS4, and PC. How does the PC version of the headset stack up in the Plantronics Gaming Universe? More importantly, how does it hold up to our testing? Without further delay, let’s take a closer look in this Plantronics RIG 500 PRO review.

Per the June 2018 press release: “RIG 500 PRO Series are the first gaming headsets to feature an exoskeleton earcup design with isolated inner acoustic chambers to reduce distortion, creating the ideal audio solution for today’s high-resolution gaming platforms.”

According to Jack Reynolds, Director of Gaming Products at Plantronics. “The new RIG 500 PRO Series takes the innovative modular design of the RIG 500 to the next level. It continues the impressive number of firsts we’ve brought to competitive gamers, including the first VR-focused headsets, Dolby Atmos® activation and now, the RIG Game Audio Dial for Xbox One and PS4 wireless controllers.”

Read: Gaming: Plantronics RIG 600 Headset Review

Plantronics RIG 500 PRO Review

Design, Fit, & Features

Plantronics RIG 500 PRO gaming headset has several features that make it one of the more comfortable headsets that I’ve worn. The usual heaviness that most gaming headsets consistently seem to have is reduced with its lightweight exoskeleton combined with an inner comfort band. The lightweight metal is a burnished gold which makes it look not only luxurious but gives it a very sci-fi feel to an already unique looking headset. The geometric cutouts surrounding the ear pads make for an interesting appearance.

The comfortable ear cups are adjustable however they differ from others which utilize a sliding mechanism. Instead, these ear cups pop out at the connector and have three different positions. A bit of a downside here is it takes some force to push the cups out of their connectors. While cute that the cups won’t suddenly shift, it is a bit of a pain to adjust. And having only three settings makes it limiting if you like a full range of adjustment in your headset.

The ear cups are supremely comfortable, and the soundproofing is quite amazing. Though depending on the game, it is not fully noise-canceling. When playing a fighting game like DRAGON BALL Fighter Z, I could still hear outside interference. However, this is not a game where the intense focus on hearing is needed.

The soft cushioning makes the RIG 500 PRO headset easy to wear for extended amounts of time and not require me to adjust them.

There’s an easy volume adjuster on the cord. Its slider made it easy to adjust mid game while not having to struggle to adjust. I loved how easy it was to change it. In conjunction with the easy adjuster, the mic flips up to mute. The ease with speaking and muting is a huge draw.

There was a downside though. I found the volume was not quite loud enough for some specific games.

Over the years I’ve worn several headsets such as those from Turtle Beach to the Xbox recommended headphones, and none have been as comfortable as this one. As someone who can’t wear tight headphones, the RIG 500 PRO is perfect. The comfort band makes an excellent lightweight barrier between the bulk of the weight of the headset. The ear cups are so comfortable that it doesn’t even feel like you’re wearing a gaming headset. Also, there’s no issue with them heating up or the problem with it tangling with my long hair.

Read: Patriot Viper V770 Gaming Keyboard Review

Performance

The headset was used playing several levels of Assassin’s Creed Origins where hearing your surroundings is vital. When going through the open world, being able to hear what is going on around you is very important. Just as it when you’re listening to backstories and character information. It provides quite the fantastic ambiance to an already exciting game. This is something I’ve found lacking in other headsets. A small caveat to this is the volume could go louder. But that is probably more of a personal preference since I tend to crank the volume as loud as it will go.

The RIG 500 PRO shined when playing Fortnite. The sound quality was quite good and didn’t need to be turned up as much as when playing Assassin’s Creed. This quality made hearing my surroundings excel upon which I lasted much longer during gameplay than usual. It’s safe to say that I prefer this headset for this particular game more than for Assassin’s Creed.

Read: Gaming: Plantronics RIG 400HX Headset Review

RIG 500 PRO Gaming Headset Specifications

• Microphone sensitivity: -45 dB
• Microphone signal-to-noise ratio: > 42 dB
• Microphone pick-up pattern: Uni-directional
• Weight: 281 grams
• Headphone frequency response: 20 Hz-20 kHz

• Headphone sensitivity: 111 dBSPL/v
• Headphone maximum input power: 40 mW
• Headphone drivers: Dynamic 50 mm
• Headphone impedance: 32 ohms
• Cable length: 1.3 meters

Package
• Gaming headset
• 1.3 Meter cable
• Quick start guide

Contents
• Warranty & Regulatory Info
• Safety Info
• Dolby Atmos® code

Read: Gaming: HyperX Alloy Elite Keyboard Review

Conclusion

Overall, my impression of the Plantronics RIG 500 PRO headset is that it’s a great headset for any gamer. The comfort is unbeatable, and its functions are amazing.

It’s got features aplenty like the adjustable mic, the comfort ear cups with soundproofing, the lightweight exoskeleton and comfort inner band, plus fantastic sound too.

