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2 | Not enough oomph | You'd figure that Microsoft products, though not always greater than the competition's, would at least be on par.Hardily the case with S&T 2002.From reviews here, it's not a good product for camping and traveling. Well, it's not good for the city either. I live in a major metropolitan area. There's a major freeway in my city that's been here for 3 years, and still, it doesn't show up on the map.The big problem I have with this product is the lack of updating information. MS has the ability to check freeway condition and improvements. But instead of that feature, why not update finished freeways, new streets and past closuresI give it some credit. The mapping of several addresses at once was very on key. However, without the correct addresses, often times I've gone the wrong way for over 30 minutes. Planning a route is pretty easy, and it's nice to be able to save the routes seperately from within the program. But I'll have to take my chances with Rand McNally's this year. | 986 | [
"You'd figure that Microsoft products, though not always greater than the competition's, would at least be on par.Hardily the case with S&T 2002.From reviews here, it's not a good product for camping and traveling.",
"Well, it's not good for the city either.",
"I live in a major metropolitan area.",
"There's a major freeway in my city that's been here for 3 years, and still, it doesn't show up on the map.The big problem I have with this product is the lack of updating information.",
"MS has the ability to check freeway condition and improvements.",
"But instead of that feature, why not update finished freeways, new streets and past closuresI give it some credit.",
"The mapping of several addresses at once was very on key.",
"However, without the correct addresses, often times I've gone the wrong way for over 30 minutes.",
"Planning a route is pretty easy, and it's nice to be able to save the routes seperately from within the program.",
"But I'll have to take my chances with Rand McNally's this year."
] |
2 | LET THE AUTHOR TALK... | I've never been so aware of an author before. Usually, even in a biography, you can kind of lose yourself in the story. Not here. Apparently the writer is getting paid by the word, and the longer the better. Turn to any page and there are examples like: "Sniffing glue and being sick had replaced rural weekends, tower blocks were suddenly more romantic than a bluebell wood, and anger and amphetamine seemed infinitely preferable to drifting away on a dope-fuelled reverie" (Honestly, I didn't even look for this. I opened the book for an example and it is the first thing I saw!) It is a very annoying read that also concentrates too much on live performances and interviews in the press. I guess I'm still looking for a book about Elvis that concentrates on the SONGS - a book that is much more browsable than this one. Some decent anecdotal song information is here, but you have to suffer through so much garbage to get it that you should save the money and form your own opinions. | 986 | [
"I've never been so aware of an author before.",
"Usually, even in a biography, you can kind of lose yourself in the story.",
"Not here.",
"Apparently the writer is getting paid by the word, and the longer the better.",
"Turn to any page and there are examples like: \"Sniffing glue and being sick had replaced rural weekends, tower blocks were suddenly more romantic than a bluebell wood, and anger and amphetamine seemed infinitely preferable to drifting away on a dope-fuelled reverie\" (Honestly, I didn't even look for this.",
"I opened the book for an example and it is the first thing I saw!",
") It is a very annoying read that also concentrates too much on live performances and interviews in the press.",
"I guess I'm still looking for a book about Elvis that concentrates on the SONGS - a book that is much more browsable than this one.",
"Some decent anecdotal song information is here, but you have to suffer through so much garbage to get it that you should save the money and form your own opinions."
] |
2 | Excels at Mediocrity | This is neither a satisfactory product nor a helpful organization. The company is a study in mediocrity. Their website, although newly redone, ultimately isn't helpful at describing products or distingushing between products, their salespeople hardly know their product, their technical support are unhelpful novices. The better news is that the product somewhat works. On clean print, the product did scan well. Practice helps but you still need to concentrate on a perfect swipe. I was suprised that it scanned very small print and even worked with fast swipes. Ultimately between the futzing around with trying to get a perfect swipe, incomplete dictionaries, frequent pen reboots, I decided to return the product. In its present state, this pen is only good for a narrow group of uses. I am hopeful that a future generation of product will scan with less effort and have a complete dictionary. Bluetooth instead of IR would be very desireable. Hopefully they will get staff 2.0 too. | 986 | [
"This is neither a satisfactory product nor a helpful organization.",
"The company is a study in mediocrity.",
"Their website, although newly redone, ultimately isn't helpful at describing products or distingushing between products, their salespeople hardly know their product, their technical support are unhelpful novices.",
"The better news is that the product somewhat works.",
"On clean print, the product did scan well.",
"Practice helps but you still need to concentrate on a perfect swipe.",
"I was suprised that it scanned very small print and even worked with fast swipes.",
"Ultimately between the futzing around with trying to get a perfect swipe, incomplete dictionaries, frequent pen reboots, I decided to return the product.",
"In its present state, this pen is only good for a narrow group of uses.",
"I am hopeful that a future generation of product will scan with less effort and have a complete dictionary.",
"Bluetooth instead of IR would be very desireable.",
"Hopefully they will get staff 2.0 too."
] |
2 | Black Screen of death | I like so many others have experienced the Black screen of Death on a LG 47" LCD 1080P flat screen. The TV, for no apparent reason, just goes out even though the power light still shows green. I made the unfortunate mistake of buying this TV from CompUSA (2 weeks ago) who is now out of business. I called LG and reported the problem and they gave me the number of a repair center. When I asked if they have ever heard of this happening to anyone else they told me it was a "Known Issue". I just don't understand how a company can sell products with "Known issues" and then make it the consumers problem. I'm dropping my TV off tomorrow for what I am expecting to be a very long period of time. Good luck to everyone having this problem. This is probably my last LG.P.S. I must admit though when the TV was working I was very happy with the picture and sound quality. However, the TV actually needs to be functional to give it a good rating. Without this issue it would have been a 4.5. | 986 | [
"I like so many others have experienced the Black screen of Death on a LG 47\" LCD 1080P flat screen.",
"The TV, for no apparent reason, just goes out even though the power light still shows green.",
"I made the unfortunate mistake of buying this TV from CompUSA (2 weeks ago) who is now out of business.",
"I called LG and reported the problem and they gave me the number of a repair center.",
"When I asked if they have ever heard of this happening to anyone else they told me it was a \"Known Issue\".",
"I just don't understand how a company can sell products with \"Known issues\" and then make it the consumers problem.",
"I'm dropping my TV off tomorrow for what I am expecting to be a very long period of time.",
"Good luck to everyone having this problem.",
"This is probably my last LG.P.S. I must admit though when the TV was working I was very happy with the picture and sound quality.",
"However, the TV actually needs to be functional to give it a good rating.",
"Without this issue it would have been a 4.5."
] |
2 | Yuck | My opinion of the movie has somewhat mellowed since the last few days after seeing Kill Bill. Still, after mellowing, I find the movie distasteful. The only thing that keeps me from rating this movie even lower is the excellent cinematography and the extremely well done fight scenes (alright, alright, the whole spurting blood thing was funny), and the insanely cool character GoGo. I understand that its a parody of many movies and has got lots of influences, blah blah blah, but all in all, it was a huge corny ball of weirdness. This movie is SO overdramatized, and sometimes the script and the dialogue makes me want to hurle. During most of the movie, it felt like Tarantino was trying REALLY REALLY hard to make a live action movie based on an anime or something. Makes my head hurt just thinking about this movie. But hey, don't let this review stop you from watching this trippy film. If you like watching skinny blond girls who speak bad japanese wave swords around, go ahead. | 986 | [
"My opinion of the movie has somewhat mellowed since the last few days after seeing Kill Bill.",
"Still, after mellowing, I find the movie distasteful.",
"The only thing that keeps me from rating this movie even lower is the excellent cinematography and the extremely well done fight scenes (alright, alright, the whole spurting blood thing was funny), and the insanely cool character GoGo.",
"I understand that its a parody of many movies and has got lots of influences, blah blah blah, but all in all, it was a huge corny ball of weirdness.",
"This movie is SO overdramatized, and sometimes the script and the dialogue makes me want to hurle.",
"During most of the movie, it felt like Tarantino was trying REALLY REALLY hard to make a live action movie based on an anime or something.",
"Makes my head hurt just thinking about this movie.",
"But hey, don't let this review stop you from watching this trippy film.",
"If you like watching skinny blond girls who speak bad japanese wave swords around, go ahead."
] |
2 | chasing the dumb | In CHASING THE DIME, Connelly has committed one of the cardinal sins of popular fiction-- creating a character who is too dumb to make the right choices. How can a reader sympathize with a character who makes one stupid decision after another? I constantly found myself thinking, "No, don't do that," or "Just leave well enough alone." Hell, even Forrest Gump was able to learn from his experiences. Another major flaw is the main character's motivation-- why jeopardize his career at a critical juncture to find a woman he doesn't even know? Basically what is lacking is adequate psychological depth that would give this novel some real weight.Other complaints: 1) There are way too many references to "chasing the dime" in the first quarter of the novel, 2) female characters and hit men are not Connelly's strong point, 3) the ending left some unanswered questions, and 4) everyone walks in at just the right moment to bring this novel to a tidy conclusion. A very unsatisfying read. | 986 | [
"In CHASING THE DIME, Connelly has committed one of the cardinal sins of popular fiction-- creating a character who is too dumb to make the right choices.",
"How can a reader sympathize with a character who makes one stupid decision after another?",
"I constantly found myself thinking, \"No, don't do that,\" or \"Just leave well enough alone.\" Hell, even Forrest Gump was able to learn from his experiences.",
"Another major flaw is the main character's motivation-- why jeopardize his career at a critical juncture to find a woman he doesn't even know?",
"Basically what is lacking is adequate psychological depth that would give this novel some real weight.Other complaints: 1) There are way too many references to \"chasing the dime\" in the first quarter of the novel, 2) female characters and hit men are not Connelly's strong point, 3) the ending left some unanswered questions, and 4) everyone walks in at just the right moment to bring this novel to a tidy conclusion.",
"A very unsatisfying read."
] |
2 | Twelve Savage Female Felons | I have fond memories of browsing thru mom & pop video stores as a kid during the 80's and running into all kinds of interesting, weird, titillating video covers from some of the most obscure movies released sometime during the 60's, 70's, or 80's. Usually the horror, action, or misc sections had the "good" stuff.Mankillers, released in 1987, no doubt belongs on one of those shelves along with all the other wonderful miscreants and varmints that were unleashed upon the public during the heyday of VHS. This movie is like a timecapsule of bad 80's clothing, hairstyle, and acting; that alone makes this movie worth a look.In the first 5 minutes alone, roughly ten people are gunned down. There are kidnapped 80's "valley girls" and savage "death row" fem felons acting like Junior High brats being recruited for a top secret mission. One of the prison girls is a former Glow girl, Tara of the Southern Belles. No real story, bad acting and a fun/silly trip down 80's VHS memory lane. | 986 | [
"I have fond memories of browsing thru mom & pop video stores as a kid during the 80's and running into all kinds of interesting, weird, titillating video covers from some of the most obscure movies released sometime during the 60's, 70's, or 80's.",
"Usually the horror, action, or misc sections had the \"good\" stuff.Mankillers, released in 1987, no doubt belongs on one of those shelves along with all the other wonderful miscreants and varmints that were unleashed upon the public during the heyday of VHS.",
"This movie is like a timecapsule of bad 80's clothing, hairstyle, and acting; that alone makes this movie worth a look.In the first 5 minutes alone, roughly ten people are gunned down.",
"There are kidnapped 80's \"valley girls\" and savage \"death row\" fem felons acting like Junior High brats being recruited for a top secret mission.",
"One of the prison girls is a former Glow girl, Tara of the Southern Belles.",
"No real story, bad acting and a fun/silly trip down 80's VHS memory lane."
] |
2 | Lacks credibility | Rich cinematography, artistic direction and an effective setting help "Red Dirt" convey a mood of sweltering Southern gothic decadance but it is unfortunatelly not enough to recommend this film. The film, concerning a young man coming to grips with life in a small Mississippi town while caring for his mentally unstable aunt and eventual coming out, is slow to develop and the weak script fails to ignite any credibility. The revelation that there is a romantic attraction between the two male actors is as unconvincing as the kiss between them in the final scene.Basically, the actors are fine except that they try to speak in a ridiculous Southern aristocratic accent which, news flash!, no longer exists in the contemporary South. Karen Black, always an interesting and talented actress, seems to have watched too many Tennessee Williams plays for her character.And, on another ludicrous note, gardeners in the South begin to harvest their tomatoes in June, not begin to plant them! | 986 | [
"Rich cinematography, artistic direction and an effective setting help \"Red Dirt\" convey a mood of sweltering Southern gothic decadance but it is unfortunatelly not enough to recommend this film.",
"The film, concerning a young man coming to grips with life in a small Mississippi town while caring for his mentally unstable aunt and eventual coming out, is slow to develop and the weak script fails to ignite any credibility.",
"The revelation that there is a romantic attraction between the two male actors is as unconvincing as the kiss between them in the final scene.Basically, the actors are fine except that they try to speak in a ridiculous Southern aristocratic accent which, news flash!",
", no longer exists in the contemporary South.",
"Karen Black, always an interesting and talented actress, seems to have watched too many Tennessee Williams plays for her character.And, on another ludicrous note, gardeners in the South begin to harvest their tomatoes in June, not begin to plant them!"
] |
2 | Something's Missing | I purchased this book to review for the CEN, and to brush up on my general emergency nursing knowledge. So far I have made it to page 451 (out of 800+) and I am rather disappointed. Many of the nuances that could make this a great text simply aren't there--such as tricks of the trade and drug info and more background on conditions. In addition, there just doesn't seem to be any life to this book. Ok, granted it is a textbook---but I have read textbooks before with some life in them, and this isn't one of them. It is so boring and dull it just makes me want to cry. I start to read and find myself several hours latter drooling all over the book, wishing that I had been abducted by aliens as that would have been a better way to past the time. Finally, this book glosses over several common ER complaints, does not cover several others, and seeds the material that it does provide with errors and outdated facts. I am, however, determined to finish reading it and to pass the CEN. | 986 | [
"I purchased this book to review for the CEN, and to brush up on my general emergency nursing knowledge.",
"So far I have made it to page 451 (out of 800+) and I am rather disappointed.",
"Many of the nuances that could make this a great text simply aren't there--such as tricks of the trade and drug info and more background on conditions.",
"In addition, there just doesn't seem to be any life to this book.",
"Ok, granted it is a textbook---but I have read textbooks before with some life in them, and this isn't one of them.",
"It is so boring and dull it just makes me want to cry.",
"I start to read and find myself several hours latter drooling all over the book, wishing that I had been abducted by aliens as that would have been a better way to past the time.",
"Finally, this book glosses over several common ER complaints, does not cover several others, and seeds the material that it does provide with errors and outdated facts.",
"I am, however, determined to finish reading it and to pass the CEN."
] |
2 | Examples need proofreading | I bought this book for an online course. If I were trying to use it on my own, without input from other people in the course, I don't think I'd be able to use it. The examples vary from the explanations in the book; for example, in Chapter 5, Figure 5.3 tells you, when editing the $cntfile line of the configuration block of the vcount.cgi script, to "Be sure to enclose all of this in *single* quotation marks...." However, the example on the CD has everything in that line in *double* quotation marks. I'm not a programmer, and don't know whether this actually makes a difference (the script tests out fine in Telnet, but I have yet to make it work on a page), but this isn't the first discrepancy I've found in the examples, and it's very confusing.Also (and this is a minor thing), the plastic CD pocket in the back of the book was glued in backwards so I had to cut the CD out of it with a razor blade. Altogether, I'm finding this book to be more of an annoyance than it's worth. | 986 | [
"I bought this book for an online course.",
"If I were trying to use it on my own, without input from other people in the course, I don't think I'd be able to use it.",
"The examples vary from the explanations in the book; for example, in Chapter 5, Figure 5.3 tells you, when editing the $cntfile line of the configuration block of the vcount.cgi script, to \"Be sure to enclose all of this in *single* quotation marks....\" However, the example on the CD has everything in that line in *double* quotation marks.",
"I'm not a programmer, and don't know whether this actually makes a difference (the script tests out fine in Telnet, but I have yet to make it work on a page), but this isn't the first discrepancy I've found in the examples, and it's very confusing.Also (and this is a minor thing), the plastic CD pocket in the back of the book was glued in backwards so I had to cut the CD out of it with a razor blade.",
"Altogether, I'm finding this book to be more of an annoyance than it's worth."
