Jim Bray
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publisher, TechnoFile.com; syndicated columnist, broadcaster, author, educator, proud husband, father & grandfather! Oh, and increasingly curmudgeonly.
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Articles by Jim Bray
Warners gives Little Shop of Horrors a terrific 4K upgrade for its 40th anniversary
Warner Brothers has truly done justice to this wonderful Hollywood musical. The new 4K disc looks and sounds great and the extras (even the older ones) are well worth your time; Jim Bray, CFP Automotive Editor , Bio and Archives--October 17, 2026 Lifestyles | Comments | Reader Friendly | Subscribe | Email Us One of the best Hollywood musicals of recent decades is back with a brand-new suit of clothes and sporting a lovely new look and sound that really does this off-beat masterpiece justice.
Warners gives Little Shop of Horrors a terrific 4K upgrade for its 40th anniversary
by Jim Bray October 13, 2026 One of the best Hollywood musicals of recent decades is back with a brand-new suit of clothes and sporting a lovely new look and sound that really does this off-beat masterpiece justice.
Ford adds Tremor trim to its Explorer SUV
I've always liked the Ford Explorer, especially since they went rear drive-biased. The Tremor trim level is a tad lost on this "never off-roader", but I can see why "off-roaders" would find it attractive; Jim Bray, CFP Automotive Editor , Bio and Archives--October 10, 2026 Automotive | Comments | Reader Friendly | Subscribe | Email Us "We already knew the Explorer was capable and versatile," said Matthew Duffield, Ford's Explorer brand manager in an essay on Ford's media website.
Ford adds Tremor trim to its Explorer SUV
by Jim Bray October 7, 2026 Fans of Ford's popular mid-sized SUV have a new choice to make when they're looking to purchase what the company says is America's number one-selling SUV. It's the Tremor, which sits in about the middle of the Explorer line. "We already knew the Explorer was capable and versatile," said Matthew Duffield, Ford's Explorer brand manager in an essay on Ford's media website. "It's always been a vehicle that can handle a family road trip or a weekend camping trip.
Supergirl Brings Girl Power To Superhero Movies As It Crashes Onto 4K Disc
I went into Supergirl wanting it to be good, and hoping it would be good. It ain't; Jim Bray, CFP Automotive Editor , Bio and Archives--September 23, 2026 Cover Story | Comments | Reader Friendly | Subscribe | Email Us Warner Brothers' latest superhero movie is another attempt to create a DC superhero universe that will rival Disney's Marvel Studios' wild run of successes. And it doesn't.
Supergirl brings girl power to superhero movies as it crashes onto 4K disc
by Jim Bray September 22, 2026 Warner Brothers' latest superhero movie is another attempt to create a DC superhero universe that will rival Disney's Marvel Studios' wild run of successes. And it doesn't. What we get instead is a nasty and angry movie, a movie that almost feels as if it's trying to emulate James Gunn's Guardians of the Galaxy, but without the humour and without any particularly likeable characters. It's a shame. I was always a DC guy back in the day when I read comic books.
First impressions mixed for Mazda and Toyota's new mainstream SUV models
Mazda CX-5′s pricing ranges from $38,843 to just shy of 50 grand. RAV4′s start at $41,375 and range up to about $55,875 for the top line model; Jim Bray, CFP Automotive Editor , Bio and Archives--September 18, 2026 Automotive | Comments | Reader Friendly | Subscribe | Email Us Two of Japan's nicest compact SUV's have been redesigned for the 2026 model year and while they're both compelling vehicles in many ways, in others they're afflicted with issues.
First impressions mixed for Mazda and Toyota's new mainstream SUV models
by Jim Bray September 15, 2026 Two of Japan's nicest compact SUV's have been redesigned for the 2026 model year and while they're both compelling vehicles in many ways, in others they're afflicted with issues. The two are the CX-5 from Mazda and Toyota's RAV4. I had a week with the Mazda but only a weekend with the Toyota, so this isn't quite an apples-to-apples comparison, but it's all the time I got so it's all I have. I'm familiar with both vehicles in real life.
Lincoln Navigator tries really hard to amaze and delight – and that's too bad
By Jim Bray September 1, 2026 Do today's automobile designers actually drive the vehicles they create? I ask because it's hard to find a new vehicle these days (of the ones I get to review, anyway) that doesn't make me want to punch its lights out because, rather than just being a vehicle, they've become technology hubs that offer so much connectivity, electronic features and supposed safety nannies that it's difficult to live with them.
