The Jedi Reviews - Hot Toys Iron Mark V (From Iron Man 2)

Written By Lingkar Dunia on Tuesday, January 24, 2012 | 5:01 AM

Hot Toys Iron Man 1/6th collectible is here! Go figure! And here's the review for it. (If you want more pictures of the figure, Google. I've posted limited pics here.....just because....my phone camera. NAY. Lighting is shit.)

























I posed just like what's shown on the box-art cuz I can!

Seen in one of the coolest scene in the movie; the race track brawl, the Mark V suit pays homage to the classic and lovable Silver Centurion suit with its silver and red design. And like the Silver Centurion suit, which made a relatively brief appearance in Iron Man comics, the short scene in the movie, roughly three to four minutes showing the Mark V in action left a lasting impression, most notably due to the cool suit-up part.

This one.


Say you have some money to spend, and you wanna get yourself a 1/6th Iron Man figure from Hot Toys. Is Mark V a good figure to splash your cash on?

Firstly, you will, more often than not, will have to specify to your friends on which scene it was featured in, as unlike Mark IV and Mark VI suits, the only telling sign that this is an Iron Man is the helmet. And that is kinda off putting, think. It's meant to be recognizable right off the bat, even to non-fans.

Second, for say, something that costs betwen RM570 - RM 650 (depending on where you get yours from), the Hot Toys kinda skimped a bit in the extras department for the Mark V, especially with lesser bells and whistles under the hood (no air flaps/ brakes, no forearm rocket launchers, heck, this suit doesn't come with rocket thrusters! And worse, NO extra Tony Stark head!)

Like come on - if you're gonna spend that much for a collectible, it's gotta be worth it, don't you think so? Sadly to say, the Mark V is not at all, bang for the buck purchase.

But are these enough to deter you from getting one?

OK. To begin with, the suit is much slimmer and streamlined compared to Mark IV and Mark VI suits. Well, it is the portable version of the Iron Man suit after all, stored in a briefcase, ready to be used anytime while on the go meaning it's the sleekest, most lightweight version in Tony Stark's arsenal of power suits.

Like any other Hot Toys Iron Man action figures (from the second movie), the Mark V figure comes with light-up features for its eyes, palms and repulsor chest piece. Standard, really. All the switches for the light-up feature are hidden out of plain sight, and just for precautionary measure, I've taken out the batteries out of it. Dont want any leakage ei!

























Non-battle damage suit!

The paint job is excellent, enhancing the metallic look, and the silvery bits shine just in right shade to make it look like a believable, miniature Iron Man suit made out of metal.

It comes with six interchangeable palms, including a pair of fully articulated fingers (YES. You can make the Iron Man figure flip the bird), one additional interchangeable battle damaged left arm and one additional interchangeable battle damaged chest armor (with a smaller, separate bit for the sternum section). You can see the blue race suit Tony Stark was wearing under the battle damaged arm and to add realism to it, it's got a rubbery, lifelike feel to it. It is not fully articulated though.

Swopping the battle damaged bits are easy and straight forward - just a matter of popping the arms out of its socket and replacing it with another. Carefully lifting the chest piece out of its hinge requires more finesse and extra care is needed when swopping the sternum section.




















Battle-damaged arms and chest piece. Note the sternum bit wasn't switched. I was lazy. Note the blue race suit underneath the armor.

A sleeker suit means greater mobility and compared to my Mark IV figure, the Mark V has greater range in terms of articulations, yet, I still havent tried to pose him in that 'punching the ground' pose. Maybe later.

What irks me tho, is the lack of extra heads for the Mark V, in case one wants to replicate that scene where Tony Stark suited up. But it's easily solved if you have a Mark IV figure, as the heads are interchangeable.





















I'm so smug, I could kiss myself.

The set comes with the standard Hot Toys stand with the name of the figure written at the base and the other standard for Iron Man 2 figures, the light-up stand complete with the hollow rod to hold the figure in place for more complex poses.

As seen in the movie, the briefcase which stores the suit is also included, along with the handcuffs but I think the inclusions are kinda pointless, really.