] |
2 | not her best | McCrumb has a tendency to toss in one completely unrealistic plot device to keep her stories moving in the way she wants them to go. In The Hangman's Beautiful Daughter, it's the ridiculously non-existant guardianship of the Underhill teens. Can you say, "Ward of the state?"Also, what was with the whole thing about the Judds? Particularly since all the facts were wrong. McCrumb has Martha tell Spencer that the liver is the one organ that doesn't get better, when reality is exactly the opposite. The liver is the ONLY regenerative organ in the body. Also, what's with the talk of the hepatitis coming from bad road food? If you don't want to go into the modes of transmission of hepatitis C, don't make it a subplot. As someone with a family member with hep C, the misinformation here really annoyed me. It's horribly nitpicky to say it affected my enjoyment of the rest of the book, but I kept thinking, what other facts has she gotten completely wrong? not her best effort at all. | 986 | [
"McCrumb has a tendency to toss in one completely unrealistic plot device to keep her stories moving in the way she wants them to go.",
"In The Hangman's Beautiful Daughter, it's the ridiculously non-existant guardianship of the Underhill teens.",
"Can you say, \"Ward of the state?",
"\"Also, what was with the whole thing about the Judds?",
"Particularly since all the facts were wrong.",
"McCrumb has Martha tell Spencer that the liver is the one organ that doesn't get better, when reality is exactly the opposite.",
"The liver is the ONLY regenerative organ in the body.",
"Also, what's with the talk of the hepatitis coming from bad road food?",
"If you don't want to go into the modes of transmission of hepatitis C, don't make it a subplot.",
"As someone with a family member with hep C, the misinformation here really annoyed me.",
"It's horribly nitpicky to say it affected my enjoyment of the rest of the book, but I kept thinking, what other facts has she gotten completely wrong?",
"not her best effort at all."
] |
2 | Make sure it works first | We live in a very poor cell reception area so the opportunity to improve the signal into the home was very interesting. We ordered the product from Jubees and after 17 days the product was delivered. We questioned the products ability to work on our cell provider but were assured by the literature it would work. It didnt and it has cost us over $150 to find that out. If you are unsure don't buy this item until you have a guarantee that it will work for you. We spent some time dealing with W-Ex directly and they were very helpful and professional. Unfortunately we could not swap out the unit with them as the dealers have a non compete clause with the company. While I gave the product a low rating, that was due to the limited information about its suitability, if it works on your cell band you should be fine. This is not a small ticket Item and shipping is expensive, so unless you are sure its right for you dont buy it! a restocking fee of 15% leaves you with a bad taste... | 986 | [
"We live in a very poor cell reception area so the opportunity to improve the signal into the home was very interesting.",
"We ordered the product from Jubees and after 17 days the product was delivered.",
"We questioned the products ability to work on our cell provider but were assured by the literature it would work.",
"It didnt and it has cost us over $150 to find that out.",
"If you are unsure don't buy this item until you have a guarantee that it will work for you.",
"We spent some time dealing with W-Ex directly and they were very helpful and professional.",
"Unfortunately we could not swap out the unit with them as the dealers have a non compete clause with the company.",
"While I gave the product a low rating, that was due to the limited information about its suitability, if it works on your cell band you should be fine.",
"This is not a small ticket Item and shipping is expensive, so unless you are sure its right for you dont buy it!",
"a restocking fee of 15% leaves you with a bad taste..."
] |
2 | High intensity, deadly dull | If you are looking for the combination of serious spinning and creative, high quality audio/visual this is not for you. This is of the "this is serious training and shouldn't be fun" school. Well sorry, I can suffer and smile at the same time. Specifically, there was little or no attention placed on choosing music that was 1) good and 2) beat coordinated to the sets. It is, however, a serious plain vanilla interval workout-although short at 45 minutes. It is shot with some of the guy's students set up on trainers at a homely lakeside setting while he walks around in highschool football coach garb incessantly instructing while holding a stopwatch.Anyone with extensive spinning experience could get pretty much the same thing by choreographing their own workout, turning on the radio and using a stopwatch. There is a reason why music is carefully coordinated into this type of workout: it makes work feel like dance. This is more like a Calvinst sermon than a night at the club. | 986 | [
"If you are looking for the combination of serious spinning and creative, high quality audio/visual this is not for you.",
"This is of the \"this is serious training and shouldn't be fun\" school.",
"Well sorry, I can suffer and smile at the same time.",
"Specifically, there was little or no attention placed on choosing music that was 1) good and 2) beat coordinated to the sets.",
"It is, however, a serious plain vanilla interval workout-although short at 45 minutes.",
"It is shot with some of the guy's students set up on trainers at a homely lakeside setting while he walks around in highschool football coach garb incessantly instructing while holding a stopwatch.Anyone with extensive spinning experience could get pretty much the same thing by choreographing their own workout, turning on the radio and using a stopwatch.",
"There is a reason why music is carefully coordinated into this type of workout: it makes work feel like dance.",
"This is more like a Calvinst sermon than a night at the club."
] |
2 | A Fragile Main Battle Tank | The tank, although a fun toy for my grandsons, arrived cracked and broken in three places. It was poorly packaged. An hour was spent with a screwdriver and super glue to get the toy ready for use. It is overall of poor quality construction & fit and very cheaply made (including the remote control). The plastic is fragile and the tread is very flimsy and comes off easily (and it is difficult to get back on). The grandsons thoroughly enjoyed the toy, especially the air gun (which frequently doesn't fire unless you tap the toy to redistribute the little yellow pellets). The speed of the toy is too fast; there is no slow speed, just fast or faster. The rechargeable battery pack is poorly designed and difficult to remove, recharge and replace in the battery compartment. A great improvement would be to have a recharging port on the tank itself, so the battery pack would not have to be removed every time it needs to be charged. Overall, the toy is not a good value for the price. | 986 | [
"The tank, although a fun toy for my grandsons, arrived cracked and broken in three places.",
"It was poorly packaged.",
"An hour was spent with a screwdriver and super glue to get the toy ready for use.",
"It is overall of poor quality construction & fit and very cheaply made (including the remote control).",
"The plastic is fragile and the tread is very flimsy and comes off easily (and it is difficult to get back on).",
"The grandsons thoroughly enjoyed the toy, especially the air gun (which frequently doesn't fire unless you tap the toy to redistribute the little yellow pellets).",
"The speed of the toy is too fast; there is no slow speed, just fast or faster.",
"The rechargeable battery pack is poorly designed and difficult to remove, recharge and replace in the battery compartment.",
"A great improvement would be to have a recharging port on the tank itself, so the battery pack would not have to be removed every time it needs to be charged.",
"Overall, the toy is not a good value for the price."
] |
2 | A light snack | A fast food book. Actually I read this book just because I get bored, and I want I light snack. And that's what I get. A light snack.The story is about a hit man, ex IRA enforcer, Sean Dillon. After disassociating with IRA, he became a hired gun, for anyone who can afford him. The background of the story is the First Gulf War, during Bush Senior administration. He was hire by Saddam Hussein regime to make a big hit, big enough to startle the West.The story is quick-paced, you can read it without straining your brain or memory too much. But in some places, it is becoming too repetitive, sacrificing the thrilling effect for a supposed-thriller book.And what really bothered me is the ending. It is anti-climax. It costs the book at least one-star in my review. It makes you say, "So after 300-pages of reading, just like that?"Verdict: 2/5. I might from time to time try to read Jack Higgins again, when I get bored. Maybe I will try his other series, such asThe Eagle Has Landed. | 986 | [
"A fast food book.",
"Actually I read this book just because I get bored, and I want I light snack.",
"And that's what I get.",
"A light snack.The story is about a hit man, ex IRA enforcer, Sean Dillon.",
"After disassociating with IRA, he became a hired gun, for anyone who can afford him.",
"The background of the story is the First Gulf War, during Bush Senior administration.",
"He was hire by Saddam Hussein regime to make a big hit, big enough to startle the West.The story is quick-paced, you can read it without straining your brain or memory too much.",
"But in some places, it is becoming too repetitive, sacrificing the thrilling effect for a supposed-thriller book.And what really bothered me is the ending.",
"It is anti-climax.",
"It costs the book at least one-star in my review.",
"It makes you say, \"So after 300-pages of reading, just like that?",
"\"Verdict: 2/5.",
"I might from time to time try to read Jack Higgins again, when I get bored.",
"Maybe I will try his other series, such asThe Eagle Has Landed."
] |
2 | Almost but not quite... | As another reviewer observed, the chain on this belt is short. It's not obvious from the pictures or the reviews just how short it is.The chain is too short to first load the belt, then put the belt on. Putting the belt on first and then loading lots of small plates is awkward. The plates are too small to rest on the ground (the short chain strikes again) so you kind of have to juggle them while you load them. Aggravating. Also, put a 25lb plate on and it might hit your groin.There are U-shaped connectors that attach the chain to the belt on one side and the chain to a clip on the other side. The U-shaped connector is of such a size and shape that it and the clip get locked together at a weird angle and it takes a bit of wrestling to unfreeze them.The quality of the rest of the belt is great though. If they would fix the chain length and the design of the U-shaped connectors, this belt could be a winner. As is, I would stay away unless you want to hack the chain yourself. | 986 | [
"As another reviewer observed, the chain on this belt is short.",
"It's not obvious from the pictures or the reviews just how short it is.The chain is too short to first load the belt, then put the belt on.",
"Putting the belt on first and then loading lots of small plates is awkward.",
"The plates are too small to rest on the ground (the short chain strikes again) so you kind of have to juggle them while you load them.",
"Aggravating.",
"Also, put a 25lb plate on and it might hit your groin.There are U-shaped connectors that attach the chain to the belt on one side and the chain to a clip on the other side.",
"The U-shaped connector is of such a size and shape that it and the clip get locked together at a weird angle and it takes a bit of wrestling to unfreeze them.The quality of the rest of the belt is great though.",
"If they would fix the chain length and the design of the U-shaped connectors, this belt could be a winner.",
"As is, I would stay away unless you want to hack the chain yourself."
] |
2 | Not worth the price | Grammars should be organised based on topics and not A to Z. Some of the entries are quite broad (more like large sections in a normal grammar), this resembling a topic/chapter. This is good, but sadly only the exception. The authors might think they had an original idea when organizing the book, but for some odd reason Japanese grammars normally have the A to Z organisation.In terms of layout this book does not seem to have had any professional help. It just looks like text straight out from the word processor. Aesthetically the book looks ugly. Search inside yourself on amazon to see what I mean. Granted, this is not the most important issue, but given the very high price of the book one could expect more.If you want a serious grammar, you'll have to accept the A to Z format. However, you don't have to accept a sloppy and ugly book. My recommendation is to go for this book (and its two more advanced companions if you want) instead:A Dictionary of Basic Japanese Grammar. | 986 | [
"Grammars should be organised based on topics and not A to Z.",
"Some of the entries are quite broad (more like large sections in a normal grammar), this resembling a topic/chapter.",
"This is good, but sadly only the exception.",
"The authors might think they had an original idea when organizing the book, but for some odd reason Japanese grammars normally have the A to Z organisation.In terms of layout this book does not seem to have had any professional help.",
"It just looks like text straight out from the word processor.",
"Aesthetically the book looks ugly.",
"Search inside yourself on amazon to see what I mean.",
"Granted, this is not the most important issue, but given the very high price of the book one could expect more.If you want a serious grammar, you'll have to accept the A to Z format.",
"However, you don't have to accept a sloppy and ugly book.",
"My recommendation is to go for this book (and its two more advanced companions if you want) instead:A Dictionary of Basic Japanese Grammar."
] |
2 | very disappointed. | I really couldn't stand this CD. It's full of half-truths, stereotypes, simplifications, and a few outright lies. They couldn't even spell many of the Beats' names (Peter Orlovsky as Peter Orlovski, Michael McClure as Michael McLure, Ann Charters as Ann Chambers, etc.). There is an annoying soundtrack that's too loud at some points. They really trash Kerouac. The commentary - which comprises half or more of the CD - is not up to par. There's really not much here to like.The only thing that keeps me from giving this one star is that it does have recordings of the Beats speaking - there are audio clips of Kerouac, Ginsberg, Burroughs, Ferlinghetti, Anne Waldman, etc. But the sound is murky at some points, the speakers are not identified well, and there is no listing of what each clip is and when/where it was recorded. And if you're into the Beats, you've heard much of this before.There are way better Beat CDs out there than this one. My advice is to buy one of them instead. | 986 | [
"I really couldn't stand this CD.",
"It's full of half-truths, stereotypes, simplifications, and a few outright lies.",
"They couldn't even spell many of the Beats' names (Peter Orlovsky as Peter Orlovski, Michael McClure as Michael McLure, Ann Charters as Ann Chambers, etc.).",
"There is an annoying soundtrack that's too loud at some points.",
"They really trash Kerouac.",
"The commentary - which comprises half or more of the CD - is not up to par.",
"There's really not much here to like.The only thing that keeps me from giving this one star is that it does have recordings of the Beats speaking - there are audio clips of Kerouac, Ginsberg, Burroughs, Ferlinghetti, Anne Waldman, etc.",
"But the sound is murky at some points, the speakers are not identified well, and there is no listing of what each clip is and when/where it was recorded.",
"And if you're into the Beats, you've heard much of this before.There are way better Beat CDs out there than this one.",
"My advice is to buy one of them instead."
] |
2 | Fell apart too easliy | We got this for Christmas for our three and four year olds who love music and marching around with instruments, but this is already going into the giveaway box, as I purchased it from a local, rather fussy, toystore, and I doubt they'll take kindly to my returning it opened and used. Maybe we purchased a defective set, but the pieces fit together loosley enough that they twist around according to gravity, so our kids cannot actually re-configure it and have it stay that way, and then it easily slips apart. I'm looking for toys that promote dexterity and encourages my son especially to use his tree-finger grip as opposed to his whole hand to maneuver them, and this was easily manipulable for him, but he became frustrated whenever it fell apart, which happened too frequently. I know this brand has high reviews, and the durability of the plastic is very good, but it just didn't work as a toy that encourages creativity through trial and pleasure- it was trial and frustration. | 986 | [
"We got this for Christmas for our three and four year olds who love music and marching around with instruments, but this is already going into the giveaway box, as I purchased it from a local, rather fussy, toystore, and I doubt they'll take kindly to my returning it opened and used.",
"Maybe we purchased a defective set, but the pieces fit together loosley enough that they twist around according to gravity, so our kids cannot actually re-configure it and have it stay that way, and then it easily slips apart.",
"I'm looking for toys that promote dexterity and encourages my son especially to use his tree-finger grip as opposed to his whole hand to maneuver them, and this was easily manipulable for him, but he became frustrated whenever it fell apart, which happened too frequently.",
"I know this brand has high reviews, and the durability of the plastic is very good, but it just didn't work as a toy that encourages creativity through trial and pleasure- it was trial and frustration."
] |
2 | Not All That | Contrary to the opinions of the previous reviewer, I found this book unhelpful in its analysis of the relationship between globalization and poverty. None of the editors has any economics credentials, which shows throughout in spotty analysis and the itch to leap to conclusions. The book glosses over the ways that free trade have helped lift much of SE Asia out of poverty, and instead indicts the "sweatshops" that have sprung up (as though these countries were thriving with economic opportunity before the fact). A subtle theme that is nonetheless evident in some of the articles is the pervasiveness of some sort of conspiracy by the rich and powerful: the World Bank, Transnationals, and Investors. The informed reader will find this approach in fact IS "the usual liberal rant." To be fair, these essays are at times descriptively informative, nonetheless the quasi-protectionist views that come out are ill-conceived and not borne out of any nuanced understanding of economics. | 986 | [
"Contrary to the opinions of the previous reviewer, I found this book unhelpful in its analysis of the relationship between globalization and poverty.",
"None of the editors has any economics credentials, which shows throughout in spotty analysis and the itch to leap to conclusions.",
"The book glosses over the ways that free trade have helped lift much of SE Asia out of poverty, and instead indicts the \"sweatshops\" that have sprung up (as though these countries were thriving with economic opportunity before the fact).",
"A subtle theme that is nonetheless evident in some of the articles is the pervasiveness of some sort of conspiracy by the rich and powerful: the World Bank, Transnationals, and Investors.",
"The informed reader will find this approach in fact IS \"the usual liberal rant.\" To be fair, these essays are at times descriptively informative, nonetheless the quasi-protectionist views that come out are ill-conceived and not borne out of any nuanced understanding of economics."
