Home

Month: July 2018

  • Russian BTC-e Suspect Ordered to France, not America

    Russian BTC-e Suspect Ordered to France, not America

    Russian national Alexander Vinnik has been ruled to be sent to France in connections to crimes related to Bitcoin. Vinnik is suspected to be the mastermind behind the BTC-e bitcoin exchange, a high-profile exchange that was preferred by criminals. The court that ruled him to go to France was a lower Greek court in Thessaloniki, which contradicted an earlier ruling. Previously, the Greek Supreme Court had ruled that Vinnik should be sent to America, where an indictment of him is ongoing.

    Russia’s Response

    Russia, a country known for its diplomatic tact, was rather candid when assessing the situation. Regarding Vinnick’s potential extradition, the Russian Foreign Ministry had this to say. According to them, sending Vinnick to France would “continue to complicate [Greece’s] relations with Russia” and that Russia wouldn’t “leave these actions unanswered.” Well, that sounds ominous and threatening.

    Mt Gox, BTC-e and Vinnik

    American prosecutors have connected Vinnik to the criminal bitcoin exchange BTC-e. In their indictment of him, they stated this. “BTC-e was an international money-laundering scheme that, by virtue of its business model, catered to criminals and to cybercriminals in particular.” They elaborated, “Through VINNIK’s efforts, BTC-e emerged as one of the principal means by which cybercriminals around the world laundered the proceeds of their illicit activity. BTC-e facilitated crimes, including computer hacking and ransomware, fraud, identity theft, tax-refund fraud schemes, public corruption, and drug trafficking.”

    Vinnik has also been connected by prosecutors in the theft of bitcoin from the exchange Mt Gox. Mt Gox, a Japan-based bitcoin exchange, was one of the most popular exchanges early in the currency’s history. However, following the theft, the exchange went into a downward spiral and eventually went under. If Vinnik is connected to that case, his involvement would solve a long-standing injustice in the bitcoin community.

    Vinnik’s Fate

    Where Vinnik will ultimately be sent is up to the Greek minister of justice. Vinnik will either be sent to America, France, or back to Russia, depending on what the minister thinks is the best course of action. The country he is sent to will likely have huge repercussions in the ongoing case against him.

    Feature Image Credit: CBS News

  • Valve Puts Temporary Hold on Adult Games on Steam

    Valve Puts Temporary Hold on Adult Games on Steam

    Valve’s guidelines for what games will be allowed on the service have changed quite a bit recently. While they were initially a bit more direct, cautioning developers to reduce offensive content in said games, they’ve recently backed off of this a bit. Instead, the massive publishing company has stated that they’re reworking the Steam Marketplace to allow users finer control over what they see.

    For instance, if a parent wishes to restrict their child’s marketplace from being able to view adult games. Or, even if certain customers simply don’t want to see adult games or have them recommended to them. As far as Valve’s concerned, under the new policy, you can have whatever you want in your game, as long as it isn’t illegal, such as depictions of certain acts involving minors.

    Adult Games Held Back from Steam

    According to some developers, though, their games have been put on hold from being released for the time being. Apparently, according to developer Love in Space, their game Shining Song Starnova was being put on hold by Steam until it met new requirements. According to Valve, they’ll have more information on why titles like this are being held back soon. The company maintains that this is all part of the new initiative that customers can be selective with what they see on the marketplace.

    Unseen Benchmarks

    For developers like Love in Space, however, this is a rather unsettling prospect. They’ve been given no official timeline on when they can expect their game to be released. Further, they’ve received no statement as to what changes they need to make so that it can be released. While such measures might seem trivial to some, to many developers, this is unsettling.

    While content restrictions on mature games make sense, the developers need to be informed. Informed as to what guidelines they’re operating under, for one, and what won’t fly. Steam is the single largest platform for PC games in the world. And, as such, not having one’s game be available through the service is a poor business decision. As such, the developers’ distaste for this opaque policy is understandable.

