[ITNT:] Facebook In Trouble For Recognising People's Faces

Hey Reader,

So I read on Metro today (which was actually in the news yesterday) how people are going crazy about Facebook being able to recognise who is in what picture using facial recognition software, enough for European privacy watchdogs to look into it as a legal matter.

Now let's think this through. We're on the internet - it's open source, access to all. These photos that can recognise who is in what photo? Interesting idea. It's been around for some time though, it's not new (see Google's 'Picasa'). Why could it be right? Easier to tag people, privacy settings pre-exist allowing who to see you in what pic through your profile. Why could it be wrong? Maybe someone you don't know happens to have your photo and it auto-tags you in. I don't know truth be told, it's just an assumption as I've not seen it in action. However, going solely off what I've read...

Judging a Person...

Hey reader,

Came across this from a friend's tumblr page, and it left me thinking...

Tumblr link: IYSA: Judging a person...

Interesting theme in the X-Men films was how people who feared mutants as monsters in turn actually acted as monsters. It's seen throughout history that when people are judged, it's for the worse. It has that negative connotation, unlike passing a compliment - effectively a judement, a view or opinion, of how someone has performed.

Tupac would say, and even had a tattoo stating; "Only God Can Judge Me" and at the end of the day, it's my opinion he's right.

"X-Men: First Class" (2011) film review

Hey reader!

Before they were growing jokes of mutant superhero films, they were amazing mutant superhero films. The fifth instalment of the X-Men franchise is here. But is that a good thing?

Check out below my views on the film, and for any other info on the film or franchise, see my pre-release post.

Brief Plot

Before Charles Xavier and Erik Lensherr took the names Professor X and Magneto, they were two young men discovering their powers for the first time. Before they were archenemies, they were closest of friends, working together, with other Mutants (some familiar, some new), to stop the greatest threat the world has ever known. In the process, a rift between them opened, which began the eternal war between Magneto's Brotherhood and Professor X's X-MEN.

Review

The thing I've loved about X-Men is the fact that it's a lack of reality (no matter how scientifically grounded it is) and being a superhero franchise which isn't faltered for not being 'real' (e.g. Nolan's Batman films, Iron Man, while films like The Incredible Hulk and Thor get that question - X-Men are simply accepted) however, what I love more about the films are the strong themes or story in them, making them particularly superb films (at times). Of course, awesome comic book characters combined with arse-kicking action helps! Let me tell you, the action is great through out, and for a surprisingly cheap CGI-heavy film (at only $120 million, compared to most at +$150 million), it pulls the punches.

"Kung Fu Panda 2" (2011) Pre-release

Hello martial-artist-panda-loving readers!

With Kung Fu Panda 2 expected for release soon in the UK (10th June, 2011), despite seeing its release tomorrow at my local cinema, I think it's an ideal time to get a quick look at the flick and the events that took place in the first flick, perhaps my most loved non-Pixar CGI flick alongside Surf's Up (2006).

About
Director: Jennifer Yuh Nelson

Main Stars: Jack Black, Angelina Jolie, Dusitn Hoffman, and Gary Oldman
Studio: DreamWorks Animation
Distributor: Paramount Pictures
UK Release date: 10 June, 2011
Running time: 90 minutes
Release platform: 2D, 3D

In the News Today: Who's Really Retarded?

Secret filming caught patients being
dragged and slapped by support
workers

Hey reader,

Saw an alarming bit of news on the BBC today, which is an excerpt from its undercover TV documentary show, Panorama, which includes footage of the mentally handicapped in an institute, a place created to care for those who cannot do for themselves, being physically abused to terrible levels for amusement, and is paid for by us UK taxpayers.

This all happened at the Winterbourne View, Bristol, UK. Click below for more information on what happened, and to see the footage:

BBC News - Patient abuse caught on film labelled 'torture'

Panorama is airing in the UK on BBC1, 31st May, 2011 on BBC1 at 9pm - see it also on the BBC iPlayer.