Motorola Moto X Play - Specification and Impression

Motorola just announced its new lineup on 28 July 2015, and the phones are Moto X Style (aka Moto X 3rd gen), Moto X Play and Moto G 2015. Among these three, I'm quite intrigued with Moto X Play. It's essentiall a mid-range phone and the specs really ticked off many of the checklists of my dream phone. Let's see the specifications in a glance:

• Qualcomm MSM8939 Snapdragon 615 (Quad 1.7GHz + Quad 1.0Ghz, 64-bit)
• 2GB RAM
• 16/32GB extendable with microSD
• 5.5" 1080p display with Corning Gorilla Glass 3
• 148 x 75 x 10.9 mm, 169g
• 21MP back camera + 5MP front camera
• 3630mAh battery
• Optional Dual SIM
• Water repellant nano-coating (IP52 certified)

Simple, elegant design. The back design is quite unique.

Snapdragon 615 might not be top of the line unlike Snapdragon 810 (infamous for overheating issue), but a 64-bit and octa-core chipset will be a great update from my current LG Optimus G Pro. Moto X Style comes with Snapdragon 808, but honestly I don't need over-powerful chipset as basically Snapdragon 615 is sufficient enough to run any current graphically-intense games. With rooting, use of optimization apps (Greenify, Clean Master, SD Maid, fstrim, etc) and almost-vanilla Android, it will be a smooth sailing for Moto X Play.

MicroSD. Just few days or hours ago before Motorola's annoucement, OnePlus announced the supposedly '2016 flagship' killer in the form of OnePlus Two. And bummer it doesn't have a microSD slot. It's a personal preference but let me tell you this, microSD makes flashing custom ROM easier. I don't have to re-copy all files everytime I flash my phone. So for Nexus phones which is built with flashing ROM in mind, it's a bit weird not to have microSD slot.

5.5 inch display is all rage these days. I think it's the most optimal screen size for a phone without going into the phablet territory. The resolution meanwhile is playing the game here. Flagships keep going for higher resolutions to become more outstanding. Honestly I also think that 1080p is the most optimal resolution for a 5.5 inch. 2K? 4K? Sorry but I don't have magnifying glass around to peek into those pixels everytime I use the phone. Heck I might even be satisfied with 720p.

A quantum leap in resolution technology. Yea right.

Talking about screen size and resolution, it will always link to one major thing, the power consumption. So when Moto X Play was announced with a huge 3630mAh battery, it was a godsend. I mean Moto X Style with 5.7" and 2K display (2016p) but with 3000mAh battery? I think the designers might have accidentally put the wrong battery onto the wrong model. But it's a damn good mistake. I don't think Moto X Style will be within my budget anyway.

What else I haven't talk about? Ah the camera. 21MP is actually a bit overkill for me. Heck I'm still using 6MP on my 10MP Panasonic LX7. There's not much information about the camera. But DxOMark ranks Moto X Style camera just behind Samsung Galaxy S6 and level with Samsung Galaxy Note 4 says something about the new camera on Motorola. Hopefully nothing much is sacrificed from the camera on Moto X Play.

Shut up and take my money!

Moto X Play's dimension is 148 x 75 x 10.9 mm, and it's actually quite small for a 5.5 inch phone. In comparison, LG G3 (the smallest 5.5 inch phone until now is measured at 146.3 x 74.6 x 8.9 mm). The width and height difference is minimal. However Moto X Play is a bit on the thick side, probably due to the huge battery. The back is curved anyway, so it's not entirely 10.9mm.

And last but not least, it is IPX certified! I've been looking at water resistant phones for the longest time, and before the announcement of Moto X Play, I was looking at either Samsung Galaxy S5 or Sony Xperia Z2. Why water resistant you say? Just check the below video out.

Isn't it cool to be able to use your phone in the rain? Moto X Play is certified as IP52, and according to IP Code table,
5 - Dust protected and
2 - Dripping water when tilted up to 15°.
I believe it will be able to sustain rain, but I don't think it will be able to survive a dunk into a pool of water.

Motorola haven't announced the price of Moto X Play yet, but definitely it will be cheaper than any of the flagships phones. Even if it is priced slightly higher than OnePlus Two (16GB cost around USD329), I will still go for Moto X Play. Can't wait for it to come out and see some good reviews hopefully!