  • New Samsung DRAM Chip Set to Overhaul Smartphones

    New Samsung DRAM Chip Set to Overhaul Smartphones

    Processors in smartphones are receiving countless upgrades these days. Industry mainstay Qualcomm is ahead of the curve, producing chips for Android phones that rival some laptops. Apple’s A11 Bionic processor is like lightning on a chip, performing tasks with blistering speed. The newest entry into this smartphone race is Samsung, the Korean juggernaut that makes the Galaxy line of phones. Testing on their 8GB LPDDR5 DRAM line of new chips has begun in earnest. This new DRAM chip is slated to ship in AI-powered 5G smartphones.

    Less Power Consumption

    The biggest takeaway from Samsung’s marketing of this new DRAM chip is the low power consumption. In general, they promise that the chip is overall more efficient and will help save battery life. More importantly, though, the “deep sleep mode” offered by the chip will help ensure that battery consumption is low when the phone isn’t being used. Samsung claims this will lead to an average of 30 percent longer battery life for phones with these new DRAM chips.

    Surprising Power

    The 8GB LPDDR5 DRAM also boasts some impressive specs. The data rate is much faster than standard chips are currently, transferring around 51GB in a second. That’s a bit hard to visualize, so here’s an example: that’s about 14 HD video files per second. Which is, frankly, nuts.

    The combination of that high amount of transfer speed and low consumption will be critical for AI phones. AI will likely require large amounts of through-put for data as it parses information. Similarly, the always-learning programs will benefit from lower consumption of power and longer battery lives. This means that Samsung’s newest chips will likely give it a competitive edge as personal phones with AI companions become the industry standard. Programs like Alexa, Siri and Bixby will likely evolve alongside new chips in this vein, taking advantage of their strengths. The future of phones is AI, and Samsung has set themselves up for success in this field.

  • Facebook Protecting Far-Right Extremist Groups

    Facebook Protecting Far-Right Extremist Groups

    Facebook has been at the center of many controversies recently. The Cambridge Analytica leak was a huge breach of user data that set the company on the back foot. Then, news broke that the site had been used as a platform by Russian nationals seeking to influence the outcome of the 2016 election. After some purported changes in the site’s algorithm and some nominal moves to oppose “fake news,” Facebook is back in the hot seat. This time, they’re reported to be defending Far-Right extremist Tommy Robinson and his group Britain First, among others.

    “Shielded Review”

    The policy in question was referred to at the time as “Shielded Review.” The way Facebook deals with groups that violate its terms of service is pretty clear. After the fifth post in the group that is evidence of hate speech, the group is shut down. However, in many instances, including the Britain First case, the group fell under “Shielded Review” (which has since been renamed “cross-check”). Shielded Review meant that, even though the offending posts were taken down, the group was allowed to continue existing. According to Facebook, this was because of the high-profile nature of the group and the large number of members. It would seem these groups are so large that their traffic makes Facebook too much money to ban outright.

    Facebook’s Statement

    A spokesperson for Facebook, Richard Allen, stated the following in a Tuesday blog post. “It’s clear that some of what is shown in the program does not reflect Facebook’s policies or values, and falls short of the high standards we expect,” referring to Shielded Review. “We take these mistakes in some of our training processes and enforcement incredibly seriously and are grateful to the journalists who brought them to our attention. Where we know we have made mistakes, we have taken action immediately. We are providing additional training and are working to understand exactly what happened so we can rectify it.”

    Emboldening the Far-Right

    This comes at a particularly sensitive time. Last year, Far-Right terrorists in Charlottesville killed a peaceful protestor, sparking national outrage. Facebook’s apparently light hand with these hate groups is especially troubling in light of this fact. It begs the question: which move is too much? Facebook has had numerous second chances to recover from costly mistakes. At some point, the company will be too deep in their own mistakes to wade back.