Man goes into space and space comes back with a vengeance on Blu-ray and 4K disc
It may not be one of my desert island discs, but Destination Moon is an excellent story told and visualized beautifully Jim Bray, CFP Automotive Editor , Bio and Archives--August 22, 2026 Lifestyles | Comments | Reader Friendly | Subscribe | Email Us Mankind's first trek to the stars, well the moon, is now on a terrific Blu-ray release, while Tim Burton's hilarious look at an alien invasion is now available in a lovely 4K disc version.
Man goes into space and space comes back with a vengeance on Blu-ray and 4K disc
By Jim Bray August 20, 2026 Mankind's first trek to the stars, well the moon, is now on a terrific Blu-ray release, while Tim Burton's hilarious look at an alien invasion is now available in a lovely 4K disc version. I'm talking about George Pal's Destination Moon, of course, as well as the much more recent Mars Attacks! Both are great sci-fi films, though they couldn't be much more different from each other.
Toyota's legendary Land Cruiser embraces the new while keeping a lot of the old
I hadn't driven a Land Cruiser in decades and am glad to see Toyota still offers the vehicle as a robust off-roader that's capable of going head-to-head with other legendary competitors; Jim Bray, CFP Automotive Editor , Bio and Archives--August 14, 2026 Automotive | Comments | Reader Friendly | Subscribe | Email Us It's a famous off-roader that's as home on the African veldt as it is in the city, a vehicle that has taken its spot in automotive history much as has the legendary Land Rover and...
Toyota's legendary Land Cruiser embraces the new while keeping a lot of the old
By Jim Bray August 11, 2026 It's a famous off-roader that's as home on the African veldt as it is in the city, a vehicle that has taken its spot in automotive history much as has the legendary Land Rover and Mercedes G wagon. And it's still around after all these years, carrying people and their stuff to whatever far flung area to which they're heading.
Ray Harryhausen gets the 4K treatment for his first colour classic
Heck, release all Harryhausen's films! There isn't a really weak one among them and all are well worth owning – especially (hopefully!) in 4K. Jim Bray, CFP Automotive Editor , Bio and Archives--August 1, 2026 Lifestyles | Comments | Reader Friendly | Subscribe | Email Us Nerds around the world rejoice! One of the movies that inspired generations of people to either geek out happily or pursue a career in special effects (or both!), has finally reached 4K disc status, and it's a fine package.
Ray Harryhausen gets the 4K treatment for his first colour classic
By Jim Bray July 28, 2026 Nerds around the world rejoice! One of the movies that inspired generations of people to either geek out happily or pursue a career in special effects (or both!), has finally reached 4K disc status, and it's a fine package. The 7th Voyage of Sinbad was Ray Harryhausen's first colour feature after working for years in the world of black and white, and partially because of that it was a groundbreaking film in the annals of cinefantastique.
Lexus RZ is a luxury electric SUV with range
This only makes sense, since technology marches ever onward and range anxiety is one of the chief things keeping EV's from becoming mainstream (there's also such things as price anxiety...). And according to some other reviews of the RZ, this current version is a bit of a mid-cycle refresh and it has increased the electric range (hey, I have one of those in my kitchen!) from its initial release.
Lexus RZ is a luxury electric SUV with range
By Jim Bray July 14, 2026 I just spent a week in an electric SUV that didn't give me range anxiety! Okay, I didn't venture too far from home, but I did drive this interesting vehicle as if I owned it, driving lead footedly through mostly urban miles with one nearby-city trip. I drove it just as I'd drive my own vehicles, neither of which are powered electrically in the slightest, if you don't count usual electric things like lights, audio, etc.
Arizer's new portable vapourizer works well and makes for a great conversation piece
The Go SRT fits into this scenario beautifully. Though it's a tad dear, it's an excellent vapourizer and it's designed for easy portability and use.
Arizer's new portable vapourizer works well and makes for a great conversation piece
By Jim Bray June 30, 2026 Canadian vapemaker Arizer has released a new portable unit that, while expensive, is an interesting and efficient machine that not only works well, it's also cool enough to be worthwhile as a party ice breaker. It, like other such "dried flower" vapes, could also help you prevent issues such as popcorn lung. More about popcorn lung a little later in this piece.