What do I think of the figure as a whole? For one, it's darn pretty. I love the complexity of the build and how detail it is. But the lack of accessories (compared to previous Iron Man suits) is indeed off putting.

Still, the figure alone warrants it as a must have for all Iron Man fans, and definitely not to miss if you're thinking of getting two out of the three Iron Man suits featured in Iron Man 2. (War Machine is NOT classified under Iron Man suits in my books). But if you're looking for a first Iron Man action figure under Hot Toys line, I'd strongly suggest getting the Mark IV or the Mark VI - more extra bits, accessories, and as the girlfriend pointed out - more plastic!

The Hot Toys Iron Man Mark V 1/6th action figure is on sale now from RM 550 and above.

More pictures of Mark V, with Tony Stark head (from Mark IV figure set) + Mark IV figure.



















5:01 AM | 0 comments

Haunted by her own book

Written By Lingkar Dunia on Monday, January 23, 2012 | 11:30 AM

Some books haunt the reader. Others haunt the writer. The Handmaid's Tale has done both.




It has never been out of print.  It has been made into a film, and adapted for opera.  For some, it has become a synonym for the repression of women.  It has been admired and reviled.  And it's a book that haunts the writer.

Using the diary she kept at the time, Margaret Atwood reflects on the extraordinary effect The Handmaid's Tale  has had on the world and herself.

It's a strange and yes, a haunting story.  Read it in The Guardian.



11:30 AM | 0 comments

FileSonic.com Suspended File-Sharing Functionality and Affiliate Program

The most popular and leading File Sharing and Hosting Service of Internet "FileSonic" has suspended its operation of File-Sharing functionality for its users after the dispute of "MegaUpload" last week in which U.S. officials had arrested the owner and members of "MegaUpload" and shutdown the company's website and function from all over the world. I think every single File Sharing and Hosting Service is now worried about their future and trying to not engaged in any legal dispute like "MegaUpload".

"FileSonic" is in the race of the Top-10 File-Sharing and Hosting Websites on the internet with over 250 million pageviews per month. The company's decision to shut down sharing functionality will surely gonna affect website's reputation and the performance of the website and users service, the disability of FileSonic sharing functionality will affect thousands and millions of its users worldwide, with all links hosted with FileSonic will no longer be functional and users will also have to change their links with any other File Sharing and Hosting service.

When FileSonic users log in their accounts, this message will appear on the FileSonic Homepage;
All sharing functionality on FileSonic is now disabled. Our service can only be used to upload and retrieve files that you have uploaded personally.
It means no user will be able to Download and Share any uploaded files with any other person except the owner of File Hosted. If user wants to get backup and download hosted file he can download it via FileSonic file manager. Filesonic has also closed its Online Earning and Affiliate Program that allow uploaders to earn sufficient money when users download their files, so No More Online Earnings from FileSonic via uploaded files will carried over from now and future.

It�s somehow clear that the unexpected closure and dispute of "MegaUpload" has increase fear in the file-sharing community, serving as a warning that the United States government has the capabilities, even without SOPA and PIPA to shutdown websites and track down owners that are living overseas or running from abroad. Now who will be the next target?
11:20 AM | 0 comments

Novak Djokovic - Fights His Way Through

That was tough and I think that is just what Novak needed. 2nd week of a Major rarely gives you an easy match so I wanted Novak to have to move up the gears so not to be caught cold.

Next up will be Ferrer who is an eternal runner. He will not give up on points so this again will be a hard match for Novak. One, like today I expect him to come through but I expect another set to be dropped, maybe in a TB.