] |
2 | Josh Groban's Greek Concert | The second concert by Josh Groban, "Live at the Greek" is not what one would expect from the terrific young Pop singer. Most importantly, his voice is very poor, noticably nasaly, in the first few minutes of the concert. The Greek is an outdoor theatre with hundreds of screaming, loud fans waving glowsticks and being annoyingly louder than necessary. Of course that shouldn't be a problem if the performer is so wonderful you don't care. But he isn't and I do. Groban's concert was supposed to be based on his latest CD "Closer," but don't be fooled by the promo's. What he really does is repeat many songs previously recorded on his first concert DVD. Unfortunately for Groban those performances were beautifully recorded and his voice was simply perfect. Not so with the repeat performances at the Greek. With only a handful of songs from "Closer," and poorly done songs from previously recorded CD's, the Greek concert DVD can't do anything for me but leave me disappointed indeed. | 986 | [
"The second concert by Josh Groban, \"Live at the Greek\" is not what one would expect from the terrific young Pop singer.",
"Most importantly, his voice is very poor, noticably nasaly, in the first few minutes of the concert.",
"The Greek is an outdoor theatre with hundreds of screaming, loud fans waving glowsticks and being annoyingly louder than necessary.",
"Of course that shouldn't be a problem if the performer is so wonderful you don't care.",
"But he isn't and I do.",
"Groban's concert was supposed to be based on his latest CD \"Closer,\" but don't be fooled by the promo's.",
"What he really does is repeat many songs previously recorded on his first concert DVD.",
"Unfortunately for Groban those performances were beautifully recorded and his voice was simply perfect.",
"Not so with the repeat performances at the Greek.",
"With only a handful of songs from \"Closer,\" and poorly done songs from previously recorded CD's, the Greek concert DVD can't do anything for me but leave me disappointed indeed."
] |
2 | A confusing guide.... | I bought this book after looking through a library copy. It seemed great, with lots of locations, tips, etc. and sites off the beaten track. However, actually using it was another story! A number of the directions to sites were either confusing, vague, or outright incorrect (wrong mile marker #'s for turn-offs, for example). Descriptions of fabulous scenery turned out to be highly exaggerated (in our opinion) and not worth the effort to find them. There was one site we never found (Blue Lagoon), as getting there turned out to require a major several-mile hike over sharp lava rocks after bumping down a very difficult-to-find dirt road (we learned this later, after giving up). The book's directions there were confusing and little help and a local we asked after the fact, told us the site was nice, but not nearly as fantastic as described.The book was useful in listing places to check out, but to get to them it's better to get a good map, ask a local, and cross your fingers. | 986 | [
"I bought this book after looking through a library copy.",
"It seemed great, with lots of locations, tips, etc.",
"and sites off the beaten track.",
"However, actually using it was another story!",
"A number of the directions to sites were either confusing, vague, or outright incorrect (wrong mile marker #'s for turn-offs, for example).",
"Descriptions of fabulous scenery turned out to be highly exaggerated (in our opinion) and not worth the effort to find them.",
"There was one site we never found (Blue Lagoon), as getting there turned out to require a major several-mile hike over sharp lava rocks after bumping down a very difficult-to-find dirt road (we learned this later, after giving up).",
"The book's directions there were confusing and little help and a local we asked after the fact, told us the site was nice, but not nearly as fantastic as described.The book was useful in listing places to check out, but to get to them it's better to get a good map, ask a local, and cross your fingers."
] |
2 | Disappointing | In recent years, O'Reilly have really distinguished themselves in their ability to select top-notch authors, offering clear and accurate books that carefully balance the tutorial and reference aspects of technical writing.Unfortunately, they missed the mark on this one. The author made a valiant effort, but the subject matter simply isn't sufficient to fill the book. The result is a lot of padding interspersed with very sparse information content. The verbosity handicaps the book as a tutorial, and completely ruins it as a reference. The information content is sufficient for a book of perhaps a third the length.The best thing I can say about this book is that it may be the "least bad" choice - a sad reflection on the state of CGI literature. There's so much of it, and it is all so BAD. The subject matter lends itsself better to a concise summary form - perhaps as an appendix to a book of broader scope. Perhaps a good CGI reference already exists, but I have yet to see it. | 986 | [
"In recent years, O'Reilly have really distinguished themselves in their ability to select top-notch authors, offering clear and accurate books that carefully balance the tutorial and reference aspects of technical writing.Unfortunately, they missed the mark on this one.",
"The author made a valiant effort, but the subject matter simply isn't sufficient to fill the book.",
"The result is a lot of padding interspersed with very sparse information content.",
"The verbosity handicaps the book as a tutorial, and completely ruins it as a reference.",
"The information content is sufficient for a book of perhaps a third the length.The best thing I can say about this book is that it may be the \"least bad\" choice - a sad reflection on the state of CGI literature.",
"There's so much of it, and it is all so BAD.",
"The subject matter lends itsself better to a concise summary form - perhaps as an appendix to a book of broader scope.",
"Perhaps a good CGI reference already exists, but I have yet to see it."
] |
2 | Tiring Read | Although this work does contain some insights into the life of Kurt Cobain, it's repetitive, often self-contradictory, and far too long for the amount of information presented. Many quotes appear without attribution, while others are used over and over again too re-emphasize tired points. Sandford makes frequent analogies between Cobain and Jimmy Hendrix which seem to serve more as a vehicle for the author's extensive knowledge of latter than to contribute to an analysis of the former's life. Other potentially interesting inquiries are ignored (e.g. surprisingly, to me at least, members of the band R.E.M. pop up several times as friends and likely musical collaborators of Cobain, yet there is no discussion of how the parties knew each other, what the context of the relationship was, etc.) On the whole it seems that the author was faced with limited cooperative sources and was forced to over use this material and augment it with filler and speculation to complete the book. | 986 | [
"Although this work does contain some insights into the life of Kurt Cobain, it's repetitive, often self-contradictory, and far too long for the amount of information presented.",
"Many quotes appear without attribution, while others are used over and over again too re-emphasize tired points.",
"Sandford makes frequent analogies between Cobain and Jimmy Hendrix which seem to serve more as a vehicle for the author's extensive knowledge of latter than to contribute to an analysis of the former's life.",
"Other potentially interesting inquiries are ignored (e.g. surprisingly, to me at least, members of the band R.E.M. pop up several times as friends and likely musical collaborators of Cobain, yet there is no discussion of how the parties knew each other, what the context of the relationship was, etc.) On the whole it seems that the author was faced with limited cooperative sources and was forced to over use this material and augment it with filler and speculation to complete the book."
] |
2 | Slightly dissappointed | I think that Remingston was one of the best shavers made. My first shaver was solid and shaved well. I had no complaints. I kept it as long as I could until the battery wouldn't hold a charge anymore and I could no longer replace the heads because they are no longer on the market. So I read a review on the new Remington shavers and chose the Remington MS2-390 Microscreen Rechargeable/Corded Men's Shaver. It shaves well, but when I opened the package after purchase, I found that the shaver head was warped. Remington sent me a new head. Then I used the trimmer, which pops up at the push of a button, and I could not get it to stay down after pushing it back into the closed position. I really had to work to get it to close and lock. The design of the shaver is a little awkward; sometimes when you hold the shaver in a different position, the shaver head pops off, because the release buttons protrude too much. The old shaver was the best. When you have a good thing, why change? | 986 | [
"I think that Remingston was one of the best shavers made.",
"My first shaver was solid and shaved well.",
"I had no complaints.",
"I kept it as long as I could until the battery wouldn't hold a charge anymore and I could no longer replace the heads because they are no longer on the market.",
"So I read a review on the new Remington shavers and chose the Remington MS2-390 Microscreen Rechargeable/Corded Men's Shaver.",
"It shaves well, but when I opened the package after purchase, I found that the shaver head was warped.",
"Remington sent me a new head.",
"Then I used the trimmer, which pops up at the push of a button, and I could not get it to stay down after pushing it back into the closed position.",
"I really had to work to get it to close and lock.",
"The design of the shaver is a little awkward; sometimes when you hold the shaver in a different position, the shaver head pops off, because the release buttons protrude too much.",
"The old shaver was the best.",
"When you have a good thing, why change?"
] |
2 | could have done better..... | The package arrived on a rainy day and was placed outside our door with only a plastic bag covering the top of the product. By the time we got home later in the day the bottom of the packaging was soaked; it was ruined so making a return in the original packaging would have been impossible. As with the first table we received and returned the packaging was insufficient to prevent damage; this particular table had apparently been dropped; one corner is slightly damaged.The table itself is full of flaws and doesn't fit together correctly. One leg is slightly tilted. While the table has a nice appearance from a distance once you get close it's easy to see all of the flaws and poor craftmanship.Overall quality: DPackaging materials: FOverall finish: DOverall value: DWe've tried twice now and both tables have been very poor; apparently there is very little if any quality control where the tables are manufactured in Thailand.We won't be buying any more furniture through Amazon. | 986 | [
"The package arrived on a rainy day and was placed outside our door with only a plastic bag covering the top of the product.",
"By the time we got home later in the day the bottom of the packaging was soaked; it was ruined so making a return in the original packaging would have been impossible.",
"As with the first table we received and returned the packaging was insufficient to prevent damage; this particular table had apparently been dropped; one corner is slightly damaged.The table itself is full of flaws and doesn't fit together correctly.",
"One leg is slightly tilted.",
"While the table has a nice appearance from a distance once you get close it's easy to see all of the flaws and poor craftmanship.Overall quality: DPackaging materials: FOverall finish: DOverall value: DWe've tried twice now and both tables have been very poor; apparently there is very little if any quality control where the tables are manufactured in Thailand.We won't be buying any more furniture through Amazon."
] |
2 | Mediocre | I like Gary's music. I listen to most of his post seventies albums - the hard rockin' ones as well as bluesy ones. But this isn't the best of Gary's blues no way. Only one third of the tracks are bluesy and there's no Texas strut or his fine cover of As the years go passing by, to name a few. And the ballads... they are the worst part of Gary's catalogue in general.Stiry of the blues and Still got the blues are the exception, but mostly Gary sounds too sweet and slick. Get Out in the fields for example. It has the best numbers from here as well as morerocking ones. Or buy his studio albums from 1982 onward. Anz of them except for A different Beat, Dark dazs in paradise Scarsand Back to the blues will do (at lest somehat) better.So here's the list:Corridors of power 3.5 starsVictims of the future 4.5 starsRun for cover 4 starsAfter the war 4.5 starsWild frontierStill got the blues 4 starsAfter hours 3.5 starsBlues for Greeny 4 starsPower of the blues 5 starsDon't Buy this. | 986 | [
"I like Gary's music.",
"I listen to most of his post seventies albums - the hard rockin' ones as well as bluesy ones.",
"But this isn't the best of Gary's blues no way.",
"Only one third of the tracks are bluesy and there's no Texas strut or his fine cover of As the years go passing by, to name a few.",
"And the ballads... they are the worst part of Gary's catalogue in general.Stiry of the blues and Still got the blues are the exception, but mostly Gary sounds too sweet and slick.",
"Get Out in the fields for example.",
"It has the best numbers from here as well as morerocking ones.",
"Or buy his studio albums from 1982 onward.",
"Anz of them except for A different Beat, Dark dazs in paradise Scarsand Back to the blues will do (at lest somehat) better.So here's the list:Corridors of power 3.5 starsVictims of the future 4.5 starsRun for cover 4 starsAfter the war 4.5 starsWild frontierStill got the blues 4 starsAfter hours 3.5 starsBlues for Greeny 4 starsPower of the blues 5 starsDon't Buy this."
] |
2 | A 7 photo "art" book? | This is a "how-to" book with good information BUT it has ONLY 7 photos (not counting the one on page 157). 7 photos for an art book?The title is great marketing but does not honestly represent the book's content. Where are the seductive images that tell a story and set a mood or theme? It reminds me of a cook book with a few color photos to show you what the dish should look like. Where's the art?I had expected to add this text to my collection of erotic art/photo books - Olivia, Nagel, Bettie Page, Joy of Sex, Illustrated Kama Sutra . . . alas this one doesn't fit. Instead of finding a prominent place on our coffee table it will go on the shelf next to my copy of "Handbook of Knots & Splices".Surprisingly, I couldn't find info on the models either including the popular Dita von Teese (bound beauty on the cover).The book does have very good illustrations & it will be well read for that reason. If it wasn't for that sole redeeming quality I'd be shipping it back - express! | 986 | [
"This is a \"how-to\" book with good information BUT it has ONLY 7 photos (not counting the one on page 157).",
"7 photos for an art book?",
"The title is great marketing but does not honestly represent the book's content.",
"Where are the seductive images that tell a story and set a mood or theme?",
"It reminds me of a cook book with a few color photos to show you what the dish should look like.",
"Where's the art?",
"I had expected to add this text to my collection of erotic art/photo books - Olivia, Nagel, Bettie Page, Joy of Sex, Illustrated Kama Sutra.",
".",
".",
"alas this one doesn't fit.",
"Instead of finding a prominent place on our coffee table it will go on the shelf next to my copy of \"Handbook of Knots & Splices\".Surprisingly, I couldn't find info on the models either including the popular Dita von Teese (bound beauty on the cover).The book does have very good illustrations & it will be well read for that reason.",
"If it wasn't for that sole redeeming quality I'd be shipping it back - express!"
] |
2 | Overly romantic drivel | You may as well read a Nora Roberts novel - this is romantic drivel with slices of the life of Van Gogh stuck in it. Perhaps because the main (female) character is so weak that it becomes tedious and frustrating to read about her. From the author's notes about her research, it sounds like the character was based on assumptions from some facts determined during extensive overall research for the book. I complement the author on the depth of research, which she is known for. But the focus and extensiveness of heart-throbbing heavy breathing pining for her Van Gogh perhaps-if-you-believe-it lover... it diminishes the magnificence of the painter Van Gogh. Get real.If you want to read really good books about Van Gogh, there are many to choose from. Try one which includes letters to his brother and benefactor Theo, interspersed with paintings from the period in which he writes. THAT is worth reading, and gives you a true insight into the tortured and brilliant mind of Van Gogh. | 986 | [
"You may as well read a Nora Roberts novel - this is romantic drivel with slices of the life of Van Gogh stuck in it.",
"Perhaps because the main (female) character is so weak that it becomes tedious and frustrating to read about her.",
"From the author's notes about her research, it sounds like the character was based on assumptions from some facts determined during extensive overall research for the book.",
"I complement the author on the depth of research, which she is known for.",
"But the focus and extensiveness of heart-throbbing heavy breathing pining for her Van Gogh perhaps-if-you-believe-it lover... it diminishes the magnificence of the painter Van Gogh.",
"Get real.If you want to read really good books about Van Gogh, there are many to choose from.",
"Try one which includes letters to his brother and benefactor Theo, interspersed with paintings from the period in which he writes.",
"THAT is worth reading, and gives you a true insight into the tortured and brilliant mind of Van Gogh."