  • Best 5 Laptops Under $500 in 2018

    Best 5 Laptops Under $500 in 2018

    Laptops are very essential these days- for school, work, or just personal use. The price of a premium new laptop can cost up to $1,000, which is pricey for anyone. Numerous companies have made laptops more affordable while keeping the quality and capabilities of more expensive laptops.

    You don’t have to feel like you’re settling when shopping for a laptop under $500. There are value-priced notebooks that include full-HD displays, solid performance and long battery life, plus all the ports you need. We picked all the best all-purpose laptops in $500 price range which we think are best laptops to suit the wide range of requirements of people. Here is a list of the best five laptops under $500!

    1. Dell Inspiron i3567 Laptop

    The latest version of this Dell laptop has a powerful system in place with 8GB of memory and a 128GB hard drive and a Intel Core i3-7100U 2.4GHz processor. It has a professional feel in it’s all black look with a 15.6-inch laptop with a screen resolution of 1366 x 768. The operating system runs smoothly with Windows 10 and is backed with a 12 month warranty, with 12 months of tech support.

    • A new, powerful hardware system
    • Has many ports and slots to use your external devices
    • 8 GB Ram
    • 7th Gen Intel Core i5 processor
    • It is not backlit enabled
    • Battery life up to 5 hours

    2. Acer Aspire A515-51-50RR Laptop

    The Acer Aspire 5 is one of the best budget full-size laptops you can find in stores today. It checks most of the right boxes: well built, slim and fairly light, gets a decent keyboard, an IPS screen and modern hardware, performs well, runs cool and quiet and lasts for a long while on a charge. This slim and sleek laptop is a great all round performing laptop, especially for the price. The visuals are spot on with vivid, bright colors.

    • LCD display and is backlit
    • 2.50 GHz Intel Core i5-7200U processor
    • Storage: 1TB hard disk
    • Intel HD 620 graphics
    • Battery life up to 7 hours
    • All-plastic chassis

    3. HP 15-ay191ms Laptop

    The HP 15-ay191ms, a signature edition laptops that comes with a seventh-generation Intel Core i3 processor, 8GB DDR4 system memory, 1TB of storage and a touchscreen, but still remains insanely affordable. It’s one of those laptops you’d buy without a second thought if you find inexpensive chromebook attractive, but really, really need Windows. If you love touchscreen, this one’s for you! This laptop contains the Kaby Lake processor which makes this laptop consume little power. Apps are not an issue here, they all run very smoothly.

    • Touchscreen
    • Intel Core i3-7100U processor
    • 8GB RAM
    • 1TB hard drive
    • Lag-free performance
    • Battery life up to 6 hours

    4. Dell Inspiron i3567-5185BLK Laptop

    Yet another Inspiron made this list! This version comes in different color options and a textured finish.  Packed with a large 15.6 Inches display and a decent 7th Gen Intel Core i5-7200U up to 3.1GHz CPU processor. This Dell laptop model would work well for portability with its 4.85 Pounds lightweight design and sleek black look. Great for school work or the family computer. A huge bonus with this laptop is it doesn’t heat up much!

    • 2.4 GHz Intel Core i3-7100U processor
    • 8GB RAM
    • TB hard drive
    • LED display with a built-in webcam and mic
    • Battery life is up to 6 hours

    5. ASUS Chromebook Flip

    This is one of the best convertible laptops on the current market. The Asus Chromebook Flip C302 is worthy of its premium stature with a gorgeous screen, tactile keyboard and a classy design that’s equally as comfortable to use in tablet mode or as a traditional laptop. The screen is a full HD touchscreen and can be converted from a laptop to a tablet by turning the screen. A top pick for a college student!

    • Intel Core m3 processor
    • 4GB RAM
    • 64GB of SSD storage
    • Battery life of up to 10 hours

  • 2019 Chevy Corvette Grand Sport: Best of Both Worlds

    2019 Chevy Corvette Grand Sport: Best of Both Worlds

    Acting as the middle ground between the Z06’s massive power and the Stingray’s lower-end performance, the Grand Sport is an impressive balancing act. For many car buyers, power like that of the Z06 is just impractical. It’s awesome when you get out on the track, but how often do you really get to cut loose? At the same time, many enthusiasts want that stellar acceleration and speed for the times they get a long stretch of highway. If you want your car to be fun to drive but not put you in debt forever, the 2019 Chevy Corvette Grand Sport is your car. It brings power, style and panache to bear for a great price.

