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2 | Interesting | I saw Oklahoma in the film with Gordon MacRay years and years ago, when I was in college as a music major and I loved it. I was already acquainted with most of the music and the story. But I guess I'm used to that older version. This was OK, but the staging and sets sometimes seemed like High School.Also, I felt there were so many endings! Every time I thought it was going to end, it kept right on going. Also there were characters in the show, that I didn't remember. I don't recall the foreign salesman at all, but it was many years ago.The chorus and the music were pretty good, but the dance sequence seemed very different and much longer than I remembered. I also don't remember the auction or the many scenes with Judd. But again I haven't seen it in a long time. When they sang Oklahoma at the end, I thought that was going to be the finale, but then it picked right up again. I finally turned it off.I would love to see the original Gordon MacRay film again, but I don't think it's around. | 1,000 | [
"I saw Oklahoma in the film with Gordon MacRay years and years ago, when I was in college as a music major and I loved it.",
"I was already acquainted with most of the music and the story.",
"But I guess I'm used to that older version.",
"This was OK, but the staging and sets sometimes seemed like High School.Also, I felt there were so many endings!",
"Every time I thought it was going to end, it kept right on going.",
"Also there were characters in the show, that I didn't remember.",
"I don't recall the foreign salesman at all, but it was many years ago.The chorus and the music were pretty good, but the dance sequence seemed very different and much longer than I remembered.",
"I also don't remember the auction or the many scenes with Judd.",
"But again I haven't seen it in a long time.",
"When they sang Oklahoma at the end, I thought that was going to be the finale, but then it picked right up again.",
"I finally turned it off.I would love to see the original Gordon MacRay film again, but I don't think it's around."
] |
2 | Dull | Young James led a perfectly happy life - that is, until his parents were killed by an evil rhinoceros stormcloud. Now he must escape his harridan aunts and journey to New York City in a giant magical peach to fulfill his and his parents' dream. Yowza.This is the sort of film where you realize that you are supposed to be entertained, but something isn't working. The whole thing is surreal and creepy, but there is far too much figurative language and imagery here - the thing screams "the world as seen through the eyes of an idealistic child". James' companions - Centipede, Ladybug, Grasshopper, Earthworm, Spider, and Glow Worm - are nicely characterized but completely flat parodies of the various social groups, but since most of the film is a passive journey, they have little to do but squabble. James faces a number of sophisticated dilemmas, including how to harness a flock of seagulls, and what there is to eat on a giant peach.A bit less metaphor, and it would've been so much better... | 1,000 | [
"Young James led a perfectly happy life - that is, until his parents were killed by an evil rhinoceros stormcloud.",
"Now he must escape his harridan aunts and journey to New York City in a giant magical peach to fulfill his and his parents' dream.",
"Yowza.This is the sort of film where you realize that you are supposed to be entertained, but something isn't working.",
"The whole thing is surreal and creepy, but there is far too much figurative language and imagery here - the thing screams \"the world as seen through the eyes of an idealistic child\".",
"James' companions - Centipede, Ladybug, Grasshopper, Earthworm, Spider, and Glow Worm - are nicely characterized but completely flat parodies of the various social groups, but since most of the film is a passive journey, they have little to do but squabble.",
"James faces a number of sophisticated dilemmas, including how to harness a flock of seagulls, and what there is to eat on a giant peach.A bit less metaphor, and it would've been so much better..."
] |
2 | not good | This movie was pretty bad. It's about three middle-aged guys who go on a roadtrip together. They've been friends for years.The entire beginning where we get to know the characters was extremely bad. No interesting features and just downright bad writing.The film does improve a little bit when the guys eventually go on the roadtrip (which by the way, takes FOREVER to get to that point, which means lots of mediocrity until the guys get in the car together and travel).The guys do very stupid things, like wreck their car, assume they've won the lottery when they really didn't and act like children, attempt to jump off the bridge when they get drunk and/or stoned to commit suicide, and lots of other silly things. One of the friends even lies to the other one about sleeping with his wife just to make a man out of him, but the writing is just totally poor so it's not interesting.Maybe other people can see the appeal in a movie like this, but the storytelling was just horrible the entire time. | 1,000 | [
"This movie was pretty bad.",
"It's about three middle-aged guys who go on a roadtrip together.",
"They've been friends for years.The entire beginning where we get to know the characters was extremely bad.",
"No interesting features and just downright bad writing.The film does improve a little bit when the guys eventually go on the roadtrip (which by the way, takes FOREVER to get to that point, which means lots of mediocrity until the guys get in the car together and travel).The guys do very stupid things, like wreck their car, assume they've won the lottery when they really didn't and act like children, attempt to jump off the bridge when they get drunk and/or stoned to commit suicide, and lots of other silly things.",
"One of the friends even lies to the other one about sleeping with his wife just to make a man out of him, but the writing is just totally poor so it's not interesting.Maybe other people can see the appeal in a movie like this, but the storytelling was just horrible the entire time."
] |
2 | Okay | From what I'd read beforehand I was expecting "Rebel Heart" to be the type of book that I'd either love or hate. Unfortunately it invoked neither love nor hate in me once I'd finished the last page. I didn't feel a thing. I read it with an open mind. The flaw of "Rebel Heart" is that it comes across as an exercise in self-promotion. I was constantly reminded that the author, Bebe Buell, thinks of herself as jaw-droppingly gorgeous. Whether she is or she isn't - this started to grate on me after a chapter or two. Bebe Buell also considers herself as muse, not a groupie mind, to a number of rock stars. But of course what she has always wanted to be is a rock star herself, which she would have been, had people been able to see beyond the fact that she's jaw droppingly gorgeous. The reason I read "Rebel Heart" was for research on Bebe's daughter Liv Tyler for a website. There was enough background for that purpose. However, once I put the book down it disappeared from my memory soon after. | 1,000 | [
"From what I'd read beforehand I was expecting \"Rebel Heart\" to be the type of book that I'd either love or hate.",
"Unfortunately it invoked neither love nor hate in me once I'd finished the last page.",
"I didn't feel a thing.",
"I read it with an open mind.",
"The flaw of \"Rebel Heart\" is that it comes across as an exercise in self-promotion.",
"I was constantly reminded that the author, Bebe Buell, thinks of herself as jaw-droppingly gorgeous.",
"Whether she is or she isn't - this started to grate on me after a chapter or two.",
"Bebe Buell also considers herself as muse, not a groupie mind, to a number of rock stars.",
"But of course what she has always wanted to be is a rock star herself, which she would have been, had people been able to see beyond the fact that she's jaw droppingly gorgeous.",
"The reason I read \"Rebel Heart\" was for research on Bebe's daughter Liv Tyler for a website.",
"There was enough background for that purpose.",
"However, once I put the book down it disappeared from my memory soon after."
] |
2 | Disappointed | I just finished reading this book by Kai and I'm a bit disappointed. I had high hopes about this book with it being a part of Strebor Books (ZANE) and the title really caught my attention. Plus, I thought it would be cool to read a different storyline from all the similar ones saturating the market right now. I really don't mind if it seemed realistic or not as long as it's an interesting read. My first problem with it is it seemed to really drag on. Everytime I picked the book up I got sleepy. Now, don't get me wrong, the opening was an attention-grabber but the after the first few chapters it went downhill from there. I've read books in one day that really did make me not want to put them down and this wasn't one of them. Then, it was a bit choppy. The constant flashbacks, that were recalled in pieces - I assume to keep you guessing about what was to happen next, were a bit much. I pretty much forced myself to finish it since I'd already started it but it's definitely not a favorite. | 1,000 | [
"I just finished reading this book by Kai and I'm a bit disappointed.",
"I had high hopes about this book with it being a part of Strebor Books (ZANE) and the title really caught my attention.",
"Plus, I thought it would be cool to read a different storyline from all the similar ones saturating the market right now.",
"I really don't mind if it seemed realistic or not as long as it's an interesting read.",
"My first problem with it is it seemed to really drag on.",
"Everytime I picked the book up I got sleepy.",
"Now, don't get me wrong, the opening was an attention-grabber but the after the first few chapters it went downhill from there.",
"I've read books in one day that really did make me not want to put them down and this wasn't one of them.",
"Then, it was a bit choppy.",
"The constant flashbacks, that were recalled in pieces - I assume to keep you guessing about what was to happen next, were a bit much.",
"I pretty much forced myself to finish it since I'd already started it but it's definitely not a favorite."
] |
2 | Buyer Beware | This is one of my favorite movies, and I've reviewed the earlier DVD issue elsewhere. My review this time is purely for the new DVD reissue which is one of the biggest disappointments I've come across. Let's start with this "25th Anniversary." The only mention of the anniversary is a haphazardly placed sticker on the outer sleeve. The fact that it was just slapped onto the box gives the buyer an idea of how much thought went into this new DVD.Then there are the extras. A documentary about true-life hauntings. Okay, that's not bad. But wait - where's the original trailer for the film that was on the earlier DVD? It's been removed. Did the trailer get sucked into Carol Anne's closet and is being held captive by the Beast? What purpose did removing the trailer serve?This is a pointless release. My advice is to hang onto the earlier release which is anamorphic AND has the trailer and skip this one; there will be another, hopefully better, release someday. Warner Brothers should be ashamed. | 1,000 | [
"This is one of my favorite movies, and I've reviewed the earlier DVD issue elsewhere.",
"My review this time is purely for the new DVD reissue which is one of the biggest disappointments I've come across.",
"Let's start with this \"25th Anniversary.\" The only mention of the anniversary is a haphazardly placed sticker on the outer sleeve.",
"The fact that it was just slapped onto the box gives the buyer an idea of how much thought went into this new DVD.Then there are the extras.",
"A documentary about true-life hauntings.",
"Okay, that's not bad.",
"But wait - where's the original trailer for the film that was on the earlier DVD?",
"It's been removed.",
"Did the trailer get sucked into Carol Anne's closet and is being held captive by the Beast?",
"What purpose did removing the trailer serve?",
"This is a pointless release.",
"My advice is to hang onto the earlier release which is anamorphic AND has the trailer and skip this one; there will be another, hopefully better, release someday.",
"Warner Brothers should be ashamed."
] |
2 | Disappointing | I was hoping that this book would be very helpful, since it got such great reviews; however, I was disappointed by it. I recently discovered I had PCOS. I was prescribed metformin and told to follow a low GI diet. The book does a great job of explaining how and why a low GI diet should work for women with PCOS, but it does a poor job of explaining the actual diet. It makes it very confusing to follow, and although it gives a table of foods along with their GI, it is very vague about telling you what you should be eating. I followed the diet in the book the best that I could, and gained 5 pounds before the first week was over. Also, the recipes in the book were no help to me... each one of them had an ingredient that was either very exotic (lamb meat was one of them) or something that I had never heard of. They cannot realistically expect people to make these recipes on a regular basis. I recommend PCOS and your Fertility by Collette Harris. This was a much better and more helpful book. | 1,000 | [
"I was hoping that this book would be very helpful, since it got such great reviews; however, I was disappointed by it.",
"I recently discovered I had PCOS.",
"I was prescribed metformin and told to follow a low GI diet.",
"The book does a great job of explaining how and why a low GI diet should work for women with PCOS, but it does a poor job of explaining the actual diet.",
"It makes it very confusing to follow, and although it gives a table of foods along with their GI, it is very vague about telling you what you should be eating.",
"I followed the diet in the book the best that I could, and gained 5 pounds before the first week was over.",
"Also, the recipes in the book were no help to me... each one of them had an ingredient that was either very exotic (lamb meat was one of them) or something that I had never heard of.",
"They cannot realistically expect people to make these recipes on a regular basis.",
"I recommend PCOS and your Fertility by Collette Harris.",
"This was a much better and more helpful book."
] |
2 | Not up to par | Of the eight JMJ albums I have, this is my least favorite. The melodies are not that compelling and the sound textures are a bit odd (the digital sound effects don't seem all that interesting). I bought this after listening to Les Concerts En Chine (The Concerts in China), in which JMJ performs all of these pieces live. I much prefer the live performances, which are not dramatically different but seem to have more punch than the studio versions.Oxygene is still his best, with Oxygene 7-13 an admirable follow-up. Chronologie, Equinoxe and Rendez-Vous are consistently rewarding, and I also like some of the tracks on the 2000 disc, Metamorphoses, a somewhat radical change of pace. But this disc just doesn't ring my chimes.Trivial pursuit: I'm curious as to why Les Chants Magnetiques is translated as Magnetic Fields. Chants is songs or tunes; champs is fields. Both words are pronounced exactly the same, but it's hard to imagine that JMJ would get confused, as French is his native language. | 1,000 | [
"Of the eight JMJ albums I have, this is my least favorite.",
"The melodies are not that compelling and the sound textures are a bit odd (the digital sound effects don't seem all that interesting).",
"I bought this after listening to Les Concerts En Chine (The Concerts in China), in which JMJ performs all of these pieces live.",
"I much prefer the live performances, which are not dramatically different but seem to have more punch than the studio versions.Oxygene is still his best, with Oxygene 7-13 an admirable follow-up.",
"Chronologie, Equinoxe and Rendez-Vous are consistently rewarding, and I also like some of the tracks on the 2000 disc, Metamorphoses, a somewhat radical change of pace.",
"But this disc just doesn't ring my chimes.Trivial pursuit: I'm curious as to why Les Chants Magnetiques is translated as Magnetic Fields.",
"Chants is songs or tunes; champs is fields.",
"Both words are pronounced exactly the same, but it's hard to imagine that JMJ would get confused, as French is his native language."
] |
2 | Not so good. | After reading many of L'Engle's children and teen books, this I saw this one at the library and took a chance. Bad idea. Maybe it's just because I wasn't ready for it, (I'm 13) but I have read other adult books before and liked them.This book was just mostly depressing. Nothing happened like I wanted it to (okay, I know that doesn't happen in real life, but so what) and the whole thing just had a bleak feel. Maybe that was partly because I read it on a rainy Saturday. But neither romances worked out (With Charlot or Pete) and the friendship with Sarah turned out to really be a dud. Sarah really turned into a unlikable character.One of the best times of the book was when Katherine and Sarah are friends at boarding school and then that friendship gets ruined by the mean head lady.Katherine drinks so much in this book when she's so young, but maybe that was more normal when this book was written.I didn't really like this book, I think I'll stick to L'Engle's fantasy and young adult books. | 1,000 | [
"After reading many of L'Engle's children and teen books, this I saw this one at the library and took a chance.",
"Bad idea.",
"Maybe it's just because I wasn't ready for it, (I'm 13) but I have read other adult books before and liked them.This book was just mostly depressing.",
"Nothing happened like I wanted it to (okay, I know that doesn't happen in real life, but so what) and the whole thing just had a bleak feel.",
"Maybe that was partly because I read it on a rainy Saturday.",
"But neither romances worked out (With Charlot or Pete) and the friendship with Sarah turned out to really be a dud.",
"Sarah really turned into a unlikable character.One of the best times of the book was when Katherine and Sarah are friends at boarding school and then that friendship gets ruined by the mean head lady.Katherine drinks so much in this book when she's so young, but maybe that was more normal when this book was written.I didn't really like this book, I think I'll stick to L'Engle's fantasy and young adult books."
] |
2 | Wrong One | Twice I ordered the VHS version, thinking it was a collapsed version of the movie series; it wasnt on dvd yet. The second one had, somehow, not seemed to be a documentary, but it turned out to be. I have the 1981 tv series of Gangster Chronicles starring Michale Nouri, Joe Penny et al in VHS. However, I bought it dubbed in the 1990s and the quality is not very good. I badly want the complete series on DVD. WOULD AMAZON PLEASE TRY TO GET IT!Please use your ingenuity; it should be possible to get it, if not from the original source or the tv station/s who serialized it, then from someone who has a good copy on VHS. It should be possible for AMAZON to render it in DVD form.I might add that it does seem that Amazon does now state with the item that it is a documentary and not the original series. That is important. I have now learnt that the TV series was run on NBC. It should not be impossible for Amazon to get it. Feedback from them as to their intentions concerning our pleas would help. | 1,000 | [
"Twice I ordered the VHS version, thinking it was a collapsed version of the movie series; it wasnt on dvd yet.",
"The second one had, somehow, not seemed to be a documentary, but it turned out to be.",
"I have the 1981 tv series of Gangster Chronicles starring Michale Nouri, Joe Penny et al in VHS.",
"However, I bought it dubbed in the 1990s and the quality is not very good.",
"I badly want the complete series on DVD.",
"WOULD AMAZON PLEASE TRY TO GET IT!",
"Please use your ingenuity; it should be possible to get it, if not from the original source or the tv station/s who serialized it, then from someone who has a good copy on VHS.",
"It should be possible for AMAZON to render it in DVD form.I might add that it does seem that Amazon does now state with the item that it is a documentary and not the original series.",
"That is important.",
"I have now learnt that the TV series was run on NBC.",
"It should not be impossible for Amazon to get it.",
"Feedback from them as to their intentions concerning our pleas would help."
] |
2 | Yuck! | I expected a dark, terse, exciting horror film. Instead, I got this. Now, no offense to the people who made it, but this was the most disappointing film since...(twenty seconds later)...since...Anyhow, I didn't like it. It didn't scary me at all (okay, the scene with Noah, Samara, and the TV was a LITTLE bit creepy). Actually, I thought it was more comedy than horror, such as the scene my friends and I have dubbed "The Suicidal Demon Horse Scene!" (I cracked up when I saw that, not that there's anything funny horses die).And another thing! People in horror movie's are SO STUPID. It really ticks me off. I was near the end of the movie, and Rachel (was that her name?) was trapped in the well, and she finds (spoilers) and I'm like "WHY THE HECK DID YOU WATCH THAT STUPID TAPE IN THE FIRST PLACE!?"There were really two things I liked. The premise (inspired idea) and the scene where we see the video. That was my favorite scene, hands down. Wait, no... Suicidal Demon Horse!!Is "Ringu" better? | 1,000 | [
"I expected a dark, terse, exciting horror film.",
"Instead, I got this.",
"Now, no offense to the people who made it, but this was the most disappointing film since...(twenty seconds later)...since...Anyhow, I didn't like it.",
"It didn't scary me at all (okay, the scene with Noah, Samara, and the TV was a LITTLE bit creepy).",
"Actually, I thought it was more comedy than horror, such as the scene my friends and I have dubbed \"The Suicidal Demon Horse Scene!",
"\" (I cracked up when I saw that, not that there's anything funny horses die).And another thing!",
"People in horror movie's are SO STUPID.",
"It really ticks me off.",
"I was near the end of the movie, and Rachel (was that her name?",
") was trapped in the well, and she finds (spoilers) and I'm like \"WHY THE HECK DID YOU WATCH THAT STUPID TAPE IN THE FIRST PLACE!?",
"\"There were really two things I liked.",
"The premise (inspired idea) and the scene where we see the video.",
"That was my favorite scene, hands down.",
"Wait, no... Suicidal Demon Horse!!",
"Is \"Ringu\" better?"
] |
2 | Disappointed | I, like many other LKH fans, couldn't wait for this book to finally be released. And like many sat down and read it as fast as I could. Unfortunately, I was disappointed. Where did Anita go? Throughout the series she has evolved to a stronger character, both in her police/fed marshall side and the metaphysical side. But in this book the 'cop' diappeared... Where was her gun? The entire book is held in Jean-Claude's space under the circus and was based on her developing 'abilities'. As I was reading I felt like the 'real' Anita would show herself soon, but at the end I thought Anita was portrayed as a whiny child who couldn't do anything for herself... And the sex - I felt like 3/4 of the book was sex -with new people she just met or a group.... Definitely not Anita's style unless in an immergency, not because she was pissed. But to end this review, I feel like if you have kept with the series you have to read this book so you aren't lost on the next, but don't expect much... Sorry LKH. | 1,000 | [
"I, like many other LKH fans, couldn't wait for this book to finally be released.",
"And like many sat down and read it as fast as I could.",
"Unfortunately, I was disappointed.",
"Where did Anita go?",
"Throughout the series she has evolved to a stronger character, both in her police/fed marshall side and the metaphysical side.",
"But in this book the 'cop' diappeared... Where was her gun?",
"The entire book is held in Jean-Claude's space under the circus and was based on her developing 'abilities'.",
"As I was reading I felt like the 'real' Anita would show herself soon, but at the end I thought Anita was portrayed as a whiny child who couldn't do anything for herself... And the sex - I felt like 3/4 of the book was sex -with new people she just met or a group.... Definitely not Anita's style unless in an immergency, not because she was pissed.",
"But to end this review, I feel like if you have kept with the series you have to read this book so you aren't lost on the next, but don't expect much... Sorry LKH."
