Rob Dean
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Articles by Rob Dean
Movie Review: “Street Fighter”
It’s almost impressive when a film like “Street Fighter” fails so blatantly across multiple genres. It’s not just that the new adaptation of the video game is a terrible action movie, but Kitao Sakurai’s endeavor is also awful at its attempts at comedy as well. It’s legitimately maddening that it’s so hard for so many to turn the fighting game into an entertaining cinematic experience.
Tesla held a vote on where to build the next Supercharger, and then picked another winner
Over the past 4 years, Tesla has held a quarterly vote on where to install new Superchargers. Voting is split into 5 regions including Asia-Pacific which takes in Australia and New Zealand. Tesla supplies a list of sites to be voted on, and Tesla account holders get to allocate 1 vote to up to 5 different sites during that quarter’s voting period. The tally of votes for each site is visible to anyone viewing the Voting page at Tesla.com anytime right up to the end of the voting period.
Movie Review: “The Odyssey”
It’s easy to forget that there are literal characteristics to call something “epic,” and it is fitting that one of the earliest epics ever in civilization would help better define it for modern eras. Heroic tales of gods and men that are often used for nation building/fortifying, traversing large swaths of time and land in their narrative, “epic” doesn’t just mean big or expensive or even impressive.
Movie Review: “Project Hail Mary”
“Project Hail Mary” is a bold gambit. At least now, in 2026, it is. Because we live in a cynical age. Or rather—with our planet dying, government violence in the streets at home and abroad, images manipulated to lie to us, news shredded to control us, and so much more—we live in an age where cynicism may be the most pragmatic approach to the world around us. We all know it’s bad out there in ways we can’t even enumerate without collapsing into a quivering ball of fury and sorrow.
Movie Review: “Predator: Badlands”
“Predator: Badlands” is not revolutionary by any means, but it is an incredibly satisfying and fun adventure that is well worth seeking out. Director Dan Trachtenberg and screenwriter Patrick Aison have delivered a wonderfully engaging film that honors what has come before while forging a new path ahead for the franchise.
BYD Shark 6 - Australia’s most enjoyable ute is undone by inept customer service.
I took delivery of a BYD Shark 6 plug-in hybrid ute in March of this year. The specs and pricing looked good, so it was worth the risk purchasing what was seen then as an untested product.
Movie Review: “F1: The Movie”
From director Joseph Kosinski, “F1” is an amalgam of well-worn tropes and overly familiar tics. The dialogue, from a script by Ehren Kruger and Kosinski, starts off as just quips and exposition but eventually evolves into quips, exposition, and shallow profundity. And yet… And yet… And yet I still found myself wrapped up in the excitement of the races and caring about the (essentially predetermined) outcome of the story. How? My brain could see every box being ticked by Kosinski and company.
Movie Review: “28 Years Later”
“No man is an Island, entire of it self; every man is a piece of the Continent, a part of the main.” – John Donne “28 Years Later” is not merely more of its predecessor “28 Days Later,” in the way that “Aliens” simply grew the main antagonist from the first entry. Danny Boyle’s follow-up to his 2002 film is very much an expansion of the established world. It turns out, a lot can happen in just a few decades.
Movie Review: “Mission: Impossible - The Final Reckoning”
On its own, “Mission: Impossible – The Final Reckoning” is a fine film with a couple of stellar moments and impressive sequences. Taken in context of the entire “Mission: Impossible” series (especially the last three directed by Christopher McQuarrie), however, and its light dims with the comparison.
Tesla has missed the boat: The BYD Shark 6 plug in ute is fantastic value for money
I’ll get straight to the point here: The BYD Shark 6 plug-in hybrid ute is fantastic value for money, and for a large percentage of the Australians in the market for a full size 5-seat ute that can complete almost all daily driving on home electricity, this vehicle will suffice. A second point to make very clear here is this vehicle does not suit everyone. If you want a 4×4 that climbs up steep gravel hills without concern, then buy a modern Ford Ranger diesel or some other hard nut 4×4.