The only slight worry from today was the amount of games broken, ok against Hewitt but not against higher ranked players. He has a few days to work on his game and I have no doubt he will be giving it 100% to have sorted by Wednesday.
6:14 AM | 0 comments

Absinthe 'CLI' Jailbreak for iPhone 4S, iPad 2 and iOS 5 - Windows Users

Written By Lingkar Dunia on Saturday, January 21, 2012 | 1:36 PM

We mentioned earlier in our last post about the availability of Greenpoison Absinthe Untethered Jailbreak for iPhone 4S and iPad 2 on iOS 5.0.1 and iOS 5.0 for Mac, Windows and Linux Operating Systems and now we are going to share How Windows users can jailbreak iPhone 4S and iPad 2 devices running iOS 5.0.1 or iOS 5.0 framework by using Greenpoison Absinthe Untethered CLI "Command Line Interface" Method. We will show you a new trick and technique for Windows users to jailbreak their iPhone 4S and iPad 2 on iOS 5.0.1.

iPhone dev team has developed a new tool called CLI "Command Line Interface" only for Windows users. CLI will allow users to jailbreak Apple iPhone 4S and iPad 2 running iOS 5.0.0 or 5.0.1 untethered. 

Supportive devices for Greenpois0n Absinthe Untethered Jailbreak CLI Method:
  • iPhone 4S running iOS 5.0 or 5.0.1 [ 9A405 and 9A406 ]
  • iPad 2 Wifi/GSM/CDMA running iOS 5.0.1
How to Jailbreak iPhone 4S and iPad 2 iOS 5.0.1 Untethered by Using Greenpoison Absinthe CLI "Command Line Interface" Method:

Follow the following steps carefully to Jailbreak iPhone 4S and iPad 2 by using CLI Method only for Windows users.

Step  1: Download CLI Absinthe for Windows --- Click Here.
Step  2: Open the downloaded zip file into your C:\
Step  3: Open Start menu, click on "run" and type cmd.exe


Step  4: In the command window, type: CD C:\cinject_0.4.3 as shown to get into the required folder.
Step  5: Now, execute CLI. Do this by typing: cinject.exe -i payloads/jailbreak.mobileconfig

Click to Enlarge Image!
Step  6: Now execute cinject.exe -j payloads and wait for the backup.
Step  7: Finally execute the command cinject.exe -w
Step  8: Once completed, you should see an Absinthe icon on the Home screen. Tap the Absinthe icon, it will open GreenPois0n site, and will then reboot your device. Once it loads again, the Cydia icon will have replaced the Absinthe icon. Now enjoy your iPhone 4S / iPad 2 5.0.1 untethered jailbreak.

Important Notes: You can use above trick to jailbreak your iPhone 4S or iPad 2 on iOS 5.0.1. But we recommended to use Greenpois0n Absinthe Untethered Jailbreak v.0.1.2.1 tool for iPhone 4S, iPad 2 and iOS 5.
1:36 PM | 0 comments

Absinthe Untethered Jailbreak for iPhone 4S, iPad 2 and iOS 5 - Tutorial

Finally the wait is over for iPhone 4S, iPad 2 and iOS A5 chipset Smartphone owners. Greenpoison Absinthe has just released the untethered Jailbreak for iPhone 4S and iPad 2 on iOS 5.0.1 and iOS 5.0. Now iOS 5 owners have freedom to jailbreak their devices if they are using Windows and Mac Operating Systems. Officially Greenpois0n Absinthe is now available for Windows and Mac users and it will be available for Linux in next few days. According to iJailbreak untethered Jailbreak v.0.1.2.1 tool is assembled by a "dream team" of iOS hacker�s familiar names including Pod2G, P0sixNinja, MuscleNerd, Planetbeing, and Cydia's saurik.
Untethered Jailbreak from Greenpois0n provides features to jailbreak any custom tweaks and tools and can survive a reboot of the phone, whereas tethered solutions require the phone to be reconnected to a computer running the jailbreak tool after each reboot. iPhone 4S and iPad 2 owners running iOS 5.0 or either 4S version of 5.0.1 can enjoy the freedom of Jailbreak on their devices.