] |
2 | Dashed Expectations | We purchased the V750-M as a replacement for an aging scanner. The item arrived in perfect condition. After installing the requisite software and configuring the scanner we were off and running. The scanner made excellent scans while in reflective mode. Color rendering, ease of use, etc. were as expected for a professional grade scanner. Unfortunately the scanner didn't work so well in transparency mode. It acted as if it was scanning but all the scans were scrambled, smeared and completely worthless. We tried it using the Epson software and VueScan with no change. After contacting Epson for advice they finally decided it was an internal problem and we needed to send it in to them for repair. Having just received the item a week earlier we opted to return it and locate another product to fill our needs. Our decision was also predicated on multiple on-line accounts of similar problems with transparency scanning. For a scanner costing over $700 this is totally unacceptable. | 986 | [
"We purchased the V750-M as a replacement for an aging scanner.",
"The item arrived in perfect condition.",
"After installing the requisite software and configuring the scanner we were off and running.",
"The scanner made excellent scans while in reflective mode.",
"Color rendering, ease of use, etc.",
"were as expected for a professional grade scanner.",
"Unfortunately the scanner didn't work so well in transparency mode.",
"It acted as if it was scanning but all the scans were scrambled, smeared and completely worthless.",
"We tried it using the Epson software and VueScan with no change.",
"After contacting Epson for advice they finally decided it was an internal problem and we needed to send it in to them for repair.",
"Having just received the item a week earlier we opted to return it and locate another product to fill our needs.",
"Our decision was also predicated on multiple on-line accounts of similar problems with transparency scanning.",
"For a scanner costing over $700 this is totally unacceptable."
] |
2 | Essential?..Not really.. | As the title says, Essential? It really isn't his strongest compositions we have here on this CD. Well, Light Sky sure is essential, but not all of the songs on this disc were found on the other official releases.The only other songs that could be called essential would be 'Energetic' and 'Sun' even though they are not the real highlights from the other releases he made. But despite this, there are quite a few interesting songs, but nothing really remarkable that touches your soul like "Mirror of Motions" & "Inside Out" does/did.Grab it if you want some diffrent sounding stuff from what Lambert is capable to produce. But if you have his other releases then don't bother picking this one up.There are too few songs on this disc, and to call it essential seems a bit of a joke to me, as there are so many good songs missing that IS Essential!.But then I started to think, either this release is called Essential or this really is Lambert's private "Essential" stuff? Who knows.... | 986 | [
"As the title says, Essential?",
"It really isn't his strongest compositions we have here on this CD.",
"Well, Light Sky sure is essential, but not all of the songs on this disc were found on the other official releases.The only other songs that could be called essential would be 'Energetic' and 'Sun' even though they are not the real highlights from the other releases he made.",
"But despite this, there are quite a few interesting songs, but nothing really remarkable that touches your soul like \"Mirror of Motions\" & \"Inside Out\" does/did.Grab it if you want some diffrent sounding stuff from what Lambert is capable to produce.",
"But if you have his other releases then don't bother picking this one up.There are too few songs on this disc, and to call it essential seems a bit of a joke to me, as there are so many good songs missing that IS Essential!",
".But then I started to think, either this release is called Essential or this really is Lambert's private \"Essential\" stuff?",
"Who knows...."
] |
2 | Yet another one | It is baffling to me that a supposed medical doctor could produce such a book. it is filled with the ridiculous psuedo-science and parlor tricks that plagues the Qigong community. While he admits that he was iterested in psychosomatics, he never even attempts to collaberate with the western paradigm in his explination of qi. The effect is his Qigong book is the same old magic song and dance about how it is efective and and cannot be quatified by western science.This book does nothing to illuminate an art whos practice has recently been studied in depth and found to have many benefits. none of these scientific studies are mentioned. rather he ends the book with so-called pictures of qi. Embarassing, the fact that even today paople will belive photographic anomolies as ghosts or qi.Pass this one by and pick up "the Body Electric" for an interesting scientific idea about energy and human regeneration or "Ki in daily life" for a good Practical guide to the practice of Qigong. | 986 | [
"It is baffling to me that a supposed medical doctor could produce such a book.",
"it is filled with the ridiculous psuedo-science and parlor tricks that plagues the Qigong community.",
"While he admits that he was iterested in psychosomatics, he never even attempts to collaberate with the western paradigm in his explination of qi.",
"The effect is his Qigong book is the same old magic song and dance about how it is efective and and cannot be quatified by western science.This book does nothing to illuminate an art whos practice has recently been studied in depth and found to have many benefits.",
"none of these scientific studies are mentioned.",
"rather he ends the book with so-called pictures of qi.",
"Embarassing, the fact that even today paople will belive photographic anomolies as ghosts or qi.Pass this one by and pick up \"the Body Electric\" for an interesting scientific idea about energy and human regeneration or \"Ki in daily life\" for a good Practical guide to the practice of Qigong."
] |
2 | Very little Shadowrun here | I am a huge fan of Shadowrun. Have all the books and have read many of them more then once. As a result, I had this book pre-ordered as soon as I heard about it.Many of the other books are about successful runners or beginners that become successful. This story started with an interesting idea: A successful runners that had fallen and was now living at the bottom.Unfortunately, it had very little to do with the Shadowrun universe. The items that make this story setting unique are missing. Very little magic used, almost zero cyberware and very little matrix running. 90% of this story could have easily happened in modern day.The funny thing is, the author claims to have done research into SR yet seems to have missed the whole essence of what makes this setting interesting.Overall I am disappointed. As a die hard fan I would still buy this book for no other reason then to show demand for Shadowrun products, but if I could do it again I would leave the book on a shelf unread. | 986 | [
"I am a huge fan of Shadowrun.",
"Have all the books and have read many of them more then once.",
"As a result, I had this book pre-ordered as soon as I heard about it.Many of the other books are about successful runners or beginners that become successful.",
"This story started with an interesting idea: A successful runners that had fallen and was now living at the bottom.Unfortunately, it had very little to do with the Shadowrun universe.",
"The items that make this story setting unique are missing.",
"Very little magic used, almost zero cyberware and very little matrix running.",
"90% of this story could have easily happened in modern day.The funny thing is, the author claims to have done research into SR yet seems to have missed the whole essence of what makes this setting interesting.Overall I am disappointed.",
"As a die hard fan I would still buy this book for no other reason then to show demand for Shadowrun products, but if I could do it again I would leave the book on a shelf unread."
] |
2 | Poor physical design | I purchased this memory card reader for use with my digital camera's memory stick Pro. The reader does not have any kind of spring-loaded memory stick eject, or any eject button. You just have to pull the card out with your fingers. When a memory stick pro is fully inserted into the reader, the plastic edges of the reader are wider and longer than the card. Therefore, it is nearly impossible to grab onto the memory card - even with my tiny fingers. For someone who intends to use the reader with a card more-or-less permanently installed - it should be fine. The reader will close shut safely around the card. However, if you will need to insert and remove cards frequently, I DO NOT recommend this device. In my case, this physical design flaw makes the reader useless to me. I should note that although the plastic case design feels flimsy, it does open and close easily.I gave it 2 stars because it DOES actually work for transferring data, and will suit the needs of SOME users. | 986 | [
"I purchased this memory card reader for use with my digital camera's memory stick Pro.",
"The reader does not have any kind of spring-loaded memory stick eject, or any eject button.",
"You just have to pull the card out with your fingers.",
"When a memory stick pro is fully inserted into the reader, the plastic edges of the reader are wider and longer than the card.",
"Therefore, it is nearly impossible to grab onto the memory card - even with my tiny fingers.",
"For someone who intends to use the reader with a card more-or-less permanently installed - it should be fine.",
"The reader will close shut safely around the card.",
"However, if you will need to insert and remove cards frequently, I DO NOT recommend this device.",
"In my case, this physical design flaw makes the reader useless to me.",
"I should note that although the plastic case design feels flimsy, it does open and close easily.I gave it 2 stars because it DOES actually work for transferring data, and will suit the needs of SOME users."
] |
2 | Not worth it | ...My user level: beginner to intermediate (I already know how to build basic tables, forms, queries, trying to step up into the world of more complex relationships, reports, etc). I was pretty disappointed with this book: cut out the "for dummies" fluff and what's left are simple instructions on how to use the built in wizards. When I looked for example, for information on form controls in the index, I found they weren't even referenced. The front cover "cheat sheet" is just a listing of telephone and online tech support phone numbers (which you will end up shelling out $$ to call) and web addresses.Kaufeld spends way too much time trying to make jokiness look like friendly instruction. Then, in place of real instruction, he constantly tells users to go get help from their company tech guy/gal. Wait a minute - I thought I bought this book so I could learn on my own! Apparently, he didn't envision Access users who work outside of a large corporation with an IT department. | 986 | [
"...My user level: beginner to intermediate (I already know how to build basic tables, forms, queries, trying to step up into the world of more complex relationships, reports, etc).",
"I was pretty disappointed with this book: cut out the \"for dummies\" fluff and what's left are simple instructions on how to use the built in wizards.",
"When I looked for example, for information on form controls in the index, I found they weren't even referenced.",
"The front cover \"cheat sheet\" is just a listing of telephone and online tech support phone numbers (which you will end up shelling out $$ to call) and web addresses.Kaufeld spends way too much time trying to make jokiness look like friendly instruction.",
"Then, in place of real instruction, he constantly tells users to go get help from their company tech guy/gal.",
"Wait a minute - I thought I bought this book so I could learn on my own!",
"Apparently, he didn't envision Access users who work outside of a large corporation with an IT department."
] |
2 | Not Worth It | FETISH is the first novel by Tara Moss, who was a 25-year old fashion model at the time of its publication. According to her website, Ms. Moss is apparently Australia's top selling crime writer, which is what led me to give her work a try.This novel is readable, but it's pretty unoriginal. This is a typical serial killer story, and many of the scenes in this book are familiar and predictable. The characterization is pretty cardboard and much of the dialogue is pretty flat. I read a lot of crime fiction, and you can do much better than this -- early Patricia Cornwell, Kathy Reichs, Harlan Coben, James Patterson, and Michael Connelly are all far superior choices.What makes this novel interesting is that it takes place in Australia and provides some insight into the world of fashion modeling. If either of those subjects interest you, then you may want to give this novel a try. Otherwise, my advice is to skip FETISH, since there are far better books out there worth your time. | 986 | [
"FETISH is the first novel by Tara Moss, who was a 25-year old fashion model at the time of its publication.",
"According to her website, Ms.",
"Moss is apparently Australia's top selling crime writer, which is what led me to give her work a try.This novel is readable, but it's pretty unoriginal.",
"This is a typical serial killer story, and many of the scenes in this book are familiar and predictable.",
"The characterization is pretty cardboard and much of the dialogue is pretty flat.",
"I read a lot of crime fiction, and you can do much better than this -- early Patricia Cornwell, Kathy Reichs, Harlan Coben, James Patterson, and Michael Connelly are all far superior choices.What makes this novel interesting is that it takes place in Australia and provides some insight into the world of fashion modeling.",
"If either of those subjects interest you, then you may want to give this novel a try.",
"Otherwise, my advice is to skip FETISH, since there are far better books out there worth your time."
] |
2 | Disappointing, a real flop | Rubbermaid 3F19 Configurations XL 42-Inch Three-Handle Low-Profile Box with Cedar Inserts, NaturalI was disappointed with the storage box. I expected better from Rubbermaid.The good news is this box fits under my bed--barely, with not a fraction of an inch to spare--which the hard plastic boxes didn't.The bad news is that this "box" is basically a large canvas bag. Neither the bottom nor sides are rigid, so when I try to move it, everything inside shifts and flops around. This not only makes the box difficult to handle and move, but also messes up the things stored inside.I have an old soft vinyl underbed storage box that has two cardboard inserts that make the sides and bottoms rigid. I was hoping to replace it because it's ripped and no longer has a handle on the front, but it's more practical than this "box".And I don't understand why the "cedar inserts" are even there. They are just two tiny fabric covered pieces that don't have the typical cedar odor that I can tell. | 986 | [
"Rubbermaid 3F19 Configurations XL 42-Inch Three-Handle Low-Profile Box with Cedar Inserts, NaturalI was disappointed with the storage box.",
"I expected better from Rubbermaid.The good news is this box fits under my bed--barely, with not a fraction of an inch to spare--which the hard plastic boxes didn't.The bad news is that this \"box\" is basically a large canvas bag.",
"Neither the bottom nor sides are rigid, so when I try to move it, everything inside shifts and flops around.",
"This not only makes the box difficult to handle and move, but also messes up the things stored inside.I have an old soft vinyl underbed storage box that has two cardboard inserts that make the sides and bottoms rigid.",
"I was hoping to replace it because it's ripped and no longer has a handle on the front, but it's more practical than this \"box\".And I don't understand why the \"cedar inserts\" are even there.",
"They are just two tiny fabric covered pieces that don't have the typical cedar odor that I can tell."
] |
2 | I've HAD IT | Harrison Greely III wrote: "I have not heard this CD, but I read the reviews and I am offended. I was born and then raised. During that period I was taught. Within that time I forgot a lot, but I remember that if someone disagrees with me then they are wrong. I believe in things that are true.....isn't that what beliefs are anyway? Someone once told me that beliefs are personal opinions, but I told him thats what he thought."Charles McHutchence wrote: "Harrison Greely III CLAIMS to have read the reviews, but what is he REALLY reading?paid for by Charles McHutchence"Both of you are acting like children. The reviews are getting out of hand. You should stop it like I stopped this CD in my car and threw it at the demon driver in the lane nearest thou. Grow up! I've heard funnier sounds on the can. Stop with the pleasantries and don't make me destroy you both. I vote for an intervention.paid for by Citizens supporting Reverend Anders against Greely III - McHutchence. (CRAAG'M) | 986 | [
"Harrison Greely III wrote: \"I have not heard this CD, but I read the reviews and I am offended.",
"I was born and then raised.",
"During that period I was taught.",
"Within that time I forgot a lot, but I remember that if someone disagrees with me then they are wrong.",
"I believe in things that are true.....isn't that what beliefs are anyway?",
"Someone once told me that beliefs are personal opinions, but I told him thats what he thought.\"Charles McHutchence wrote: \"Harrison Greely III CLAIMS to have read the reviews, but what is he REALLY reading?",
"paid for by Charles McHutchence\"Both of you are acting like children.",
"The reviews are getting out of hand.",
"You should stop it like I stopped this CD in my car and threw it at the demon driver in the lane nearest thou.",
"Grow up!",
"I've heard funnier sounds on the can.",
"Stop with the pleasantries and don't make me destroy you both.",
"I vote for an intervention.paid for by Citizens supporting Reverend Anders against Greely III - McHutchence.",
"(CRAAG'M)"
] |
2 | Same product, same problems | Like others commenting here, I purchased the Simmons Extraordinaire because I live in an apartment and did not want to buy a bed that would be difficult to move when I go to a new place.I used this bed for about eight months, and had a plethora of problems. The edge of the stamping on the pillowtop began to separate and create tiny holes. As a result, oftentimes I'd wake up on the hard floor because the mattress lost its air and flattened.The valve went bad in a short period of time, and the mattress required me to refill it after sleeping on it a couple of times.And like another commenter, the interior membrane busted, leaving a huge bump in the middle of the pillowtop. I tried to deflate it to lessen the bump and flipped the mattress over, but my back felt as if it'd be run over by a car.I strongly recommend avoiding this product. Unfortunately, it won't last long. If you're looking for an air bed, spend a little bit more money on a higher-rated brand that will hold up. | 986 | [
"Like others commenting here, I purchased the Simmons Extraordinaire because I live in an apartment and did not want to buy a bed that would be difficult to move when I go to a new place.I used this bed for about eight months, and had a plethora of problems.",
"The edge of the stamping on the pillowtop began to separate and create tiny holes.",
"As a result, oftentimes I'd wake up on the hard floor because the mattress lost its air and flattened.The valve went bad in a short period of time, and the mattress required me to refill it after sleeping on it a couple of times.And like another commenter, the interior membrane busted, leaving a huge bump in the middle of the pillowtop.",
"I tried to deflate it to lessen the bump and flipped the mattress over, but my back felt as if it'd be run over by a car.I strongly recommend avoiding this product.",
"Unfortunately, it won't last long.",
"If you're looking for an air bed, spend a little bit more money on a higher-rated brand that will hold up."