    Under the Hood

    The GM standard workhorse engine is in play here. That 6.2-liter LT1 V8 engine puts out 460 horsepower and 465 pound-feet of torque. You hear every bit of it, too, as this engine is loud and responsive. While some may prefer a quieter ride, the 2019 Grand Sport is not that.

    All-in-all, the Grand Sport has a fantastic ride. The suspension feels nice on the street and on the track, and the car handles beautifully around turns. Everything in the engine works in harmony around sharp turns, and you can really feel the power. The best part is the balancing act, though. When you’re stuck in traffic going across town, the car doesn’t feel impatient. When you hit a bump, the suspension doesn’t feel stiff. You get a lot of the fun of the track without many of the drawbacks.

    Design

    She’s pretty, and then some. This vehicle just looks downright mean, no matter how you slice it. If you like the classic Corvette look, it’s on display here, and its sexy as ever. Few cars match that raw, American, powerful look, and it really underscores the car’s strengths. It’s hard to see this vehicle sitting in your driveway and not want to take it out for a spin.

    Is the 2019 Chevy Corvette Grand Sport Worth it?

    Yeah, it’s absolutely worth it. It starts around $65,000, and it’s really the only thing like it in its price range. The closest vehicle in performance is probably the Jaguar F-Type, but that vehicle will set you back $100,000. That puts the Grand Sport in a rather underpopulated price bracket for cars with its kind of power. If you’ve been wanting a sports car that can handle the track or the street, the Grand Sport is for you.

  • Rumor Mill: What’s in Store for 2018 iPhones?

    Rumor Mill: What’s in Store for 2018 iPhones?

    It might feel like it wasn’t all that long ago that the iPhone 8 and iPhone X released. However, the rumor mill is in full swing as we approach the release of the 2018 iPhones. While Apple has been quiet with any hard details regarding the new phones, rumors abound. Today, we’re looking at the most likely rumors regarding 2018’s iPhone line up.

    iPhone X Plus

    A very likely model for this year would be a plus version of the iPhone X. Apple has often prioritized versions of their phones with huge screens for those who prefer a bigger handset. This purported phone would be similar to the current iPhone X in that it would sport an OLED display and be priced similarly. While no specifications have been given by Apple, these rumors seem likely given the company’s history.

    iPhone X2? Or iPhone 11?

    The new mainline iPhone hasn’t been named yet, but speculation abounds. Last year’s phone is phonetically referred to as the iPhone Ten, but some call it the iPhone “Ecks,” like the letter. However, some speculate that the next phone might be called the X2, or the “Ecks Two.” XS is another possible name, reverting to the S line of iPhones that follow big releases. iPhone 11 seems to be a likely candidate, as well.

    Rumors also maintain that the next mainline iPhone could have three rear-facing cameras. Such a setup could include a better zoom function and improved portrait mode. Such a set-up would benefit AR mapping greatly, which has been a big push for Apple lately.

    This entry would also sport an OLED screen, the gorgeous, bright display that the current iPhone X possesses.

    2018 iPhones Could Include LCD-Display Budget Option

    Apple has had no problem selling iPhones since the launch of the X. However, they could always sell more by appealing to lower budgets. To that end, the company may be pursuing a more affordable phone with an iPhone X design but an LCD screen. Such a phone would likely be more affordable and attract a wider audience. The iPhone X’s face-unlocking technology and lack of a home button are both unique hallmarks and would likely appeal to many if more affordable.