Supportive devices for Greenpois0n Absinthe:
  • iPhone 4S running iOS 5.0 or 5.0.1 [ 9A405 and 9A406 ]
  • iPad 2 Wifi/GSM/CDMA running iOS 5.0.1
Download Greenpoison Absinthe Jailbreak 1.2.2 Tool:
  • Download iOS 5.0.1 For iPad 2
  • Download iOS 5.0.1 For iPhone 4S
  • Download iTunes 10.5.3 For [ Mac & Windows Users ]
  • Download Greenpois0n Absinthe 1.2.2 For [ Mac Users ]
  • Download Greenpois0n Absinthe v 0.2 For [ Mac Users ]
  • Download Greenpois0n Absinthe 1.2.2 For [ Windows Users ]
How to Jailbreak iOS 5.0.0 or 5.0.1 On Your iPhone 4S Or iPad 2 Untethered With Greenpois0n Absinthe?

Download the tool package provided above and than follow the following simple steps to jailbreak iPhone 4S and iPad 2 running iOS 5.0.0 or 5.0.1.


Step 1: Connect your iPhone 4S or iPad 2 with your PC via USB, and open iTunes then Restore to iOS 5.0.1.
Step 2: Download Greenpois0n Absinthe, then unzip and run the file.
Step 3: Connect your iPhone 4S or iPad 2 with your PC via USB.
Step 4: Simply click on "Jailbreak" button follow the steps appear on the greenpois0n screen.
Step 5: Once completed, you should see an Absinthe icon on the Home screen. Tap the Absinthe icon, it will open GreenPois0n site, and will then reboot your device. Once it loads again, the Cydia icon will have replaced the Absinthe icon. Non enjoy your iPhone 4S / iPad 2 5.0.1 untethered jailbreak.

Video Tutorial to Jailbreak iPhone 4S & iPad 2 iOS 5.0.1 Untethered With Greenpison Absinthe:
12:47 PM | 0 comments

Novak Djokovic - Round 3 Press Conference

Q. It's looked pretty clinical out there. How has it felt?

NOVAK DJOKOVIC: Well, it felt great. Obviously I feel for my opponent, who evidently could not move on the court. He could not get over, you know, into the rally two, three strokes.

You know, I think most of the people expected him to just retire the match and walk out of the court. But he managed to stay. So all the credit for him and happy birthday.

Q. Could you feel your level at all as a result or not really?

NOVAK DJOKOVIC: Well, considering the fact that I lost two games the whole match, I think I've played really, really well. You know, I'm not taking his situation right now in matter. But looking just of my game was really well, really fantastic from serve, the return, all the shots, going to the net.

I'm happy with the way my first week went here in Australia, and hopefully I can continue the same way in the second one.

Q. Can you recall at a Grand Slam where you've started in such form?

NOVAK DJOKOVIC: Well, obviously the goal for every player who's taking part in this Grand Slam is to do as best as he can and to start off the 2012 season in the best possible way.

I think to all of us, especially the top players, it's important to go far here in Melbourne and feel that, you know, we have enough confidence that we are in the right shape and just start off this season the way we want to.

I always played well in Australia. This is the only Grand Slam I won twice. As I said before, the reason that I skipped the opening week of the season was because I wanted to get ready for Melbourne.

The conditions are great. They're very suitable to my style of the game, day and night. I'm really looking forward to next week.

Q. Now that you're through, will you watch tonight? If so, what will you take out of it?

NOVAK DJOKOVIC: Well, I will try to watch the match. It's going to be quite interesting because Lleyton has been playing some really good tennis I think the best that we have seen him play in last two years.

On the other hand you have Raonic, who is one of the upandcoming players, very young but strong, powerful hitter from the baseline, great serve.

I think a lot depends from his serve, the way he's going to serve.

Look, you know, Lleyton is playing probably his favorite court in front of his home crowd. It's not going to be easy for both. I hope they go distance (laughter).

Q. Would you rather play Lleyton and the crowd or the young Canadian?

NOVAK DJOKOVIC: Doesn't matter really. Just try to focus on my game.

Q. Of all the surfaces you play on around the world, do you consider this the best suited for your game in terms of speed, how the ball bounces, how you feel moving on it?

NOVAK DJOKOVIC: Probably, yes.

Q. Given the conditions we could face in the second week with the weather here, how important is it to be fresh both mentally and physically?