] |
2 | Not so good | We purchased this grill based on the reviews here at Amazon and other publications. When I recieved the grill my first impression was the size. This grill is small. The cooking area is 14-1/2"x 9".The grill does heat up quickly, but, the temperature swings greatly as the thermostat cycles. From observing a small surface thermometer, I estimate a 40 deg F swing.Lastly, the temperature settings seem odd. For example, I cook bacon on a "High" setting. The surface thermometer indicated 200 to 240 deg F. Cleaning the connections between the grill and thermostat had no affect.As far as cleaning the grill afterward, I can say this grill is more difficult to clean than my previous one. This one is heavy and awkward in the sink.This grill replaced a Presto from Target. It cost less than half of the Bonjour, yes it had hot spots but temp was consistent.Now, this grill, the Bonjour, is being replaced with another Presto.To be fair to those who love this grill, I have not tried warranty solutions. | 1,000 | [
"We purchased this grill based on the reviews here at Amazon and other publications.",
"When I recieved the grill my first impression was the size.",
"This grill is small.",
"The cooking area is 14-1/2\"x 9\".The grill does heat up quickly, but, the temperature swings greatly as the thermostat cycles.",
"From observing a small surface thermometer, I estimate a 40 deg F swing.Lastly, the temperature settings seem odd.",
"For example, I cook bacon on a \"High\" setting.",
"The surface thermometer indicated 200 to 240 deg F.",
"Cleaning the connections between the grill and thermostat had no affect.As far as cleaning the grill afterward, I can say this grill is more difficult to clean than my previous one.",
"This one is heavy and awkward in the sink.This grill replaced a Presto from Target.",
"It cost less than half of the Bonjour, yes it had hot spots but temp was consistent.Now, this grill, the Bonjour, is being replaced with another Presto.To be fair to those who love this grill, I have not tried warranty solutions."
] |
2 | Ehhh... | Now this movie wasn't exactly horrible, and I could've enjoyed it more if the ending hadn't been so bad. (Spoiler) I wanted the last character to make it out so bad, and it led me to believe she actually would... but Rob had to go with the stupid cliche ending that totally ruined my respect for the plot. (End spoiler) He does a good job of creating a sadistic family, and the first half hour is good, but from there it's just a bunch of death/torture scenes. I couldn't stand how the characters did practically nothing to help themselves besides the last girl. The two police officers were complete morons. They basically lined up for their deaths. I know this wasn't made to be an awesome movie, and it shows. It is half-decent. There was something about it I liked, probably because I felt for the characters... but I honestly feel watching this movie has made me less humane. If you aren't a fan of Rob Zombie or you're unsure at all, please don't see this movie. And keep it away from kids too. | 1,000 | [
"Now this movie wasn't exactly horrible, and I could've enjoyed it more if the ending hadn't been so bad.",
"(Spoiler) I wanted the last character to make it out so bad, and it led me to believe she actually would... but Rob had to go with the stupid cliche ending that totally ruined my respect for the plot.",
"(End spoiler) He does a good job of creating a sadistic family, and the first half hour is good, but from there it's just a bunch of death/torture scenes.",
"I couldn't stand how the characters did practically nothing to help themselves besides the last girl.",
"The two police officers were complete morons.",
"They basically lined up for their deaths.",
"I know this wasn't made to be an awesome movie, and it shows.",
"It is half-decent.",
"There was something about it I liked, probably because I felt for the characters... but I honestly feel watching this movie has made me less humane.",
"If you aren't a fan of Rob Zombie or you're unsure at all, please don't see this movie.",
"And keep it away from kids too."
] |
2 | DP Lite | I hate to say it, but as much as I liked DP3 and DP4, I'm really disappointed with DP5. Most of the info was rehashed from the previous editions, and I'm not going to shell out twenty bucks to read the same thing twice. It seems that as the editions keep going, it's getting lamer in both visuals and text, as if the publishers made the author tone down ("dumb down" is a more appropriate phrase) the material to make it more mass-marketable. Not to mention that DP5 is designed more poorly than the previous editions, making it a little more difficult to distinguish the sub-chapters of each country. I think I'll borrow a copy of DP5 out of the library and photocopy the new countries and stories and add it to my well-worn edition of DP4.Yes, there are some new countries and some new stories, but overall, "the shoes ain't worth the shine...," as the old saying goes. Severely disappointed, RYP, severely disappointed. It's as if all the new found fame has gone to his head and not into the book. | 1,000 | [
"I hate to say it, but as much as I liked DP3 and DP4, I'm really disappointed with DP5.",
"Most of the info was rehashed from the previous editions, and I'm not going to shell out twenty bucks to read the same thing twice.",
"It seems that as the editions keep going, it's getting lamer in both visuals and text, as if the publishers made the author tone down (\"dumb down\" is a more appropriate phrase) the material to make it more mass-marketable.",
"Not to mention that DP5 is designed more poorly than the previous editions, making it a little more difficult to distinguish the sub-chapters of each country.",
"I think I'll borrow a copy of DP5 out of the library and photocopy the new countries and stories and add it to my well-worn edition of DP4.Yes, there are some new countries and some new stories, but overall, \"the shoes ain't worth the shine...,\" as the old saying goes.",
"Severely disappointed, RYP, severely disappointed.",
"It's as if all the new found fame has gone to his head and not into the book."
] |
2 | out of focus | Strange and unsatisfying biography, focused on minutae of Dickens' vacations to the exclusion of his literature."From Rome, they went to Siena and then Florence, happy to have had only three days of rain. On the road, they carried their own brandy, cloves, and tea" [page. 297-8]. The moment-to-moment of this trip fills ten pages, including so much emphasis re the facial grooming habits of the three men concerned, and the qualities of the various beds they slept in, that it's tempting to describe the text as voyeuristic. Follwed by just three pages re Bleak House, perhaps Dickens' most adventurous and anomalous work (two narrators). To me, a quirky choice of priorities, at best.Perhaps the intention of the author was to present "the human side of Dickens" as a supplement to the literary biographies which already exist. If so, a more appropriate title might be "Not By Literature Alone", or etc. Readers interested in Dickens' writing as opposed to his leisure might want to look elsewhere. | 1,000 | [
"Strange and unsatisfying biography, focused on minutae of Dickens' vacations to the exclusion of his literature.\"From Rome, they went to Siena and then Florence, happy to have had only three days of rain.",
"On the road, they carried their own brandy, cloves, and tea\" [page.",
"297-8].",
"The moment-to-moment of this trip fills ten pages, including so much emphasis re the facial grooming habits of the three men concerned, and the qualities of the various beds they slept in, that it's tempting to describe the text as voyeuristic.",
"Follwed by just three pages re Bleak House, perhaps Dickens' most adventurous and anomalous work (two narrators).",
"To me, a quirky choice of priorities, at best.Perhaps the intention of the author was to present \"the human side of Dickens\" as a supplement to the literary biographies which already exist.",
"If so, a more appropriate title might be \"Not By Literature Alone\", or etc.",
"Readers interested in Dickens' writing as opposed to his leisure might want to look elsewhere."
] |
2 | Oh the pain | an interesting idea for an anime, but not a good follow through. I think that best sums up this piece of DVD. Watching it in Both english and japanese, I came to one conclusion. ... even for a show based on a video game.Sonic, Knuckles, and everyone else's voices sounded like they spent the day in a william shatner reading studio, after breathing heluim for six hours.The plot: An interesting idea, with a few minor twists, but it just never seemed to get going, and before you know it, the show was over. Plus it was hard to note just how evil Robotnick (Eggman) was supposed to be. He had a love interest with the presidents daughter, despite the fact she hated him, and at times he appeared quiet comical. It seemed that everyone had trouble staying in character.The only reason I give it two stars, is that the battles between Metal Sonic and Sonic were decent, and the parts where it was meatn to be funny were. but as I said I wasn't ever sure if the anime was trying to be serious, or goofy. | 1,000 | [
"an interesting idea for an anime, but not a good follow through.",
"I think that best sums up this piece of DVD.",
"Watching it in Both english and japanese, I came to one conclusion.",
"... even for a show based on a video game.Sonic, Knuckles, and everyone else's voices sounded like they spent the day in a william shatner reading studio, after breathing heluim for six hours.The plot: An interesting idea, with a few minor twists, but it just never seemed to get going, and before you know it, the show was over.",
"Plus it was hard to note just how evil Robotnick (Eggman) was supposed to be.",
"He had a love interest with the presidents daughter, despite the fact she hated him, and at times he appeared quiet comical.",
"It seemed that everyone had trouble staying in character.The only reason I give it two stars, is that the battles between Metal Sonic and Sonic were decent, and the parts where it was meatn to be funny were.",
"but as I said I wasn't ever sure if the anime was trying to be serious, or goofy."
] |
2 | WHAT ART? | I read the theme. Sounded interesting. I rented. I was disgusted.This shallow wannabe flick with a highly predictable tale of adultery opens with a scene that has a man stripped to his tee, smeared all over with dog excrement, and even having it shoved down his throat. Which, as you may imagine, has nothing to do with the rest of the movie.The sole intent of the director seems to have been to constantly bombard the audience with horrendous characters (the thief), sickening imagery (some very likable characters are tortured, maimed or killed), characters being degraded in sickening ways, and as a cherry on the terrible cake, a bite of cannabilism.The production values of the movie are pretty good, so it's kind of sad to see them squandered on such a vile, grotesque story. Reviewers at Amazon seem to have taken the good camerawork as a conduit to say, "This is ART!"No, it isn't. It's just grossness for grossness' sake. Oh, and it's gross. Don't see it on a full stomach, if you do at all. | 1,000 | [
"I read the theme.",
"Sounded interesting.",
"I rented.",
"I was disgusted.This shallow wannabe flick with a highly predictable tale of adultery opens with a scene that has a man stripped to his tee, smeared all over with dog excrement, and even having it shoved down his throat.",
"Which, as you may imagine, has nothing to do with the rest of the movie.The sole intent of the director seems to have been to constantly bombard the audience with horrendous characters (the thief), sickening imagery (some very likable characters are tortured, maimed or killed), characters being degraded in sickening ways, and as a cherry on the terrible cake, a bite of cannabilism.The production values of the movie are pretty good, so it's kind of sad to see them squandered on such a vile, grotesque story.",
"Reviewers at Amazon seem to have taken the good camerawork as a conduit to say, \"This is ART!",
"\"No, it isn't.",
"It's just grossness for grossness' sake.",
"Oh, and it's gross.",
"Don't see it on a full stomach, if you do at all."
] |
2 | Boys In Cold | What is this? When I first saw the video for "Standing in the Shadows", I thought that this was heavier than their debut. When I listened to In Motion back in 89, I was totally disappointed that was the first song on the album. I gave the whole thing a listen and only found three songs worth listening to. "Standing in the shadows" what a great song, they were standing in the shadows of their peers and they didn't make it out of their peers limelight. They hung on till they couldn't hang on anymore and then they just fell out of the light. A very ill-fated attempt to cover Hair Of The Dog, I don't know why they tried to, but it didn't do anything for the song and it sure didn't sound any different. Dizzy left the band after this cd. Well I would have left to after this. I am not embarrased to say that I own this album, I am embarrased to say that I bought it brand new when it first came out. Lesson learn. Oh yeah, the best songs on this are: Standing in the shadows, Shine on, Long road. | 1,000 | [
"What is this?",
"When I first saw the video for \"Standing in the Shadows\", I thought that this was heavier than their debut.",
"When I listened to In Motion back in 89, I was totally disappointed that was the first song on the album.",
"I gave the whole thing a listen and only found three songs worth listening to.",
"\"Standing in the shadows\" what a great song, they were standing in the shadows of their peers and they didn't make it out of their peers limelight.",
"They hung on till they couldn't hang on anymore and then they just fell out of the light.",
"A very ill-fated attempt to cover Hair Of The Dog, I don't know why they tried to, but it didn't do anything for the song and it sure didn't sound any different.",
"Dizzy left the band after this cd.",
"Well I would have left to after this.",
"I am not embarrased to say that I own this album, I am embarrased to say that I bought it brand new when it first came out.",
"Lesson learn.",
"Oh yeah, the best songs on this are: Standing in the shadows, Shine on, Long road."
] |
2 | BAD SEQUEL | SO THIS IS THE SEQUEL? I don't know where to start. It wasn't that great. The ending of the movie epitomized the deplorable script writing. Stella is attempting to tell the world about vampires while the government is trying to cover it up. The local FBI man is in cahoots with the vampires as he desires to be one. A group of vampire hunters meets Stella in her room and asks her to join them (along with a turncoat vampire) to go into the underground tunnels of L.A. and hunt down and kill Lilith, the vampire queen. Lilith speaks a strange tongue with subscripts, until the very end when she can suddenly speak English. The acting wasn't all that great. This is another movie which uses the high tech "special effect" of jerking the camera around to make us feel the terror of the scene (yawn!) because the script can't do it.Lilith, in ancient folklore, fed off the blood on infants. They seemed to have messed that up too. If you watched the first one, go ahead and get disappointed on this one. | 1,000 | [
"SO THIS IS THE SEQUEL?",
"I don't know where to start.",
"It wasn't that great.",
"The ending of the movie epitomized the deplorable script writing.",
"Stella is attempting to tell the world about vampires while the government is trying to cover it up.",
"The local FBI man is in cahoots with the vampires as he desires to be one.",
"A group of vampire hunters meets Stella in her room and asks her to join them (along with a turncoat vampire) to go into the underground tunnels of L.A. and hunt down and kill Lilith, the vampire queen.",
"Lilith speaks a strange tongue with subscripts, until the very end when she can suddenly speak English.",
"The acting wasn't all that great.",
"This is another movie which uses the high tech \"special effect\" of jerking the camera around to make us feel the terror of the scene (yawn!",
") because the script can't do it.Lilith, in ancient folklore, fed off the blood on infants.",
"They seemed to have messed that up too.",
"If you watched the first one, go ahead and get disappointed on this one."
] |
2 | Sized too Big | I have been successful ordering 11.5 wide oxford lace-up shoes from Johnston & Murphy or Bostonian for the last 10 years. I happen to be hitting a dead patch with zappo's and shoebuy in trying to find a new pair of casual shoes to go with the dockers, which is what I wear a lot, so I figured I would take a crack at these since they were cheaper than any other web site. The shoe is too long - I have about 3/4 inch dead space between my big toe and front of shoe - and the heel area is way too big. There is actually a bit of open space all around the heel. I assume the heel size will only change if I order a regular width, but my big toe is already pressed up against the side of the shoe, so a narrower size will get me in the situation I was in with regular sizes. Too bad, it is obviously a very nice quality shoe, but the last it is built on is weird (for me anyway). I may have to go to an AE store and have them figure out what last my foot is compatible with and then try to order online. | 1,000 | [
"I have been successful ordering 11.5 wide oxford lace-up shoes from Johnston & Murphy or Bostonian for the last 10 years.",
"I happen to be hitting a dead patch with zappo's and shoebuy in trying to find a new pair of casual shoes to go with the dockers, which is what I wear a lot, so I figured I would take a crack at these since they were cheaper than any other web site.",
"The shoe is too long - I have about 3/4 inch dead space between my big toe and front of shoe - and the heel area is way too big.",
"There is actually a bit of open space all around the heel.",
"I assume the heel size will only change if I order a regular width, but my big toe is already pressed up against the side of the shoe, so a narrower size will get me in the situation I was in with regular sizes.",
"Too bad, it is obviously a very nice quality shoe, but the last it is built on is weird (for me anyway).",
"I may have to go to an AE store and have them figure out what last my foot is compatible with and then try to order online."
] |
2 | OUTDATED INFO | I have been using this book for the last 4 summers and have found it to have a lot of outdated information. We are fulltiming in our motorhome and this book is fine if you are in a smaller rv or tenting. Some campgrounds have closed from fires, closed from budget cuts or have been remodeled. The length limits are usually incorrect too. I want to know if I'm driving on a dirt road to the campground (how many miles in)or if it's paved. Is there water available? and if so are the faucets threaded, handpumps, or non-threaded where you need a water thief? Dump stations with potable water? What is the length and width of the site. Are there tight turns or dead ends with no turn arounds? What are the directions turn by turn and mileage? I thought I was in campground hell trying to get really good information until I found this website: [...]Check it out, you won't be sorry...AND they do offer books & CD's on ALL of the National Forest Service Campgrounds in the United States. Happy Travels... | 1,000 | [
"I have been using this book for the last 4 summers and have found it to have a lot of outdated information.",
"We are fulltiming in our motorhome and this book is fine if you are in a smaller rv or tenting.",
"Some campgrounds have closed from fires, closed from budget cuts or have been remodeled.",
"The length limits are usually incorrect too.",
"I want to know if I'm driving on a dirt road to the campground (how many miles in)or if it's paved.",
"Is there water available?",
"and if so are the faucets threaded, handpumps, or non-threaded where you need a water thief?",
"Dump stations with potable water?",
"What is the length and width of the site.",
"Are there tight turns or dead ends with no turn arounds?",
"What are the directions turn by turn and mileage?",
"I thought I was in campground hell trying to get really good information until I found this website: [...]Check it out, you won't be sorry...AND they do offer books & CD's on ALL of the National Forest Service Campgrounds in the United States.",
"Happy Travels..."
] |
2 | Dissapointing | The illustrations in this book are wonderful, but the story is confusing at best. The author uses a clumsy style of poetry that mixes rhyming verses with non-rhyming verses making it very awkward to read aloud. Also, instead of focusing on one of the many stories concerning Elijah, it tries to cram all of them into too limited a space resulting in a jumbled up mess. My last complaint is in regard to some of the wording. I prefer to teach my children from the NKJV or KJV, but in the part of the story where Elijah is fed by the black birds, the author uses the translation that Elijah is brought food by an angel. Children who are already very familiar with the story of Elijah may be able to sift through this book and make something felicitous of it, but it would probably take a child who is far outside of the target audience's age range to do such. I don't recommend this book as bedtime story because of how poorly it is written, and I most adamantly do not recommend it as a teaching tool. | 1,000 | [
"The illustrations in this book are wonderful, but the story is confusing at best.",
"The author uses a clumsy style of poetry that mixes rhyming verses with non-rhyming verses making it very awkward to read aloud.",
"Also, instead of focusing on one of the many stories concerning Elijah, it tries to cram all of them into too limited a space resulting in a jumbled up mess.",
"My last complaint is in regard to some of the wording.",
"I prefer to teach my children from the NKJV or KJV, but in the part of the story where Elijah is fed by the black birds, the author uses the translation that Elijah is brought food by an angel.",
"Children who are already very familiar with the story of Elijah may be able to sift through this book and make something felicitous of it, but it would probably take a child who is far outside of the target audience's age range to do such.",
"I don't recommend this book as bedtime story because of how poorly it is written, and I most adamantly do not recommend it as a teaching tool."
] |
2 | disappointing | I was expecting much more from this book than the last based on the other reviews it received, but I found myself frustrated by the childish writing style and utterly uninteresting characters. Not everything needs to be described "..like..". I might have been reading a Hemingway novel, the way every sound and smell was being related to something else. Space opera really doesn't need such details, I believe.I felt no sympathy towards the community of victims, perhaps because their story was so broken up. Star Wars can get away with alternating stories between chapters because the characters are actually ones you care about, but I think it utterly failed here.In short, I was very disappointed with this book. I had expected much more from Kevin Anderson, given his ability to adapt to existing storylines. I suppose if this book was targeted towards teenagers (who form the majority of Starcraft players), it might explain a lot, but where were the characters we knew and actually cared about? | 1,000 | [
"I was expecting much more from this book than the last based on the other reviews it received, but I found myself frustrated by the childish writing style and utterly uninteresting characters.",
"Not everything needs to be described \"..like..\".",
"I might have been reading a Hemingway novel, the way every sound and smell was being related to something else.",
"Space opera really doesn't need such details, I believe.I felt no sympathy towards the community of victims, perhaps because their story was so broken up.",
"Star Wars can get away with alternating stories between chapters because the characters are actually ones you care about, but I think it utterly failed here.In short, I was very disappointed with this book.",
"I had expected much more from Kevin Anderson, given his ability to adapt to existing storylines.",
"I suppose if this book was targeted towards teenagers (who form the majority of Starcraft players), it might explain a lot, but where were the characters we knew and actually cared about?"
] |
2 | Disappointed | Got the thing from Apple.com about two months ago, Leopard pre-installed. Very disappointed with it. Here are the reasons:1. Computer freezes often or won't wake up after having been put to sleep. The only remedy is to force-restart it (use the button).2. Keyboard becomes completely unresponsive seemingly randomly and without any warning. Solution: see 1.3. Lots of Tiger-compatible programs are NOT supported by Leopard.4. The main interface design is ludicrous (e.g. transparent menu bar, semi-transparent 3D(!!?) shelf-like dock at which you have to peer hard to see which apps are running). A prime example of ruining something good while trying to make it better.5. Case material is a magnet for dust (mine is black, so it's obvious).6. Power adapter extremely overpriced (as is the whole thing, but that's the Mac tax), so buying a second one for work is no longer an easy option.Pros? Yeah, there are some, hence the 2nd star.Advice: wait some, and then wait some more. And then think twice. | 1,000 | [
"Got the thing from Apple.com about two months ago, Leopard pre-installed.",
"Very disappointed with it.",
"Here are the reasons:1.",
"Computer freezes often or won't wake up after having been put to sleep.",
"The only remedy is to force-restart it (use the button).2.",
"Keyboard becomes completely unresponsive seemingly randomly and without any warning.",
"Solution: see 1.3. Lots of Tiger-compatible programs are NOT supported by Leopard.4. The main interface design is ludicrous (e.g. transparent menu bar, semi-transparent 3D(!!?",
") shelf-like dock at which you have to peer hard to see which apps are running).",
"A prime example of ruining something good while trying to make it better.5. Case material is a magnet for dust (mine is black, so it's obvious).6.",
"Power adapter extremely overpriced (as is the whole thing, but that's the Mac tax), so buying a second one for work is no longer an easy option.Pros?",
"Yeah, there are some, hence the 2nd star.Advice: wait some, and then wait some more.",
"And then think twice."