    However, none of these reports have been substantiated by Apple themselves. While we can expect to hear some news from them soon, the new phones will likely be out in September. That leaves barely a month and a half for news to come from Apple about the new phones. In either event, we’ll know more soon, whether through a press event or a high-profile leak.

  • Apple’s iPad vs Microsoft’s Surface Go: Which Tablet Wins?

    Apple’s iPad vs Microsoft’s Surface Go: Which Tablet Wins?

    With the Microsoft Surface Go taking on the iPad, many are wondering which tablet wins in a head-to-head. While neither is the most powerful in its respective hardware family, the two are both priced aggressively. The iPad is $329, while the Surface Go is $399, putting them in pretty direct competition. We’ll get into the pros and cons of each and see which the better buy is for your money!

    Apple’s Trusty iPad

    The iPad hasn’t changed too much since it was first introduced. While it now supports Apple Pencil and sports a retina display, the tablet is largely the same device it was when it launched the tablet craze. The 2018 model is slightly smaller and less expensive than the Surface Go, but they have similar power under the hood. That said, the iPad’s A10 Fusion chip is a bit more powerful than the Pentium Gold processor in the Surface Go. Similarly, the screen on the iPad is ever-so-slightly crisper and clearer than Microsoft’s 2-in-1.

    The iPad runs on iOS, the same as you’d find in an iPhone. That means you have access to the suite of apps from the App Store, but nothing resembling a full desktop ecosystem. iPad is compatible with both keyboards and the Apple Pencil, so you can use it as a pseudo-2-in-one.

    Microsoft’s New Hotness

    The Surface Go is definitely the new hotness on the tablet block. It has a few things on the iPad: firstly, it has more memory out of the gate. It sports 64GB of memory to the iPad’s 32GB, which is sizable. That means you can have more apps, photos, songs, whatever you please. Similarly, the Surface Go has double the RAM of the iPad, but that’s just a step up from 2GB to 4GB. How much difference that makes in day-to-day activities is hard to say, as neither is going to be running full AAA video games any time soon.

    The Surface Go is also capable of running Windows 10 in full desktop mode. It ships in 10 S, which is the tablet-style operating system that is an Apple competitor. If you want to upgrade it, you can do so for free, but its irreversible. However, many everyday users would likely prefer the full Windows 10 suite so that they can use more than just apps from Microsoft’s store.

    Which Tablet Wins?

    As all “this versus that” discussions between Apple and Microsoft, its hard to say which one wins. On the one hand, the iPad has the superior display and is much more stylish. The Surface Go, however, offers the full Windows 10 experience on a tablet, which is a big deal. They allow you to do similar things, but in different-looking ecosystems. It almost comes down to a “feel,” which is to say there is no right answer. Both are fantastic, but neither has a distinct edge. If one appeals to you aesthetically, or from a design perspective, go with it. They’re otherwise evenly matched!

  • Ticwatch Pro: Revolutionary Dual-Screen Smart Watch

    Ticwatch Pro: Revolutionary Dual-Screen Smart Watch

    The smartwatch field has been somewhat crowded for the last few years, but there has been little in the way of true innovation. Companies like Samsung, Fitbit and Apple have all iterated on roughly the same designs they’ve been using for years. Mobvoi has brought real innovation, however, with its newest smartwatch, the Ticwatch Pro. That innovation comes via the dual-screen technology that powers its two modes. More on that in a bit, though!

    Design

    While the watch’s internal mechanisms are quite impressive, the external design is also quite striking. The face is slightly recessed, and the bezels are contoured and rounded off ever-so-slightly towards it. Thankfully, the watch is water-resistant, rated IP68, meaning it’s fine for working out in or showering in. Mobvoi doesn’t recommend swimming with this device, though, even though the IP rating would suggest you probably could. While we won’t counter the recommendation of the manufacturer, it seems unlikely you would have any issues if your watch fell in the pool.

    The band, uniquely, is leather on the outside and silicone on the inside, making it the best of both worlds. If you intend to wear it to work or the gym, the band pulls double duty! Not having to swap bands to work out is certainly quite convenient.