NOVAK DJOKOVIC: Yeah, it's really important. You know, the positive out of this first week is obviously my performance that has been great, you know. I don't think that I need to work particularly in some shots of the game. Maybe just serve and maybe a little fitness today, just get ready for the second week.

You know, I didn't spend that much time on the court. I don't think I'm lacking any match play. I don't think I'm lacking any practice. I've had lots of practice in the last five, six weeks.

Right now I just want to take one match at a time, focus on the next one, and use this, well, physical let's say freshness that I have in this moment.

Q. Some people might think that after what you achieved last year, coming into a new year it might be perhaps a burden, something heavy on your shoulders. You seem to be in sort of a chirpy mood, relaxed.

NOVAK DJOKOVIC: Well, I think that helps me to stay committed and stay focused. But it's not just oneman effort. The team of people that is around me is helping me to perform my best on the court and to keep the very simple style of the life, you know, concentration that I had for every preparation for every season so far in last five years.

It hasn't changed, even this year. Even though I do have, you know, a particular situation, let's say, which is different from last couple of years where I didn't have to defend every single point in first six months in every single tournament.

But, look, you know, it is the way it is. I don't want to spend my time and energy thinking about dropping points, you know. I'm really thinking only about improving my game, improving myself, staying really focused.

The bottom line is that, you know, I'm 24. I feel that I'm playing the best tennis of my life. I'm at the peak. So I should use every moment and enjoy my tennis.

Q. A lot of women, female tennis players, get to pose in their swimsuits for the Sports Illustrated magazine. Do you think that men should have the same opportunity?

NOVAK DJOKOVIC: Okay. I will choose my next words very carefully (laughter).

Well, I don't know. I guess, yes. We should all have equal rights. But I am not thinking about that too much. I guess, you know, women are more attractive than we are. They have a lot more to show, I guess.

Q. So you wouldn't say no if it was tastefully done?

NOVAK DJOKOVIC: I'm not getting naked for anybody, except my girlfriend (smiling).

Q. When you were 17 you were playing in Italy with Piatti. Then you were a big supporter of AC Milan. Now you have a media manager who is Italian and you are sponsored by Sergio Tacchini.

NOVAK DJOKOVIC: Which is Italian.

Q. I would like to know if there is a reason for all that. You trying to put up the image of Italian tennis, which is a disaster?

NOVAK DJOKOVIC: Oh, don't be hard (smiling).

Q. How do you explain it?

NOVAK DJOKOVIC: Well, it's simple: I like Italia. I like their mentality. I think I always got along really well with the people from Italy. I know Eduardo for many years. Well, he's not working anymore for Sergio Tacchini, but he used to work. That's kind of the connection. I just feel comfortable. I spend a lot of time in Italy.

I really feel that Rome, for example, is one of the tournaments where I have probably the most support after my country. You know, I feel that I am very welcomed there and the people appreciate what I do. So it's really comfortable.

Q. What is the biggest advantage and the biggest danger of having an easy week like you did in the first week of a major?

NOVAK DJOKOVIC: Well, I don't think there is any disadvantages considering the fact that I've played so many official matches. In some ways maybe some would think the match play is going to affect maybe my next match, that I'm going to play somebody who is, you know, more difficult opponent, I guess, higher ranked.

But I don't think so because I've had enough matches, especially in 2011. I've had a lot of practice. I think I'm physically fit. So, as I said before, I think the advantage of it is that I didn't spend that much energy, you know, so I'm getting fresh into the second week.

Q. The year just started. But from what you have seen till now, do you think by the end of this year we will talk more about the Fab Five, including Del Potro, instead of the Fab Four?

NOVAK DJOKOVIC: Can be possible. Anything is possible, especially if we are talking about a player who has won a Grand Slam before. You know, Del Potro has always lots of respect from all of us, is one of the best players in the world, even now that he's not top 5 or top 10. I think gamewise he deserves to be there.

I think there is not just him, but there is a lot of other players who are still contesters for top 5, like Tsonga, Berdych. I think they're all performing very well here in Melbourne. Tennis has improved a lot.

I think in general men's tennis is experiencing some really good times.
2:12 AM | 0 comments

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