] |
2 | Nice try. | Every cover singer eventually yearns to do Tin Pan Alley and other classic songs (think Linda Ronstadt with Nelson Riddle), but you don't usually expect that from someone who writes her own material. Therefore I didn't quite know what to expect. But since some of these songs are old favorites of mine, I figured it was worth a try. I was wrong. I really love Julie London's classic rendition of "Cry Me a River," and this version doesn't come close. Ditto for "Chansons des Vieux Amants" on Judy Collins's classic "Wildflowers" album; Alison certainly knows how to sing in French, but she's no Celine Dion. "Windmills of Your Mind"--eh. "The Man I Love"--eh. I'll be reselling this one so if you want to pick it up cheap, wait for it. ^_^Apparently there's some really sad drama behind Alison's lack of any new music in this century. I hope it comes to an end soon. I'm looking for more songs like "Hoodoo," "Footsteps," "Rise" and "Whispering Your Name." Something that will help me forget this CD. | 1,000 | [
"Every cover singer eventually yearns to do Tin Pan Alley and other classic songs (think Linda Ronstadt with Nelson Riddle), but you don't usually expect that from someone who writes her own material.",
"Therefore I didn't quite know what to expect.",
"But since some of these songs are old favorites of mine, I figured it was worth a try.",
"I was wrong.",
"I really love Julie London's classic rendition of \"Cry Me a River,\" and this version doesn't come close.",
"Ditto for \"Chansons des Vieux Amants\" on Judy Collins's classic \"Wildflowers\" album; Alison certainly knows how to sing in French, but she's no Celine Dion.",
"\"Windmills of Your Mind\"--eh.",
"\"The Man I Love\"--eh.",
"I'll be reselling this one so if you want to pick it up cheap, wait for it.",
"^_^Apparently there's some really sad drama behind Alison's lack of any new music in this century.",
"I hope it comes to an end soon.",
"I'm looking for more songs like \"Hoodoo,\" \"Footsteps,\" \"Rise\" and \"Whispering Your Name.\" Something that will help me forget this CD."
] |
2 | Made me ill | I was looking forward to trying this product, and will probably try it again in the future. For now though it is no good for me. The product says on the back to not use if you have IBS or a variety of other digestion issues which I did not recall seeing when I purchased the bottle. Well, it really means that! So if you have indigestion or IBS with stress/depression/anxiety as its root cause seriously rethink this product. I have used GABA (750mg 2x day) and L-theanine (200 mg 2x day), Fish oil (2600 mg 2x day) combined with a morning dose of a B complex and calcium, magnesium, zinc vitamin mix (from the grocery store) with great results in lieu of this product. Also, I have been using Valerian (1600 mg all at once an hour before bed) and it squashed 95% of my morning nausea that my doc had been treating practically overnight. Keep in mind though all this is consumed to treat PTSD, not your garden variety edginess/depression... Hope this helps someone else who needs a product like this. | 1,000 | [
"I was looking forward to trying this product, and will probably try it again in the future.",
"For now though it is no good for me.",
"The product says on the back to not use if you have IBS or a variety of other digestion issues which I did not recall seeing when I purchased the bottle.",
"Well, it really means that!",
"So if you have indigestion or IBS with stress/depression/anxiety as its root cause seriously rethink this product.",
"I have used GABA (750mg 2x day) and L-theanine (200 mg 2x day), Fish oil (2600 mg 2x day) combined with a morning dose of a B complex and calcium, magnesium, zinc vitamin mix (from the grocery store) with great results in lieu of this product.",
"Also, I have been using Valerian (1600 mg all at once an hour before bed) and it squashed 95% of my morning nausea that my doc had been treating practically overnight.",
"Keep in mind though all this is consumed to treat PTSD, not your garden variety edginess/depression... Hope this helps someone else who needs a product like this."
] |
2 | Does it work? | For a supposedly airless system, my 3 week old manages to produce a lot of bubbles into the bottle. Both my husband and I have read and followed the instructions explicitely and she still manages to introduce bubbles while sucking. No one else seems to be having this problem, so I'm a bit confused as to what we're doing wrong.Anyway, while researching this problem, I came across the phone number for Playtex where you can order replacement valves and caps. Since several reveiwers had remarked that they had been unable to find replacement parts, I thought I'd post this information as an FYI.From the Playtexbaby.com website:" I need replacement parts for my VentAire or other bottle system (rings, caps, vents, etc.)? I can't find them for sale anywhere.Parts for our systems can be misplaced. These parts are not sold separately in stores due to the limited availability of shelf space. We would be happy to provide a limited quantity of complimentary parts if you contact us at 1-800-222-0453" | 1,000 | [
"For a supposedly airless system, my 3 week old manages to produce a lot of bubbles into the bottle.",
"Both my husband and I have read and followed the instructions explicitely and she still manages to introduce bubbles while sucking.",
"No one else seems to be having this problem, so I'm a bit confused as to what we're doing wrong.Anyway, while researching this problem, I came across the phone number for Playtex where you can order replacement valves and caps.",
"Since several reveiwers had remarked that they had been unable to find replacement parts, I thought I'd post this information as an FYI.From the Playtexbaby.com website:\" I need replacement parts for my VentAire or other bottle system (rings, caps, vents, etc.)?",
"I can't find them for sale anywhere.Parts for our systems can be misplaced.",
"These parts are not sold separately in stores due to the limited availability of shelf space.",
"We would be happy to provide a limited quantity of complimentary parts if you contact us at 1-800-222-0453\""
] |
2 | it's decent | I've had this phone since October. I got it because it was so small and adorable. At first I was happy with it...but once I actually started using it, that all changed. Good news first..PROS:-Loud volume-Easy to use-Lots of included ringtones..some are cute, some are a little out there-Voice recorderCONS:-CONSTANTLY drops calls-Recieves text messages HOURS after people send them-VERY small text messages--160 characters...most phones have over 800-The buttons make a very loud clicking noise sometimes so you have to shut off the phone for a few minutes-Bad battery life..if you send a few messages a day and talk on the phone for a few minutes, you're gonna have to charge it all night-You can't have real music tones-Voice recorder can't be your ringtone-Very bad speaker interference..I have to keep it a few feet away from the computer/tv and anything else with speakersI wish more people would have said bad things about this phone before I bought it! Stay away from this phone if possible.. | 999 | [
"I've had this phone since October.",
"I got it because it was so small and adorable.",
"At first I was happy with it...but once I actually started using it, that all changed.",
"Good news first..PROS:-Loud volume-Easy to use-Lots of included ringtones..some are cute, some are a little out there-Voice recorderCONS:-CONSTANTLY drops calls-Recieves text messages HOURS after people send them-VERY small text messages--160 characters...most phones have over 800-The buttons make a very loud clicking noise sometimes so you have to shut off the phone for a few minutes-Bad battery life..if you send a few messages a day and talk on the phone for a few minutes, you're gonna have to charge it all night-You can't have real music tones-Voice recorder can't be your ringtone-Very bad speaker interference..I have to keep it a few feet away from the computer/tv and anything else with speakersI wish more people would have said bad things about this phone before I bought it!",
"Stay away from this phone if possible.."
] |
2 | Minimal fun. | I bought this about a year ago at EB Games for about $3.00. I was hoping for a good old classic N64 game. Damn was I wrong.Graphics: 6/10. Bad framerate and the graphics are TRYING to be good but fail which makes for a crash fest into walls because the colors are blurred and it's really hard to tell where you're going.Sound: 5/10. Vroom...Vroom..SHIFT..Vroom..Vroom..SHIFT. You got the idea. You hear cars shifting gears and annoying wannabe techno like music in the background. So aggrivating it should be put on mute.Control: 5.5/10. The controls for the most part don't even respond. It is about a half second delay on any button press, and there is not any realism at all in this game.Fun: 5/10. What the hell were the creators thinking? Bland graphics, horrible gameplay, extremely unrealistic... so on. Even if you like racing games on the not-so-realistic side, this game still shouldn't be bought. This was a horrible game! In every way! You will not have fun! DO NOT BUY THIS GAME!!3.7/10 | 999 | [
"I bought this about a year ago at EB Games for about $3.00.",
"I was hoping for a good old classic N64 game.",
"Damn was I wrong.Graphics: 6/10.",
"Bad framerate and the graphics are TRYING to be good but fail which makes for a crash fest into walls because the colors are blurred and it's really hard to tell where you're going.Sound: 5/10.",
"Vroom...Vroom..SHIFT..Vroom..Vroom..SHIFT.",
"You got the idea.",
"You hear cars shifting gears and annoying wannabe techno like music in the background.",
"So aggrivating it should be put on mute.Control: 5.5/10.",
"The controls for the most part don't even respond.",
"It is about a half second delay on any button press, and there is not any realism at all in this game.Fun: 5/10.",
"What the hell were the creators thinking?",
"Bland graphics, horrible gameplay, extremely unrealistic... so on.",
"Even if you like racing games on the not-so-realistic side, this game still shouldn't be bought.",
"This was a horrible game!",
"In every way!",
"You will not have fun!",
"DO NOT BUY THIS GAME!!",
"3.7/10"
] |
2 | A Bore! | I couldn't help but fall asleep whilst reading this book. I only was able to go through about a little over a half, mostly because I was required to read it. Generally, the book is about a middle eastern girl living in a Harem and surrounded by the conflicting Western Power, the French Army. Lots of battles with tradition and western cultures, and primarily about the rift between men and women. So you're in for a subtle yet quite obvious gender conflict, which was in my opinion awfully sexist (I know it's from the view of a woman but that doesn't take away from the fact that she explicitly tries to write as if she were a child again with "innocence" yet fails because of her mature agenda). The author, Mernissi, spends about 10-15 pages per chapter driveling on about the most useless facts or coincidences. Just when you think she's reaching her point and finally bear fruit, it's the start of a new chapter and another take on a topic or segment of her life that is completely irrelevant. | 999 | [
"I couldn't help but fall asleep whilst reading this book.",
"I only was able to go through about a little over a half, mostly because I was required to read it.",
"Generally, the book is about a middle eastern girl living in a Harem and surrounded by the conflicting Western Power, the French Army.",
"Lots of battles with tradition and western cultures, and primarily about the rift between men and women.",
"So you're in for a subtle yet quite obvious gender conflict, which was in my opinion awfully sexist (I know it's from the view of a woman but that doesn't take away from the fact that she explicitly tries to write as if she were a child again with \"innocence\" yet fails because of her mature agenda).",
"The author, Mernissi, spends about 10-15 pages per chapter driveling on about the most useless facts or coincidences.",
"Just when you think she's reaching her point and finally bear fruit, it's the start of a new chapter and another take on a topic or segment of her life that is completely irrelevant."
] |
2 | disappointed! | I had been aware of this movie for quite awhile and was happy to finally get a copy on DVD. Perhaps because of the poor dubbing, this was little better than the many "spaghetti" war films I have in my collection. While there appears to be a great effort on the producers' part to craft an epic war movie, there is an abysmal lack of contiuity and context. The technical aspects are pretty well executed, with proper uniforms and weapons. Also there are "Tiger" tank mock-ups based on T-34 chassis as seen in Kelly's Heroes. And those attacking planes(Sokos maybe?) do resemble FW 190s at first glance, all of which make this film all the more disappointing. Some great actors seem wasted, and even the legendary Bernard Herman was off his game with his uncharacteristically bland musical score. I'd like to see it remastered, and with proper subtitles so that the dialogue would be in the respective languages. Perhaps then this film will earn the "epic" description some have chosen to apply to it. | 999 | [
"I had been aware of this movie for quite awhile and was happy to finally get a copy on DVD.",
"Perhaps because of the poor dubbing, this was little better than the many \"spaghetti\" war films I have in my collection.",
"While there appears to be a great effort on the producers' part to craft an epic war movie, there is an abysmal lack of contiuity and context.",
"The technical aspects are pretty well executed, with proper uniforms and weapons.",
"Also there are \"Tiger\" tank mock-ups based on T-34 chassis as seen in Kelly's Heroes.",
"And those attacking planes(Sokos maybe?",
") do resemble FW 190s at first glance, all of which make this film all the more disappointing.",
"Some great actors seem wasted, and even the legendary Bernard Herman was off his game with his uncharacteristically bland musical score.",
"I'd like to see it remastered, and with proper subtitles so that the dialogue would be in the respective languages.",
"Perhaps then this film will earn the \"epic\" description some have chosen to apply to it."
] |
2 | a tough watch | OEJ is my favorite western.I think it is one of the best ever made...so when I heard it was coming in Blu Ray,I preordered a copy from Amazon,and could hardly wait to get it.I got it,and played Blue Ray OEJ that night.The transfer is a little better than TV,which makes for a transfer from hell.It looks to have some kind of 1080 seive over a previously bad transfer,the only digital remastering I saw was no remastering at all,the closer you get to the screen the blurrier the images get.This transfer is almost without color.The sound is OK.I don't really know how to describe the horrid opening titles(german i think).OEJ should be a Criterion project if ever there was a Criterion project or what about Coppola,Speilberg,and Scorsese,who loved and were affected by OEJ.I'm surprised one of them has not took on OEJ as a restoration project.Last but not least what happened to the director's cut which IS out there,I watched it while I was stationed in Vietnam at our outdoor theater(circa 1969). | 999 | [
"OEJ is my favorite western.I think it is one of the best ever made...so when I heard it was coming in Blu Ray,I preordered a copy from Amazon,and could hardly wait to get it.I got it,and played Blue Ray OEJ that night.The transfer is a little better than TV,which makes for a transfer from hell.It looks to have some kind of 1080 seive over a previously bad transfer,the only digital remastering I saw was no remastering at all,the closer you get to the screen the blurrier the images get.This transfer is almost without color.The sound is OK.I don't really know how to describe the horrid opening titles(german i think).OEJ should be a Criterion project if ever there was a Criterion project or what about Coppola,Speilberg,and Scorsese,who loved and were affected by OEJ.I'm surprised one of them has not took on OEJ as a restoration project.Last but not least what happened to the director's cut which IS out there,I watched it while I was stationed in Vietnam at our outdoor theater(circa 1969)."
] |
2 | Tedious | It's hard to believe the director of this faltering addition to Hollywood's yuppies-in-peril cycle of the early 1990s went on to make such outstanding films as "L.A. Confidential" and "Wonder Boys." To be fair, the fault lies mainly with the screenplay - a textbook working of an elaborate revenge plot which tries to exploit a whole range of middle-class anxieties: molesting doctors, black burglars, lurking pedophiles, old friends who want to steal your husband and, of course, nannies who want to take over your life. The plot is predictable and the ending deplorably contrived. Ultimately, though, it's Rebecca De Mornay who makes this thing endurable. She's so chillingly good as the vengeful Peyton that you're cheering when Annabella Sciorra finally gets to punch her in the face. Other performances are merely adequate, with the notable exception of Julianne Moore: she steals the few scenes she's given and shows why she, like director Hanson, has gone on to much bigger and better things. | 999 | [
"It's hard to believe the director of this faltering addition to Hollywood's yuppies-in-peril cycle of the early 1990s went on to make such outstanding films as \"L.A. Confidential\" and \"Wonder Boys.\" To be fair, the fault lies mainly with the screenplay - a textbook working of an elaborate revenge plot which tries to exploit a whole range of middle-class anxieties: molesting doctors, black burglars, lurking pedophiles, old friends who want to steal your husband and, of course, nannies who want to take over your life.",
"The plot is predictable and the ending deplorably contrived.",
"Ultimately, though, it's Rebecca De Mornay who makes this thing endurable.",
"She's so chillingly good as the vengeful Peyton that you're cheering when Annabella Sciorra finally gets to punch her in the face.",
"Other performances are merely adequate, with the notable exception of Julianne Moore: she steals the few scenes she's given and shows why she, like director Hanson, has gone on to much bigger and better things."
] |
2 | Enough already | This book makes me want to take a shower. Not a cold one. A cleansing one. With lye soap. Where graphic sex was somehow appropriate in the "Valley of Horses" because it was Ayla's initiation into her own sexuality, it is so overboard here that you just turn the page, and if you don't do that, then you can predict exactly how many paragraphs it will take for who to do what to whom and by what point on the page someone will be overtaken by earth-shattering bliss. We've known Ayla for three books now, but Jondalar's character degenerates into nothing but a Dirk Diggler stud and he really comes across as not too smart. As if that's not bad enough, if Ayla and Jondalar aren't keeping you and everyone else in Mammoth Cave up all night tossing and turning with disgust, then Ayla's affair with Ranec won't give you a break either. Auel has done her characters a real disservice by reducing them to people who become so paralyzed by sexual pleasure that they can't do anything else until finished. | 999 | [
"This book makes me want to take a shower.",
"Not a cold one.",
"A cleansing one.",
"With lye soap.",
"Where graphic sex was somehow appropriate in the \"Valley of Horses\" because it was Ayla's initiation into her own sexuality, it is so overboard here that you just turn the page, and if you don't do that, then you can predict exactly how many paragraphs it will take for who to do what to whom and by what point on the page someone will be overtaken by earth-shattering bliss.",
"We've known Ayla for three books now, but Jondalar's character degenerates into nothing but a Dirk Diggler stud and he really comes across as not too smart.",
"As if that's not bad enough, if Ayla and Jondalar aren't keeping you and everyone else in Mammoth Cave up all night tossing and turning with disgust, then Ayla's affair with Ranec won't give you a break either.",
"Auel has done her characters a real disservice by reducing them to people who become so paralyzed by sexual pleasure that they can't do anything else until finished."
] |
2 | Falls Flat | Sorry, I have to be the dissenting voice here. It is an extremely rare occurence that I give up on a book and I am dangerously close to putting Empire Falls back on my roommate's book shelf. There may be a good story somewhere in the next 300 pages, but it'd really have to be something spectacular to justify plodding through the vapid writing.Russo likes to hit the reader over the head, tell you instead of show you, and repeat the obvious three and four times. Perhaps a real character will develop by the second half of the book, but thus far I am looking at a cast of caricatures painted with broad strokes, engaged in conversations that sound nothing like natural human dialogue.I have a feeling that Empire Falls' popular acclaim is largely attributable to its willingness to tackle a difficult issue of concern to many in this country -- school violence. It will not survive as a classic, and, less importantly, it will not survive as the book I read on the subway for the rest of the week. | 999 | [
"Sorry, I have to be the dissenting voice here.",
"It is an extremely rare occurence that I give up on a book and I am dangerously close to putting Empire Falls back on my roommate's book shelf.",
"There may be a good story somewhere in the next 300 pages, but it'd really have to be something spectacular to justify plodding through the vapid writing.Russo likes to hit the reader over the head, tell you instead of show you, and repeat the obvious three and four times.",
"Perhaps a real character will develop by the second half of the book, but thus far I am looking at a cast of caricatures painted with broad strokes, engaged in conversations that sound nothing like natural human dialogue.I have a feeling that Empire Falls' popular acclaim is largely attributable to its willingness to tackle a difficult issue of concern to many in this country -- school violence.",
"It will not survive as a classic, and, less importantly, it will not survive as the book I read on the subway for the rest of the week."
] |
2 | Disappointing | This is a very disappointing book because the author fails to do what he says he is going to do in chapter 1. He says that he is writing the book so people like Cameron Diaz (!) will be able to understand the equation. But even the delightful Cameron would have no real understanding of the science involved after reading this book - not even in a popular science kind of way.It's actually just a story of some of the scientists who helped us to understand the parts of Einstein's famous equation, but even this story is incomplete because he virtually ignores many of the major players. Even Galileo gets only a few words!Also, the author is not helped by his poor use of analogy. For instance, he says that as an object increases in speed its mass "swells" up. Anyone with no prior understanding of relativity would be totally confused by this comparison.If you want to understand the theory you would do better reading another book. It's not as though popular science books on the topic are rare. | 999 | [
"This is a very disappointing book because the author fails to do what he says he is going to do in chapter 1.",
"He says that he is writing the book so people like Cameron Diaz (!",
") will be able to understand the equation.",
"But even the delightful Cameron would have no real understanding of the science involved after reading this book - not even in a popular science kind of way.It's actually just a story of some of the scientists who helped us to understand the parts of Einstein's famous equation, but even this story is incomplete because he virtually ignores many of the major players.",
"Even Galileo gets only a few words!",
"Also, the author is not helped by his poor use of analogy.",
"For instance, he says that as an object increases in speed its mass \"swells\" up.",
"Anyone with no prior understanding of relativity would be totally confused by this comparison.If you want to understand the theory you would do better reading another book.",
"It's not as though popular science books on the topic are rare."
] |
2 | Just Ok Tool | Ok, I am not a professional floor install, but I do consider myself to have better than average skills in the DIY arena. The product arrived on time in a nice carrying case. However I found that neither of the two interchangeable base plates worked well for my flooring. One set the nail in the top of the flooring, the other set it well out on the tongue. After some fiddling I ended up using the thinner base plate with some shims. This seem to get the nail set in the correct place on the flooring. The biggest problem now is that the nailer frequently marrs the edge of the flooring, causing a noticeable blemish that has to be rubbed out.I am willing to concede that this may be due to my custom shims, and I have to admit this is the first floor nailer that I have used. It could be that my shims are causing the blemish, so take this review with a grain of salt. I have to say though that I cannot imagine flooring with out a pneumatic gun, I'm just not sure this is the best one for the job. | 999 | [
"Ok, I am not a professional floor install, but I do consider myself to have better than average skills in the DIY arena.",
"The product arrived on time in a nice carrying case.",
"However I found that neither of the two interchangeable base plates worked well for my flooring.",
"One set the nail in the top of the flooring, the other set it well out on the tongue.",
"After some fiddling I ended up using the thinner base plate with some shims.",
"This seem to get the nail set in the correct place on the flooring.",
"The biggest problem now is that the nailer frequently marrs the edge of the flooring, causing a noticeable blemish that has to be rubbed out.I am willing to concede that this may be due to my custom shims, and I have to admit this is the first floor nailer that I have used.",
"It could be that my shims are causing the blemish, so take this review with a grain of salt.",
"I have to say though that I cannot imagine flooring with out a pneumatic gun, I'm just not sure this is the best one for the job."