I strayed from the Tesla cult and went to the dark side
My Tesla cult status goes deep, the cars are compelling, I have two, the first one for over 9 years now. The Tesla Supercharging network is miles in front of any other charging infrastructure. The home batteries are good too, in fact in future years Teslas energy storage market will overshadow its vehicle sales. There’s one other aspect that makes Tesla stand head and shoulders above the rest; I’ll get to that later. So, what about the Dark side?
Some short term fixes to grid constraints that are putting brakes on EV charger rollout
As reported in the media, including in The Driven, business groups attempting to install DC charging stations throughout Australia are getting further behind schedule – and much of this is due to grid connection restraints. It’s not a shortage of power over the whole grid averaged out over 24 hours, 7 days a week, but a shortage of peak power available at individual sites when 1 or more DC fast chargers are required. Two paths can be taken here.
A tale of two remote off-grid EV fast chargers: The wondering and the woeful
On a recent trip up the West Coast of Australia from Perth to Darwin, down to South Australia then back across the Nullarbor I was able to experience the two NRMA portable DC chargers. These units are basically constructed in a factory and transported to a site that requires instant DC charging. Both units have a similar build style, and include approximately 28kW of rooftop solar, battery storage and a backup diesel generator for the rare days of high demand.
A tale of two remote off-grid EV fast chargers: The wondering and the woeful
On a recent trip up the West Coast of Australia from Perth to Darwin, down to South Australia then back across the Nullarbor I was able to experience the two NRMA portable DC chargers. These units are basically constructed in a factory and transported to a site that requires instant DC charging. Both units have a similar build style, and include approximately 28kW of rooftop solar, battery storage and a backup diesel generator for the rare days of high demand.
The good, the great, and the really bad: A review of an EV charging network
During a recent drive through South Australia we got to experience the very best of the recently installed RAA charging network, starting just south of the Northern Territory border, through the Flinders Rangers and then across to Ceduna. In all, we used 10 different Kempower 150kW DC chargers (3 of them twice). We visited 11 different charging stations and gave it a score of 10/11. Why only a 10/11 score? I’ll get to that later, but let’s highlight the positives first.
The good, the great, and the really bad: A review of an EV charging network
During a recent drive through South Australia we got to experience the very best of the recently installed RAA charging network, starting just south of the Northern Territory border, through the Flinders Rangers and then across to Ceduna. In all, we used 10 different Kempower 150kW DC chargers (3 of them twice). We visited 11 different charging stations and gave it a score of 10/11. Why only a 10/11 score? I’ll get to that later, but let’s highlight the positives first.
Diesel vs electric across the Nullarbor: Which is the lowest cost in fuel?
We have read stories about comparison in the cost of diesel and electricity. But for really long distances, such as crossing the Nullarbor, which one turns out to be the lowest cost? The best comparison is to use two vehicles that are likely to drive across the Nullarbor on any given day.
Diesel vs EV Across the Nullarbor, Which is Cheaper in Fuel?
The best comparison is to use two vehicles that are likely to drive across the Nullarbor on any given day. I know a few dozen Tesla Model Y SUVs have done it, including my own 4 times, and I also have no doubt a similar size 2022-24 Hyundai Tucson diesel SUV has more than once crossed the country.
Crowd funded DC charger installed at Nullarbor Roadhouse to defuse bottlenecks
It’s arrived! Thanks to the determination of Jon Edwards from the TOCEVA racing team and with the support of the Australian Electric Vehicle Association, Tesla Owners Club Australia, Tesla Owners Club Western Australia and many EV owners from across Australia, we are happy to announce the installation and commissioning of a Delta 22kW DC charger at the Nullarbor Roadhouse in South Australia.
SCROOGED At 35 - Neon Splatter
SCROOGED is one of the most disquieting, unsettling films to come along in quite some time. It was obviously intended as a comedy, but there is little comic about it, and indeed the movie’s overriding emotions seem to be pain and anger. — Roger Ebert, November 23, 1988 Since when are ghost stories supposed to be heartwarming? That is what Charles Dickens’ A Christmas Carol is at its essence, after all.
Review: THANKSGIVING (2023) — Neon Splatter
THANKSGIVING’s humor doesn’t always work (though this Massachusetts native appreciates the accent work as well as shots at Hanover and Methuen), but it improves over the course of the runtime, which helps those scenes without bloodshed to remain engaging to viewers. The practical effects are very impressive and gleefully disgusting, eliciting plenty of squirming and chuckles in equal measure. There are memorable kills that belong in the same mention as the ‘80s movies that inspired Roth’s latest.