] |
2 | I almost loved it... | I loved this grinder when I first received it as a wedding present. Well, not at first. the first time I used it, the plastic chamber that holds the beans broke. It's very finicky so you have to line up the dots correctly and push very gently. After I received my replacement (Thank you, Amazon), I loved my machine for many months of lovely, delicious coffee grinding. It was simple, fast, and did the job with very little mess. Then I went on a caffeine hiatus and my lovely grinder was sentenced to the cupboard for a few months. I took it out to get back into the grind the other day, and nothing. It ground about a tablespoon of coffee in a minute. I have taken it apart several times, cleaned it, brushed it and inspected every portion of it. I have no idea why it won't grind coffee. The motor still runs fine, but no coffee comes through. I'm frustrated and I'm about to go by a cheap replacement to get me by. So- it worked great for about 10 months, and now I'm out a grinder. | 986 | [
"I loved this grinder when I first received it as a wedding present.",
"Well, not at first.",
"the first time I used it, the plastic chamber that holds the beans broke.",
"It's very finicky so you have to line up the dots correctly and push very gently.",
"After I received my replacement (Thank you, Amazon), I loved my machine for many months of lovely, delicious coffee grinding.",
"It was simple, fast, and did the job with very little mess.",
"Then I went on a caffeine hiatus and my lovely grinder was sentenced to the cupboard for a few months.",
"I took it out to get back into the grind the other day, and nothing.",
"It ground about a tablespoon of coffee in a minute.",
"I have taken it apart several times, cleaned it, brushed it and inspected every portion of it.",
"I have no idea why it won't grind coffee.",
"The motor still runs fine, but no coffee comes through.",
"I'm frustrated and I'm about to go by a cheap replacement to get me by.",
"So- it worked great for about 10 months, and now I'm out a grinder."
] |
2 | Not for PST | DO NOT BUY THIS FOR THE PST! This item would be great for a much larger knife but could fit 2 PST's (Personal Survival Tools) in it. I should have been very careful to read the measurements but I did read in the detailed specs that this product was for the PST. Saying that this product fits the PST is like saying that a shoe box fits an egg. When I contacted the seller they stated very coldly, that they posted the measurements but had no response to my inquiry of why they stated that this thing fit the PST. They gave me a return number to send it back and 2 pages of regulations stating that the package must be unopened among many other things. How would you know it fit unless you tried it? Any way I would send it back but the return shipping is more than the product is worth (they know that!) I am very unsatisfied with the seller! Gave this 2 stars because although this rides high on the belt, it may be good for whatever monster it is supposed to carry. It is not the PST! | 986 | [
"DO NOT BUY THIS FOR THE PST!",
"This item would be great for a much larger knife but could fit 2 PST's (Personal Survival Tools) in it.",
"I should have been very careful to read the measurements but I did read in the detailed specs that this product was for the PST.",
"Saying that this product fits the PST is like saying that a shoe box fits an egg.",
"When I contacted the seller they stated very coldly, that they posted the measurements but had no response to my inquiry of why they stated that this thing fit the PST.",
"They gave me a return number to send it back and 2 pages of regulations stating that the package must be unopened among many other things.",
"How would you know it fit unless you tried it?",
"Any way I would send it back but the return shipping is more than the product is worth (they know that!",
") I am very unsatisfied with the seller!",
"Gave this 2 stars because although this rides high on the belt, it may be good for whatever monster it is supposed to carry.",
"It is not the PST!"
] |
2 | Poor quality | I already returned two of these, out of the box, first one said error, never worked. I was sent a new one and it worked very well for about two months, then it started displaying erratically different weights at startup. Then it would zero out and then display error. It has a year warranty so I was told they would replace it with a new one, but I had to pay return shipping. Customer service originally told me it sounded like it needed calibration and sent me instructions to set four hundred lbs of weights on it. I took it to the gym but could find weights to fit, on the platform, so they said just return it so I did. No I'm waiting. Other than that it was pretty accurate but the plastic display part of the scale it really cheap plastic. Originally I wanted a tanita which I use at the gym, which has been there a few years, gets constant use and is built like an iron army tank, so I should have gotten the Tanita, but they were more expensive. Guess you get what you pay for. | 986 | [
"I already returned two of these, out of the box, first one said error, never worked.",
"I was sent a new one and it worked very well for about two months, then it started displaying erratically different weights at startup.",
"Then it would zero out and then display error.",
"It has a year warranty so I was told they would replace it with a new one, but I had to pay return shipping.",
"Customer service originally told me it sounded like it needed calibration and sent me instructions to set four hundred lbs of weights on it.",
"I took it to the gym but could find weights to fit, on the platform, so they said just return it so I did.",
"No I'm waiting.",
"Other than that it was pretty accurate but the plastic display part of the scale it really cheap plastic.",
"Originally I wanted a tanita which I use at the gym, which has been there a few years, gets constant use and is built like an iron army tank, so I should have gotten the Tanita, but they were more expensive.",
"Guess you get what you pay for."
] |
2 | Horrible game | I am sooooooo disappointed with this game. I have been looking forward to this game coming out and was excited when it finally did. First of all I had to hunt for it b/c it was not released on time. Well my wife found it for me and surprised me with it. Well I was the eager beaver and went home and popped it in the xbox and started to play... well that was the end of the fun. Fun's over. Let's put it this way...the game costs $20 and I think they spent that on the budget as well to make the game. Extremely low budget no fun title. It has so much potential and was wasted. The boats look like crud, the boats handle like crud, the fishing is clunky, and the fish look so fake and no fun to catch. The only good thing about this game is that the water looks good, hence the 2-star rating. Avoid this game at all costs. Save your money and find a copy of Pro Fishing Challenge on the Xbox which is the best and most awesome fishing title I have found yet and is a ton of fun to play. | 986 | [
"I am sooooooo disappointed with this game.",
"I have been looking forward to this game coming out and was excited when it finally did.",
"First of all I had to hunt for it b/c it was not released on time.",
"Well my wife found it for me and surprised me with it.",
"Well I was the eager beaver and went home and popped it in the xbox and started to play... well that was the end of the fun.",
"Fun's over.",
"Let's put it this way...the game costs $20 and I think they spent that on the budget as well to make the game.",
"Extremely low budget no fun title.",
"It has so much potential and was wasted.",
"The boats look like crud, the boats handle like crud, the fishing is clunky, and the fish look so fake and no fun to catch.",
"The only good thing about this game is that the water looks good, hence the 2-star rating.",
"Avoid this game at all costs.",
"Save your money and find a copy of Pro Fishing Challenge on the Xbox which is the best and most awesome fishing title I have found yet and is a ton of fun to play."
] |
2 | Bit of a Letdown in the End | This is part of my attempt to read classics and non-fiction as well as my usual speculative fiction this year. A few people noted that Hardy is a bit of a hard read, and that turned out to be true. His style is jagged and choppy, bouncing around quite a bit, and never giving you a true glimpse of some scenes important to know how to interpret (such as the question of Tess' seduction or rape by Alec d'Urberville). However, overall, it is an interesting story at least and I enjoyed the book. But considering the ending seemed to be rather ill-fitting to the rest of the tale, I'll have to pass on giving it a high rating. It was rather disappointing to slog through his odd phrasings and quirks, only to be let down at the end by the characters just magically changing personality traits. I think Tess was a weakling without a mind of her own for the most part, Angel was worthless, and the character with the most potential in the story is the so-called villain, Alec d'Urberville. | 985 | [
"This is part of my attempt to read classics and non-fiction as well as my usual speculative fiction this year.",
"A few people noted that Hardy is a bit of a hard read, and that turned out to be true.",
"His style is jagged and choppy, bouncing around quite a bit, and never giving you a true glimpse of some scenes important to know how to interpret (such as the question of Tess' seduction or rape by Alec d'Urberville).",
"However, overall, it is an interesting story at least and I enjoyed the book.",
"But considering the ending seemed to be rather ill-fitting to the rest of the tale, I'll have to pass on giving it a high rating.",
"It was rather disappointing to slog through his odd phrasings and quirks, only to be let down at the end by the characters just magically changing personality traits.",
"I think Tess was a weakling without a mind of her own for the most part, Angel was worthless, and the character with the most potential in the story is the so-called villain, Alec d'Urberville."
] |
2 | Nature of the Beast | It's quite interesting in that is shows what makes the people of this nation tick, by looking at their traditions and examining their ideologies. It addresses the breakdown of traditional communities and human interactions. But the conclusions this book comes to should be quite horrifying to any RATIONAL Joe. The tone of the book is that we are all social animals that live, interact.... and work together in a community based on responsibility to care for others. It is true that we are social animals and that recently people have grown cold to each other...but the solution is not to enslave people with some "inherent responsibility" to others. The book's states that we will only become "human by accepting our essential poverty as a GIFT, and to share our material wealth with those in need."......this is the most anti-American book I've read which tries to fix the social climate in the most horrifying ways. This is SOCIALISM disguised as a Traditional American Way of Life. | 985 | [
"It's quite interesting in that is shows what makes the people of this nation tick, by looking at their traditions and examining their ideologies.",
"It addresses the breakdown of traditional communities and human interactions.",
"But the conclusions this book comes to should be quite horrifying to any RATIONAL Joe.",
"The tone of the book is that we are all social animals that live, interact.... and work together in a community based on responsibility to care for others.",
"It is true that we are social animals and that recently people have grown cold to each other...but the solution is not to enslave people with some \"inherent responsibility\" to others.",
"The book's states that we will only become \"human by accepting our essential poverty as a GIFT, and to share our material wealth with those in need.\"......this is the most anti-American book I've read which tries to fix the social climate in the most horrifying ways.",
"This is SOCIALISM disguised as a Traditional American Way of Life."
] |
2 | Check out before you buy | The product looks ok. The buttons are nice and big and easy to read. They don't work very well though. For example when pushing on the speaker button to dial or answer the phone often I have to press it several times and just right for it to work. It does not come with the AC adapter and Northwestern Bell no longer makes or distributes them. Without the adapter the lights do not work, including the message waiting light. It is not what it was reported to be and does not function the way it is supposed to because it does not have an adapter. I have tried several stores such as Radio Shack, Best Buy, Walmart and Target to find an adapter (120VAC to 6V 100mA) and cannot find one. I have not been able to find one online either. Also the product information indicates this phone takes 3 AA batteries. It does not. This one takes 4 AAA batteries. Not that the size of the batteries makes any difference to me, but the description is not accurate for the item. I am sending it back. | 985 | [
"The product looks ok.",
"The buttons are nice and big and easy to read.",
"They don't work very well though.",
"For example when pushing on the speaker button to dial or answer the phone often I have to press it several times and just right for it to work.",
"It does not come with the AC adapter and Northwestern Bell no longer makes or distributes them.",
"Without the adapter the lights do not work, including the message waiting light.",
"It is not what it was reported to be and does not function the way it is supposed to because it does not have an adapter.",
"I have tried several stores such as Radio Shack, Best Buy, Walmart and Target to find an adapter (120VAC to 6V 100mA) and cannot find one.",
"I have not been able to find one online either.",
"Also the product information indicates this phone takes 3 AA batteries.",
"It does not.",
"This one takes 4 AAA batteries.",
"Not that the size of the batteries makes any difference to me, but the description is not accurate for the item.",
"I am sending it back."
] |
2 | A Benchwarmer | It pains me to give one of my favorite authors less than four...-ish stars, but I really feel as if Two on a Tower is not that great. As someone coming from a scientific/engineering background, I did of course get giddy with excitement upon seeing Mr. Hardy discuss the beauties of the sciences and people's relations to them, and as far quotable quotes, Two on a Tower ranks among the best of Hardy's oeuvre. You also have the whole questioning attitude towards marriage/relationships similar to Jude the Obscure coming out of this like you do. But this book is no Jude the Obscure. It felt more draggy and dull...sort of like an episode of Happy Days after the series lost its stride. (And yes Happy Days did have a pretty nice stride there for a while). I don't know, keep Two on a Tower on the bench until you've exhausted most of the rest of Team Hardy, which for me has a starting lineup of Tess, Jude, Madding Crowd, the Native (slight Return), and the Mayor of Casterbridge.Yay | 985 | [
"It pains me to give one of my favorite authors less than four...-ish stars, but I really feel as if Two on a Tower is not that great.",
"As someone coming from a scientific/engineering background, I did of course get giddy with excitement upon seeing Mr.",
"Hardy discuss the beauties of the sciences and people's relations to them, and as far quotable quotes, Two on a Tower ranks among the best of Hardy's oeuvre.",
"You also have the whole questioning attitude towards marriage/relationships similar to Jude the Obscure coming out of this like you do.",
"But this book is no Jude the Obscure.",
"It felt more draggy and dull...sort of like an episode of Happy Days after the series lost its stride.",
"(And yes Happy Days did have a pretty nice stride there for a while).",
"I don't know, keep Two on a Tower on the bench until you've exhausted most of the rest of Team Hardy, which for me has a starting lineup of Tess, Jude, Madding Crowd, the Native (slight Return), and the Mayor of Casterbridge.Yay"
] |
2 | OK | I felt that this book did not meet the "hype" that my professor created for this book. Both he and another professor at my school raved about how good it was, although both myself and more thank 12 other students (in a class of about 20) were disappointed.First, the book contained too many grammatical errors--I found this to be quite shocking, especially considering that the author's partner is an english prof. I also purchased the study guide from the publisher, and it too contained a few too many typographical errors. Further, I found some of the examples in the practice problems to be inappropriate, given the weak explanation in the preceding chapter section's lesson.One positive comment I do have is that the approach or theme that the author uses from the very start of the book (using the "simple society") definitely indicates that the author made a sincere effort to reach his less-experienced undergrad audience. Perhaps the subsequent edition will be an improvement? | 985 | [
"I felt that this book did not meet the \"hype\" that my professor created for this book.",
"Both he and another professor at my school raved about how good it was, although both myself and more thank 12 other students (in a class of about 20) were disappointed.First, the book contained too many grammatical errors--I found this to be quite shocking, especially considering that the author's partner is an english prof.",
"I also purchased the study guide from the publisher, and it too contained a few too many typographical errors.",
"Further, I found some of the examples in the practice problems to be inappropriate, given the weak explanation in the preceding chapter section's lesson.One positive comment I do have is that the approach or theme that the author uses from the very start of the book (using the \"simple society\") definitely indicates that the author made a sincere effort to reach his less-experienced undergrad audience.",
"Perhaps the subsequent edition will be an improvement?"
] |
2 | Not her best work | While I could never "hate" LKH's work, this was not my favorite. If you are looking for answers or continuity from previous books, you won't get it. It was high on prose and porn, low on plot or storyline regarding the serial killing advertised in the jacket of the book, or even a mention of what happened the last few chapters of the previous book.I was very frustrated with the lack of backround storyline, and missed Anita dealing with people in every day life ...meaning relationships and meeting new people without having sex.The 8 to 10 different partners, on multiple occassions within a 48hour time frame, without the luxury of a shower was too much for me.I'm far more interesed in the Merry series and the unveiling of the world of fae as well as the people we are meeting in those two courts than I currently am with the world of Anita.If you love Anita, buy this book, but don't expect it to be anything like the first few books. (Sorry to the fans...I really am one too!) | 985 | [
"While I could never \"hate\" LKH's work, this was not my favorite.",
"If you are looking for answers or continuity from previous books, you won't get it.",
"It was high on prose and porn, low on plot or storyline regarding the serial killing advertised in the jacket of the book, or even a mention of what happened the last few chapters of the previous book.I was very frustrated with the lack of backround storyline, and missed Anita dealing with people in every day life ...meaning relationships and meeting new people without having sex.The 8 to 10 different partners, on multiple occassions within a 48hour time frame, without the luxury of a shower was too much for me.I'm far more interesed in the Merry series and the unveiling of the world of fae as well as the people we are meeting in those two courts than I currently am with the world of Anita.If you love Anita, buy this book, but don't expect it to be anything like the first few books.",
"(Sorry to the fans...I really am one too!",
")"
] |
2 | Just Goofy | I was very intrigued by the previews for this show and the first half or so of this pilot was just as intriguing. But unfortunately the plot took a turn for the worst as it transitioned from intelligent to goofy. I was surprised at the ending, simply because I couldn't conceive it being contrived. At least they had the decency to make the big reveal in the first episode instead of stringing us along for an entire season or more. Now at least I know not to watch any more. You may not consider the ending of this episode a "big reveal," but it would have been, had they declined to reveal it until later. Instead they leave the audience with no mystery, just a go-getter speech. I can't say I'm interested in watching episode two. I'm not interested in the plot anymore, I'm not interested in the characters and I certainly have no expectation that the writers will pull through and create an intelligent and engaging show after this episode. Maybe they will, but I don't expect it. | 985 | [
"I was very intrigued by the previews for this show and the first half or so of this pilot was just as intriguing.",
"But unfortunately the plot took a turn for the worst as it transitioned from intelligent to goofy.",
"I was surprised at the ending, simply because I couldn't conceive it being contrived.",
"At least they had the decency to make the big reveal in the first episode instead of stringing us along for an entire season or more.",
"Now at least I know not to watch any more.",
"You may not consider the ending of this episode a \"big reveal,\" but it would have been, had they declined to reveal it until later.",
"Instead they leave the audience with no mystery, just a go-getter speech.",
"I can't say I'm interested in watching episode two.",
"I'm not interested in the plot anymore, I'm not interested in the characters and I certainly have no expectation that the writers will pull through and create an intelligent and engaging show after this episode.",
"Maybe they will, but I don't expect it."