] |
2 | ... | The production on this album is best suitable for raw black metal bands, mainly because it helps them enhance an atmosphere. Yes, it is primal and unpolished, but it doesn't work to Final Dawn's advantage. While it doesn't totally eclipse the intruments, it really keeps them from shining beneath a black cloud of mediocrity. Which is the other problem. The guitar playing should be able to carry the weight of a song, but the playing here is just below average. None of the riffs seem to leave an impression. As a result, the songs achieve zero memorability. The monotonous vocals do not help their cause either. There's a degree of technicality in the music, but it feels incoherent and at times unlistenable. If the band worked more in composing songs with perhaps a little catchiness or at least some interesting riffs, then they may be able to stand out more among a sea of unoriginal black/death bands. But as it is now, this record needed some more rehearsing and several shots of adrenaline. | 999 | [
"The production on this album is best suitable for raw black metal bands, mainly because it helps them enhance an atmosphere.",
"Yes, it is primal and unpolished, but it doesn't work to Final Dawn's advantage.",
"While it doesn't totally eclipse the intruments, it really keeps them from shining beneath a black cloud of mediocrity.",
"Which is the other problem.",
"The guitar playing should be able to carry the weight of a song, but the playing here is just below average.",
"None of the riffs seem to leave an impression.",
"As a result, the songs achieve zero memorability.",
"The monotonous vocals do not help their cause either.",
"There's a degree of technicality in the music, but it feels incoherent and at times unlistenable.",
"If the band worked more in composing songs with perhaps a little catchiness or at least some interesting riffs, then they may be able to stand out more among a sea of unoriginal black/death bands.",
"But as it is now, this record needed some more rehearsing and several shots of adrenaline."
] |
2 | not durable | It worked ok for the first few days after we got it for our dog to play and walk in the snow and on the pavement with snow/salt.We realized that these boots are extremely hard to clean by hand. The salt and sand get stuck on the bottom of the boots because the bottom of the boots are not smooth. They feel like suede/fabric. Unless you toss them in the washing machine after every use, it is very hard to maintain them and dry them.After using for a few weeks, the bottom of the boots began to break. There are holes on the bottom towards the front of the boots (we do keep his nails clipped frequently). They are no longer waterproof anymore. The company's website stated that "many dogs have worn their Muttluks for over three years", but it only lasted just over a month for our dog. We never use them on dry pavement or concrete. We only use them to protect his feet from salt when there's snow.The boots are also not very easy to put on. It takes us about 10 min to put all of them on the dog. | 999 | [
"It worked ok for the first few days after we got it for our dog to play and walk in the snow and on the pavement with snow/salt.We realized that these boots are extremely hard to clean by hand.",
"The salt and sand get stuck on the bottom of the boots because the bottom of the boots are not smooth.",
"They feel like suede/fabric.",
"Unless you toss them in the washing machine after every use, it is very hard to maintain them and dry them.After using for a few weeks, the bottom of the boots began to break.",
"There are holes on the bottom towards the front of the boots (we do keep his nails clipped frequently).",
"They are no longer waterproof anymore.",
"The company's website stated that \"many dogs have worn their Muttluks for over three years\", but it only lasted just over a month for our dog.",
"We never use them on dry pavement or concrete.",
"We only use them to protect his feet from salt when there's snow.The boots are also not very easy to put on.",
"It takes us about 10 min to put all of them on the dog."
] |
2 | Not durable! | It worked ok for the first few days after we got it for our dog to play and walk in the snow and on the pavement with snow/salt.We realized that these boots are extremely hard to clean by hand. The salt and sand get stuck on the bottom of the boots because the bottom of the boots are not smooth. They feel like suede/fabric. Unless you toss them in the washing machine after every use, it is very hard to maintain them and dry them.After using for a few weeks, the bottom of the boots began to break. There are holes on the bottom towards the front of the boots (we do keep his nails clipped frequently). They are no longer waterproof anymore. The company's website stated that "many dogs have worn their Muttluks for over three years", but it only lasted just over a month for our dog. We never use them on dry pavement or concrete. We only use them to protect his feet from salt when there's snow.The boots are also not very easy to put on. It takes us about 10 min to put all of them on the dog. | 999 | [
"It worked ok for the first few days after we got it for our dog to play and walk in the snow and on the pavement with snow/salt.We realized that these boots are extremely hard to clean by hand.",
"The salt and sand get stuck on the bottom of the boots because the bottom of the boots are not smooth.",
"They feel like suede/fabric.",
"Unless you toss them in the washing machine after every use, it is very hard to maintain them and dry them.After using for a few weeks, the bottom of the boots began to break.",
"There are holes on the bottom towards the front of the boots (we do keep his nails clipped frequently).",
"They are no longer waterproof anymore.",
"The company's website stated that \"many dogs have worn their Muttluks for over three years\", but it only lasted just over a month for our dog.",
"We never use them on dry pavement or concrete.",
"We only use them to protect his feet from salt when there's snow.The boots are also not very easy to put on.",
"It takes us about 10 min to put all of them on the dog."
] |
2 | Too Much T.V. | Welcome, so you're thinking about reading Tru Confessions by Janet Tashjian? Well, I have some information about it. First I'll talk about Tru.She is a 12 year old girl that is really energized when she was watching T.V. There was a commercial about a new network in town. Then Tru really wanted to have a T.V. show. Eddie, Tru's brother, is handicapped because when he was a baby his umbilical cord was wrapped around his neck. Eddie is the camera man for Tru's T.V. show.Their problem is getting Tru's tape (T.V. show episodes), to the cable company. When Tru's mom is at work she goes on the computer and tries to find a cure for Eddie.The book doesn't tell where Tru and Eddie live, but somewhere in a city. The good thing about Tru Confessions is you learn more about mentally disabled and challenged people. They can be more nice and caring than you can see. I don't think people should read this book because it needs to focus on other things than just her brother, Eddie, or Tru's T.V. show. | 999 | [
"Welcome, so you're thinking about reading Tru Confessions by Janet Tashjian?",
"Well, I have some information about it.",
"First I'll talk about Tru.She is a 12 year old girl that is really energized when she was watching T.V. There was a commercial about a new network in town.",
"Then Tru really wanted to have a T.V. show.",
"Eddie, Tru's brother, is handicapped because when he was a baby his umbilical cord was wrapped around his neck.",
"Eddie is the camera man for Tru's T.V. show.Their problem is getting Tru's tape (T.V. show episodes), to the cable company.",
"When Tru's mom is at work she goes on the computer and tries to find a cure for Eddie.The book doesn't tell where Tru and Eddie live, but somewhere in a city.",
"The good thing about Tru Confessions is you learn more about mentally disabled and challenged people.",
"They can be more nice and caring than you can see.",
"I don't think people should read this book because it needs to focus on other things than just her brother, Eddie, or Tru's T.V. show."
] |
2 | dont fit ! | The hoses in this set up didn't work for my application. I have a 17" aluminum TX Tournament Bass Tracker. The original built in gas tank had to be replaced and i replaced it with a Moeller tank. This tank installation kit that was recomended by Amazon comes with everything to set the tank up, but the hoses are way to short to work on my boat!! I did read this in other peoples reviews but took a chance anyway. Well, big dissapointment!! It cost me an additional $45 to purchase hoses to make the tank fill-up work. Add that to the cost of the kit already purchased that didn't work, kind of a waste of money!! The hoses are 1 standard size (short)and not spacific to any application. Unless the gas cap is installed directly above the gas neck on the tank, then the hose supplied will not work.Unfortunatly they are not lined up one directly under the other on my boat. My boat came with a fill cap/spout factory installed, i wasn't going to put in another one just to make the short hoses work. | 999 | [
"The hoses in this set up didn't work for my application.",
"I have a 17\" aluminum TX Tournament Bass Tracker.",
"The original built in gas tank had to be replaced and i replaced it with a Moeller tank.",
"This tank installation kit that was recomended by Amazon comes with everything to set the tank up, but the hoses are way to short to work on my boat!!",
"I did read this in other peoples reviews but took a chance anyway.",
"Well, big dissapointment!!",
"It cost me an additional $45 to purchase hoses to make the tank fill-up work.",
"Add that to the cost of the kit already purchased that didn't work, kind of a waste of money!!",
"The hoses are 1 standard size (short)and not spacific to any application.",
"Unless the gas cap is installed directly above the gas neck on the tank, then the hose supplied will not work.Unfortunatly they are not lined up one directly under the other on my boat.",
"My boat came with a fill cap/spout factory installed, i wasn't going to put in another one just to make the short hoses work."
] |
2 | Overrated | I have nothing against SF, and I am a roleplayer myself. I even own (and like) the Dreampark RPG.In fact, I was eager to find this in paperback, because a lot of people seem to rate it highly both as adventure fiction and for its portrayal of role playing and roleplayers.I was severely disappointed. The characters are pretty wooden, and the world itself is pretty unconvincing. The authors try to convince us that the "Game" is a big thing, carrying huge monetary gains for TV rights and novelization, but I really fail to see how public could really be interested in this.The attempts to make us sympathize with the players and seeing how they are so engrossed in it to actually care more for the game itself than the rest of the world are pretty unconvincing, too, and the story seems flat and forced in more than a place.Characters' psychology is probably not a forte for Niven, but unfortunately all the SFX razzle dazzle fail to carry the story... just like an Hollywood action film, in fact. | 999 | [
"I have nothing against SF, and I am a roleplayer myself.",
"I even own (and like) the Dreampark RPG.In fact, I was eager to find this in paperback, because a lot of people seem to rate it highly both as adventure fiction and for its portrayal of role playing and roleplayers.I was severely disappointed.",
"The characters are pretty wooden, and the world itself is pretty unconvincing.",
"The authors try to convince us that the \"Game\" is a big thing, carrying huge monetary gains for TV rights and novelization, but I really fail to see how public could really be interested in this.The attempts to make us sympathize with the players and seeing how they are so engrossed in it to actually care more for the game itself than the rest of the world are pretty unconvincing, too, and the story seems flat and forced in more than a place.Characters' psychology is probably not a forte for Niven, but unfortunately all the SFX razzle dazzle fail to carry the story... just like an Hollywood action film, in fact."
] |
2 | Im stunned | Next time Johnny Boy,Maybe missed somthing but this guy is no Donny Hathaway, Sam Cooke, or whomever you want him to be except another hook singer signed to a album deal. Kanye West is gonna drain his talent like he drains 1980's soul samples, plus from the flow of the album you can tell that legend didn't have any creative control over the project it sounded like two completely different albums 1-7 then 8-14 (the latter would get 4 stars by its self). With the exception of "Ordinary People" and "So High" you can hang it up. Bland over discussed song topic, bluejeans and an sportscoat shouldn't get you compared to the neo-soul artist who where doing it before it became trendy. Besides I'm sick of wishing someone was like Marvin Gaye or Harlod Melvin, Isaac Hayes etc... They were great but this retro phase has taken its toll lets start loving the artist who come out today for what they contribute not who they remind you of. And maybe we will hear some music thats worth a second listen. | 999 | [
"Next time Johnny Boy,Maybe missed somthing but this guy is no Donny Hathaway, Sam Cooke, or whomever you want him to be except another hook singer signed to a album deal.",
"Kanye West is gonna drain his talent like he drains 1980's soul samples, plus from the flow of the album you can tell that legend didn't have any creative control over the project it sounded like two completely different albums 1-7 then 8-14 (the latter would get 4 stars by its self).",
"With the exception of \"Ordinary People\" and \"So High\" you can hang it up.",
"Bland over discussed song topic, bluejeans and an sportscoat shouldn't get you compared to the neo-soul artist who where doing it before it became trendy.",
"Besides I'm sick of wishing someone was like Marvin Gaye or Harlod Melvin, Isaac Hayes etc... They were great but this retro phase has taken its toll lets start loving the artist who come out today for what they contribute not who they remind you of.",
"And maybe we will hear some music thats worth a second listen."
] |
2 | Not Compelling | This book is neither compelling, nor interesting. It is a short story designed to make a case for Rand's egoistic philosophy, but it reads more like propaganda than philosophical fiction. A better representation of her philosophy can be found in her longer works, or perhaps through reading her wikipedia article.The story is science fiction after a fashion - a world that has forgotten all its technology after descending into a new dark age with the death of individualism, seeks to prevent any individuality in the people that now occupy it. Others have written this story much better - perhaps missing the egoist angle - but that is really Rand's import into the story in any case.This storyline is better carried out in H M Hoover's "This Time of Darkness". That book is the story Rand should have written here.In her defense, this book was written many years ago, and before much of the later science fiction work we now have - but it is not a work that stands the test of time, unfortunately. | 999 | [
"This book is neither compelling, nor interesting.",
"It is a short story designed to make a case for Rand's egoistic philosophy, but it reads more like propaganda than philosophical fiction.",
"A better representation of her philosophy can be found in her longer works, or perhaps through reading her wikipedia article.The story is science fiction after a fashion - a world that has forgotten all its technology after descending into a new dark age with the death of individualism, seeks to prevent any individuality in the people that now occupy it.",
"Others have written this story much better - perhaps missing the egoist angle - but that is really Rand's import into the story in any case.This storyline is better carried out in H M Hoover's \"This Time of Darkness\".",
"That book is the story Rand should have written here.In her defense, this book was written many years ago, and before much of the later science fiction work we now have - but it is not a work that stands the test of time, unfortunately."
] |
2 | Read the book | I bought this DVD recently, after a 20-year lapse since I last read the Dune books. With only a vague memory of what was supposed to be going on, the movie was pretty much incomprehensible.What was the reason for Leto II transforming himself into a sandworm? I don't remember, and the movie didn't explain. Somehow, this was supposed to be the next evolutionary step, or some such thing, but why? And why did Leto seem so confident and at peace with his decision, when later we find out that he sobbed in his sister's lap and asked her to help him die?A lot of the acting is truly dreadful, and seems more appropriate to a stage play than a movie. Many of the costumes look like they came from old the original Star Trek series. And many of the sets were obviously just that ... sets with painted backgrounds.As with the other adaptations of Dune books, too much had to be left out in the interest of time, and if you aren't very familiar with the story, you can easily be left scratching your head. | 999 | [
"I bought this DVD recently, after a 20-year lapse since I last read the Dune books.",
"With only a vague memory of what was supposed to be going on, the movie was pretty much incomprehensible.What was the reason for Leto II transforming himself into a sandworm?",
"I don't remember, and the movie didn't explain.",
"Somehow, this was supposed to be the next evolutionary step, or some such thing, but why?",
"And why did Leto seem so confident and at peace with his decision, when later we find out that he sobbed in his sister's lap and asked her to help him die?",
"A lot of the acting is truly dreadful, and seems more appropriate to a stage play than a movie.",
"Many of the costumes look like they came from old the original Star Trek series.",
"And many of the sets were obviously just that ... sets with painted backgrounds.As with the other adaptations of Dune books, too much had to be left out in the interest of time, and if you aren't very familiar with the story, you can easily be left scratching your head."
] |
2 | Too violent | Perhaps I should have started the "Prey" series with the first volume, but this is where I began. And what a shock. Without going into plot specifics, as other reviewers have, I will say that the novel is one detailed gruesome scene after another. Gruesome scenes can be effective when used sparingly, for effect, but in this case the number is mind numbing. Did the writer think that violence and gore were the only hooks to keep the reader's attention? One must assume so.The plot, I might add, is improbable. In fiction, criminals are a too, too clever lot, but penitentiaries and hospitals for the criminally insane are filled with people with below average intelligence. The perp here is only silly.The other characters are a little better. The atmosphere, Minnesota in summer, could be anywhere. That's unfortunate, because a realistic locale is essential in fiction. There was nothing to mark it in place, only in time.If this is an accurate sample of the "Prey" series, I'll skip the others. | 999 | [
"Perhaps I should have started the \"Prey\" series with the first volume, but this is where I began.",
"And what a shock.",
"Without going into plot specifics, as other reviewers have, I will say that the novel is one detailed gruesome scene after another.",
"Gruesome scenes can be effective when used sparingly, for effect, but in this case the number is mind numbing.",
"Did the writer think that violence and gore were the only hooks to keep the reader's attention?",
"One must assume so.The plot, I might add, is improbable.",
"In fiction, criminals are a too, too clever lot, but penitentiaries and hospitals for the criminally insane are filled with people with below average intelligence.",
"The perp here is only silly.The other characters are a little better.",
"The atmosphere, Minnesota in summer, could be anywhere.",
"That's unfortunate, because a realistic locale is essential in fiction.",
"There was nothing to mark it in place, only in time.If this is an accurate sample of the \"Prey\" series, I'll skip the others."
] |
2 | Weber's worst | Sadly, unless you are a dedicated and brain washed member of the Weber cult, you will almost certainly find yourself skimming this over done nightmare of a novel, desperately hoping for the space battles and action that made the series worth reading in the first place - and when the action does come, you will find it sparse and unfullfilling.To date the series was characterized by excellent military action set against a believable political background. In this latest, most self indulgent, episode we are flooded by hundreds of pages of boring and over written petty politics, while the few battle scenes are dealt with in a few paragraphs - in short Weber has tragically reveresed the formula that made him a great military sci-fi author. The entire 800 page novel desperately needs to be cut down to about 250 pages, and Weber desperately needs to find an editor with the guts to get him under control and force him to return to the early style which made him worth reading in the first place. | 999 | [
"Sadly, unless you are a dedicated and brain washed member of the Weber cult, you will almost certainly find yourself skimming this over done nightmare of a novel, desperately hoping for the space battles and action that made the series worth reading in the first place - and when the action does come, you will find it sparse and unfullfilling.To date the series was characterized by excellent military action set against a believable political background.",
"In this latest, most self indulgent, episode we are flooded by hundreds of pages of boring and over written petty politics, while the few battle scenes are dealt with in a few paragraphs - in short Weber has tragically reveresed the formula that made him a great military sci-fi author.",
"The entire 800 page novel desperately needs to be cut down to about 250 pages, and Weber desperately needs to find an editor with the guts to get him under control and force him to return to the early style which made him worth reading in the first place."
] |
2 | KAITTE-RN | COLOR VERY PRETTY BUT THATS WHERE THE GOOD STOPS! THE REST OF IT IS NO GOOD! I BOUGHT THIS STETH AT THE BEGINNING OF NURSING SCHOOL AND I WISH I HADN'T. IT WAS VERY DIFFICULT TO HEAR A HEARTBEAT NEVER MIND LUNG OR BOWEL SOUNDS. THE QUALITY OF THE MATERIALS IS VERY LOW GRADE, AND BOTH EAR SETS VERY UNCOMFORTABLE, DUAL HEAD A JOKE SMALLER SIDE (POSSIBLY PEDs BUT COMPLETELY UNUSABLE- BESIDES ONLY COMES WITH 1 DIAPHRAGM AND COULD NOT FIND A PRESTIGE DIAPHRAGM FOR PURCHASE THAT WOULD FIT SM SIDE ANYWHERE! NEEDLESS TO SAY, I GAVE IT TO MY 8 YEAR OLD DAUGHTER FOR PLAY AND BOUGHT ANOTHER BRAND- THIS TIME THROUGH AMAZON- WHICH I AM THRILLED WITH! WOULD NEVER RECOMMEND THIS STETHOSCOPE FOR ANYTHING BUT "DRESS-UP" OR A HALLOWEEN COSTUME. I WOULD RECOMMEND EITHER LITTMANN OR AMERICAN DIAGNOSTIC. I BOUGHT THE LITTMANN (AWESOME BUT PRICEY) AND GIVEN AN AMERICAN DIAGNOSTIC (WHICH WORKS NEARLY JUST AS WELL- AND MORE AFFORDABLE. I AM NOW OUT OF SCHOOL AND AN RN AND MY LITTMANN WAS THE BEST INVESTMENT! | 999 | [
"COLOR VERY PRETTY BUT THATS WHERE THE GOOD STOPS!",
"THE REST OF IT IS NO GOOD!",
"I BOUGHT THIS STETH AT THE BEGINNING OF NURSING SCHOOL AND I WISH I HADN'T.",
"IT WAS VERY DIFFICULT TO HEAR A HEARTBEAT NEVER MIND LUNG OR BOWEL SOUNDS.",
"THE QUALITY OF THE MATERIALS IS VERY LOW GRADE, AND BOTH EAR SETS VERY UNCOMFORTABLE, DUAL HEAD A JOKE SMALLER SIDE (POSSIBLY PEDs BUT COMPLETELY UNUSABLE- BESIDES ONLY COMES WITH 1 DIAPHRAGM AND COULD NOT FIND A PRESTIGE DIAPHRAGM FOR PURCHASE THAT WOULD FIT SM SIDE ANYWHERE!",
"NEEDLESS TO SAY, I GAVE IT TO MY 8 YEAR OLD DAUGHTER FOR PLAY AND BOUGHT ANOTHER BRAND- THIS TIME THROUGH AMAZON- WHICH I AM THRILLED WITH!",
"WOULD NEVER RECOMMEND THIS STETHOSCOPE FOR ANYTHING BUT \"DRESS-UP\" OR A HALLOWEEN COSTUME.",
"I WOULD RECOMMEND EITHER LITTMANN OR AMERICAN DIAGNOSTIC.",
"I BOUGHT THE LITTMANN (AWESOME BUT PRICEY) AND GIVEN AN AMERICAN DIAGNOSTIC (WHICH WORKS NEARLY JUST AS WELL- AND MORE AFFORDABLE.",
"I AM NOW OUT OF SCHOOL AND AN RN AND MY LITTMANN WAS THE BEST INVESTMENT!"