Tony Randall makes faces on Blu-ray – and yet another IPTV Update
7 Faces of Dr. Lao Jim Bray, CFP Automotive Editor , Bio and Archives--June 16, 2026 Lifestyles | Comments | Reader Friendly | Subscribe | Email Us File this under guilty pleasures: George Pal's 1964 fantasy about an old Chinese circus owner who's a lot more than meets the eye. And my favourite IPTV provider is back! Sort of.
Tony Randall makes faces on Blu-ray – and yet another IPTV Update
By Jim Bray June 15, 2026 File this under guilty pleasures: George Pal's 1964 fantasy about an old Chinese circus owner who's a lot more than meets the eye. And my favourite IPTV provider is back! Sort of. But first, 7 Faces of Dr. Lao, a movie I saw in the theatres back in the day and which has stayed with me not only because of Tony Randall's tour de force performances, but because it's an ideal nerd movie.
Bias Light and setup disc set can enhance your home theatre enjoyment--and an IPTV update
Jim Bray, CFP Automotive Editor ——Bio and Archives--May 24, 2026 Lifestyles | CFP Comments | Reader Friendly | Subscribe | Email Us Have you been watching your flat screen TV in a darkened room and found it a tad dazzling on your eyes? If so, you may be a prime customer for something called a bias light, an interesting and handy technology that can take some of that dazzle away and help make your flat screen purchase even more enjoyable.
Bias Light and setup disc set can enhance your home theatre enjoyment – and an IPTV update
By Jim Bray May 19, 2026 Have you been watching your flat screen TV in a darkened room and found it a tad dazzling on your eyes? If so, you may be a prime customer for something called a bias light, an interesting and handy technology that can take some of that dazzle away and help make your flat screen purchase even more enjoyable.
Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV a far from outlandish choice
By Jim Bray May 5, 2026 Mitsubishi's popular Outlander SUV is back with a new battery for 2026 and a few other tweaks in a mid-cycle refresh designed to make the vehicle even more appealing to consumers. And it's a nice vehicle. I drove last year's PHEV model, which Mitsubishi generously lent me for a two week road trip from Calgary to Bellingham, Victoria and Qualicum.
The man who came to dinner and new Looney Tunes provide a real video feast
The Man who came to Dinner, Looney Tunes Collector's Vault volume 2; Jim Bray, CFP Automotive Editor ——Bio and Archives--May 1, 2026 Lifestyles | CFP Comments | Reader Friendly | Subscribe | Email Us Nothing quite says "screwball comedy" more than good old laughs from good old Hollywood and this week I have a couple of them to tell you about. The Man who Came to Dinner is a 1941 Yuk fest about a pompous ass of a writer (no, it isn't me) who finds himself taking over the house of some...
Mazda CX-30 Kuro offers a fun and sophisticated ride
By Jim Bray April 21, 2026 Looking for an SUV that's almost a car, that's fun to drive, easy to live with, and offers the kind of reliability for which Japanese manufacturers have been known for traditionally? If so, maybe you should head down to your local Mazda dealer and take a test drive in the wonderful CX-30, a small SUV I liked so much I even started thinking I should get one.
Mazda CX-30 Kuro offers a fun and sophisticated ride
If it were me, I'd probably get the GT Turbo for its paddle shifters, but if you don't care about that, there are other CX-30's to love; Jim Bray, CFP Automotive Editor ——Bio and Archives--April 21, 2026 Automotive | CFP Comments | Reader Friendly | Subscribe | Email Us Looking for an SUV that's almost a car, that's fun to drive, easy to live with, and offers the kind of reliability for which Japanese manufacturers have been known for traditionally?
The man who came to dinner and new Looney Tunes provide a real video feast
By Jim Bray April 7, 2026 Nothing quite says "screwball comedy" more than good old laughs from good old Hollywood and this week I have a couple of them to tell you about. The Man who Came to Dinner is a 1941 Yuk fest about a pompous ass of a writer (no, it isn't me) who finds himself taking over the house of some "ordinary folks" when he slips on ice outside their place and is forced to convalesce there, bringing about as much chaos to the homeowners as one could imagine.