Movie Review - Jurassic World (2015)

The moment when a Brachiosaurus was first shown in Jurassic Park was a movie magic moment. It was definitely a breakthrough in CGI visual effects. Yes before that there was Terminator 2, and even way before that is Star Wars. But in Jurassic Park, it's the magic of bringing back the extinct animals that exist in REAL world that really makes it believable and magical. I can't imagine cyborgs or ewoks roaming the earth, but with dinosaurs you can imagine that.

Ah, all the nostalgia by just looking at this gate. (c) SlashFilms

Fast forward 22 years later after 2 substandard sequels, they finally bring back another sequel to the Jurassic series. Jurassic World is set in Isla Nublar where there is a theme park for viewing and experiencing with dinosaurs. The story starts with the adventure of 2 brothers, Gray and Zach who are on a vacation to the theme park who were coincidentally managed by their aunt, Claire (Bryce Dallas Howard).

Notice that Steven Spielberg's creation (dinosaur) is eating another of his creation (jaws). (c) SlashFilms

So basically the starting of the movie shows the grandiosity of the theme parks, showing most of the dinosaurs that were at the park. The most impressive one is probably the Mosasaurus, an underwater dinosaur. All were in display except one species called Indominus Rex, which was genetically engineered to be bigger and badder than the so-called king of all dinosaurs, T-Rex. We saw how Claire does her management routine at the park, and also we saw the billionaire CEO, Masrani showing some concerns over the enclosure that hosts the lone Indominus Rex.

You know you're in trouble when you are inside a sphere of glass, no matter how strong the glass is. (c) SlashFilms.

In comes Owen, acted by the man-of-the-moment in Hollywood, the lovable hunk Chris Pratt. In the introduction of the character, we got to see Owen doing his trademark 'dinosaur whisperer' thing on a few velociraptors, albeit from an elevated platform. Without spoiling anything, after that scene, there's a tense moment that happens that sets the tone for the whole movie. Basically you can expect a lot of tense, heart-stopping moments and I was actually concerned for the children that were watching in the cinema that time. Anyway if you're an action junkie, you won't regret it. It's an action-packed movie all way through.

Don't run away, I'm feeling alone in the cage and I just want a hug. (c) SlashFilms

Eventually, we have Owen and Claire teaming up and good gosh they really have a very good chemistry in my opinion. Owen is really a cool guy who cares about his velociraptors, and Claire surprisingly didn't really scream a lot in the movie. Boths have memorable scenes on their own. Owen is shown riding a motorbike along with running velociraptors (it's shown in trailers, so not a spoiler). I mean how cool is that, even though it's a bit illogical on why the velociraptors didn't bite him. As for Claire, well when we were introduced to her, she seems like a busy, serious manager but slowly throughout the movie, she make a progress and becoming more, should I say, badass.

Chris Pratt is so cool that even velociprators don't bother to eat him. (c) SlashFilms

Gray and Zach also have substantial screen time, as you know, kids had to have some mischievous moments. The part when they were in a gyroscope and going off the beaten part, and Indominus Rex is roaming around, it was also really really tense. I can say it's a homage to one of the scenes in the original Jurassic Park. Oh and Jimmy Fallon also appears somewhere during that scene also. Next we have Vivian and Lowery who's mostly confined inside the control center, although they get to have the funniest scene in the movie. Masrani and Dr Wu mostly talking about business and lab stuffs (Dr Wu is the only returning cast from Jurassic Park). And what a movie without a human villain, Hoskins from InGen. Hoskins was not really a strong character in my opinion, as you know the badass villain in this movie is the Indominus Rex.

Stay away from her, you b*tch! (Aliens reference) (c) SlashFilms

So what do I think about the movie? Well as someone who never watch the previous 3 Jurassic movies in cinema before, I really have an adrenaline rush watching Jurassic World in the cinema, I mean seeing dinosaurs on big screen is really an experience. I really like the chemistry between Owen and Claire, and also there's a few homages to the Jurassic Park. What I don't really like are the sometimes illogical moments in the movie (like I mentioned Owen riding besides velociraptors). All in all, I really like this this movie. It brings out the childhood in me, it really tested the heart with all that gripping moments and I can't wait already for a sequel, if any.