] |
2 | Poorly treated subject. | Although the main point of this small book has value and, needs to be addressed by all people (Christian or not), this particular treatment is fairly useless.We are all indeed overburdened by our work and family life, and will lean more heavily to one extreme in attempting the impossible task of "getting everything done that needs to get done."That being said, and an obvious point, this book's style is so diluted and simple that it could be played as background chatter in a dentist office. There is no theology here, no strong Biblical support. Rather, you will find here cute anecdotes, colorless stories and dinner table pabulum at a low budget counseling seminar. These are not deep Biblical truths, but cheap examples of popular pseudo-psychology.If you search for theological and biblically rooted evidence, this is not the book for you. If on the other hand you chew on Lucado and Osteen for your daily Scriptural diet, then this book should fill your bookshelf beautifully. | 985 | [
"Although the main point of this small book has value and, needs to be addressed by all people (Christian or not), this particular treatment is fairly useless.We are all indeed overburdened by our work and family life, and will lean more heavily to one extreme in attempting the impossible task of \"getting everything done that needs to get done.\"That being said, and an obvious point, this book's style is so diluted and simple that it could be played as background chatter in a dentist office.",
"There is no theology here, no strong Biblical support.",
"Rather, you will find here cute anecdotes, colorless stories and dinner table pabulum at a low budget counseling seminar.",
"These are not deep Biblical truths, but cheap examples of popular pseudo-psychology.If you search for theological and biblically rooted evidence, this is not the book for you.",
"If on the other hand you chew on Lucado and Osteen for your daily Scriptural diet, then this book should fill your bookshelf beautifully."
] |
2 | Tangerine by Edward Bloor | Paul Fisher and his family move to Tangerine, Florida. Just an ordinary move right? WRONG! Everything is going wrong. Paul is believed to be legally blind because of an accident that happened to him in his younger years. If he is "blind", then why is he the only one that notices all the strange things going on in Tangerine? His school is in portable buildings, lightning strikes the same house at the same time every day, and there is an evil side to his brother Erik that no one else seems to notice. Could things be any more hectic in Tangerine? Will Paul's family be forced to move back to their hometown? Paul Fisher is a 7th grader in this novel. I personally think this book is good for anyone between the ages of twelve and fourteen, You have to enjoy a good twisted mystery to want to read this book. In my opinion, the author stayed on ths same topic for too long of a period of time. Sometimes, my mind would wonder while reading the book, but in general it was an ok book. | 985 | [
"Paul Fisher and his family move to Tangerine, Florida.",
"Just an ordinary move right?",
"WRONG!",
"Everything is going wrong.",
"Paul is believed to be legally blind because of an accident that happened to him in his younger years.",
"If he is \"blind\", then why is he the only one that notices all the strange things going on in Tangerine?",
"His school is in portable buildings, lightning strikes the same house at the same time every day, and there is an evil side to his brother Erik that no one else seems to notice.",
"Could things be any more hectic in Tangerine?",
"Will Paul's family be forced to move back to their hometown?",
"Paul Fisher is a 7th grader in this novel.",
"I personally think this book is good for anyone between the ages of twelve and fourteen, You have to enjoy a good twisted mystery to want to read this book.",
"In my opinion, the author stayed on ths same topic for too long of a period of time.",
"Sometimes, my mind would wonder while reading the book, but in general it was an ok book."
] |
2 | VERY uncomfortable. | I like this mouse because it has a cord (So no battery charging or changing required). However, I find it kind of pathetic when you have to install a driver just for a mouse. It takes up a small amount on my hard drive, but I still find it unnecessary. I replaced this mouse with a Logitech wireless mouse that required NO installation of anything! Also, (Not sure if this is just me) but the mouse tends to lag when I use it (Most noticeable when I play simple point and click games) which is VERY frustrating!! Changing the settings doesn't do anything to improve this. This mouse makes me want to go back to the days of mouses with balls. Because of the lagging with this mouse, my wrist tends to hurt if I'm on the computer for a long time (And I tend to try spending A LOT of time on computers).PS I understand that the software helps program the two side buttons, but the installation took longer than just to install the interface, it took up too much space for this one device. | 985 | [
"I like this mouse because it has a cord (So no battery charging or changing required).",
"However, I find it kind of pathetic when you have to install a driver just for a mouse.",
"It takes up a small amount on my hard drive, but I still find it unnecessary.",
"I replaced this mouse with a Logitech wireless mouse that required NO installation of anything!",
"Also, (Not sure if this is just me) but the mouse tends to lag when I use it (Most noticeable when I play simple point and click games) which is VERY frustrating!!",
"Changing the settings doesn't do anything to improve this.",
"This mouse makes me want to go back to the days of mouses with balls.",
"Because of the lagging with this mouse, my wrist tends to hurt if I'm on the computer for a long time (And I tend to try spending A LOT of time on computers).PS I understand that the software helps program the two side buttons, but the installation took longer than just to install the interface, it took up too much space for this one device."
] |
2 | It is not very durable... | I did not purchase this through Amazon; it was through Back to Basics Toys. It was a Christmas gift for our 7 year old son. Granted the age on this toy is 5+, but our son is interested in regular pool, so we figured it would be neat to get this so he could get the idea of what it was all about. Yes, it's a fun game...if you can get through it without any pieces falling off and/or breaking! Just received our replacement Skittle Pool in the mail today and, already, it is broken. It truly is a piece of garbage as far as quality goes. It's all plastic...the "A" frames (two are included) are warped, making for total inaccuracy when "shooting" the cue ball. The plastic piece that sticks up out of the swivel arm (which a stationery cue ball sort of gets inserted on) snapped off ~ one of the reasons we needed a replacement game...and then one snapped off the replacement!! For the price, I would think they could invest a little bit more money and make this game a bit more sturdy. | 985 | [
"I did not purchase this through Amazon; it was through Back to Basics Toys.",
"It was a Christmas gift for our 7 year old son.",
"Granted the age on this toy is 5+, but our son is interested in regular pool, so we figured it would be neat to get this so he could get the idea of what it was all about.",
"Yes, it's a fun game...if you can get through it without any pieces falling off and/or breaking!",
"Just received our replacement Skittle Pool in the mail today and, already, it is broken.",
"It truly is a piece of garbage as far as quality goes.",
"It's all plastic...the \"A\" frames (two are included) are warped, making for total inaccuracy when \"shooting\" the cue ball.",
"The plastic piece that sticks up out of the swivel arm (which a stationery cue ball sort of gets inserted on) snapped off ~ one of the reasons we needed a replacement game...and then one snapped off the replacement!!",
"For the price, I would think they could invest a little bit more money and make this game a bit more sturdy."
] |
2 | Disappointing | If you're looking for specific methods for trading or investing you'll be disappointed. Most of his advice reads like a collection of conventional investing wisdom, with his own bent. It's almost like a theory of investing and he doesn't give specific techniques or examples. More "Look to do this or that". Much of it is vague. Lists over 20 indicators to look at, suggestions on what to look for, but there are no examples or charts. It reads like a general overview of his investing philisophy or a primer. You won't come away with any new techniques. The main theme is don't buy and hold, there are times to go short and look at the big picture.He does touch on cycle theory and Elliot wave briefly. He list many sentiment and breadth indicators to look at or calculate. Some can be gotten through data services, others you have to calculate by hand from data from sources like Barrons. I was expecting a lot more from someone with his reputation. There was no solid material here. | 985 | [
"If you're looking for specific methods for trading or investing you'll be disappointed.",
"Most of his advice reads like a collection of conventional investing wisdom, with his own bent.",
"It's almost like a theory of investing and he doesn't give specific techniques or examples.",
"More \"Look to do this or that\".",
"Much of it is vague.",
"Lists over 20 indicators to look at, suggestions on what to look for, but there are no examples or charts.",
"It reads like a general overview of his investing philisophy or a primer.",
"You won't come away with any new techniques.",
"The main theme is don't buy and hold, there are times to go short and look at the big picture.He does touch on cycle theory and Elliot wave briefly.",
"He list many sentiment and breadth indicators to look at or calculate.",
"Some can be gotten through data services, others you have to calculate by hand from data from sources like Barrons.",
"I was expecting a lot more from someone with his reputation.",
"There was no solid material here."
] |
2 | DULL! | The movie sounded promising: a script written by the man behind the Howling, and effects from the creator of Alien, E.T. and King Kong. But, dissapointingly, the effects were the only positive aspect of the movie, although these still weren't overly adventurous. As for the screenplay, I can imagine that the novel on which it was based as having an intriguing, indepth plot. However, the movies script doesn't quite capture the intelligence of this and instead just appears silly. There is some good editing, which helps to keep the movie flowing, especially in the films closing sequences. Unfortunately this is not enough to make up for the movies obvious failings.A horror film that wants to be taken seriously must also have an atmospheric music score to help build suspense whereas, The sound track to Cameron's Closet is laughable and very tedious.If I am to compare the film to others then I guess it lies somewhere between (and far below) Poltergiest, the Exorcist and Carrie. | 985 | [
"The movie sounded promising: a script written by the man behind the Howling, and effects from the creator of Alien, E.T. and King Kong.",
"But, dissapointingly, the effects were the only positive aspect of the movie, although these still weren't overly adventurous.",
"As for the screenplay, I can imagine that the novel on which it was based as having an intriguing, indepth plot.",
"However, the movies script doesn't quite capture the intelligence of this and instead just appears silly.",
"There is some good editing, which helps to keep the movie flowing, especially in the films closing sequences.",
"Unfortunately this is not enough to make up for the movies obvious failings.A horror film that wants to be taken seriously must also have an atmospheric music score to help build suspense whereas, The sound track to Cameron's Closet is laughable and very tedious.If I am to compare the film to others then I guess it lies somewhere between (and far below) Poltergiest, the Exorcist and Carrie."
] |
2 | Not helpful | I found most of the advice in this book to be overly obvious and not very useful. Like where to go to meet guys--bars, saunas, gyms, gourmet food stores--duh! Tell me something I haven't already thought of, and tell me some lines that are really funny and not over the top stuff like, "Where can I find the freshest meat?" Who in the world really says that? I felt like the author treated the whole business of cruising and meeting guys to be a big joke, not the fine art that it is, and something that we really need to work on. Also, some of the stuff in there was just wrong--like "foreplay is for girls!" What??? I don't know what planet this guy is from, but foreplay, anticipation, and attraction are the hottest parts of chemistry that two males can share. If you want real advice on this, I think you're better off looking in the straight aisle, i.e. Double Your Dating by David deAngelo (a downloadable e-book). I've picked up some great tips there and have used them on boys. | 985 | [
"I found most of the advice in this book to be overly obvious and not very useful.",
"Like where to go to meet guys--bars, saunas, gyms, gourmet food stores--duh!",
"Tell me something I haven't already thought of, and tell me some lines that are really funny and not over the top stuff like, \"Where can I find the freshest meat?",
"\" Who in the world really says that?",
"I felt like the author treated the whole business of cruising and meeting guys to be a big joke, not the fine art that it is, and something that we really need to work on.",
"Also, some of the stuff in there was just wrong--like \"foreplay is for girls!",
"\" What???",
"I don't know what planet this guy is from, but foreplay, anticipation, and attraction are the hottest parts of chemistry that two males can share.",
"If you want real advice on this, I think you're better off looking in the straight aisle, i.e. Double Your Dating by David deAngelo (a downloadable e-book).",
"I've picked up some great tips there and have used them on boys."
] |
2 | A Great Disappointment. | To give this book any more than two stars would be a mere act of pity. This book is more a psychological study of a disturbed woman, and a bunch of extremely domineering males than any sort of erotic tale. I was far too busy wondering when she was going to grab the riding crop and beat Rene and Sir Stephen until they cried for her mercy to get any sort of enjoyable sexual charge out of this story. I also found the writing style to be extremely redundant, and the "plot" to be no more than a series of the same beatings and sexual mistreatments in different settings. And the issues above are nothing compared to the fact that they cut off the ending. You don't get to find out what happens to O, much less poor little Natalie, an impressionable fifteen-year-old who is sucked into this world by Sir Stephen. The summary of the missing conclusion is one sentence long. I think that speaks to the importance the book places on any sort of plotline. As I said, a great disappointment. | 985 | [
"To give this book any more than two stars would be a mere act of pity.",
"This book is more a psychological study of a disturbed woman, and a bunch of extremely domineering males than any sort of erotic tale.",
"I was far too busy wondering when she was going to grab the riding crop and beat Rene and Sir Stephen until they cried for her mercy to get any sort of enjoyable sexual charge out of this story.",
"I also found the writing style to be extremely redundant, and the \"plot\" to be no more than a series of the same beatings and sexual mistreatments in different settings.",
"And the issues above are nothing compared to the fact that they cut off the ending.",
"You don't get to find out what happens to O, much less poor little Natalie, an impressionable fifteen-year-old who is sucked into this world by Sir Stephen.",
"The summary of the missing conclusion is one sentence long.",
"I think that speaks to the importance the book places on any sort of plotline.",
"As I said, a great disappointment."
] |
2 | Who talks like this? | This book was WAY too much work given the payoff. Sentences meander endlessly and are strewn with 25 cent words--and those 25cent words don't help establish the character, but just seem to be an opportunity for the author to throw them around. I don't mind getting an education but the incessant use of "big" words diminished the credibility of the main character. Who really uses this kind of vocabulary so frequently either in thought or in speaking? Instead of visualizing a character all I could see was an author with a thesauraus by his side looking for opportunities to flaunt his penchant for polysyllabic and obscure words. And following the sentences/character's line of thought is a constant chore. The main character is smug and seems to feel she's funnier (especially with her wordplay) than she actually is. This book just made me feel dumb...like I'm not smart enough to "get it". Overall a pretentious, elitist book that makes James Joyce's stuff seem light and breezy. | 985 | [
"This book was WAY too much work given the payoff.",
"Sentences meander endlessly and are strewn with 25 cent words--and those 25cent words don't help establish the character, but just seem to be an opportunity for the author to throw them around.",
"I don't mind getting an education but the incessant use of \"big\" words diminished the credibility of the main character.",
"Who really uses this kind of vocabulary so frequently either in thought or in speaking?",
"Instead of visualizing a character all I could see was an author with a thesauraus by his side looking for opportunities to flaunt his penchant for polysyllabic and obscure words.",
"And following the sentences/character's line of thought is a constant chore.",
"The main character is smug and seems to feel she's funnier (especially with her wordplay) than she actually is.",
"This book just made me feel dumb...like I'm not smart enough to \"get it\".",
"Overall a pretentious, elitist book that makes James Joyce's stuff seem light and breezy."