] |
2 | Strange Book | Ok, I bit and bought a copy after seeing all the hype. I was disappointed to discover that it's not the book you are led to believe it is.There's next to nothing in it about starting or running an online business. Now this is truly bizarre considering who the author is.If you are looking at starting an old fashioned off-line type business, then it might be helpful. Suppose you wish to start a vacuum cleaner agency from your kitchen table or an mlm distributorship. Then I could see this being of some help. It's basically all about dialing for donuts endlessly from home.There's also very little of Gianforte in the book. Reading it you can't escape the conclusion that he farmed it out to his co-author, who then did all the work. Unfortunately the co-author is a journalist and not a businessman, so he focussed on the wrong things, in my opinion.If you are looking at starting an online business, go with "Go Big or Go Home" by Wil Schroter. Now that's the book that deserves this one's hype. | 999 | [
"Ok, I bit and bought a copy after seeing all the hype.",
"I was disappointed to discover that it's not the book you are led to believe it is.There's next to nothing in it about starting or running an online business.",
"Now this is truly bizarre considering who the author is.If you are looking at starting an old fashioned off-line type business, then it might be helpful.",
"Suppose you wish to start a vacuum cleaner agency from your kitchen table or an mlm distributorship.",
"Then I could see this being of some help.",
"It's basically all about dialing for donuts endlessly from home.There's also very little of Gianforte in the book.",
"Reading it you can't escape the conclusion that he farmed it out to his co-author, who then did all the work.",
"Unfortunately the co-author is a journalist and not a businessman, so he focussed on the wrong things, in my opinion.If you are looking at starting an online business, go with \"Go Big or Go Home\" by Wil Schroter.",
"Now that's the book that deserves this one's hype."
] |
2 | ho-hum | I had higher expectations for this book - "art history" mystery, set in Europe (Paris, Rome), etc. It turned out to be a run-of-the-mill crime story, with unconvincing characters. Not much (should I say - nothing?) to do with art, or art history. Yeah, there is a picture, but it plays a minimal role in the book. That scene at the end, drawing parallels to the paiting, is so crude, I'd rather not have it there. In general, Pears is rather heavy handed as a writer (at least in this book, I have not read anything else by him). No finesse... The book is still a decent mystery. It is just not very exciting. If you are looking for a mystery with a european setting - look somewhere else. You can replace "Rome" or "Paris" in this book with... Berlin? Chicago? and you won't even notice that these names were not there from the very beginning.I see people commenting that there are better books in this series - I hope so, but I may know now why my local bookstores do not carry this series at all. | 999 | [
"I had higher expectations for this book - \"art history\" mystery, set in Europe (Paris, Rome), etc.",
"It turned out to be a run-of-the-mill crime story, with unconvincing characters.",
"Not much (should I say - nothing?",
") to do with art, or art history.",
"Yeah, there is a picture, but it plays a minimal role in the book.",
"That scene at the end, drawing parallels to the paiting, is so crude, I'd rather not have it there.",
"In general, Pears is rather heavy handed as a writer (at least in this book, I have not read anything else by him).",
"No finesse... The book is still a decent mystery.",
"It is just not very exciting.",
"If you are looking for a mystery with a european setting - look somewhere else.",
"You can replace \"Rome\" or \"Paris\" in this book with... Berlin?",
"Chicago?",
"and you won't even notice that these names were not there from the very beginning.I see people commenting that there are better books in this series - I hope so, but I may know now why my local bookstores do not carry this series at all."
] |
2 | Disappointed | My daughter got the PS1 with LCD screen combo for Christmas a year ago, and when we opened it and hooked it up, the screen did not work properly. The screen was black, but if you held it at an angle, you could tell there were graphics present. Yes, we adjusted the contrast and nothing helped. We took it back and they had no more in stock, so we went to Sears. We got their last one and I asked to hook it up and try it out before we left--just in case. Sure enough, it did the same thing, so we left empty handed. Finally, we found a combo unit at Target and it worked--for about 7 months. A few months ago, it started going on the fritz and if we unplugged the cable and fiddled with it, it would work again. It finally quit working alltogether. It was great while it worked, but now I'm leery as to how long another one will work. Is a 90 day warranty sufficient for an item so pricey? I don't think so. I'm faced with replacing it, because to fix it would probably cost even more. What a shame. | 999 | [
"My daughter got the PS1 with LCD screen combo for Christmas a year ago, and when we opened it and hooked it up, the screen did not work properly.",
"The screen was black, but if you held it at an angle, you could tell there were graphics present.",
"Yes, we adjusted the contrast and nothing helped.",
"We took it back and they had no more in stock, so we went to Sears.",
"We got their last one and I asked to hook it up and try it out before we left--just in case.",
"Sure enough, it did the same thing, so we left empty handed.",
"Finally, we found a combo unit at Target and it worked--for about 7 months.",
"A few months ago, it started going on the fritz and if we unplugged the cable and fiddled with it, it would work again.",
"It finally quit working alltogether.",
"It was great while it worked, but now I'm leery as to how long another one will work.",
"Is a 90 day warranty sufficient for an item so pricey?",
"I don't think so.",
"I'm faced with replacing it, because to fix it would probably cost even more.",
"What a shame."
] |
2 | No one to like | It takes me a while, sometimes, to realize why a book bugs me. I'll already be twenty or thirty pages in, and then it hits me: I don't like the characters.In WE NEED TO TALK ABOUT KEVIN, the narrator is insightful and tries to be honest. But I found her so unlikable and alien and, well, largely despicable. Even among the cast behind Eva--her family--there wasn't a single character I could relate to.I also objected to the construction of the book. It runs the risk of being a stilted form, the novel-in-letters, and it always irks me when you get a line like, "You must remember, dear, we first met Joe Stevens when...." with the author then supplying required information the letter recipient was surely already privy to. This novel was rife with awkward exposition.But I kept reading. And that has to count for something. The subject matter is compelling enough that even without likable characters, and even with passages that made me cringe, I stayed with it until the fairly predictable end. | 999 | [
"It takes me a while, sometimes, to realize why a book bugs me.",
"I'll already be twenty or thirty pages in, and then it hits me: I don't like the characters.In WE NEED TO TALK ABOUT KEVIN, the narrator is insightful and tries to be honest.",
"But I found her so unlikable and alien and, well, largely despicable.",
"Even among the cast behind Eva--her family--there wasn't a single character I could relate to.I also objected to the construction of the book.",
"It runs the risk of being a stilted form, the novel-in-letters, and it always irks me when you get a line like, \"You must remember, dear, we first met Joe Stevens when....\" with the author then supplying required information the letter recipient was surely already privy to.",
"This novel was rife with awkward exposition.But I kept reading.",
"And that has to count for something.",
"The subject matter is compelling enough that even without likable characters, and even with passages that made me cringe, I stayed with it until the fairly predictable end."
] |
2 | Antiquated | This item produces a pleasant effect and adds very nice lighting to the party. It has good sound sensitivity. However, the cons outweigh:1. Duty cycle 10 min means you need to buy two and also automatic timer-switches for the outlets. That triples the cost at least.2. The damned thing heats like an iron - it is not safe, if within reach, especially if kids are around.3. It is 600W - probably more power than all your house lighting together. Count in the energy cost.4. The power cord is very short (3 ft?), and there's no on/off switch. So you will likely need extension cords with a switch too - or unplug the unit every time to switch it off.5. It is bulky: this mushroom is about 18" tall and 12" in diameter.After some research, I've found there are many LED or laser lighting options under $100, which are under 10W power consumption, have no duty cycle requirements, won't burn you. Chauvet min lasers will even fit in your pocket. So, from my point of view, this is an antiquated product. | 999 | [
"This item produces a pleasant effect and adds very nice lighting to the party.",
"It has good sound sensitivity.",
"However, the cons outweigh:1.",
"Duty cycle 10 min means you need to buy two and also automatic timer-switches for the outlets.",
"That triples the cost at least.2. The damned thing heats like an iron - it is not safe, if within reach, especially if kids are around.3. It is 600W - probably more power than all your house lighting together.",
"Count in the energy cost.4. The power cord is very short (3 ft?",
"), and there's no on/off switch.",
"So you will likely need extension cords with a switch too - or unplug the unit every time to switch it off.5. It is bulky: this mushroom is about 18\" tall and 12\" in diameter.After some research, I've found there are many LED or laser lighting options under $100, which are under 10W power consumption, have no duty cycle requirements, won't burn you.",
"Chauvet min lasers will even fit in your pocket.",
"So, from my point of view, this is an antiquated product."
] |
2 | Disappointed | I was really excited at the thought of easily and quickly being able to release wrinkles from my clothes with this steamer. It heats up quickly and makes a lot of steam, but struggles to release wrinkles in fabrics that are any heavier than a very light cotton. It worked semi well on a summer blouse I tried it on, but with the lightweight sweater that I used it on, I didn't really notice any improvement. When using it, you have to be very careful or you will end up steaming new wrinkles into your garment. It also seemed to piddle and drip water quite a bit. For as long as it took to use this to steam clothing into a somewhat acceptable and wearable-in-public condition, I could have done a much better job with a standard iron, probably in less time. This product did not meet my expectations and will be going back.Pros: Heats up quickly, seems to make a lot of steam.Cons: Steam isn't effective on fabrics heavier than light cotton, unit piddles and drips, end up steaming in new wrinkles. | 999 | [
"I was really excited at the thought of easily and quickly being able to release wrinkles from my clothes with this steamer.",
"It heats up quickly and makes a lot of steam, but struggles to release wrinkles in fabrics that are any heavier than a very light cotton.",
"It worked semi well on a summer blouse I tried it on, but with the lightweight sweater that I used it on, I didn't really notice any improvement.",
"When using it, you have to be very careful or you will end up steaming new wrinkles into your garment.",
"It also seemed to piddle and drip water quite a bit.",
"For as long as it took to use this to steam clothing into a somewhat acceptable and wearable-in-public condition, I could have done a much better job with a standard iron, probably in less time.",
"This product did not meet my expectations and will be going back.Pros: Heats up quickly, seems to make a lot of steam.Cons: Steam isn't effective on fabrics heavier than light cotton, unit piddles and drips, end up steaming in new wrinkles."
] |
2 | LISTEN UP... | FIRST OF ALL ME AND CG ARE NOT THE SAME PERSON... ONLY A LOW LIFE WOULD THINK ITS THAT SERIOUS TO SIGN ON AS SOMEONE ELSE! I DONT GET A DAMN DIME FOR THIS BOOK!!! IM SIMPLY BEIN REAL, AND I SEE SOME PEOPLE CANT HANDLE IT. WHO EVER SAID THE BOOK WAS BAD? I DONT KNOW ANYTHING ABOUT NO BOOK CLUB CALLED R.A.W. WATCH YA MOUTH CAUSE U DONT KNOW ME!! WE ARENT THE ONLY ONES THAT FEEL THIS WAY AND TELL WHAT SENSE WOULDIT MAKE TO HATE ON SOMEONE ELSE?? ESPECIALLY WHEN I HAVE NO DESIRE TO BE AN AUTHOR... MAKES NO SENSE. YOU POPPIN OFF LIKEYOU GETTIN PAID FOR THE DAMN BOOK.. QUIT BEIN A DICK RIDER AND KEEP IT REAL! NOIRE MUST BE PAYIN U THE WAY U ACTIN. U CAN CLEARLY SEE HOW SIMILAR THESE TWO BOOKS ARE. WHAT THE HELL IS EROTIC ABOUT HER WRITIN??? "GIVIN A TONGUE BATH"... I COULDVE SAVED MY MONEY AND RE-READ G-SPOT. IF U LIKE IT THATS ALL THAT MATTER BUT DONT TRY AND PLAY ME FOR "MY" REVIEW. NEVER WAS A HATER.. MAYBE NEXT TIME WE WILL SEE SOMETHING DIFFERENT AND I WISH HER LUCK IN ALL THAT SHE DO. | 999 | [
"FIRST OF ALL ME AND CG ARE NOT THE SAME PERSON... ONLY A LOW LIFE WOULD THINK ITS THAT SERIOUS TO SIGN ON AS SOMEONE ELSE!",
"I DONT GET A DAMN DIME FOR THIS BOOK!!!",
"IM SIMPLY BEIN REAL, AND I SEE SOME PEOPLE CANT HANDLE IT.",
"WHO EVER SAID THE BOOK WAS BAD?",
"I DONT KNOW ANYTHING ABOUT NO BOOK CLUB CALLED R.A.W. WATCH YA MOUTH CAUSE U DONT KNOW ME!!",
"WE ARENT THE ONLY ONES THAT FEEL THIS WAY AND TELL WHAT SENSE WOULDIT MAKE TO HATE ON SOMEONE ELSE??",
"ESPECIALLY WHEN I HAVE NO DESIRE TO BE AN AUTHOR... MAKES NO SENSE.",
"YOU POPPIN OFF LIKEYOU GETTIN PAID FOR THE DAMN BOOK..",
"QUIT BEIN A DICK RIDER AND KEEP IT REAL!",
"NOIRE MUST BE PAYIN U THE WAY U ACTIN.",
"U CAN CLEARLY SEE HOW SIMILAR THESE TWO BOOKS ARE.",
"WHAT THE HELL IS EROTIC ABOUT HER WRITIN???",
"\"GIVIN A TONGUE BATH\"... I COULDVE SAVED MY MONEY AND RE-READ G-SPOT.",
"IF U LIKE IT THATS ALL THAT MATTER BUT DONT TRY AND PLAY ME FOR \"MY\" REVIEW.",
"NEVER WAS A HATER..",
"MAYBE NEXT TIME WE WILL SEE SOMETHING DIFFERENT AND I WISH HER LUCK IN ALL THAT SHE DO."
] |
2 | Mediocre | "Redesigning Humans" is an attempt to deal with the growing debate about whether or not science and genetic manipulation should be used to try to "improve" on our species. As several other reviewers pointed out, this book can be summarized as "Genetic manipulation of the human race will happen, it's a good thing, we'll all be better off, and although there are moral considerations, we won't bother mentioning any of them here". The book is essentially this arguement, repeated over and over. There is very little concerning the science behind genetic manipulation and absolutely nothing on the ethics of undertaking the redesigning our species. This book could easily be compressed into a three page article without significant loss of content. As one who has spent the last twelve years in medical research (including gene therapy), I found the book to contain almost no science, nothing pertaining to the ethics of what is propossed, and to really have almost no content. I do not recommend it. | 999 | [
"\"Redesigning Humans\" is an attempt to deal with the growing debate about whether or not science and genetic manipulation should be used to try to \"improve\" on our species.",
"As several other reviewers pointed out, this book can be summarized as \"Genetic manipulation of the human race will happen, it's a good thing, we'll all be better off, and although there are moral considerations, we won't bother mentioning any of them here\".",
"The book is essentially this arguement, repeated over and over.",
"There is very little concerning the science behind genetic manipulation and absolutely nothing on the ethics of undertaking the redesigning our species.",
"This book could easily be compressed into a three page article without significant loss of content.",
"As one who has spent the last twelve years in medical research (including gene therapy), I found the book to contain almost no science, nothing pertaining to the ethics of what is propossed, and to really have almost no content.",
"I do not recommend it."
] |
2 | Lacking. | In 1986, no doubt Ronald Shannon Jackson had a challenge on his hand-- the Decoding Society had pretty much scattered, and with the loss of such powerful musicians, assembling a new band to succeed them was a difficult task. The second generation Decoding Society, guitarist Cary DeNegris, bassist Reginald Washington, violinist Akbar Ali and saxaphonist Eric Person on this recording persons in conjunction with African singers/percussionists Twins Seven Seven. The result of the collaboration, while interesting, lacks much of the fire that the older Decoding Society had.By and large the pieces are invested in funky African rhythms, they have a nice sound, the playing is good all around (particularly Washington, who adds a good slap funk sensibility and slithers nicely between Jackson's rhythms), but there's by and large something really quite unfulfilling about the record. It just doesn't burn. The band did much better work, this is a curiosity piece more than having any intrinsic value. | 999 | [
"In 1986, no doubt Ronald Shannon Jackson had a challenge on his hand-- the Decoding Society had pretty much scattered, and with the loss of such powerful musicians, assembling a new band to succeed them was a difficult task.",
"The second generation Decoding Society, guitarist Cary DeNegris, bassist Reginald Washington, violinist Akbar Ali and saxaphonist Eric Person on this recording persons in conjunction with African singers/percussionists Twins Seven Seven.",
"The result of the collaboration, while interesting, lacks much of the fire that the older Decoding Society had.By and large the pieces are invested in funky African rhythms, they have a nice sound, the playing is good all around (particularly Washington, who adds a good slap funk sensibility and slithers nicely between Jackson's rhythms), but there's by and large something really quite unfulfilling about the record.",
"It just doesn't burn.",
"The band did much better work, this is a curiosity piece more than having any intrinsic value."
] |
2 | A Journey | Paris has great sultry authority and a natural rasp. Basically all the lady has to do is breathe and she's won you over. However, her singing on this romantic outing is plodding and (inappropriately) mannered.Even in the most anemic moods this album would be tedious. Her phrasing here is overbearing and replete with long-winded bellows, especially on the drawn-out codas. It's heavy man. Heavy like a burden.These are literate torch songs, but with her twisting, loop-de-loop phrasing she deflects attention away from the mood and lyrics, and draws attention to more trivial matters, namely her acrobatic larynx.There's "making a song your own"...and there's downright annoying. With all her warbling the recording nearly sounds warped. As much as I love her voice, I couldn't wait for these epics-in-slow-motion to end. If the producer had reigned her in a bit..."cut the crap Rebecca", this album could have been a giant. That's what you get for trying too hard, when all you had to do was sing. | 999 | [
"Paris has great sultry authority and a natural rasp.",
"Basically all the lady has to do is breathe and she's won you over.",
"However, her singing on this romantic outing is plodding and (inappropriately) mannered.Even in the most anemic moods this album would be tedious.",
"Her phrasing here is overbearing and replete with long-winded bellows, especially on the drawn-out codas.",
"It's heavy man.",
"Heavy like a burden.These are literate torch songs, but with her twisting, loop-de-loop phrasing she deflects attention away from the mood and lyrics, and draws attention to more trivial matters, namely her acrobatic larynx.There's \"making a song your own\"...and there's downright annoying.",
"With all her warbling the recording nearly sounds warped.",
"As much as I love her voice, I couldn't wait for these epics-in-slow-motion to end.",
"If the producer had reigned her in a bit...\"cut the crap Rebecca\", this album could have been a giant.",
"That's what you get for trying too hard, when all you had to do was sing."
] |
2 | A Strange Read | The Law and the Poor is an odd book. It enumerates some of the ways by which the British legal system into the 1920s either excluded or oppressed the poorer clases. Parry dwells at tedious length with the debacle that was debtors' prison, but has no solution but a belief that time will somehow mediate not only the problem of debtors' prison but all other legal inequities.What Parry expressed (repeatedly) could have been thoroughly covered in about 10 pages. Alas, his book was far longer than that.Only Parry's ability to cite from just about any text written after 1789 makes this book tolerable. I admittedly was amused at the succession of characters Parry inserted into his book. Unfortunately, if you are not extremely well-versed in Victorian history and literature, you'll miss much: Parry draws on the very obscure as often as he does on the famous. For me it was a hoot only because Victorian history is my field.The Kindle download is free; don't waste your money purchasing this book. | 999 | [
"The Law and the Poor is an odd book.",
"It enumerates some of the ways by which the British legal system into the 1920s either excluded or oppressed the poorer clases.",
"Parry dwells at tedious length with the debacle that was debtors' prison, but has no solution but a belief that time will somehow mediate not only the problem of debtors' prison but all other legal inequities.What Parry expressed (repeatedly) could have been thoroughly covered in about 10 pages.",
"Alas, his book was far longer than that.Only Parry's ability to cite from just about any text written after 1789 makes this book tolerable.",
"I admittedly was amused at the succession of characters Parry inserted into his book.",
"Unfortunately, if you are not extremely well-versed in Victorian history and literature, you'll miss much: Parry draws on the very obscure as often as he does on the famous.",
"For me it was a hoot only because Victorian history is my field.The Kindle download is free; don't waste your money purchasing this book."