Rating: 9/10
Director: Colin Trevorrow (Safety Not Guaranteed)

Movie Review - Little Manhattan (2005)

Little Manhattan was a little gem that not many knows and I felt really lucky I saw it! A romantic movie about first love between two children.. yayaya kinasai stuff at first thought but it’s totally not! I actually watched it about 2 years ago and watched it again today. The movie really soooo emo man; from innocent to sweet to awkward situations to heartbroken sadness. If Titanic like more of professional romance, Little Manhattan portrays a more real-life romance you can relate to.. without the ‘you jump, I jump’ thing, ship broken into two and the drawing :P

The movie centers on Gabe, a young boy at school played by Josh Hutcherson, happily enjoying life of pre-maturity. Then he met Rosemary Telesco (cool name by the way) at a karate class, actually his school colleague for many years but only now they really talked to each other. They became sparring partner and from there the relationship builds up. Gabe got the feel especially when he got very strong heartbeat when saw Rosemary in a beautiful flower girl dress.

So Gabe became really syiok with Rosemary and they have own karate practice together. There’s some moment of sweetness, like Gabe pinned Rosemary down on the floor in a karate move.. feels so awkward there.. Rosemary face reactions entices Gabe to take action, but Gabe didn’t and instead asks ‘wanna have some Gatorade?’ LOSE! One day they also hang out in the park (dammm New York have damm awesome park whereas here only sissy Taman Rakyat or Lake Garden). They have more outings together, like finding apartment for Gabe’s dad (Gabe’s parent is divorced, so he wanted to find apartment for his dad). The moment where Gabe and Rosemary riding on a scooter, man feel like the world is beautiful, the sky is bright, and the air is fresh! It’s a SWEET RIDE :)

Rosemary is being very unpredictable (as with saying women are unpredictable). A lot of these scenes left Gabe hanging and guessing what were she thinking?! She told Gabe that she’s gonna be off to a camp for a long time. Well fortunately Rosemary still wanna hang out with Gabe. Rosemary invited Gabe to a small jazz concert and that moment was magic. With romantic songs sung, it was a perfect setting to go extra miles. Gabe slowly grabbed hands of Rosemary and dammmm it was magic!! No wait! Rosemary took back her hands.. Gabe like OMG did I do wrong thing? Am I too fast? Nonono, Rosemary just took back her hands to wipe off the sweats off her hand and then in reverse, Rosemary grabbed back Gabe’s hand!! SWEET DEAL MAN!!!

Ahh the beauty of first and innocent love. Can’t help but smile big big. So freaking ‘ice kacang’ sweet.. that’s not all you know, after the concert ended and they reached back home, they have a little chat and then suddenly Gabe leaned over and kissed Rosemary!! Awwwwww man, these part of the movie again so freakeing sweett I’m scared of diabetes!! But then again Rosemary is as unpredictable as 6/49 Toto, her response is ‘I gotta go’. Doom on Gabe. He felt sadding. I think he can’t handled the unpredictable things anymore. One day the called up each other, at first is nice chat, but after some time, Gabe cannot ‘tahan’ and hurled the hate messages to Rosemary.

So must be very heartbroken, Gabe didn’t mean to hate Rosemary. Gabe had a few emo days and then one day finally Gabe realized what he had to do. ‘Love is about finding courage that you didn’t even know was there’ best summarized his feeling at the moment. That day is Rosemary’s aunt wedding and Gabe ran to the venue of the wedding knowing that Rosemary is flower girl on that day. When the two face off each other, it’s no more hate (kids forgives easily, sweet!). And so another moment of sweetness rising (how many sweets I’ve been taking watching this movie?!) Gabe said out the 3 magical words, you know what’s that la.. But between 2 children, it’s actually not such a tension moment like adults will face. Instead you’ll feel extreme innocence. Gabe like a silly child will spout out silly love confessions, while Rosemary dunno what to think. Well, since no concrete decision, I guess in the end they won’t be together. The truth hurts (Tissues please :( .. )

Ahhhhh.. sweets and occasional unpredictably frustations and at the end a kinda bitter ending. There’s a happy ending in that Gabe’s parents might be together again, but it’s not about them, who give a damn. ‘Love is a terrible business practiced by fools. It will trample your heart and leave you bleeding on the floor. And what do you get in the end? Nothing but a few incredible memories. The truth is there’s gonna be another girl out there, but never like a first love.’ AWWWWWWWWW SWEEEEEETNESSS!

Rating: 10/10