    Ticwatch Pro: Dual-Screen Innovation

    That convenience and everyday usefulness extends to those dual-screens I was talking about earlier. You see, the Ticwatch has an LCD screen on top, and underneath it is an OLED screen. The OLED screen is the one you expect from a smartwatch: bold, vibrant and gorgeous. It’s easily on par with any other high-end watch on the market. The translucent LCD screen on top is key to the watch’s “Essential Mode,” by contrast.

    “Essential Mode” is a low-power mode that reduces the display to a few critical pieces of information. The time, your biometrics and other vital information is conveyed on the screen, which can last for weeks on a single charge. While you can engage Essential Mode yourself, it also activates when the watch’s battery gets too low. This is really quite useful, and sets the watch apart.

    Pricing

    The Ticwatch Pro is the most high-end smartwatch from Mobvoi, but it’s still rather inexpensive. As the company’s other smartwatches have been budget entries, this one is roughly middle-of-the-road. That refers to price, primarily, though, as the watch’s make is quite premium. It costs $250 through Amazon, but you need to have Amazon Prime to get one. That’s sort of a bummer if you’re not big on Amazon, but the company plans to explore other distribution methods soon.

  • Ten Best Scenes in The Last Jedi

    Ten Best Scenes in The Last Jedi

    Released on December 15th, 2017, Star Wars Episode VIII: The Last Jedi was a fascinating spin on the decades-old series. While it seems to have caught a great deal of flak from disaffected fans on the internet, the film received rave reviews and raked in millions. It also happened to be one of the finest pieces of sci-fi cinema released in decades. With that in mind, let’s break it down and take you back to the galaxy far, far away. Today, we’re talking about the ten best scenes in The Last Jedi. Warning: major spoilers lie ahead!

    Luke’s Dismissal

    Photo Credit: Hollywood Reporter

    In a turn that shocked fans and ruffled feathers the world offer, TLJ rejoins Rey just as she encounters Luke. The Hero of the Rebellion then callously tosses his old lightsaber away wordlessly. We soon learn that he’s now a disillusioned old man, disgraced by his past failures. Luke’s descent into darkness came after his own inability to save Ben Solo, his nephew, from the dark path. This sets the stage for Luke’s eventual redemption.

    While many found this out of character for Luke, others have defended the characterization. After defeating the Empire, Luke and his family watch darkness rise again, heedless of their prior victories. It makes sense that this would weigh heavily on him and make him resign himself to exile.

    DJ’s Philosophy

    Photo Credit: superbromovies

    Benicio del Toro plays this newcomer, a drifter and hacker who is quick to turn the rebels over to the First Order. Earlier in the film, he tells Finn that there’s only one way to live: “Live Free, Don’t Join.” This motto certainly filters into every aspect of DJ’s character, including his name. He tells Finn that the ongoing battle between light and dark is ultimately meaningless, as it is endless. All it does is make weapons manufacturers filthy rich. In this way, DJ acts as a foil to Finn, who had flirted with the idea of deserting the Rebels earlier in the film. Finn learns through his disgust with DJ that he isn’t a deserter at all, and the Rebellion is worth fighting for.

    Infinite Reflections

    Photo Credit: StarWars.com

    After training in the ways of the Force with Luke, Rey seeks the darkness that lies under the Jedi Temple. As Luke has just told her, there must always be a powerful dark to contrast powerful light, and this is the film’s key theme. What she finds is the Mirror Cave, a place of introspection and death. She seeks to know who her parents are, to help her define who she is. She instead is shown an infinite reflection of herself. No one can define her but herself, much to her initial dismay but eventual acceptance. This is echoed in her later conversations with Kylo Ren.

    The Call of the Dark Side

    Photo Credit: Journal of the Star Wars

    Speaking of Rey’s conversations with Kylo, they provide another excellent series of scenes. Where previous films had the pull of the Dark Side as something nebulous and intangible, here they are felt in full force. The obvious attraction between the two mirrors Rey’s own self-doubt regarding who she is. In an attempt to define herself, she tries to help bring Kylo back into the light. Their tense conversations and attempts to sway one another form the narrative heart of the film.