] |
2 | ZZZZZZZZZZZ | After exhausting my pile of Stephen R. Donaldson and Robert Jordan books, I decided I needed to begin another epic fantasy series to keep me occupied. I ran into Farland's book at the bookstore and decided to try it out.While I admire the ingenuity that Farland put into developing his world's magic, I tripped through the first 277 pages wincing each time I predicted the next string of events. Moreover, sets of unbelievable circumstances occur at just the right places (like when an assassin kills a messenger, who is found by the good guys, dead... and TAHDAH!! though the messenger was important enough to be assassinated by the bad guys, the assassin hadn't bothered to take the message, which gives the good guys a huge advantage.)The characterization is flat and dull. I was at no time convinced that I should really care about what happens to the lead characters. I struggled through the book, waiting for it to get better, but I finally set it down at page 277 and never picked it back up. | 999 | [
"After exhausting my pile of Stephen R.",
"Donaldson and Robert Jordan books, I decided I needed to begin another epic fantasy series to keep me occupied.",
"I ran into Farland's book at the bookstore and decided to try it out.While I admire the ingenuity that Farland put into developing his world's magic, I tripped through the first 277 pages wincing each time I predicted the next string of events.",
"Moreover, sets of unbelievable circumstances occur at just the right places (like when an assassin kills a messenger, who is found by the good guys, dead... and TAHDAH!!",
"though the messenger was important enough to be assassinated by the bad guys, the assassin hadn't bothered to take the message, which gives the good guys a huge advantage.)The characterization is flat and dull.",
"I was at no time convinced that I should really care about what happens to the lead characters.",
"I struggled through the book, waiting for it to get better, but I finally set it down at page 277 and never picked it back up."
] |
2 | Not Enough Fun | I returned this one two days after I bought it.The game is an interesting concept. And it's fun for a while. But even though there are quite a few characters, weapons and power-ups, it still won't hold your attention for more than a day in single player mode.In Xbox Live mode it will keep your interest up for a little longer (not much).The core problem is that the action is so fast that you feel like success has more to do with luck than any skill or strategy. Although your skill will improve, you still never really get to feel like you're in control of what's going on around you.Also, it is totally inappropriate for kids (kids under 21 in my opinion). Not just the topless character, but the language and movie clips are also often in poor taste.Fuzion Frenzy is a better party game.Halo and Unreal Championship are (by far) better action games.I think you'll only like this if you use Xbox Live (which I did) and enjoy a sense of panic, confusion and irreverence at every moment of a game. | 999 | [
"I returned this one two days after I bought it.The game is an interesting concept.",
"And it's fun for a while.",
"But even though there are quite a few characters, weapons and power-ups, it still won't hold your attention for more than a day in single player mode.In Xbox Live mode it will keep your interest up for a little longer (not much).The core problem is that the action is so fast that you feel like success has more to do with luck than any skill or strategy.",
"Although your skill will improve, you still never really get to feel like you're in control of what's going on around you.Also, it is totally inappropriate for kids (kids under 21 in my opinion).",
"Not just the topless character, but the language and movie clips are also often in poor taste.Fuzion Frenzy is a better party game.Halo and Unreal Championship are (by far) better action games.I think you'll only like this if you use Xbox Live (which I did) and enjoy a sense of panic, confusion and irreverence at every moment of a game."
] |
2 | Disappointed | I was looking for a good book that could help in my collection of information for the CISSP. I was extremely disappointed in the layout, format and editing of this book. The material lacked flow and was sometimes contradictory. Even answers to the sample questions were contradictory to the material presented in the text. Additionally, the author didn't give an explanation as to the reasoning behind the answers. Words were mis-represented (i.e. using the word "that" when it should have been "then") Furthermore, whole paragraphs were duplicated on the same page. The information is obviously a collection of paperwork that the author collected and put in his own words (often difficult to comprehend). Worse yet, an errata sheet isn't available.I have to mention that the material did contain some information on topics that I have not found in other books, however, I suggest obtaining another book for your primary study purposes.I hope this review helps everyone attempting to pass the CISSP. | 999 | [
"I was looking for a good book that could help in my collection of information for the CISSP.",
"I was extremely disappointed in the layout, format and editing of this book.",
"The material lacked flow and was sometimes contradictory.",
"Even answers to the sample questions were contradictory to the material presented in the text.",
"Additionally, the author didn't give an explanation as to the reasoning behind the answers.",
"Words were mis-represented (i.e. using the word \"that\" when it should have been \"then\") Furthermore, whole paragraphs were duplicated on the same page.",
"The information is obviously a collection of paperwork that the author collected and put in his own words (often difficult to comprehend).",
"Worse yet, an errata sheet isn't available.I have to mention that the material did contain some information on topics that I have not found in other books, however, I suggest obtaining another book for your primary study purposes.I hope this review helps everyone attempting to pass the CISSP."
] |
2 | Too Long | I was really looking forward to Colin's story which is why I wanted to give it 3 stars instead of 2. The book is too long at 418 pages. About page 234 I had enough. The villian beats up Alienore (French for Eleanor?), again, threatens to tell Colin, again, and she folds up, again. Meanwhile you have spent the last 200 pages reading about how he is teaching Alienore how to fight. Also, by this time she should know Colin would never hurt her no matter what has been said. Colin's character seemed to be a lot sharper in Gillian and Christopher's story, here he is a little dim. What's so amusing about pages of Colin and Alienore fighting/teaching in the mud? I finally skipped about 50 pages of "will he slice my head off or won't he", finished it last night and sit here really annoyed about this book. There is no sexual tension in this story. The courting part was rushed, and the story drags on at the end. If, like me, you wanted to read Colin's story, get it from the library, don't buy it. | 999 | [
"I was really looking forward to Colin's story which is why I wanted to give it 3 stars instead of 2.",
"The book is too long at 418 pages.",
"About page 234 I had enough.",
"The villian beats up Alienore (French for Eleanor?",
"), again, threatens to tell Colin, again, and she folds up, again.",
"Meanwhile you have spent the last 200 pages reading about how he is teaching Alienore how to fight.",
"Also, by this time she should know Colin would never hurt her no matter what has been said.",
"Colin's character seemed to be a lot sharper in Gillian and Christopher's story, here he is a little dim.",
"What's so amusing about pages of Colin and Alienore fighting/teaching in the mud?",
"I finally skipped about 50 pages of \"will he slice my head off or won't he\", finished it last night and sit here really annoyed about this book.",
"There is no sexual tension in this story.",
"The courting part was rushed, and the story drags on at the end.",
"If, like me, you wanted to read Colin's story, get it from the library, don't buy it."
] |
2 | Dont do it! | I purchased this a long time ago and I don't usually take the time to write reviews but I finally got around to warning others about this product.I was very excited about purchasing this hand held vacuum cleaner since I have a dog who sheds a ton and rides in the car. I figured I could clean up the mess quickly and easily with this gadget and that worked great for maybe 8 weeks; 3 months tops. This vacuum does not hold a charge! The instructions said the battery life would strengthen after multiple charges. Never happened. It worked pretty well for a few months and now even if I charge it overnight it stays on for about 8 -10 minutes at best. Long enough to do the quick clean up, but 10 minutes after only few months of use? Completely ridiculous! I have to remember to bring it in the house to charge after every single use and even then it doesn't matter because the battery won't function after its been dormant for a day. Good concept-this hand held, but I need one that actually works. | 999 | [
"I purchased this a long time ago and I don't usually take the time to write reviews but I finally got around to warning others about this product.I was very excited about purchasing this hand held vacuum cleaner since I have a dog who sheds a ton and rides in the car.",
"I figured I could clean up the mess quickly and easily with this gadget and that worked great for maybe 8 weeks; 3 months tops.",
"This vacuum does not hold a charge!",
"The instructions said the battery life would strengthen after multiple charges.",
"Never happened.",
"It worked pretty well for a few months and now even if I charge it overnight it stays on for about 8 -10 minutes at best.",
"Long enough to do the quick clean up, but 10 minutes after only few months of use?",
"Completely ridiculous!",
"I have to remember to bring it in the house to charge after every single use and even then it doesn't matter because the battery won't function after its been dormant for a day.",
"Good concept-this hand held, but I need one that actually works."
] |
2 | Revolting. | Masterton is an excellent wordsmith, all the more remarkably so given how prolific he is. I don't find most of his books at all scary, but usually they're well thought out and interesting. I guess "Tengu" is well thought out, but it's also revolting. While all of his novels have a respectably high gore quotient, none of the others except "Fireflash 5" and "Burial" have so MUCH pointlessly sadistic and grotesque violence; and "Tengu" does not quite have the saving grace of the former two stories' sheer outlandishness. Masterton's world in "Tengu" seems small and squalid, his characters so across-the-board unsympathetic that when the plot resolves itself in nuclear armageddon almost out of the blue, one is more moved by the author's sheer gall than by the situation. One does have to grant, though, that Graham Masterton has always been one of the most original and intriguing talents in the field, and "Tengu" is, if nothing else, something no other writer could probably have come up with. | 999 | [
"Masterton is an excellent wordsmith, all the more remarkably so given how prolific he is.",
"I don't find most of his books at all scary, but usually they're well thought out and interesting.",
"I guess \"Tengu\" is well thought out, but it's also revolting.",
"While all of his novels have a respectably high gore quotient, none of the others except \"Fireflash 5\" and \"Burial\" have so MUCH pointlessly sadistic and grotesque violence; and \"Tengu\" does not quite have the saving grace of the former two stories' sheer outlandishness.",
"Masterton's world in \"Tengu\" seems small and squalid, his characters so across-the-board unsympathetic that when the plot resolves itself in nuclear armageddon almost out of the blue, one is more moved by the author's sheer gall than by the situation.",
"One does have to grant, though, that Graham Masterton has always been one of the most original and intriguing talents in the field, and \"Tengu\" is, if nothing else, something no other writer could probably have come up with."
] |
2 | Lounge singer? | I bought the album expecting something original and heart-rendering, but I found the album less than exciting, I must say. The person who recommended it to me did so after I had purchased Shelby Lynne's album and Lucinda Williams' _Essence_ album (which I love, as I loved _Car Wheels on a Gravel Road_). I have yet to understand why he thought I would like Eva's album(s). There are no similarities at all. Both Shelby Lynne and Lucinda Williams write their own music and both have much more of a "down and dirty" style. Eva's album is "nice" and would easily fit into the easy-listening category. There's just something lacking in it--perhaps the reason is that the album is a "greatest hits," culled from other albums. I've listened to it several times, and I just can't get excited by it. I'm very sorry I bought it without listening to it first; I would recommend that folks listen to the tracks of any album before buying it, even if the recommendations are unusually positive about the album. | 999 | [
"I bought the album expecting something original and heart-rendering, but I found the album less than exciting, I must say.",
"The person who recommended it to me did so after I had purchased Shelby Lynne's album and Lucinda Williams' _Essence_ album (which I love, as I loved _Car Wheels on a Gravel Road_).",
"I have yet to understand why he thought I would like Eva's album(s).",
"There are no similarities at all.",
"Both Shelby Lynne and Lucinda Williams write their own music and both have much more of a \"down and dirty\" style.",
"Eva's album is \"nice\" and would easily fit into the easy-listening category.",
"There's just something lacking in it--perhaps the reason is that the album is a \"greatest hits,\" culled from other albums.",
"I've listened to it several times, and I just can't get excited by it.",
"I'm very sorry I bought it without listening to it first; I would recommend that folks listen to the tracks of any album before buying it, even if the recommendations are unusually positive about the album."
] |
2 | What the ..... | I eagerly awaited this in the mail only to be disapointed. Like the guy who also reviewed the DVD, I thought "All Access" ment a lot of cool stuff like the videos and perfomances. Chrome dreams (makers of the DVD) even failed to put Deftones music in the DVD as background music!! They rathered opted to play some sorry, crappy, whinny, rock that sounded like it was punk. Once I finished watching this tragic DVD I realized that I knew pretty much what was discussed about the history of the Deftones, the early years, and so forth was stuff I alredy knew and I could tell you what they missed too. Unless you want to know who was with the Deftones when they were jaming the in early days, dont buy the DVD and surf the web for Deftone history, Or if your too lazy just buy the DVD and expect what you would find on the web. Keep in mind that the DVD was not officially recognized by the Deftones. (That explains it all). You might as well wait for the Deftones to put out their official biography. | 999 | [
"I eagerly awaited this in the mail only to be disapointed.",
"Like the guy who also reviewed the DVD, I thought \"All Access\" ment a lot of cool stuff like the videos and perfomances.",
"Chrome dreams (makers of the DVD) even failed to put Deftones music in the DVD as background music!!",
"They rathered opted to play some sorry, crappy, whinny, rock that sounded like it was punk.",
"Once I finished watching this tragic DVD I realized that I knew pretty much what was discussed about the history of the Deftones, the early years, and so forth was stuff I alredy knew and I could tell you what they missed too.",
"Unless you want to know who was with the Deftones when they were jaming the in early days, dont buy the DVD and surf the web for Deftone history, Or if your too lazy just buy the DVD and expect what you would find on the web.",
"Keep in mind that the DVD was not officially recognized by the Deftones.",
"(That explains it all).",
"You might as well wait for the Deftones to put out their official biography."
] |
2 | Too Long | Costner does better with westerns than most but he takes himself way too seriously. He goes on and on and on... The first hour is a good set up for the next hour and a half or so...Duvall is great, almost as if he wrote his own dialogue. It is not that "Open Range" is not a good movie. It is just not that good. The pace is slow, which i think is deliberate to set the tone and it works, again for about the first hour. But even when the story gets going, it does not have enough power. The violence is subdued, as is all of the acting, almost as if Costner the director did not want Costner the actor to look too enthuiastic. Because all of the actors do not seem to be as interested as they want the viewer to be involved with their lives. There are moments that are endearing, but not nearly enough to make you want to sit through the length of the movie. With a rewrite of a few scenes and a deletion of a scene or two and the movie would have been as good as any directed by and starring K C. | 998 | [
"Costner does better with westerns than most but he takes himself way too seriously.",
"He goes on and on and on... The first hour is a good set up for the next hour and a half or so...Duvall is great, almost as if he wrote his own dialogue.",
"It is not that \"Open Range\" is not a good movie.",
"It is just not that good.",
"The pace is slow, which i think is deliberate to set the tone and it works, again for about the first hour.",
"But even when the story gets going, it does not have enough power.",
"The violence is subdued, as is all of the acting, almost as if Costner the director did not want Costner the actor to look too enthuiastic.",
"Because all of the actors do not seem to be as interested as they want the viewer to be involved with their lives.",
"There are moments that are endearing, but not nearly enough to make you want to sit through the length of the movie.",
"With a rewrite of a few scenes and a deletion of a scene or two and the movie would have been as good as any directed by and starring K C."
] |
2 | Battery Hog | This model is my third Olympus. My old ones have superior battery life but not this one. It's batteries need a recharge after 35 images, max, although I don't use the large viewer and turn off the anti-shake. Then I have to charge them 2 or 3 times to get them to work. I was using Sony and Energizer 2500Mah with poor results, so The company accepted it back as flawed. The replacement is the same. I then ordered the Olympus charger and batteries recommended for this camera, and they are no better. What's funny is, my daughters Canon Supershot (same Mpix, anti-shake, large videos) worked fine on my "spent" batteries.A lot of "noise" is evident in images taken in low light. The high ISO which is supposed to help in low light, actually makes it worse.All my Olympus cameras are well made and easy to use, though the internal battery died in one after 3 years, so I have to redo my settings every time I change the battery. There are better cameras out there. I wish I'd gotten something else. | 998 | [
"This model is my third Olympus.",
"My old ones have superior battery life but not this one.",
"It's batteries need a recharge after 35 images, max, although I don't use the large viewer and turn off the anti-shake.",
"Then I have to charge them 2 or 3 times to get them to work.",
"I was using Sony and Energizer 2500Mah with poor results, so The company accepted it back as flawed.",
"The replacement is the same.",
"I then ordered the Olympus charger and batteries recommended for this camera, and they are no better.",
"What's funny is, my daughters Canon Supershot (same Mpix, anti-shake, large videos) worked fine on my \"spent\" batteries.A lot of \"noise\" is evident in images taken in low light.",
"The high ISO which is supposed to help in low light, actually makes it worse.All my Olympus cameras are well made and easy to use, though the internal battery died in one after 3 years, so I have to redo my settings every time I change the battery.",
"There are better cameras out there.",
"I wish I'd gotten something else."
] |
2 | yawwwwwwwwn.... | what can i say about this film?...i'm not quite sure.but i will say this:after all the hype of this movie...i was not impressed.i was bored and knew exactly where the story was going all the way through...although i liked the fact that there was no need for sexual display and they had their own chemistry blend going, nonetheless, it was all in all quite ridiculous.(we all have that in people we come across though -whether it being strangers or not and this was not an extraordinary event of happenings.ohhhhh, but since coppola wrote it and produced it...but of course it MUST be original (???)--miss coppola, even the 'little people' make these moments happen in a much more exciting and fun way than your little 'lost' movie did. (without sex too).yawwwwwn. miss coppola's love letter to japan? how demeaning for the japanese!want to rent something grand? go for 'son of the bride' (in spanish with english subtitles)...now that's a moving story worth tuning into. you'll feel each character. | 998 | [
"what can i say about this film?",
"...i'm not quite sure.but i will say this:after all the hype of this movie...i was not impressed.i was bored and knew exactly where the story was going all the way through...although i liked the fact that there was no need for sexual display and they had their own chemistry blend going, nonetheless, it was all in all quite ridiculous.(we all have that in people we come across though -whether it being strangers or not and this was not an extraordinary event of happenings.ohhhhh, but since coppola wrote it and produced it...but of course it MUST be original (???",
")--miss coppola, even the 'little people' make these moments happen in a much more exciting and fun way than your little 'lost' movie did.",
"(without sex too).yawwwwwn.",
"miss coppola's love letter to japan?",
"how demeaning for the japanese!",
"want to rent something grand?",
"go for 'son of the bride' (in spanish with english subtitles)...now that's a moving story worth tuning into.",
"you'll feel each character."
] |
2 | Not a fan | There's loads of reviews on this book so I won't duplicate explanations. However, I must say I fell into the category of those readers that just didn't care for this book. Yes, it has a quiet, gentle, reflective theme, but I admit to being just plain bored stiff.Sometimes after I've started a book that I just can't get into, I come to Amazon and read the reviews of others to see if I'm just totally off base. Then, I restart the book with a different attitude and try to envision what it was that others saw. For me, I never could capture the feelings of those readers who gave "Gilead" a 5 star rating. There were pages and pages that I read and reread time and again just trying to get something out of it. I didn't really become interested in this book at all until about page 220 when Jack Boughton reveals his reasons for returning home.This is not to diminish other reviews as we all certainly get something different out of the books we read. For me, however, it was just a waste of time. | 998 | [
"There's loads of reviews on this book so I won't duplicate explanations.",
"However, I must say I fell into the category of those readers that just didn't care for this book.",
"Yes, it has a quiet, gentle, reflective theme, but I admit to being just plain bored stiff.Sometimes after I've started a book that I just can't get into, I come to Amazon and read the reviews of others to see if I'm just totally off base.",
"Then, I restart the book with a different attitude and try to envision what it was that others saw.",
"For me, I never could capture the feelings of those readers who gave \"Gilead\" a 5 star rating.",
"There were pages and pages that I read and reread time and again just trying to get something out of it.",
"I didn't really become interested in this book at all until about page 220 when Jack Boughton reveals his reasons for returning home.This is not to diminish other reviews as we all certainly get something different out of the books we read.",
"For me, however, it was just a waste of time."
] |
2 | Not quite there | I purchased the product for my Mother-in-law, hoping she could carry a pre-loaded collection of pictures with her.Unfortunately, it wasn't that easy. Installation of the software was difficult. Once this was resolved it was an easy task to select and upload the photos - unfortunately I discovered that the upload software "automatically" crops the photos, and "what you see" is not "what you get" when you select pictures. Each picture had to be manually cropped using the software.Once the photos had been selected and manually cropped, the keychain worked, although the battery did not appear to hold a charge very well, and there is no "auto off" feature. There is an "Auto on/off" feature which allows you to turn the device on at a specific time and off at a specific time. Otherwise, if you turn it on and forget to turn it off, you run out the battery.Overall, it's ok if you don't mind spending time with it to get it to work, but don't plan on getting it for someone else.I returned mine. | 998 | [
"I purchased the product for my Mother-in-law, hoping she could carry a pre-loaded collection of pictures with her.Unfortunately, it wasn't that easy.",
"Installation of the software was difficult.",
"Once this was resolved it was an easy task to select and upload the photos - unfortunately I discovered that the upload software \"automatically\" crops the photos, and \"what you see\" is not \"what you get\" when you select pictures.",
"Each picture had to be manually cropped using the software.Once the photos had been selected and manually cropped, the keychain worked, although the battery did not appear to hold a charge very well, and there is no \"auto off\" feature.",
"There is an \"Auto on/off\" feature which allows you to turn the device on at a specific time and off at a specific time.",
"Otherwise, if you turn it on and forget to turn it off, you run out the battery.Overall, it's ok if you don't mind spending time with it to get it to work, but don't plan on getting it for someone else.I returned mine."