Available for purchase on the Plantronics website at a very affordable price of $89.99, this headset is a moderate price with such incredible features. The downsides of this headset are quiet speakers and the odd way of adjusting the ear cups. Yet, they are far surpassed by its features and the quality build of the headset. I’m thoroughly impressed.

Set up is very easy and there isn’t a long mess of cables like with some other gaming headsets.

There are four sets of headphones that make up the RIG 500 PRO Series:

RIG 500 PRO for PC: $89.99
RIG 500 PRO HX for Xbox One: $79.99
RIG 500 PRO HS for PS4: $79.99
RIG 500 PRO Esports Edition, $149.99

What do you think of this Plantronics RIG 500 PRO review? Do you think it’s one of the best gaming headsets under $90? Let us know in the comment section below or via social media. We’re eager to hear your thoughts.

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Don’t hesitate to head over to the Plantronics Newsroom to see their latest announcements. The RIG 500 PRO gaming headset comes with a one-year limited warranty.

FTC Disclosure: Plantronics provided Beantown LLC with one (1) RIG 500 PRO gaming headset sample for review purposes. This writer’s opinion is 100% her own and is not a paid product ambassador.

Read: HyperX Cloud Alpha Gaming Headset Review

One Stylish Mini Backpack for Women – Moshi Helios Mini

09/17/2018 By Hakan Can

Roughly six months ago, Moshi, the SF Bay Area manufacturer of premium bags, headphones, protective cases, and other digital lifestyle products, introduced their Spring/Summer 2018 Urban Safari bag collection. What we got were some stylish mini backpacks for women and men. We already had the pleasure of reviewing the Tego Urban Backpack so now let’s take a closer look at one of the recently released designer backpacks for women in this Moshi Helios Mini backpack review.

Pros:
• Well constructed mini backpack
• Weather-resistant vegan leather material
• Stylish design inside and out
• RFID shielded pocket
• Can hold up to a 13″ MacBook Pro

Cons:
• Two color schemes currently available
• $130 price may be deemed high by some

Read: Moshi Costa Travel Bag Review

This is One Stylish Mini Backpack for Women!

If you’re familiar with this website, then you know that after doing more than a dozen Moshi product reviews, we’re fans of this lifestyle brand. Still, we don’t allow that fact to cloud our objectivity.

Per the press release: “Moshi is excited to launch new bags as part of their 2018 Urban Safari collection. This collection is entirely crafted from sustainable vegan leather – ideal for the casually elegant travellers amongst us seeking an ethical wardrobe that doesn’t compromise on style and quality.”

“Helios Mini is a small designer backpack also crafted with lightweight, weather-resistant vegan leather. Its slim silhouette is ideal for users seeking a compact premium bag that can carry a 13-inch USB-C MacBook Pro, or a tablet with room to spare for sunglasses, a water bottle and wallet. Helios Mini is also available in Olive Green and Savanna Beige, with an MSRP of $130 USD on www.moshi.com.”

Moshi Helios Mini Backpack Review

Because I’m not the target consumer for this stylish laptop bag for women (being a guy and all), I needed a woman’s perspective and one that is my junior. Thankfully, I was able to enlist the help of one of my more attractive friends for this review. You can see photos of her sporting the Helios Mini designer backpack throughout this post.

First impressions are important, and the ones I received from her were excellent. “I really like the Helios Mini because it’s not only stylish, but it’s sufficient. It has plenty of pockets for everything I need to carry on the go.”

Don’t believe her? Then feel free to walk around a large department store like Macy’s or peruse the web. I welcome you to compare Moshi’s bags and backpacks to those that you see there. Only then will you know you’ve found the right bag or backpack for you.

Read: Moshi Helios Lite Designer Backpack Review

On The Outside…

If you’re familiar with the Helios Lite backpack, then you’ve probably noticed something different about the Helios Mini. This time around, Moshi utilizes a design comprised of weather-resistant and easy-to-clean premium vegan leather as opposed to fabric. Although the Mini is the little sister of the Lite, they look and feel different on the outside.

The differences don’t end there. Silver hardware has been replaced with ones of gold.

On the front, you’ll see one left-to-right zipper plus two faux-adjustable straps with magnetic snap latches. This zippered pocket is a perfect place to store glasses and the Vortex Air in-ear headphones. You can’t help but notice how the gold zipper stands out. The metal handle is stamped or engraved with the ‘moshi’ logo. Like the one on the rear, both zipper handles complement the color patterns and offer a contrast to the 90-degree angles of the bag.

There’s also the standard square metal ‘moshi’ logo located on the lower right front of the Helios Mini.

On the rear of this 9.06″ x 13″ x 4.3″ designer backpack is one nearly top-to-bottom zippered Napoleon pocket. If you want to hide those items that’ll make you most upset if lost or stolen (identification cards, wallet, passport, etc.), then I suggest this pocket or the RFID protected one on the inside is where you hide them.