Canadians really can buy a new car for under 30 grand
By Jim Bray March 24, 2026 How much bang can you get for your 30 thousand Canadian loonies if you really want a brand new car? Well, according to car buy/sell site AutoTrader, which is a place I've used several times to, well, buy and sell vehicles over the years, it turns out you do have some choices, though they're obviously at the low end of the marketplace.
IPTV – an alternative to conventional cable and satellite providers
PART THREE: Just remember that it's the wild west out there in IPTV-land and govern yourself accordingly; Jim Bray, CFP Automotive Editor ——Bio and Archives--March 13, 2026 Lifestyles | CFP Comments | Reader Friendly | Subscribe | Email Us Is IPTV a way to save money you'd spend otherwise on cable or satellite providers? Or is it just one big scam? In two recent columns I've been focusing on IPTV services in Canada and whether or not they're any good.
IPTV – an alternative to conventional cable and satellite providers – part three
By Jim Bray March 10, 2026 Is IPTV a way to save money you'd spend otherwise on cable or satellite providers? Or is it just one big scam? In two recent columns I've been focusing on IPTV services in Canada and whether or not they're any good. In this column, I'll look at some of my real-world experience with some apparently fly by night providers as well as at least one that seems to do what they say they'll do – which is a nice change compared to some of the providers I've tried.
Big time Broadway musicals appear in a new boxed set--and Woody Woodpecker flies onto Blu-ray
Guys and Dolls, Brigadoon, Damn Yankees, The Pajama Game, Gypsy and The Boy Friend, Plus Woody; Jim Bray, CFP Automotive Editor ——Bio and Archives--February 27, 2026 Lifestyles | CFP Comments | Reader Friendly | Subscribe | Email Us If you're a fan of classic Broadway musicals that have been given the Hollywood treatment (for better or for worse), a nice boxed set from Warner Archives bundles six of them in one package.
TechnoFile reviews Broadway on the Big Screen and Woody Woodpecker
By Jim Bray February 25, 2026 If you're a fan of classic Broadway musicals that have been given the Hollywood treatment (for better or for worse), a nice boxed set from Warner Archives bundles six of them in one package. And if that isn't enough, fans of the old Woody Woodpecker "Cartunes" also have a nice indulgence from Universal. Let's start with the music.
TechnoFile reviews Ben-Hur and All the President's Men in 4K
By Jim Bray February 17, 2026 One of the greatest movies to ever grace cinemas has finally received the video treatment it deserves, as has a movie that helped spawn generations of partisan hack journalists. Obviously, I'm talking about Ben-Hur and All the President's Men, both of which premiere this week on 4K disc. William Wyler's 1959 version of Ben-Hur was a remake of MGM's silent version from the 1920's.
A true cinematic masterpiece and an unfortunate hagiography debut on 4K disc
William Wyler's 1959 version of Ben-Hur, and then there's All the President's Men Jim Bray, CFP Automotive Editor ——Bio and Archives--February 17, 2026 Lifestyles | CFP Comments | Reader Friendly | Subscribe | Email Us One of the greatest movies to ever grace cinemas has finally received the video treatment it deserves, as has a movie that helped spawn generations of partisan hack journalists.
IPTV: a solution for cord cutters that can bypass greedy cable providers - Part two
Nothing, after all, is perfect. Well, other than my grandkids; Jim Bray, CFP Automotive Editor ——Bio and Archives--February 13, 2026 Lifestyles | CFP Comments | Reader Friendly | Subscribe | Email Us Is there a way to replace your greedy and out of touch cable or satellite TV provider? As it turns out – yes, though you need to go in with eyes open.
TechnoFile focuses on IPTV
By Jim Bray February 10, 2026 Is there a way to replace your greedy and out of touch cable or satellite TV provider? As it turns out – yes, though you need to go in with eyes open. In my last rant, I introduced IPTV, or Internet Protocol Television, which delivers television and movie content to you over the internet instead of through a traditional cable or satellite hookup.
TechnoFile looks at IPTV
By Jim Bray January 27, 2026 Are you sick of having to deal with Big Cable, paying through the nose for TV programming? Is there a better way to access TV channels, TV series and movies online? Well, yes and no.