] |
2 | Block head | I know many people consider this an inspirational movie. I remember seeing a group of students at school discussing just how great this movie was, how inspiring, how positive. After viewing the movie myself, and trying my best to be upbeat about it too, I never felt this way about the movie. In fact, I thought it was stinko. Seldom could I understand just what rocky was saying, since he seemed to be talking with a mouth full of ham sandwich all the time.What is the basis of this story? A guy, severely outclassed in ability and experience goes up against an impossible foe. It is an old plot of amature vs pro and the amature winning. So what. There are so many movies that use this plot - outnumbered, outclassed, outeverything vs what appears to be an unbeatable foe. Many of these movies do carry this through and show how the beaten down can sometimes come back and win it all. These are the ones to see, not rocky.I do not recommend this movie to anyone seeking an inspirational movie.Joe | 998 | [
"I know many people consider this an inspirational movie.",
"I remember seeing a group of students at school discussing just how great this movie was, how inspiring, how positive.",
"After viewing the movie myself, and trying my best to be upbeat about it too, I never felt this way about the movie.",
"In fact, I thought it was stinko.",
"Seldom could I understand just what rocky was saying, since he seemed to be talking with a mouth full of ham sandwich all the time.What is the basis of this story?",
"A guy, severely outclassed in ability and experience goes up against an impossible foe.",
"It is an old plot of amature vs pro and the amature winning.",
"So what.",
"There are so many movies that use this plot - outnumbered, outclassed, outeverything vs what appears to be an unbeatable foe.",
"Many of these movies do carry this through and show how the beaten down can sometimes come back and win it all.",
"These are the ones to see, not rocky.I do not recommend this movie to anyone seeking an inspirational movie.Joe"
] |
2 | not impressed | Tricky's last album blowback definately wasnt his greatest, but it was definately one of his most eclectic. He used so many influences, from the Red hot Chili Peppers, to the singer from Live, and mixed it all together for unfortunately half baked results. But this album is almost like a return to his roots, using only one vocalist throughout the whole album- but the album sounds very repetitive. EVeryones asking for another maxinquaye and he still's not givin it to us. But im sure its hard to repeat that. The beats on this album sound very repetitive and doesnt even really sound too much like an album where the beats are supposed to be everything. Its just like background beats- nothing special. His beats are supposed to make up for his voice which he can't do much with. If youre an avid fan, buy it, because you all are probably the only ones that are actually buying the album. I dont htink this album even charted. (besides the electronica chart) but it is a definate disappointemnt. | 998 | [
"Tricky's last album blowback definately wasnt his greatest, but it was definately one of his most eclectic.",
"He used so many influences, from the Red hot Chili Peppers, to the singer from Live, and mixed it all together for unfortunately half baked results.",
"But this album is almost like a return to his roots, using only one vocalist throughout the whole album- but the album sounds very repetitive.",
"EVeryones asking for another maxinquaye and he still's not givin it to us.",
"But im sure its hard to repeat that.",
"The beats on this album sound very repetitive and doesnt even really sound too much like an album where the beats are supposed to be everything.",
"Its just like background beats- nothing special.",
"His beats are supposed to make up for his voice which he can't do much with.",
"If youre an avid fan, buy it, because you all are probably the only ones that are actually buying the album.",
"I dont htink this album even charted.",
"(besides the electronica chart) but it is a definate disappointemnt."
] |
2 | Tumbling tower. | To quote Shakespeare "What a falling-off was there!"Kings Dark Tower, described as a magnum opus, in my opinion has quickly devolved into a peashooter of puss.The series whose first 5 books held great promise and kept building up to a what I hoped was a literary climax in book 7.Only to have it fall ever so short. The characters which were so well crafted and defined are almost treated as tired loose ends which must be dealt with. King still retains his style of writing throughout book seven, but his handling of plot seems to have been stinted. I had some reserve when King wrote himself into the series and fear that it was well founded.The focus on the series is Rolands quest for the tower, a journey which many readers expected him to have a final confrontaion with his enemies, yet the ones we are treated to I found lacking. What should have been Kings masterpiece tying into the connecting threads of tower related books to form the tapestry of the series, ends up frayed and tattered. | 998 | [
"To quote Shakespeare \"What a falling-off was there!",
"\"Kings Dark Tower, described as a magnum opus, in my opinion has quickly devolved into a peashooter of puss.The series whose first 5 books held great promise and kept building up to a what I hoped was a literary climax in book 7.Only to have it fall ever so short.",
"The characters which were so well crafted and defined are almost treated as tired loose ends which must be dealt with.",
"King still retains his style of writing throughout book seven, but his handling of plot seems to have been stinted.",
"I had some reserve when King wrote himself into the series and fear that it was well founded.The focus on the series is Rolands quest for the tower, a journey which many readers expected him to have a final confrontaion with his enemies, yet the ones we are treated to I found lacking.",
"What should have been Kings masterpiece tying into the connecting threads of tower related books to form the tapestry of the series, ends up frayed and tattered."
] |
2 | Barely works | If all you want are two Internet connections then this will work fine, even in "load balancing" mode where both connections are used at the same time, or dedicated mode, when one connection is not used unless the first one fails. However, if you need to use any protocol binding (assigning a computer or a program or a protocol like SMTP to go out one specific connection), it simply doesn't work. Research it on the Netgear forums. It's mind boggling how this product got in the market place as Netgear's "ProSafe" line.Furthermore, as another user has already reported, as of mid-2009, if MSN Messenger or Windows Live Messenger try to connect to the internet, this router locks up (that was GREAT fun to figure out...especially since I don't use either program). I won't say this experience has ruined my Netgear impression, but it's definitely a blemish because this product has been abandoned after a very short life span. Last firmware is 1.1.48 and it doesn't fix the protocol binding issue. | 998 | [
"If all you want are two Internet connections then this will work fine, even in \"load balancing\" mode where both connections are used at the same time, or dedicated mode, when one connection is not used unless the first one fails.",
"However, if you need to use any protocol binding (assigning a computer or a program or a protocol like SMTP to go out one specific connection), it simply doesn't work.",
"Research it on the Netgear forums.",
"It's mind boggling how this product got in the market place as Netgear's \"ProSafe\" line.Furthermore, as another user has already reported, as of mid-2009, if MSN Messenger or Windows Live Messenger try to connect to the internet, this router locks up (that was GREAT fun to figure out...especially since I don't use either program).",
"I won't say this experience has ruined my Netgear impression, but it's definitely a blemish because this product has been abandoned after a very short life span.",
"Last firmware is 1.1.48 and it doesn't fix the protocol binding issue."
] |
2 | Mop from Hell | I must say, I'm completely befuddled by the rave reviews. The mop performed reasonably well on my tile floor, but when I tried it on my laminate floor, it morphed into The Mop From Hell. The PVC rubber created such a friction with the laminate, it literally forced all my stomach muscles to clench just trying to get it to budge an inch! And once I got enough momentum to grind it against the surface, after a couple strokes, the head dried up and I had to start the torturous ordeal anew. Additionally, the lever to wring the mop head - while it is effective - is situated really low down to the floor. So either you have to mop with a strange neanderthal crouch, or you have to constantly joist the mop up to reach the wringer. And lastly, the scrub-ability ain't that great either. Works fine on regular blotches, but the rubber is so dense, any force you use just gets absorbed instead of directed at the stain. Yup - the immense physical strain certainly warrants it being the mop from hell... | 998 | [
"I must say, I'm completely befuddled by the rave reviews.",
"The mop performed reasonably well on my tile floor, but when I tried it on my laminate floor, it morphed into The Mop From Hell.",
"The PVC rubber created such a friction with the laminate, it literally forced all my stomach muscles to clench just trying to get it to budge an inch!",
"And once I got enough momentum to grind it against the surface, after a couple strokes, the head dried up and I had to start the torturous ordeal anew.",
"Additionally, the lever to wring the mop head - while it is effective - is situated really low down to the floor.",
"So either you have to mop with a strange neanderthal crouch, or you have to constantly joist the mop up to reach the wringer.",
"And lastly, the scrub-ability ain't that great either.",
"Works fine on regular blotches, but the rubber is so dense, any force you use just gets absorbed instead of directed at the stain.",
"Yup - the immense physical strain certainly warrants it being the mop from hell..."
] |
2 | I Cried! | I have been a big Faith's and really still am. As much as I like her as a person I really didn't care for this cd. I became a fan of hers first because of the music she made. It was country music than turned me onto her music. On her cd's she had some uptempo and slower songs. This new cd is mostly slower tempo songs. The song 'Cry' is one of the faster songs on the cd. And the song in my opinion sounded too similar to 'There You'll Be'. Is that a fast song? The only uptempo song on this cd is the first one on the cd - 'Free'. And in my opinion it's not even a good song. I am sure by now most of you have heard 'When the Lights Go Down'. You basically get a cd of a bunch of songs that sound like 'When the Lights Go Down'. My favorites on the cd are 'Cry' and 'Beautiful' after that it is a very mediocre cd in my opinion. And for what used to be an automatic purchase (buying a Faith Hill cd) I will have to listen with caution in the future. If you like gospel music you may like this cd. | 998 | [
"I have been a big Faith's and really still am.",
"As much as I like her as a person I really didn't care for this cd.",
"I became a fan of hers first because of the music she made.",
"It was country music than turned me onto her music.",
"On her cd's she had some uptempo and slower songs.",
"This new cd is mostly slower tempo songs.",
"The song 'Cry' is one of the faster songs on the cd.",
"And the song in my opinion sounded too similar to 'There You'll Be'.",
"Is that a fast song?",
"The only uptempo song on this cd is the first one on the cd - 'Free'.",
"And in my opinion it's not even a good song.",
"I am sure by now most of you have heard 'When the Lights Go Down'.",
"You basically get a cd of a bunch of songs that sound like 'When the Lights Go Down'.",
"My favorites on the cd are 'Cry' and 'Beautiful' after that it is a very mediocre cd in my opinion.",
"And for what used to be an automatic purchase (buying a Faith Hill cd) I will have to listen with caution in the future.",
"If you like gospel music you may like this cd."
] |
2 | Sad | I have never owned one of these computers, but In school we were assigned a research project to find information on the internet. Our teacher allowed us to use some new Ibooks that our school had just purchased. Everyone was so excited because these computers are so cool looking and everyone thought they were fast. We started our project and quickly realized that these were the slowest computers anyone of us had ever used. We were using wireless internet which may have contributed to the computer's slowness, but still it was pathetic. There were maybe 10 people using these computers and about 2/3 of us abandoned the Ibooks to go use the Imacs that our school got in 1998. It also could have been that (even with nortan anit-virus) these computers are very vulnerable to viruses. I'm not sure about how these computers perform in things other than the internet, but if you are planning to buy one of these Ibooks mainly for use on the internet, I would definitly not recommend this computer. | 998 | [
"I have never owned one of these computers, but In school we were assigned a research project to find information on the internet.",
"Our teacher allowed us to use some new Ibooks that our school had just purchased.",
"Everyone was so excited because these computers are so cool looking and everyone thought they were fast.",
"We started our project and quickly realized that these were the slowest computers anyone of us had ever used.",
"We were using wireless internet which may have contributed to the computer's slowness, but still it was pathetic.",
"There were maybe 10 people using these computers and about 2/3 of us abandoned the Ibooks to go use the Imacs that our school got in 1998.",
"It also could have been that (even with nortan anit-virus) these computers are very vulnerable to viruses.",
"I'm not sure about how these computers perform in things other than the internet, but if you are planning to buy one of these Ibooks mainly for use on the internet, I would definitly not recommend this computer."
] |
2 | Zzzzzzzzzzz | What a bore! The story is about a dying football coach and the deathwatch that ensues. The coach was not a likable character - so the reader really didn't care one way or another if he died. In fact - I was hoping he would hurry up and die so that maybe the story would pick -up. It never picked up. Just alot of boring dialog between a bunch of ex football players. As for the main character, Neely Crenshaw - he was a loser. He never made it as a football star because of an injury in college but The author just seemed to make him a pity party. Poor Neely Crenshaw. Coulda, Woulda, Shoulda. Even his ex girlfriend (whom we were led to believe by the dj that there would be a reunion or something happily ever after) had no use for him. There really wasn't one likable character in this story. There was no plot, no action - really no point. The most ridiculous part of the story was when an ex-football player turned Prisoner was allowed to attend the funeral. Don't waste your time on this one. | 998 | [
"What a bore!",
"The story is about a dying football coach and the deathwatch that ensues.",
"The coach was not a likable character - so the reader really didn't care one way or another if he died.",
"In fact - I was hoping he would hurry up and die so that maybe the story would pick -up.",
"It never picked up.",
"Just alot of boring dialog between a bunch of ex football players.",
"As for the main character, Neely Crenshaw - he was a loser.",
"He never made it as a football star because of an injury in college but The author just seemed to make him a pity party.",
"Poor Neely Crenshaw.",
"Coulda, Woulda, Shoulda.",
"Even his ex girlfriend (whom we were led to believe by the dj that there would be a reunion or something happily ever after) had no use for him.",
"There really wasn't one likable character in this story.",
"There was no plot, no action - really no point.",
"The most ridiculous part of the story was when an ex-football player turned Prisoner was allowed to attend the funeral.",
"Don't waste your time on this one."
] |
2 | Juslisen? Nah | Well, I don't want to knock Musiq's second effort entirely cause the single, Half Crazy is what made me listen to it. I like the music on that song, not particularly the vocal, but the single did its job to get me to listen.I like the Beatles cover song on the album and a few others, but overall it is the lack of vocal range and ability as well as the weakness in the lyrics that disinterest me most about this album in the end. Musiq sampled a beat that The Notorious B.I.G. used years ago and there was no point resurrecting it to ruin it. I tried to give the album three stars, but I'd give this album only 2 stars and that credit is for about 4 good songs out of 76 minutes of music.In the future, some help with the writing of the lyrics and Musiq maturing in his vocal ability could make a better third album for him, I recommend buying the single, but save your money and watch out for this one. Listen to the audio clips on this site to be sure you want to try it, otherwise play it safe. | 998 | [
"Well, I don't want to knock Musiq's second effort entirely cause the single, Half Crazy is what made me listen to it.",
"I like the music on that song, not particularly the vocal, but the single did its job to get me to listen.I like the Beatles cover song on the album and a few others, but overall it is the lack of vocal range and ability as well as the weakness in the lyrics that disinterest me most about this album in the end.",
"Musiq sampled a beat that The Notorious B.I.G. used years ago and there was no point resurrecting it to ruin it.",
"I tried to give the album three stars, but I'd give this album only 2 stars and that credit is for about 4 good songs out of 76 minutes of music.In the future, some help with the writing of the lyrics and Musiq maturing in his vocal ability could make a better third album for him, I recommend buying the single, but save your money and watch out for this one.",
"Listen to the audio clips on this site to be sure you want to try it, otherwise play it safe."
] |
2 | Sophmore Jinx | Unlike a lot of you Johnny Come Lately's who feel hip hop started with Snoop Dog (this could be the only reason I'd see someone giving this a 5 stars)I'm a hip hop vet and let me say this; when your garbage it always comes to surface.Puff knows he's not about s*** when it come to rapping but what with this attitude now? Come on! I mean this guy is rapping with the attitude like he's Ra, Slick Rick or KRS. What makes this project so bad is that he's still relying on samples to carry him. Yes, yes, yes, we know everyone samples but there's a big difference when say a DJ Premier samples something and crafts it into a work of art as opposed to Puffy being Mr Jackin for Beats.Now, Puffy lovers out there I'll ask a question like I said with his first realease. BTW this is what I hate about hip hop now but heres the question, if this album had no guest appearances on it, would it still be able to hold anything? Would you buy a Puffy joint with him on it?I think not. BTW the album is boring! | 998 | [
"Unlike a lot of you Johnny Come Lately's who feel hip hop started with Snoop Dog (this could be the only reason I'd see someone giving this a 5 stars)I'm a hip hop vet and let me say this; when your garbage it always comes to surface.Puff knows he's not about s*** when it come to rapping but what with this attitude now?",
"Come on!",
"I mean this guy is rapping with the attitude like he's Ra, Slick Rick or KRS.",
"What makes this project so bad is that he's still relying on samples to carry him.",
"Yes, yes, yes, we know everyone samples but there's a big difference when say a DJ Premier samples something and crafts it into a work of art as opposed to Puffy being Mr Jackin for Beats.Now, Puffy lovers out there I'll ask a question like I said with his first realease.",
"BTW this is what I hate about hip hop now but heres the question, if this album had no guest appearances on it, would it still be able to hold anything?",
"Would you buy a Puffy joint with him on it?",
"I think not.",
"BTW the album is boring!"
] |
2 | Bleh | I had such hope for this two-book novel, if for nothing else than the delicious cover art. Unfortunately, it fell short of the mark. The cover art was pretty much the best thing. Now, I *know* the story was about characters from the Mirror Universe, most of whom we hadn't ever met before, aside from Intendant Kira and Regent Worf, but I still could not get my head around the characters as written. This is not necessarily Susan Wright's fault. She is limited, like all the pro-novelists are, by canon. Some things just *cannot happen,* even in the Mirror Universe.But still, the thing that disappointed me the most (and I guess this *is* Susan Wright's fault), the novel ultimately turned out NOT to be about "the strong women of the Mirror Universe," but was instead a thinly veiled story about Our Girl Not A Borg In This Universe But Still A Mighty Well-Stacked Terran Raised By Cardassians Member Of The Obsidian Order Seven-of-Nine. Sigh...even in the Mirror Universe, she gets top billing. | 998 | [
"I had such hope for this two-book novel, if for nothing else than the delicious cover art.",
"Unfortunately, it fell short of the mark.",
"The cover art was pretty much the best thing.",
"Now, I *know* the story was about characters from the Mirror Universe, most of whom we hadn't ever met before, aside from Intendant Kira and Regent Worf, but I still could not get my head around the characters as written.",
"This is not necessarily Susan Wright's fault.",
"She is limited, like all the pro-novelists are, by canon.",
"Some things just *cannot happen,* even in the Mirror Universe.But still, the thing that disappointed me the most (and I guess this *is* Susan Wright's fault), the novel ultimately turned out NOT to be about \"the strong women of the Mirror Universe,\" but was instead a thinly veiled story about Our Girl Not A Borg In This Universe But Still A Mighty Well-Stacked Terran Raised By Cardassians Member Of The Obsidian Order Seven-of-Nine.",
"Sigh...even in the Mirror Universe, she gets top billing."
] |
2 | Bad! | Will Smith has been a multi-talented artist for quite some time now. A positive role model for young folk who has also made many good decisions (and much money) along the way. But I'll stay away from this album if I were you - unless you're under 14 years of age, are into quick-buck pop music, or need a revenge gift for a lousy ex.It pains to say, but this body of "work", a shameless attempt to cash in on the millennium craze, really sucks. It's adding cheesy rhymes to unimaginative sampling, the combination of which has often given real hip-hop an undeserved bad rap (pardon the pun), and taking it to a newer, lower level. I like the Fresh Prince, but this, my friends ain't no "Summertime".I bought this CD, played it in my car and asked for my money back within 30 minutes. The Manager, in spite of the store's no-return policy, took one look at the title, took pity on me and authorized the refund.Michael Jackson once asked the question, "Who's Bad?" My final answer? - Look no further. | 998 | [
"Will Smith has been a multi-talented artist for quite some time now.",
"A positive role model for young folk who has also made many good decisions (and much money) along the way.",
"But I'll stay away from this album if I were you - unless you're under 14 years of age, are into quick-buck pop music, or need a revenge gift for a lousy ex.It pains to say, but this body of \"work\", a shameless attempt to cash in on the millennium craze, really sucks.",
"It's adding cheesy rhymes to unimaginative sampling, the combination of which has often given real hip-hop an undeserved bad rap (pardon the pun), and taking it to a newer, lower level.",
"I like the Fresh Prince, but this, my friends ain't no \"Summertime\".I bought this CD, played it in my car and asked for my money back within 30 minutes.",
"The Manager, in spite of the store's no-return policy, took one look at the title, took pity on me and authorized the refund.Michael Jackson once asked the question, \"Who's Bad?",
"\" My final answer?",
"- Look no further."
] |
2 | Good headset | I order these for my wife. She wanted a headset for skype and some online courses.Easy to install, sound is loud and clear, excelent for chat and also it is confortable (at least for 1 or 2 hours sessions).The only drawback goes for the drivers configuration. I order the USB version, so it has a sound card in it, which means I had to change between my computer sound card and the headset sound card every time I change from the headset to the speakers.UPDATED August, 13th)Just to add some comments, its being almost 5 months since I bought it, as mentioned before, my wife is the one who uses it, mainly for online courses.The right earphone just stopped working this weekend. I checked the cable looking for some cut but nothing wrong, just notice that sometimes when pushing mute and another button togheter on the headset make the right side to work.So the piece is already malfunctional and probably will be dead in a few months. I'm decreasing 2 stars because this phone didn't last a year. | 998 | [
"I order these for my wife.",
"She wanted a headset for skype and some online courses.Easy to install, sound is loud and clear, excelent for chat and also it is confortable (at least for 1 or 2 hours sessions).The only drawback goes for the drivers configuration.",
"I order the USB version, so it has a sound card in it, which means I had to change between my computer sound card and the headset sound card every time I change from the headset to the speakers.UPDATED August, 13th)Just to add some comments, its being almost 5 months since I bought it, as mentioned before, my wife is the one who uses it, mainly for online courses.The right earphone just stopped working this weekend.",
"I checked the cable looking for some cut but nothing wrong, just notice that sometimes when pushing mute and another button togheter on the headset make the right side to work.So the piece is already malfunctional and probably will be dead in a few months.",
"I'm decreasing 2 stars because this phone didn't last a year."