Trailer Trash: FROM HELL IT CAME (1957) — Neon Splatter
The trailer for 1957’s FROM HELL IT CAME. Directed by Dan Milner and written by Richard Bernstein, from a story by Bernstein and Jack Milner. The film stars Tod Andrews, Tina Carver, Linda Watkins, John McNamara, Gregg Palmer, Robert Swan, Baynes Barron, and Suzanne Ridgway. The plot summary is as follows: A wrongfully accused South Seas prince is executed, and returns as a walking tree stump.
Driving Tasmania is EV heaven
Back in 2019 we drove a Model S around Tasmania for 9 days as part of a complete around Australia trip, at that time DC charging was almost non-existent, maybe 2 locations in the whole state, not that we used one as distances are short and there was enough AC charging outlets to get us by with a little bit of forward planning. Fast forward to our most recent 17 day trip early this October.
Afternoon Delights: The Making of DON'T — Neon Splatter
Its unfortunate 2007’s GRINDHOUSE didn’t do better. I think it’s gotten some reappraisal in the 15+ years since, especially with the release of Tarantino’s director’s cut of DEATH PROOF. Though it really is best, in this writer’s humble opinion, as a whole movie with all of the trailers and ads and whatnot.
The EV charging bottleneck soon to arrive on the Nullarbor
Before I continue let me make something very clear, if you want to travel between Perth and the East Coast in the fastest, safest and often cheapest manner book an airline flight and get it over with: Driving the Nullarbor is not for you. Last month my wife and I completed our 7th trip across across the southern part of the country in an EV.
Review : BIG EASY QUEENS (2023) — Neon Splatter
And the cast truly makes this movie sing—literally in the case of Swanson who has multiple musical numbers. Many of these are set over montages of painful memories or ongoing criminal acts, which brings to mind the Breathless Mahoney moments from 1990’s DICK TRACY.
Review: RIVER (2023) [Fantastic Fest] — Neon Splatter
Anarchic Time Loop Hilarity Is The Best Of The Fest Regret is a powerful burden that can weigh people down. What if you had done things differently? Or not done them at all? If you knew then what you know now, how many of your decisions would alter? That’s where time loop stories come in.
Review: V/H/S/85 (2023) [Fantastic Fest] — Neon Splatter
Putting aside these tired tropes of the subgenre in which all of these entries indulge without any hint at wit or irony, the stories themselves just aren’t that interesting. Or, if there are interesting aspects to the segment, they are usually buried underneath other miscalculations or come far too late.
Review: THE TOXIC AVENGER (2023) [Fantastic Fest] — Neon Splatter
Winston Gooze (Peter Dinklage) isn’t have a great day…or life, really. His wife died, leaving him to raise his emotionally addled stepson (Jacob Tremblay). He works as a janitor at BTH factory that pumps out all sorts of gross toxic waste, which is of no concern for BTH’s CEO, Bob Garbinger (Kevin Bacon). Winston lives in St. Roma’s Villa, a rundown, crime-infested, gross little hamlet with a population full of the sick and the wicked…and the wicked sick (from BTH chemicals).
Afternoon Delights: DON'T FUCK WITH ANN MARGARET (2023) — Neon Splatter
Maybe we can’t embed the short film DON’T FUCK WITH ANN MARGARET below, but we had to make sure you knew of it—because it’s that much of a killer time. Written and directed by Ama Lea, DFWAM is dripping with style, allusions, and spirit that makes for a jaunty and sleek five minutes (less than). Ann Margaret (Eden Andrews) is a typical teen who doesn’t care for a boy (Chance Coeden) spreading rumors about her. Sure, that’s vague—but why ruin the fun when it’s such a short blast of awesome?
We're Gonna Haul Ass To Fantastic Fest 2023! — Neon Splatter
Festival programmer Lori Donnelly wrote of this film: “Boasting a massive body count that would make John Woo proud, TRIGGERED revels in decadent ‘80s- and ‘90s-style bloodshed.” A movie that tries to recapture the bullet ballet of those Hong Kong? Even if it misses the mark, that’s an endeavor we can get behind and hopefully leads to more revivals of such intense outings. But what’s it all about?