What’s truly magical is a portion of the metal handle can be tucked away. Although barely noticeable, it’s a beautiful addition to the Helios backpack line. Like with the vegan leather/fabric adjustable shoulder straps, the handles show that added bit of care and craftsmanship.

One thing you don’t see on this mini backpack is water bottle holders. You can tuck that drink away on the inside.

As stated in many of our Moshi reviews, “The zippers and straps are of high-quality, and the stitching is put together well.”

Read: Moshi Aerio Messenger Bag Review

… And Now For The Inside

The interior of the Helios Mini is broken down into three compartments. Directly underneath the top front flap is the first compartment capable of holding some notes. It’s accented with black vegan leather trim.

The next two compartments are within the bag’s opening. First, there’s the thickly padded 13″ MacBook Pro compartment which protects your pricey tech in the event of a drop. Opposite to the padded compartment is a zippered pocket for your most sacred items, i.e., wallet, passport, etc., plus a few sleeved pockets for items like a pen, a toothbrush, USB cables, or a power charger like the Moshi IonBank 5K.

Within the bag is plenty of space for a few food items and/or Moshi’s Avanti headphones. There’s also an adjustable strap down low to tighten or loosen the width of the pack.

Just like Moshi’s other product lines, the lining of this bag is luxurious. On this particular model, the lining is dark gray.

This bag weighs 1.55 lbs and as stated earlier, has dimensions of 9.06″ x 13″ x 4.3″. For you Metric System users, the weight is 0.7 kilogram, and its dimensions are 23 x 33 x 11 cm.

Read: Moshi Vacanza Weekend Travel Bag Review

Final Thoughts

Both color patterns of the Helios Mini are available for purchase on either Amazon (see link below) and the Moshi website (see links above.)

The Helios Mini is one beautiful designer laptop backpack which fits nicely within Moshi’s Summer 2018 Bag Collection. Should your needs steer you to something larger, then I direct you to Moshi’s Helios. Whether you’re a fashion-conscious college student or a young urban professional who likes to accessorize, I believe you’ll be quite pleased with the Helios Mini. I know my model is.

We review plenty of bags every year, so if the Helios Mini isn’t a contender for the best designer backpack for women in 2018 and beyond, then we don’t know what is.

I really like the Helios Mini because it’s not only stylish, but it’s sufficient. It has plenty of pockets for everything I need to carry on the go. Click To Tweet

Read: Moshi Urbana Briefcase Review

What do you think of this Moshi Helios Mini backpack review? Do you agree or disagree that this is one of the more stylish mini backpacks for women this year? Let us know in the comment section below or via social media. Moshi and we are eager to hear your thoughts.

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Don’t hesitate to head over to the Moshi press page to see their latest product announcements. To learn more about service and support, click here for their Support page. There’s a one-year limited warranty on all Moshi products. There’s also an extended warranty via product registration. We highly advise you take advantage of this.

FTC Disclosure: Moshi provided Beantown LLC with one (1) Helios Mini designer laptop backpack sample (in savanna beige) for review purposes. This writer’s opinion is 100% his own and not a paid product ambassador.

Read: Best Urban Backpack of 2018? Moshi Tego Backpack Review

Silicon Valley Season 5 Release Date Announced for DVD

09/04/2018 By Hakan Can

Available this September on store shelves and online everywhere comes HBO’s Silicon Valley Season 5 on DVD. The Silicon Valley Season 5 release date is set for September 4, 2018. DVD pricing has been set around $28 for the 8-episode complete fifth season. Single episodes as well as the full season are available on Digital HD for $2.99 and $19.99, respectively. There’s no word on a Blu-ray™ release date just yet. This post will be updated when more information becomes available.

Read: Veep Season 5 Release Date Announced for Digital HD

Right now you can order Silicon Valley: The Complete 5th Season along with the previous four seasons at any of these digital stores:

HBO’s Silicon Valley Season 5 Release Date is Set for September 4th

PRESS RELEASE

From the minds of Creator/Showrunner Mike Judge and Executive Producers Alec Berg, Michael Rotenberg, Dave Krinsky, and Tom Lassally comes HBO’s Silicon Valley.

Per the Home Box Office press release: “Change is afoot for Richard Hendricks and the rest of the Pied Piper gang as they bring in new staff, new digs, and new anxieties, while precariously teetering on the brink of success in Silicon Valley®: Season 5, available for Digital Download on June 11th. The latest release in this Emmy® Award-winning series includes eight, 30-minute episodes and explores new dynamics for the core cast, in a season that is “tighter and better than ever” (The Week).

“Nominated for more than 30 Emmy® Awards and two Golden Globes, Silicon Valley enters its fifth season with Pied Piper on an upswing as the platform’s new peer-to-peer internet garnering buzz and looking poised to make a splash. However, leadership challenges, new faces in a new office, and the looming rivalry with Hooli CEO Gavin Belson threaten to shake Richard’s confidence.”