] |
2 | Absolutely Horrible | First of all the only reason I'm giving this two stars is because I like Laymon's voice as an author. The book itself is terrible. The female lead is a complete moron. She makes bad decision after bad decision. She's kidnapped, attacked, sexually abused, raped, sees people murdered, and is left for dead. After every single one of these incidents she has an opportunity to call the police for help and opts not to with no other reasoning than that she wants to avoid the hassle of dealing with them. When her family is in danger she chooses to leave a message on their home machine stating that if the see someone who looks like they male lead they should hide or just shoot him. Her sister is equally as stupid, going off with someone simply because he stated he knew her sister, getting her friends raped or killed in the process.The moral of this story really seems to be that most women are incredibly stupid, and if they are, they deserve whatever horrible things happen to them. | 985 | [
"First of all the only reason I'm giving this two stars is because I like Laymon's voice as an author.",
"The book itself is terrible.",
"The female lead is a complete moron.",
"She makes bad decision after bad decision.",
"She's kidnapped, attacked, sexually abused, raped, sees people murdered, and is left for dead.",
"After every single one of these incidents she has an opportunity to call the police for help and opts not to with no other reasoning than that she wants to avoid the hassle of dealing with them.",
"When her family is in danger she chooses to leave a message on their home machine stating that if the see someone who looks like they male lead they should hide or just shoot him.",
"Her sister is equally as stupid, going off with someone simply because he stated he knew her sister, getting her friends raped or killed in the process.The moral of this story really seems to be that most women are incredibly stupid, and if they are, they deserve whatever horrible things happen to them."
] |
2 | The Glam Got Me In A Jam | My daughter is very into David Bowie and the 70's glam rock scene. She's only 7 mind you but somehow she knows more than I do about the era and I was born in the 70's! So I wanted to buy her something (for her age group)to do with the 70's and glam rock for her birthday (she was born the same day as Nico, whoever that is). So I see the words "Jam and Glam" and I'm thinking "Glam..."And it all seemed to fit together. Barbie is very appropriate for her age group. Needless to say, I was very pleased. Now, I know nothing about glam and I'm thinking that Glam Rock Theresa or whoever would be perfect. Boy was i all wrong. "Mooooommmm!! They didn't wear pink warm up jackets in the 70's! Bowie and Nico wouldn't be caught dead in this!!!" I 'm a failure, birthday is ruined. The name of the doll is totally misleading. Parents and shoppers beware: if you are in a similar situation, this doll is NOT your shopping solution. Oh and durability? I guess Theresa doesn't need two arms.... | 985 | [
"My daughter is very into David Bowie and the 70's glam rock scene.",
"She's only 7 mind you but somehow she knows more than I do about the era and I was born in the 70's!",
"So I wanted to buy her something (for her age group)to do with the 70's and glam rock for her birthday (she was born the same day as Nico, whoever that is).",
"So I see the words \"Jam and Glam\" and I'm thinking \"Glam...\"And it all seemed to fit together.",
"Barbie is very appropriate for her age group.",
"Needless to say, I was very pleased.",
"Now, I know nothing about glam and I'm thinking that Glam Rock Theresa or whoever would be perfect.",
"Boy was i all wrong.",
"\"Mooooommmm!!",
"They didn't wear pink warm up jackets in the 70's!",
"Bowie and Nico wouldn't be caught dead in this!!!",
"\" I 'm a failure, birthday is ruined.",
"The name of the doll is totally misleading.",
"Parents and shoppers beware: if you are in a similar situation, this doll is NOT your shopping solution.",
"Oh and durability?",
"I guess Theresa doesn't need two arms...."
] |
2 | falling sky was sad | was i the only one who thought falling sky was a sad but good movie? I liked that Brittany murphy was in it but also cuz it was one the movies of hers i hadn't seen yet.Her acting was great as a young woman dealing with mature subjects in her own life like alcoholism and young love.It was a different character than in "Clueless",the happy go lucky high schooler tring to fit in,but,in a way,she was still trying to fit in into life,in "falling sky."Also,I liked that Jeremy Jordan,former pop singer in the 90's,was in it,too as a guy she meets and likes.In life,Brit was gone too soon.She had much more to do still.The movie had to do with young people and love and family crises like an alcoholic mother and later a tragedy that made the daughter question her place in life,while dealing with death and abandonement.Good movie,but sad that Brit's gone:)R.I.P WAtch it and byu it from amazon for a great deal. Try it.You might like it.Peace.[[ASIN:B000062XJ0 Falling Sky (1998) [VHS] | 985 | [
"was i the only one who thought falling sky was a sad but good movie?",
"I liked that Brittany murphy was in it but also cuz it was one the movies of hers i hadn't seen yet.Her acting was great as a young woman dealing with mature subjects in her own life like alcoholism and young love.It was a different character than in \"Clueless\",the happy go lucky high schooler tring to fit in,but,in a way,she was still trying to fit in into life,in \"falling sky.\"Also,I liked that Jeremy Jordan,former pop singer in the 90's,was in it,too as a guy she meets and likes.In life,Brit was gone too soon.She had much more to do still.The movie had to do with young people and love and family crises like an alcoholic mother and later a tragedy that made the daughter question her place in life,while dealing with death and abandonement.Good movie,but sad that Brit's gone:)R.I.P WAtch it and byu it from amazon for a great deal.",
"Try it.You might like it.Peace.[[ASIN:B000062XJ0 Falling Sky (1998) [VHS]"
] |
2 | Going back to mono | I bought some 10-lb test Berkley Vanish a few weeks ago, and re-spooled both my spinning reels with it. I bought it mostly because I liked what I had read about fluorocarbon being less visible to fish underwater. I fish in a clearwater lake, and the fish can be pretty discriminatory when it comes to deciding what to eat, so I didn't want them seeing my line. Anyway, I caught some fish, so I'm not giving the line a 1-star rating, but, in the end, Berkley Vanish can only muster 2-stars.Cons: the stuff just gets twisted, tangled, and coiled worse than anything I have seen. It was a real problem when I was fishing. Loops of line would force themselves off my reel and tangle around the handle, etc. I had to cut off the line and strip yards and yards of it several times, only to have to re-tie so I could keep fishing.A friend of mine told me that the Trilene Fluoro is better stuff, and he urged me to go with that, but odds are I'm going back to Stren Lo-Vis Green monofilament. | 985 | [
"I bought some 10-lb test Berkley Vanish a few weeks ago, and re-spooled both my spinning reels with it.",
"I bought it mostly because I liked what I had read about fluorocarbon being less visible to fish underwater.",
"I fish in a clearwater lake, and the fish can be pretty discriminatory when it comes to deciding what to eat, so I didn't want them seeing my line.",
"Anyway, I caught some fish, so I'm not giving the line a 1-star rating, but, in the end, Berkley Vanish can only muster 2-stars.Cons: the stuff just gets twisted, tangled, and coiled worse than anything I have seen.",
"It was a real problem when I was fishing.",
"Loops of line would force themselves off my reel and tangle around the handle, etc.",
"I had to cut off the line and strip yards and yards of it several times, only to have to re-tie so I could keep fishing.A friend of mine told me that the Trilene Fluoro is better stuff, and he urged me to go with that, but odds are I'm going back to Stren Lo-Vis Green monofilament."
] |
2 | Not for the general public | Bawden is often quoted for his archaelogical studies of the North of Peru, so I bought his book in advance of my tourist trip to the Moche sites, of which I knew next to nothing. I spent many disappointing hours trying to study this book but I was not able even to finish it. The book is terribly dry and while it is not strictly limited to a list of archeological finds, that is clearly the forte of the author. The style is way more awkward than the average scholarly text, the photos of which there are many are absolutely substandard (this must be the fault of the printer). But more substantially, I came out of my struggle with this book without even a half way understanding of what distinguished the Moche from the previous civilizations, from the contemporary ones, and from those that followed it. If you are serious in wanting to study the Moche, I am sure that this could be a useful addition to your text list, but if you want to read just one book, choose something else. | 985 | [
"Bawden is often quoted for his archaelogical studies of the North of Peru, so I bought his book in advance of my tourist trip to the Moche sites, of which I knew next to nothing.",
"I spent many disappointing hours trying to study this book but I was not able even to finish it.",
"The book is terribly dry and while it is not strictly limited to a list of archeological finds, that is clearly the forte of the author.",
"The style is way more awkward than the average scholarly text, the photos of which there are many are absolutely substandard (this must be the fault of the printer).",
"But more substantially, I came out of my struggle with this book without even a half way understanding of what distinguished the Moche from the previous civilizations, from the contemporary ones, and from those that followed it.",
"If you are serious in wanting to study the Moche, I am sure that this could be a useful addition to your text list, but if you want to read just one book, choose something else."
] |
2 | Irritating Characterizations | This book was a big disappointment. My main criticism is that there is little reason for Mary, given the description of her character, to be in love with Vidal. The premise of the story was deeply flawed. It would have been different if he had been shown to have any redeeming qualities. The book would be much improved had there been some background on how his character became so selfish and indifferent to others along with examples of him showing glimpses of a good or interesting personality underneath the shallow and mean picture painted of his character.Also after reading These Old Shades, the prequel, I had hopes that Rupert's character, Vidal's uncle, might improve. Instead in this book he became unlikeable and unappealing. I could envision Rubert's character as originally written as the main character in this novel instead of Vidal.Some portions of this story reflected aspects of Georgette Heyer's stories that I enjoy. That is why I gave it two stars instead of one. | 985 | [
"This book was a big disappointment.",
"My main criticism is that there is little reason for Mary, given the description of her character, to be in love with Vidal.",
"The premise of the story was deeply flawed.",
"It would have been different if he had been shown to have any redeeming qualities.",
"The book would be much improved had there been some background on how his character became so selfish and indifferent to others along with examples of him showing glimpses of a good or interesting personality underneath the shallow and mean picture painted of his character.Also after reading These Old Shades, the prequel, I had hopes that Rupert's character, Vidal's uncle, might improve.",
"Instead in this book he became unlikeable and unappealing.",
"I could envision Rubert's character as originally written as the main character in this novel instead of Vidal.Some portions of this story reflected aspects of Georgette Heyer's stories that I enjoy.",
"That is why I gave it two stars instead of one."
] |
2 | Made me laugh | First of all, the scenery was breathtaking. The scene with the dancing and the gongs and everything was fantastic. Everything else kind of fell flat. This movie was supposed to be romantic and stuff but it was pretty comedic. I was laughing my head off in the last scene! And it was supposed to be sad! The plot was overly-gag-me cheesy and unrealistic (how could Mei still be alive after all that?!?). Fortunately the characters were overall likeable, except for Mei's psycho ex-boyfriend...please. And the fact that she should be a mondo-good martial artist but still almost gets raped, like, five times is so extraordinairly improbable (not to mention dumb)! By the way, the sex on the forest ground was totally unneeded. Overall this movie is sappy and overdramatic. I recommend you to pick it up at the library if you want a few laughs. Don't waste your money on this...film...if you want a good romantic/martial artsy movie buy 'Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon' or 'Hero' instead. | 985 | [
"First of all, the scenery was breathtaking.",
"The scene with the dancing and the gongs and everything was fantastic.",
"Everything else kind of fell flat.",
"This movie was supposed to be romantic and stuff but it was pretty comedic.",
"I was laughing my head off in the last scene!",
"And it was supposed to be sad!",
"The plot was overly-gag-me cheesy and unrealistic (how could Mei still be alive after all that?!?",
").",
"Fortunately the characters were overall likeable, except for Mei's psycho ex-boyfriend...please.",
"And the fact that she should be a mondo-good martial artist but still almost gets raped, like, five times is so extraordinairly improbable (not to mention dumb)!",
"By the way, the sex on the forest ground was totally unneeded.",
"Overall this movie is sappy and overdramatic.",
"I recommend you to pick it up at the library if you want a few laughs.",
"Don't waste your money on this...film...if you want a good romantic/martial artsy movie buy 'Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon' or 'Hero' instead."
] |
2 | The Decline Continues | It's sad to see that Ambrose, the author of such wonderful early biographies and histories, continues to churn out flawed and increasingly wooden material. He appears much more concerned these days with being President of 'Stephen Ambrose Inc.', than he is with writing solid history. If you're truly interested in the history of the Transcontinental Railroad, read David Bain's book instead. It may give you a few more details than you care to know, but the his passion for the work comes through almost as loudly as the passion (both good and nefarious) of the speculators and tycoons who lurked and paraded on the Transcontinental stage. In addition to several unforgiveable factual errors, Ambrose's work captures very little of the historical immensity of the this magnificent feat. Ambrose and his publisher are trying to sell words on paper based on the author's name. Hopefully he'll go back soon to writing insightful, compelling history that teaches as much as it entertains. | 985 | [
"It's sad to see that Ambrose, the author of such wonderful early biographies and histories, continues to churn out flawed and increasingly wooden material.",
"He appears much more concerned these days with being President of 'Stephen Ambrose Inc.', than he is with writing solid history.",
"If you're truly interested in the history of the Transcontinental Railroad, read David Bain's book instead.",
"It may give you a few more details than you care to know, but the his passion for the work comes through almost as loudly as the passion (both good and nefarious) of the speculators and tycoons who lurked and paraded on the Transcontinental stage.",
"In addition to several unforgiveable factual errors, Ambrose's work captures very little of the historical immensity of the this magnificent feat.",
"Ambrose and his publisher are trying to sell words on paper based on the author's name.",
"Hopefully he'll go back soon to writing insightful, compelling history that teaches as much as it entertains."
] |
2 | What a mess. | Have been a die hard COD'er since the original release. COD was the first PC game I played Multiplayer on and was hooked immediately. Have competed in CAL and TWL and used to play daily. IW messed up big time with this one. Single play is way to easy and I completed the game in a few hours. Multiplay maps are graphically much nicer but the new engine seems to have some flaws. Really feels like IW rushed this out with out much market testing. Easy to find glitches and the release of this game WITHOUT A ANTICHEAT are things that any testing would have brought to the forefront immediately. Would figure they would have learned from the first version. Recently there was a worldwide strike against the game due to the lack of response from the gamemakers. Just google search cod2 strike and you will get much of the information. Game is still fun but way to arcady. Unfortunate that such a highly anticipated game with a huge multiplayer base was taken so lightly by the developers. | 985 | [
"Have been a die hard COD'er since the original release.",
"COD was the first PC game I played Multiplayer on and was hooked immediately.",
"Have competed in CAL and TWL and used to play daily.",
"IW messed up big time with this one.",
"Single play is way to easy and I completed the game in a few hours.",
"Multiplay maps are graphically much nicer but the new engine seems to have some flaws.",
"Really feels like IW rushed this out with out much market testing.",
"Easy to find glitches and the release of this game WITHOUT A ANTICHEAT are things that any testing would have brought to the forefront immediately.",
"Would figure they would have learned from the first version.",
"Recently there was a worldwide strike against the game due to the lack of response from the gamemakers.",
"Just google search cod2 strike and you will get much of the information.",
"Game is still fun but way to arcady.",
"Unfortunate that such a highly anticipated game with a huge multiplayer base was taken so lightly by the developers."
] |
2 | Simplistic but with suspense | I think this book is not worth much. The story is simplistic and slow up to the half of the book. Then the suspense kicks in and you don't want to put it down. The description of the characters, however, lacks depth. On top of this the author seems to know his homeland (Britain) very well while his description of the United States is very much lacking. (see use of words, habits that are described)The characters on both sides of the ocean just seem to be interested in the case. The union worker is connected to the mob, a typical stereotype. The president, whose name is Cazalet, seems unrealistic. We never hear of his security detail and he just seems to think that smoking is OK but a trouble if his voters hear it. Otherwise he seems to lack any political convictions or plans (i.e. what is his take on the Northern Ireland problem?).The book also talks alot about the situation in NIreland and peace but very little about the issues involved. Should every reader be an expert? | 985 | [
"I think this book is not worth much.",
"The story is simplistic and slow up to the half of the book.",
"Then the suspense kicks in and you don't want to put it down.",
"The description of the characters, however, lacks depth.",
"On top of this the author seems to know his homeland (Britain) very well while his description of the United States is very much lacking.",
"(see use of words, habits that are described)The characters on both sides of the ocean just seem to be interested in the case.",
"The union worker is connected to the mob, a typical stereotype.",
"The president, whose name is Cazalet, seems unrealistic.",
"We never hear of his security detail and he just seems to think that smoking is OK but a trouble if his voters hear it.",
"Otherwise he seems to lack any political convictions or plans (i.e. what is his take on the Northern Ireland problem?",
").The book also talks alot about the situation in NIreland and peace but very little about the issues involved.",
"Should every reader be an expert?"