Afternoon Delights: FRANK & EMMET (2021) — Neon Splatter
No, you’re crying! Directed by Carlos Fernandez Puertolas (who also wrote it, with contributions from Jason Spencer Galsworthy), FRANK & EMMET is a short film from 2021 that is an incredibly effective use of 12 minutes to tell a very sweet story of lifelong friends. The synopsis is pretty simple: The story of two life-long friends and show-business partners who, after weeks of drifting apart, sit together to have a much-needed conversation.
Review: THE LAST VOYAGE OF THE DEMETER (2023) — Neon Splatter
The Dracula reveal is not a spoiler as it is literally declared in the opening scroll of the film—not to mention all of the promotional material (and if anyone is familiar with the novel they will recognize it too). The fact that this is a cursed vessel full of doomed people is never in doubt. This means that the emphasis is no longer on the what or why, but the how of the situation.
Daily Beasts: SUDDEN DEATH (1995) — Neon Splatter
The story behind the movie—essentially the wife of the owner of the Pittsburgh Penguins thought their hockey arena would be a good location for an action movie and it all sprung from there—isn’t as wild as the makings of similar blockbusters, but it is still an entertaining ride of local hockey players and possibly diva moves by its star. But the true dynamic elements are all left on the playing field, er, ice, er, screen.
June-Claude Van Damme: (High) Kick-Off! — Neon Splatter
Welcome to a new theme month here at Neon Splatter. We are gathered here today, and the entirety of June, to celebrate the man, the myth, the master—Jean-Claude Van Damme. June-Claude Van Damme will be a chance for contributors from all over the place to talk about some of their favorite JCVD films and what the muscles from Brussels has meant to them. In his 62 years, the actor has delivered some incredible movies, amazing moments, and enough spectacle to last several lifetimes.
The right hand drive Tesla Model X and Model S are cancelled: It’s time to move on
Last Friday’s revelation that Tesla would not be building Right Hand Drive versions of the Model X or Model S for any countries, including Australia, was met with a mixture of sadness and anger. Some reservation holders loyal to Tesla felt they’d been harshly stood up after years of adulation, while those not so loyal to Tesla unsurprisingly went down the path of anger and resentment, with threats of “I’m going to buy another brand of EV” or “let’s organise a class action”.
Tale of two motors: Comparing Model Y Standard and Performance driving efficiency
Last week Rob Dean from Tesla Owners Western Australia conducted a test on two identical Model Y Performance vehicles using different wheels to find out how much wheel type affects driving efficiency. The Driven has had a great response to the story, the results may surprise you. This week Rob conducted a second test this time keeping the wheels constant and comparing the driving efficiency of a Model Y Performance and Model Y Standard Range.
Review: SISU (2023) — Neon Splatter
I said it before and I’ll say it again: I will never tire of seeing Nazis get obliterated. Especially in this age of fascist resurgence, it remains a genuine delight to watch these hollow men meet grisly ends. And SISU soars as a delivery system for inventive Nazi destruction. Jalmari Helander’s film certainly has some peaks and valleys, but when those high notes hit—it is utterly captivating and thrilling.
Smaller tyres mean longer range: Stunning results of Model Y Performance test
The only way to correctly test energy efficiency is by having two similar cars driven on the same roads at the same time over a reasonable long distance. This test was conducted using two almost identical 2023 White Model Y Performance vehicles built in the Shanghai factory within days of each other. Both had covered over 1,600kms in the first week of ownership. Both had aircons set to 22°C. Both had cold tyre pressures of 42psi. Both had two occupants.
Which is the best Model Y variation?
First up the Performance, Long Range and Standard variations of a Model Y all have the major reasons to buy a Model Y in the first place: Excellent internal storage space considering its outside dimensions, good rear seat legroom, comfortable upright front seats, a high level of safety for occupants in a crash, all can legally tow 1600kg with trailer brakes, the most efficient pure electric drivetrain for its size and weight, and lastly but most importantly full access to the best and most...