Think your apps are safe? It might be time to think again
Think your apps are safe? It might be time to think again Jim Bray, CFP Automotive Editor ——Bio and Archives--January 16, 2026 Guns-Crime-Terror-Security | CFP Comments | Reader Friendly | Subscribe | Email Us It has been said there's an app for virtually everything, from tracking how far you walk in a day to how you order what once would have been called a taxi. You can order groceries with apps, you can book your car into your favourite dealer with an app. Apps, apps everywhere.
By Jim Bray January 13, 2026 It has been said there's an app for virtually everything, from tracking how far you walk in a day to how you order what once would have been called a taxi. You can order groceries with apps, you can book your car into your favourite dealer with an app. Apps, apps everywhere. It's all about convenience, we're told, and app pushers are known to offer carrots to customers who partake of their apps.
Ford Bronco Sport gets upgrades and new trim levels for 2025
Ford Bronco is a pretty nifty vehicle and quite a bit of fun to drive even if you aren't going off road; Jim Bray, CFP Automotive Editor ——Bio and Archives--December 27, 2025 Automotive | CFP Comments | Reader Friendly | Subscribe | Email Us It was already a pretty nifty compact SUV, but after a refresh for the 2025 model year the Ford Bronco Sport is an even more interesting choice, thanks to upgrades inside and outside.
LG's top new OLED TV offers a spectacular picture
It was a real treat for the eyes, let me tell you! Jim Bray, CFP Automotive Editor ——Bio and Archives--December 20, 2025 Lifestyles | CFP Comments | Reader Friendly | Subscribe | Email Us If you want the best picture money can buy here at the end of 2025, you should head over to your LG dealer and take a look at its G5 OLED line.
By Jim Bray TechnoFile.com If you want the best picture money can buy here at the end of 2025, you should head over to your LG dealer and take a look at its G5 OLED line. Available in screen sizes from 55 to a whopping (and really expensive!) 97 inches, it's a simply marvelous technology that has actually been around for decades but which has only come into its own over the past decade or so, with LG usually at or near the forefront of its development and marketing.
TechnoFile drives the 2025 Ford Bronco Sport
By Jim Bray December 10, 2025 It was already a pretty nifty compact SUV, but after a refresh for the 2025 model year the Ford Bronco Sport is an even more interesting choice, thanks to upgrades inside and outside. That includes a new trim level as well, one focused on off-road prowess: the Outer banks Sasquatch, which the company undoubtedly hopes will make a Bigfoot print in the market niche it occupies.
By Jim Bray December 2, 2025 Just in time to miss Halloween comes one of the great guilty pleasure horror movies, from the mind of one of the greatest showmen in Hollywood history. It's House on Haunted Hill, the 1959 scream fest (whether they're screams of fright or giggles I'll leave up to you) that saw some theatres dragging a model skeleton across the top of the auditorium to up the fright (or delight) oomph to an outrageous high.
TechnoFile drives the 2025 Toyota 4Runner Hybrid
By Jim Bray November 25, 2025 One of the original Japanese sport utility vehicles is back with a new edition, and it's a very nice step forward from the previous inSUVnation. The 4Runner, which seems to have been around forever, has been a truck-based based SUV since day one (back then it was based on the Hilux, which is now the Tacoma) and it still manages to compete in a market dominated by the car-based units that make up the lion's share of today's SUV's.
Searching for a classic film on 4K for Christmas? Here are two great examples
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TechnoFile reviews One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest and The Searchers on 4K disc
By Jim Bray November 11, 2025 Two American classics top the list of 4K outings that might want to be on your holiday gift list – for someone else or even for yourself. Neither is a new film, but both are superb.
Ford's maverick Maverick is a compelling choice for those who don't need a
There's a lot to like with the Maverick and if I were looking for a truck that doesn't drive like a truck, I'd be taking a look in this direction Jim Bray, CFP Automotive Editor ——Bio and Archives--October 30, 2025 Animals and Pets | CFP Comments | Reader Friendly | Subscribe | Email Us When is a truck not really a truck? Well, in the case of the Ford Maverick, it's right now.
TechnoFile drives the 2025 Ford Maverick
By Jim Bray October 28, 2025 When is a truck not really a truck? Well, in the case of the Ford Maverick, it's right now. Though its name once referred to a compact car from the early 1970's, today's Maverick is a car-like truck that competes head-to-head with the original modern car-like truck – the Honda Ridgeline – and Hyundai's version called the Santa Cruz.
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