] |
2 | Didn't work | Make sure you buy this at a retailer that allows returns if it doesn't work. I bought one last week after a presentation. It looked and worked great at the presentation. I bought it because I had an immediate weekend-long project where I needed correct color. When I set up my new Eye-one/Display 2, all I could get was a "fail" on the emissions test, over and over - and never did get to testing my Mac LCD monitor. No response from the Eye-one "support" to my e-mails.I brought the gadget back to the store that then told me I had moved it during the test or the screen had gone black - and that was the only reason it failed. Neither of those were true. ...However, I did get a refund. So, beware. I'd like to give it a 4 or 5 on the basis of what I saw the demo do, but for how the one I bought worked, I'd give it a zero. Had the "support" even bothered to respond, I would have tried to work with them rather than doing a return since I really did want it to work. Average the scores for a 2. | 998 | [
"Make sure you buy this at a retailer that allows returns if it doesn't work.",
"I bought one last week after a presentation.",
"It looked and worked great at the presentation.",
"I bought it because I had an immediate weekend-long project where I needed correct color.",
"When I set up my new Eye-one/Display 2, all I could get was a \"fail\" on the emissions test, over and over - and never did get to testing my Mac LCD monitor.",
"No response from the Eye-one \"support\" to my e-mails.I brought the gadget back to the store that then told me I had moved it during the test or the screen had gone black - and that was the only reason it failed.",
"Neither of those were true.",
"...However, I did get a refund.",
"So, beware.",
"I'd like to give it a 4 or 5 on the basis of what I saw the demo do, but for how the one I bought worked, I'd give it a zero.",
"Had the \"support\" even bothered to respond, I would have tried to work with them rather than doing a return since I really did want it to work.",
"Average the scores for a 2."
] |
2 | Flawed Concept | I was intrigued by the concept of this watch with a rechargeable battery and time-signal radio receiver. The battery does indeed recharge fully with one hour's worth of direct, unimpeded sunlight. However, the automatic update by the Colorado-based radio time signal is problematic. Living on the east coast, it has not updated automatically even once since I purchased it, even though I dutifully put it next to a window (as suggested) before going to sleep. But this requirement brings up another poorly thought-out design: if the watch is over near the window at night, it's not a very convenient alarm clock (as I use it this way often as I travel.) And that, in turn, brings up yet another poor feature: the alarm only sounds for 10 seconds. If it was a short night's sleep, 10 seconds isn't enough to get my attention and I now must set (any carry) another alarm clock to insure that I arise promptly. Additionally, the watch is very heavy, and some of the buttons are very difficult to push. | 998 | [
"I was intrigued by the concept of this watch with a rechargeable battery and time-signal radio receiver.",
"The battery does indeed recharge fully with one hour's worth of direct, unimpeded sunlight.",
"However, the automatic update by the Colorado-based radio time signal is problematic.",
"Living on the east coast, it has not updated automatically even once since I purchased it, even though I dutifully put it next to a window (as suggested) before going to sleep.",
"But this requirement brings up another poorly thought-out design: if the watch is over near the window at night, it's not a very convenient alarm clock (as I use it this way often as I travel.) And that, in turn, brings up yet another poor feature: the alarm only sounds for 10 seconds.",
"If it was a short night's sleep, 10 seconds isn't enough to get my attention and I now must set (any carry) another alarm clock to insure that I arise promptly.",
"Additionally, the watch is very heavy, and some of the buttons are very difficult to push."
] |
2 | Coasting | From most authors, this would be an impressive book. From Hillerman, it is not. He's coasting with this one -- worth reading, but don't buy it. I checked mine out of the library.Yes, it has Jim Chee and Joe Leaphorn, and it's set on the reservation. But the precipitating conflict is between two non-Native American researchers on the reservation. Leaphorn gets hired by one of the researcher's parents to solve her disappearance. Glimpses of Navajo culture and thinking, and Hopi culture, are here. But they are only glimpses, of what was fully laid out in exquisite and compassionate detail in Hillerman's previous books.As other reviewers note, this appears to be a "rush" book. I finished it in less than 24 hours after I picked it up. The hardback edition is 278 pages long, _but_ there are 31 lines per page, instead of the typical 40+ lines per page most hardbacks have. If you've heard great things about Hillerman, they're true -- but NOT in this book. Please start with one of his others. | 998 | [
"From most authors, this would be an impressive book.",
"From Hillerman, it is not.",
"He's coasting with this one -- worth reading, but don't buy it.",
"I checked mine out of the library.Yes, it has Jim Chee and Joe Leaphorn, and it's set on the reservation.",
"But the precipitating conflict is between two non-Native American researchers on the reservation.",
"Leaphorn gets hired by one of the researcher's parents to solve her disappearance.",
"Glimpses of Navajo culture and thinking, and Hopi culture, are here.",
"But they are only glimpses, of what was fully laid out in exquisite and compassionate detail in Hillerman's previous books.As other reviewers note, this appears to be a \"rush\" book.",
"I finished it in less than 24 hours after I picked it up.",
"The hardback edition is 278 pages long, _but_ there are 31 lines per page, instead of the typical 40+ lines per page most hardbacks have.",
"If you've heard great things about Hillerman, they're true -- but NOT in this book.",
"Please start with one of his others."
] |
2 | Boooo. | Ugh! I'm just so disappointed with this movie and the performance of one of my favorite actors, Colin Firth. It was almost as if Colin didn't want the role, but HAD to take the role and throughout the movie seemed simply annoyed at having to do anything at all that resembling acting.Then you have the storyline, predictable and overdone. "You've seen the story of King Arthur, and then saw it retold, but here's the real real REAL story folks, the one that we reveal in all its glory!" BLAH! I think my disappointment turned into anger when I felt my intelligence being insulted by the revealing of "Escaliber" and nope, that's not a typo, "Escaliber." I suppose we've gotten it wrong all these many years.The only performance that kept me from slitting my wrists was that of Ben Kingsley and even that of Peter Mullan who's performance in Tristan and Isolde came through once more for this film.So, that's about it. Sorry, the movie drained me of all energy. It was just a blech moment prolonged! | 998 | [
"Ugh!",
"I'm just so disappointed with this movie and the performance of one of my favorite actors, Colin Firth.",
"It was almost as if Colin didn't want the role, but HAD to take the role and throughout the movie seemed simply annoyed at having to do anything at all that resembling acting.Then you have the storyline, predictable and overdone.",
"\"You've seen the story of King Arthur, and then saw it retold, but here's the real real REAL story folks, the one that we reveal in all its glory!",
"\" BLAH!",
"I think my disappointment turned into anger when I felt my intelligence being insulted by the revealing of \"Escaliber\" and nope, that's not a typo, \"Escaliber.\" I suppose we've gotten it wrong all these many years.The only performance that kept me from slitting my wrists was that of Ben Kingsley and even that of Peter Mullan who's performance in Tristan and Isolde came through once more for this film.So, that's about it.",
"Sorry, the movie drained me of all energy.",
"It was just a blech moment prolonged!"
] |
2 | Argos | Having studied with various Western Esoteric schools, I found David's book easy to work with and understand, it took me to a level where I finally understood some practical aspects that had previously eluded me. I was impressed enough to enroll with his group and take several of his courses over a few years.Whereas I found the experience useful, it was limited in that as with most magical authors/practitioners, the focus is on the technique, without an explanation as to why it may work.Without a clear understanding of how the multiverse/matrix works, we are still bonded to the old medieval idea of needing magic, and few magicians have gone past being stuck in their `system'.Books such as Tom Campbell's `Theory Of Everything' trilogy, Laura Knight's `Secret History', or the books on Gnosis by B Mouravieff have helped me towards a state of understanding that make the use of Magic seem a limiting factor rather than the empowering tool I once thought it may be.Worth reading, but move on. | 998 | [
"Having studied with various Western Esoteric schools, I found David's book easy to work with and understand, it took me to a level where I finally understood some practical aspects that had previously eluded me.",
"I was impressed enough to enroll with his group and take several of his courses over a few years.Whereas I found the experience useful, it was limited in that as with most magical authors/practitioners, the focus is on the technique, without an explanation as to why it may work.Without a clear understanding of how the multiverse/matrix works, we are still bonded to the old medieval idea of needing magic, and few magicians have gone past being stuck in their `system'.Books such as Tom Campbell's `Theory Of Everything' trilogy, Laura Knight's `Secret History', or the books on Gnosis by B Mouravieff have helped me towards a state of understanding that make the use of Magic seem a limiting factor rather than the empowering tool I once thought it may be.Worth reading, but move on."
] |
2 | Overkill | I read Death Trap, by Mr. Phelps and enjoyed it enough to buy another of his books. A nurse, possibly having killed as much as 40 patients is something that gets one's attention. It is something one is horrified about. And Mr. Phelps is justly horrified, but as an author is too horrified. He writes the book as for someone he does not trust to be as horrified as him. He treats us readers as sociopaths, as mentally challenged sociopaths. He hammers in the same key multiple times so we get it. He goes over excruciating dull details to make us believe that woman spent 24hours a day, seven days a week being evil. He paints her as close as a mustachioned person tying an innocent to train tracks as he can get away with,and in doing so he commits the worse fellony a writer can do, he is boring. The only reason I gave him 2 stars was because he has done his research.Next time I will stick with authors that can make a statement without either treating me like a 3 year old or boring me to death | 998 | [
"I read Death Trap, by Mr.",
"Phelps and enjoyed it enough to buy another of his books.",
"A nurse, possibly having killed as much as 40 patients is something that gets one's attention.",
"It is something one is horrified about.",
"And Mr.",
"Phelps is justly horrified, but as an author is too horrified.",
"He writes the book as for someone he does not trust to be as horrified as him.",
"He treats us readers as sociopaths, as mentally challenged sociopaths.",
"He hammers in the same key multiple times so we get it.",
"He goes over excruciating dull details to make us believe that woman spent 24hours a day, seven days a week being evil.",
"He paints her as close as a mustachioned person tying an innocent to train tracks as he can get away with,and in doing so he commits the worse fellony a writer can do, he is boring.",
"The only reason I gave him 2 stars was because he has done his research.Next time I will stick with authors that can make a statement without either treating me like a 3 year old or boring me to death"
] |
2 | Frustrating! | I've done quite a bit of procedural programming with perl, but have NO java experience and no OO programming. From the introduction it seems like I'm part of their target audience. If that's the case, they fail miserably.The first five chapters of this book were pretty clear, but I found chapter 6 confusing and frustrating. For example, on page 139 there is a class. Cool. I want to type in the class and see it work. But it doesn't work. Something about setLocationCells being passed and int, but expecting a String. Or is that a <String>? Is there a difference? I have no idea. I thought strings were declared with []. Next, they present a "Sharpen Your Pencil" exercise on page 146 - no answers. ARGH! Now I'm stuck, frustrated, overwhelmed, and lost.I found a lot of the puzzles/brain teasers at the ends of the chapters too difficult. The author's website is not at all helpful either - it would be great if they had a message board where people could post questions and help each other out. | 998 | [
"I've done quite a bit of procedural programming with perl, but have NO java experience and no OO programming.",
"From the introduction it seems like I'm part of their target audience.",
"If that's the case, they fail miserably.The first five chapters of this book were pretty clear, but I found chapter 6 confusing and frustrating.",
"For example, on page 139 there is a class.",
"Cool.",
"I want to type in the class and see it work.",
"But it doesn't work.",
"Something about setLocationCells being passed and int, but expecting a String.",
"Or is that a <String>?",
"Is there a difference?",
"I have no idea.",
"I thought strings were declared with [].",
"Next, they present a \"Sharpen Your Pencil\" exercise on page 146 - no answers.",
"ARGH!",
"Now I'm stuck, frustrated, overwhelmed, and lost.I found a lot of the puzzles/brain teasers at the ends of the chapters too difficult.",
"The author's website is not at all helpful either - it would be great if they had a message board where people could post questions and help each other out."
] |
2 | Inferior Layman | There's a reason why Layman didn't publish this book while he was alive. It comes across as a lot of ideas, many completely unrelated, awaiting the editing required to make them a cohesive novel. The whole thing starts out as a murder mystery concerning a teenage girl being terrorized by a cleaver wielding maniac who kills her boyfriend, then, half way through, this entire storyline is abandoned as we find ourselves mixed up with a police officer who may, or may not, be a vicious serial killer. The plot is fuelled by ridiculous contrivances and coincidences, and character behavior is unbelievable. Anybody familiar with Layman knows that his female characters will take all manner of insane risks in the pursuit of sex, but those in 'The Lake' go even one step further and frequently jeopardize the lives of all around them just for a quick shag with a good-looking stranger. Of course, the whole thing is compulsively readable, as Layman always is, but it's definitely a second rate effort. | 998 | [
"There's a reason why Layman didn't publish this book while he was alive.",
"It comes across as a lot of ideas, many completely unrelated, awaiting the editing required to make them a cohesive novel.",
"The whole thing starts out as a murder mystery concerning a teenage girl being terrorized by a cleaver wielding maniac who kills her boyfriend, then, half way through, this entire storyline is abandoned as we find ourselves mixed up with a police officer who may, or may not, be a vicious serial killer.",
"The plot is fuelled by ridiculous contrivances and coincidences, and character behavior is unbelievable.",
"Anybody familiar with Layman knows that his female characters will take all manner of insane risks in the pursuit of sex, but those in 'The Lake' go even one step further and frequently jeopardize the lives of all around them just for a quick shag with a good-looking stranger.",
"Of course, the whole thing is compulsively readable, as Layman always is, but it's definitely a second rate effort."
] |
2 | Monster Cable | I dont like monster cable,forgive me in saying if you just have avcr, or dvd connecting to your tv and go with monsters highestgrade cable thats ok.another thing with monster cables i dont like is, you push your monster cable on the back of your dvd player,and it is locked on you some times just about have to usechannel lock plyers to get them off.now monster might say that this is a locking cable nothing do it. but any ways if you havebought monster and dont like the locking on the cable,you can take a 30 carbine shell that has been fired (meaning no bullet)and spread the interconnects on both sides then you can get themcables off with out messing up your dvd.now someone was talkingabout (TRIBUTARIES CABLE) you can buy tributaries cheaper thanmonster,you buy stright from factory and it can be costly.find dealer that buys cable from tributaries and makes the cableany size you want.look on the auction sites.i also like (D H LABS) and you can buy the cable off them, and build yourself. | 998 | [
"I dont like monster cable,forgive me in saying if you just have avcr, or dvd connecting to your tv and go with monsters highestgrade cable thats ok.another thing with monster cables i dont like is, you push your monster cable on the back of your dvd player,and it is locked on you some times just about have to usechannel lock plyers to get them off.now monster might say that this is a locking cable nothing do it.",
"but any ways if you havebought monster and dont like the locking on the cable,you can take a 30 carbine shell that has been fired (meaning no bullet)and spread the interconnects on both sides then you can get themcables off with out messing up your dvd.now someone was talkingabout (TRIBUTARIES CABLE) you can buy tributaries cheaper thanmonster,you buy stright from factory and it can be costly.find dealer that buys cable from tributaries and makes the cableany size you want.look on the auction sites.i also like (D H LABS) and you can buy the cable off them, and build yourself."
] |
2 | Quite A Story | While it is no surprise that "the region" has it's shortcomings, the author clearly had an ax to grind. Much of this story revolves around high school drama that is not endemic to "the region." The drug stories are good and clearly authentic. However, the story is a tale of youthful indiscretions. Rather than accepting responsibility for his actions, the author chooses to blame the environment for his hardships. The title is misleading. While the author would like the reader to believe that all these bad things happen to him because of "the region" and the people who live there, much of his misfortune is brought on by his own propensity for gossip and drug abuse. While I'm happy that he has finally found peace and happiness in Seattle, this reviewer feels that the author should move on. Furthermore, I have never read a book with so many typos. It was almost if it was never proofread. I'm not sure if this was symbolic, but I found it to be quite annoying. All in all, it has potential. | 998 | [
"While it is no surprise that \"the region\" has it's shortcomings, the author clearly had an ax to grind.",
"Much of this story revolves around high school drama that is not endemic to \"the region.\" The drug stories are good and clearly authentic.",
"However, the story is a tale of youthful indiscretions.",
"Rather than accepting responsibility for his actions, the author chooses to blame the environment for his hardships.",
"The title is misleading.",
"While the author would like the reader to believe that all these bad things happen to him because of \"the region\" and the people who live there, much of his misfortune is brought on by his own propensity for gossip and drug abuse.",
"While I'm happy that he has finally found peace and happiness in Seattle, this reviewer feels that the author should move on.",
"Furthermore, I have never read a book with so many typos.",
"It was almost if it was never proofread.",
"I'm not sure if this was symbolic, but I found it to be quite annoying.",
"All in all, it has potential."
] |
2 | Boring | I read this book because a lot of people suggest that it will answer some profound question intrinsic to the human condition. I found it to be boring as hell. On top of that it is essentially worthless and chalk full of nonsense. Do yourself a favor and don't waste your time. I think some of the gospels are pretty decent. That's about it. The book of Mormon is every bit as worthless philosophically but at least it's interesting. I think the "Christians" should seriously consider revising this book. If creator of reality really wanted people know this stuff he should of "inspired" the writers to make it more entertaining and relatable not to mention believable. If you are considering buying this book, I recommend against it and suggest you buy Aesop's fables instead. It has the morals as well and is much more entertaining without all the pretense.I will give this book 2 stars because the gospels are a good read and the price is pretty reasonable for the about of book your are getting. | 998 | [
"I read this book because a lot of people suggest that it will answer some profound question intrinsic to the human condition.",
"I found it to be boring as hell.",
"On top of that it is essentially worthless and chalk full of nonsense.",
"Do yourself a favor and don't waste your time.",
"I think some of the gospels are pretty decent.",
"That's about it.",
"The book of Mormon is every bit as worthless philosophically but at least it's interesting.",
"I think the \"Christians\" should seriously consider revising this book.",
"If creator of reality really wanted people know this stuff he should of \"inspired\" the writers to make it more entertaining and relatable not to mention believable.",
"If you are considering buying this book, I recommend against it and suggest you buy Aesop's fables instead.",
"It has the morals as well and is much more entertaining without all the pretense.I will give this book 2 stars because the gospels are a good read and the price is pretty reasonable for the about of book your are getting."
] |
2 | Over hyped | JK Rowlings is a very good writer and I must say that I've enjoyed the first 4 books of the Harry POtter series. After reading book 4, I couldn't wait to read book 5. However, I finished reading it yesterday and I didn't enjoy it that much. The series has become formulaic and rather predictable. The adults act too stupid for words ,even Dumbledore whose explanations for his actions are so weak and full of holes...Too many flaws in the book and I was often bored reading the book.I even remember the first 4 books better than this one.At least the death scene wasn't grisly but at this point in the book I found most of the characters irritating and I wasn't sorry to see the person die. The annoying thing though is all the hype made in the media about JK Rowkings crying after she killed off this character.The book wasn't that bad, I'm just irritated about all the efforts made(JK Rowlings claims its to protect the children. YEAH RIGHT) to keep this sub standard plot secret.DISSAPOINTING!!! | 998 | [
"JK Rowlings is a very good writer and I must say that I've enjoyed the first 4 books of the Harry POtter series.",
"After reading book 4, I couldn't wait to read book 5.",
"However, I finished reading it yesterday and I didn't enjoy it that much.",
"The series has become formulaic and rather predictable.",
"The adults act too stupid for words ,even Dumbledore whose explanations for his actions are so weak and full of holes...Too many flaws in the book and I was often bored reading the book.I even remember the first 4 books better than this one.At least the death scene wasn't grisly but at this point in the book I found most of the characters irritating and I wasn't sorry to see the person die.",
"The annoying thing though is all the hype made in the media about JK Rowkings crying after she killed off this character.The book wasn't that bad, I'm just irritated about all the efforts made(JK Rowlings claims its to protect the children.",
"YEAH RIGHT) to keep this sub standard plot secret.DISSAPOINTING!!!"
] |
2 | 2 faulty units | I have always been a satisfied customer for Netgear products so I proceeded to order these switches when I needed POE for a VOIP upgrade we were doing in our network. Unfortunately, we appear to have received 2 faulty units. First unit had ports 1-12 die within 24 hours. They worked at first. We subsequently had a few other ports go inoperative over the next few days in the 13-17 range. Not sure what was going on.We then installed Switch #2 to replace it. It ran for a weekend and then found that some ports would not allow a booted PC to acquire an IP address with DHCP. We power cycled the switch and it NEVER rebooted properly. The power LED was on but no other indicators of proper activity.We have tried other power sources (we were in a UPS) but the switches still do not function.It's worth noting at this point that a replacement 48 port switch and two additional 24 port switches are functioning as expected in the same environment so that still seems to point to defective switches.DL | 998 | [
"I have always been a satisfied customer for Netgear products so I proceeded to order these switches when I needed POE for a VOIP upgrade we were doing in our network.",
"Unfortunately, we appear to have received 2 faulty units.",
"First unit had ports 1-12 die within 24 hours.",
"They worked at first.",
"We subsequently had a few other ports go inoperative over the next few days in the 13-17 range.",
"Not sure what was going on.We then installed Switch #2 to replace it.",
"It ran for a weekend and then found that some ports would not allow a booted PC to acquire an IP address with DHCP.",
"We power cycled the switch and it NEVER rebooted properly.",
"The power LED was on but no other indicators of proper activity.We have tried other power sources (we were in a UPS) but the switches still do not function.It's worth noting at this point that a replacement 48 port switch and two additional 24 port switches are functioning as expected in the same environment so that still seems to point to defective switches.DL"
] |
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