Best Ways Job Hunters Can Narrow Down Their Options for Better Results
Job hunting can be an overwhelming process. There’s so much that goes into the perfect job: the job itself, the company culture, the schedule, the pay, and the location. On top of that, even if you do find your dream job, that doesn’t mean you’re going to get hired. If you’re currently looking for a new job or considering a career change, having a process for narrowing down your options will help you get better results.
Stream Warriors: September 21, 2023 — Neon Splatter
What It Is: Sarah, a polite and curious 7-year-old English girl, embarks on lots of little adventures with her best friend - a lovable duck named Duck. Where It Is: Tubi Why You Should Watch It: “Sarah And Duck is a British children's TV show, but it's also one of my favorite television series of all time. The characters are warm, alive, and quirky. The world she lives in is magical but in a subdued and nonsense way where no one talks about it and just accepts that life is magic.
Ben Affleck's Nike Story Soars Thanks to Dynamite Cast Original
A sign of a great historical film is one that makes the audience forget they know how it will end. The ship isn’t going to stay afloat in “Titanic.” Woodward and Bernstein will figure out how to bust open the story of Watergate in “All the President’s Men.” King George will address the nation in “The King’s Speech.” But all those movies leave their viewers enthralled by the stories’ twists and dynamic characters, making the certainty of the outcome secondary to what they’re watching unfold.
‘Air’ Review: Ben Affleck’s Underdog Story Soars Thanks to a Dynamite Cast
A big swirling bucket of the latest rumors, celebrity news and Hollywood gossip. The premier celebrity gossip app. The only apps that gives you a comprehensive real time celeb news stream. Gossip Bucket aggregates and streams the latest gossip news and headlines from the top sources in one place.
‘Air’ Review: Ben Affleck’s Underdog Story Soars Thanks to a Dynamite Cast
‘Air’ Review: Ben Affleck’s Underdog Story Soars Thanks to a Dynamite Cast 19 March 2023 by Rob Dean The Wrap A sign of a great historical film is one that makes the audience forget they know how it will end.
Review: THE WRATH OF BECKY [SXSW] — Neon Splatter
Man, I love seeing Nazis get fucked up. Even when the movie itself isn’t very good (looking at you, OVERLORD), it’s still a simple joy to watch the “übermenschen” get mowed down in hopefully increasingly painful ways. Luckily THE WRATH OF BECKY doesn’t just provide multiple glorious deaths of Proud Boys stand-ins/Neo-Nazis, but it’s an incredibly entertaining film full of wit and propulsive action.
Review: DUNGEONS AND DRAGONS: HONOR AMONG THIEVES (2023) — Neon Splatter
While I’ve never been a member of a Dungeons & Dragons campaign, only playing a couple of times in my nerdy life, it’s clear that chemistry is a major component. Sure there’s mathematical skills and imagination, but also the dynamics of the group playing together. With the assured hand of their Dungeonmaster leading them through their adventures—playing to their strengths and preying upon their weaknesses—it becomes the exchanges between these members that fuel a successful quest.
4 Secrets for Building a Successful Travel Blog
Would you like to turn into a travel entrepreneur and support yourself and your family with your blog’s income? That's great! But do not jump into building your WordPress travel blog just yet. To begin with, you have to develop a business mindset towards your travel site. Just before you log a single traveling experience, you need to be able to describe what is unique about your travel site/blog. You also need to be able to recognize the people you are trying to connect with.
7 Tax Saving Tips for Small Businesses
Photo: Stevepb / Wikimedia. So, you’ve opened or launched your own small business. First of all, congratulations on getting started. As a business owner or newbie in the business space, you’ve undoubtedly studied and learned a lot about running a business and still have plenty more to learn. One of the trickiest things you have to learn is how to handle the taxes for your new business. The US tax code, over 70,000 pages long, for example, is not an easy read.
Tesla is Wise to Open Up its Superchargers in Australia
As you may have seen Tesla have opened up 5 sites in NSW for use by non Tesla Electric Vehicles, the first of many sites that will open up partly due to being NSW state government funded but also due to being in areas with low Supercharger use providing a great opportunity for Tesla to make better use of assets. As time passes it’s fully expected Superchargers will open up at many locations across Australia. Why is this a wise move?
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