    Yoda’s Wisdom

    Photo Credit: Flickering Myth

    Yoda’s unexpected return as a Force Ghost in this film helps ground the proceedings in the stories that came before. Yoda’s much-needed wisdom give Luke guidance and help steel his resolve. Most importantly, he tells his former student that it is the fate of masters to be surpassed. Luke must pass the tale of his failure on to his student so that she can grow beyond him. The cyclical nature of the battle between good and evil is symbolically broken by Yoda destroying the Library of the Jedi.

    Snoke’s Death

    Photo Credit: IndieWire

    In a climactic scene, Rey has a showdown with the teacher of her nemesis, Snoke. Snoke is every bit the image of the Emperor from previous films. He is robed, surrounded by Praetorian Guard, and unmatched in his mastery of the Force. Truly, he is awe-inspiring and irredeemably evil. It is his own hubris that leads to his downfall, however, as he could never believe that his student could trick him. When Kylo turns Luke’s lightsaber and ignites it, killing Snoke. This fulfills Kylo’s earlier mantra: “Let the past die. Kill it, if you have to.” Suddenly, the film’s Big Bad is little more than a smoking corpse, and Kylo’s true ambition shines.

    Praetorian Guard Fight

    Photo Credit: The Wrap

    Following this sudden change of heart is an intense lightsaber battle with Snoke’s elite guard. Rey and Kylo put their skills to the test against warriors who were trained to fight lightsaber-wielders specifically. In the end, neither alone would be a match for these elites, but together they prevail. The film’s themes of light and dark converging and becoming something greater are hinted at here. However, following the battle, Rey and Kylo are at an impasse. Rey wishes to preserve the Rebellion, while Kylo wants to rule with Rey. Neither is willing to back down, and the two destroy Luke’s lightsaber in a force tug-of-war.

    Holdo’s Sacrifice

    Photo Credit: YouTube

    After spending the movie frustrating Poe and stymying the protagonists, Holdo reveals her true colors. Rather than being a spineless traitor, she’s a noble and self-sacrificing rebel. She turns her ship to face Snoke’s monstrously-big cruiser and engages the hyperdrive. She impacts the First Order ship at the speed of light, and the resulting scene is breath-taking. The soundless freeze-frame is anime-like in execution, really underscoring the power of what has happened. This move simultaneously sets Holdo up as a martyr and allows time for the heroes to escape their captors.

    “Rebel Scum”

    Photo Credit: Mashable

    The solidifying moment in Finn’s acceptance of who he is as a Rebel comes in the fight against Phasma. The commanding officer who kept him down his whole life, Phasma represents everything Finn hates about the First Order. Their final showdown is cathartic, showing freedom and goodness triumph over oppression and evil. Finn’s self-defining line that he isn’t just scum, but “Rebel Scum,” is met with cheers.

    The Best Scene in the Last Jedi: The Bloodless Showdown

    Photo Credit: Pinterest

    The final climactic scene sees Luke reignite the legend of the Jedi by singlehandedly buying the Rebellion time to escape. While he isn’t physically present during this fight, Kylo doesn’t know that. It’s Luke’s appearance and words that goad Kylo into overplaying his hand, resulting in the Rebellion’s escape. The scene is a redemption of all the doubts Luke showed earlier in the film. While he once felt the Jedi were a blight on the galaxy, he now fights to preserve them. It is the ultimate battle of rage versus patience, of aggression versus non-aggression. In the end, it is the Jedi who emerge victorious. Fittingly, Luke’s final moments see him remembering the dual suns of his childhood home, remembering the epic journey that led him here. He then passes into the Force in peace. His ultimate sacrifice allows Rey and his sister the time they need to escape and regroup, setting the stage for their ultimate victory in the next film.