] |
2 | Could have been great... | I bought this dvd along with the book - I like a visual aid to exercise with, as it keeps a flow, and helps ensure you're doing things properly - and a text sometimes gives you deeper info. I found the book good, lots of info there. The DVD could have been good, but it is too difficult to follow along for a total beginner. There is no commentary whatsoever. Which means that even when you should be looking another way, you have to watch the screen constantly to know if it's time to do something else. I have an enormous collection of workout DVDs, and this has one of the laziest productions I have ever seen. With the technology available on DVD, there should have been an option to have a voiceover or not. Thus, one could learn with the voiceover, and later practice without it for a more zen session. I though at the very least there would be titles on the screen each time a new movement was introduced, but no, nothing..... pity. I shall have to stick with my Garripoli DVDs. | 985 | [
"I bought this dvd along with the book - I like a visual aid to exercise with, as it keeps a flow, and helps ensure you're doing things properly - and a text sometimes gives you deeper info.",
"I found the book good, lots of info there.",
"The DVD could have been good, but it is too difficult to follow along for a total beginner.",
"There is no commentary whatsoever.",
"Which means that even when you should be looking another way, you have to watch the screen constantly to know if it's time to do something else.",
"I have an enormous collection of workout DVDs, and this has one of the laziest productions I have ever seen.",
"With the technology available on DVD, there should have been an option to have a voiceover or not.",
"Thus, one could learn with the voiceover, and later practice without it for a more zen session.",
"I though at the very least there would be titles on the screen each time a new movement was introduced, but no, nothing..... pity.",
"I shall have to stick with my Garripoli DVDs."
] |
2 | Skip it! | Edward Abbey is quite possibly the most overrated author of the 20th Century. For proof, look no further then this little book of pseudo-wisdom. You'll have the pleasure of watching as Ed spouts tiresome untruths (all government is bad, all science is bad, all rebels are good, etc.) with the petulant attitude that he is the very first person in history to say them all, and that it makes him great. Environmentalists who think that Abbey was some kind of hero might be shocked by the elitist arrogance of this "man of the people" (he thanks nuclear physicists for inventing the atomic bomb) or by right-wing moronics worthy of the most brainless militiaman ("the rifle and handgun are 'equalizers'--the weapons of a democracy"). Abbey even puts the s-word in print and brags about it as if he were the first person on the planet to do it. If you are an environmentalist (like me) and you want inspiration, read Emerson, read John Muir, even read Wendell Berry--but skip Edward Abbey. | 985 | [
"Edward Abbey is quite possibly the most overrated author of the 20th Century.",
"For proof, look no further then this little book of pseudo-wisdom.",
"You'll have the pleasure of watching as Ed spouts tiresome untruths (all government is bad, all science is bad, all rebels are good, etc.) with the petulant attitude that he is the very first person in history to say them all, and that it makes him great.",
"Environmentalists who think that Abbey was some kind of hero might be shocked by the elitist arrogance of this \"man of the people\" (he thanks nuclear physicists for inventing the atomic bomb) or by right-wing moronics worthy of the most brainless militiaman (\"the rifle and handgun are 'equalizers'--the weapons of a democracy\").",
"Abbey even puts the s-word in print and brags about it as if he were the first person on the planet to do it.",
"If you are an environmentalist (like me) and you want inspiration, read Emerson, read John Muir, even read Wendell Berry--but skip Edward Abbey."
] |
2 | James is right but... | I bought this by mistake. This copy of Mclintock is terrible. It's pan and scan and a bad transfer to boot. The colors are dull and blurry. This movie is unwatchable.Having said all this, there is another DVD in this two pack. On it are Blue Steel and Hell Town(or Born to the west). I had never seen an early John Wayne movie. Having watched both, I have a new respect for John Wayne as an actor.The image on Blue Steel is very good. I'd say about 95% is crisp. For example, Wayne rides a white horse that is a vibrant white. There are a few frames that are washed out and murky. Overall this seems to be a good quality copy. The sound on this copy though isn't good. There is alot of hissing and dropout. The story is engaging.Hell Town is Blue Steel's opposite. The image is dull and murky, but the sound does not have alot of hiss. Again this is an engaging, interesting story(with Wayne starting as a bad seed).Overall I would stay away, unless you want a good copy of Blue Steel. | 985 | [
"I bought this by mistake.",
"This copy of Mclintock is terrible.",
"It's pan and scan and a bad transfer to boot.",
"The colors are dull and blurry.",
"This movie is unwatchable.Having said all this, there is another DVD in this two pack.",
"On it are Blue Steel and Hell Town(or Born to the west).",
"I had never seen an early John Wayne movie.",
"Having watched both, I have a new respect for John Wayne as an actor.The image on Blue Steel is very good.",
"I'd say about 95% is crisp.",
"For example, Wayne rides a white horse that is a vibrant white.",
"There are a few frames that are washed out and murky.",
"Overall this seems to be a good quality copy.",
"The sound on this copy though isn't good.",
"There is alot of hissing and dropout.",
"The story is engaging.Hell Town is Blue Steel's opposite.",
"The image is dull and murky, but the sound does not have alot of hiss.",
"Again this is an engaging, interesting story(with Wayne starting as a bad seed).Overall I would stay away, unless you want a good copy of Blue Steel."
] |
2 | Disappointing | Having read so many positive reviews, I thought I had found an interesting book for the kids. I'm just glad that I read it first. (My children will not be reading this, not yet, anyway).I had very little sympathy for the character: a spoiled, selfish, arrogant, rich, criminal twelve year old. His inherited fortune has been built over generations of criminal activity. His father is either dead, or missing, and so Artemis, as head criminal of household, takes over.This child prodigy/computer genius then goes on to drug, threaten, con and in other ways deceive the "fairies" of the underground world in order to steal their gold.All the old favourites are here: dwarfs, goblins, elves, sprites and trolls. Except for Holly, one of the fairies, you don't care what happens to the underground world - its description is not really very appealing.Unfortunately, there is not much else to redeem this book and its really not the sort of children's book I want my ten and unders reading. | 985 | [
"Having read so many positive reviews, I thought I had found an interesting book for the kids.",
"I'm just glad that I read it first.",
"(My children will not be reading this, not yet, anyway).I had very little sympathy for the character: a spoiled, selfish, arrogant, rich, criminal twelve year old.",
"His inherited fortune has been built over generations of criminal activity.",
"His father is either dead, or missing, and so Artemis, as head criminal of household, takes over.This child prodigy/computer genius then goes on to drug, threaten, con and in other ways deceive the \"fairies\" of the underground world in order to steal their gold.All the old favourites are here: dwarfs, goblins, elves, sprites and trolls.",
"Except for Holly, one of the fairies, you don't care what happens to the underground world - its description is not really very appealing.Unfortunately, there is not much else to redeem this book and its really not the sort of children's book I want my ten and unders reading."
] |
2 | Steven Spielberg rocks! | Before I watched this movie, I thought it would be just as good as the first two. I could'nt have been more wrong. Jurassic Park 3 isn't half as good as the first two. Director Joe Johnston tries to match a Steven Spielberg movie, but fails terribly. Gone is the suspense and adventure that made Spielberg's first two classics so popular. Also gone is the T-Rex from the first two. Instead, he's replaced with a stupid Spinosaurus.And the velociraptors don't seem as vicious as in the first two either. Joe Johnston comes up with stupid characters that get so annoying you wish they got eaten, and some dumb shots. Jurassic Park 3 isn't totally terrible, but it needs work. I don't even want to think about how bad this movie would have been without Steven Spielberg as the executive producer. He breathes some life into this movie. If you're expecting a Jurassic Park as good as the first two, step away now. If you're a die hard Jurassic Park fan, you might want to step away anyway. | 985 | [
"Before I watched this movie, I thought it would be just as good as the first two.",
"I could'nt have been more wrong.",
"Jurassic Park 3 isn't half as good as the first two.",
"Director Joe Johnston tries to match a Steven Spielberg movie, but fails terribly.",
"Gone is the suspense and adventure that made Spielberg's first two classics so popular.",
"Also gone is the T-Rex from the first two.",
"Instead, he's replaced with a stupid Spinosaurus.And the velociraptors don't seem as vicious as in the first two either.",
"Joe Johnston comes up with stupid characters that get so annoying you wish they got eaten, and some dumb shots.",
"Jurassic Park 3 isn't totally terrible, but it needs work.",
"I don't even want to think about how bad this movie would have been without Steven Spielberg as the executive producer.",
"He breathes some life into this movie.",
"If you're expecting a Jurassic Park as good as the first two, step away now.",
"If you're a die hard Jurassic Park fan, you might want to step away anyway."
] |
2 | Kiss and tell | Although Mrs. Yancey had no love-affair with Elvis, she claims - according to the title of her book - to have lived with Elvis. That's not quite what happened, but she was for a period of 13 years his private secretary. "My life with Elvis" is a collection of her memories of Elvis, Elvis' family, the Memphis Maffia, Linda Thompson, the fans etc. Included are further some funny - and less funny - stories she experienced working for Elvis and a few pages with black and white pictures. The book is easy to read and special, because this was one of the first books written about Elvis by (former) employees. In fact, this book was written when Elvis was still alive and Becky Yancey claims that Elvis gave his approval to her book, which has been published shortly after Elvis' death, so she had to write an extra chapter to "complete" her storie. Like most books of this genre, it isn't great literature, but for the die-hard Elvis-fan it will be fun to read, although not essential. | 985 | [
"Although Mrs.",
"Yancey had no love-affair with Elvis, she claims - according to the title of her book - to have lived with Elvis.",
"That's not quite what happened, but she was for a period of 13 years his private secretary.",
"\"My life with Elvis\" is a collection of her memories of Elvis, Elvis' family, the Memphis Maffia, Linda Thompson, the fans etc.",
"Included are further some funny - and less funny - stories she experienced working for Elvis and a few pages with black and white pictures.",
"The book is easy to read and special, because this was one of the first books written about Elvis by (former) employees.",
"In fact, this book was written when Elvis was still alive and Becky Yancey claims that Elvis gave his approval to her book, which has been published shortly after Elvis' death, so she had to write an extra chapter to \"complete\" her storie.",
"Like most books of this genre, it isn't great literature, but for the die-hard Elvis-fan it will be fun to read, although not essential."
] |
2 | Unpleasantly Surprised | I researched the hell out of Dr. Bronner's when I wanted a more natural shampoo/soap, and it received nothing but positive responses - so I bought it in Peppermint. The smell is lovely, but it DOES NOT wash my hair, though it is advertised as an 18-in-1 magic soap - shampoo included.Let me preface by saying I have VERY thick hair.The first time I noticed that it wasn't clean was while I was camping. After a shower, the back of my hair felt wet and heavy for WAY too long, so I checked it out in the bathroom, and it looked like my hair was greasy and filled with residue. At first I dismissed it based on the water pressure from camping.When I returned home, I used Dr. Bronner's on my hair two days in a row, taking special care to make sure my hair was completely rinsed. By the second day, my hair was gnarly and matted in the back.Unfortunately, even using this as a body wash makes my skin feel tight.I REALLY wanted to like this shampoo. I was hoping it would change my life. | 985 | [
"I researched the hell out of Dr.",
"Bronner's when I wanted a more natural shampoo/soap, and it received nothing but positive responses - so I bought it in Peppermint.",
"The smell is lovely, but it DOES NOT wash my hair, though it is advertised as an 18-in-1 magic soap - shampoo included.Let me preface by saying I have VERY thick hair.The first time I noticed that it wasn't clean was while I was camping.",
"After a shower, the back of my hair felt wet and heavy for WAY too long, so I checked it out in the bathroom, and it looked like my hair was greasy and filled with residue.",
"At first I dismissed it based on the water pressure from camping.When I returned home, I used Dr.",
"Bronner's on my hair two days in a row, taking special care to make sure my hair was completely rinsed.",
"By the second day, my hair was gnarly and matted in the back.Unfortunately, even using this as a body wash makes my skin feel tight.I REALLY wanted to like this shampoo.",
"I was hoping it would change my life."
] |
2 | Mixed Feelings | There are some aspects of this series which I love. The main characters are real people and very likable; the writing is good; the juxtaposition of his career as an undertaker and hers as a midwife is poignant and thought-provoking.What I really hated was that they rushed their relationship so fast and that they slept together from the first date - and in every other episode that I have seen. I'm enough of a traditional fuddy-duddy that I think it's a good idea to get to know someone well and marry them before you hop into bed with them. I realize that doesn't happen often in real life anymore, and even less on TV, but I still think it might have been better to delay it a bit in this show. The relationship might have developed more interestingly if it had been allowed to progress more slowly. I also was very tired, by episode 4, of the bad attitudes and mouthiness of the teenagers.I enjoyed the show, to a degree, and wanted to love it but didn't because of these factors. | 985 | [
"There are some aspects of this series which I love.",
"The main characters are real people and very likable; the writing is good; the juxtaposition of his career as an undertaker and hers as a midwife is poignant and thought-provoking.What I really hated was that they rushed their relationship so fast and that they slept together from the first date - and in every other episode that I have seen.",
"I'm enough of a traditional fuddy-duddy that I think it's a good idea to get to know someone well and marry them before you hop into bed with them.",
"I realize that doesn't happen often in real life anymore, and even less on TV, but I still think it might have been better to delay it a bit in this show.",
"The relationship might have developed more interestingly if it had been allowed to progress more slowly.",
"I also was very tired, by episode 4, of the bad attitudes and mouthiness of the teenagers.I enjoyed the show, to a degree, and wanted to love it but didn't because of these factors."
] |
2 | Misleading titel! | This is not a book about "breaking the chain of low self-estemm", this book is about understanding low self-esteem. Why am I told on page 29: "This book is the first step in my 3-step plan for recovery" (watch out for the commercials in the book!)when the titel and the back of the book are are saying something else?Furthermore the book only applies the method of cognitive behvior therapy. But not all thoughts are creating feelings, often it is the other way round. We give our feelings labels, but these labels are not the cause for the feeling.Finally it is highly disputed if you have to analyse everything in order to solve your problem. This is old, technical thinking (My car broke down, where is the problem, so that I can fix it). The brain as a self-organizing system is not that simple. See:More Than Miracles: The State of the Art of Solution-focused Brief Therapy (Haworth Brief Therapy)Or:Natural Self Esteem: An integrative way to reclaim your true self-worth for good | 985 | [
"This is not a book about \"breaking the chain of low self-estemm\", this book is about understanding low self-esteem.",
"Why am I told on page 29: \"This book is the first step in my 3-step plan for recovery\" (watch out for the commercials in the book!",
")when the titel and the back of the book are are saying something else?",
"Furthermore the book only applies the method of cognitive behvior therapy.",
"But not all thoughts are creating feelings, often it is the other way round.",
"We give our feelings labels, but these labels are not the cause for the feeling.Finally it is highly disputed if you have to analyse everything in order to solve your problem.",
"This is old, technical thinking (My car broke down, where is the problem, so that I can fix it).",
"The brain as a self-organizing system is not that simple.",
"See:More Than Miracles: The State of the Art of Solution-focused Brief Therapy (Haworth Brief Therapy)Or:Natural Self Esteem: An integrative way to reclaim your true self-worth for good"
] |
2 | Sophmore Blues..It Happens | Unfortunately the two weeks she spent on this album should have been longer. Unfortunately a lot of the beats are annoying, the words to the songs are somewhat boring. The format of the album is no good. I have to say the voice is definitely stronger but the lyrics are not her. She sounds like a woman who has to buy love to keep her man and on the other end a woman who will cut you up if you try to go near him. Tracks like upgrade you, BEyonce seems to play it off like she's a gangsta chick which doesn't work out and instead of originality you have beyonce, a well developed artist copying artists that dont sell close to half of what she does. On TV today she said originally there were 20 tracks for the album, then why in the world would she only give us 10. Tracks that i do like are kitty kat, upgrade u and irreplaceable. Be prepared to hear only two ballads, the rest of the songs are for the clubs. otherwise happy b day beyonce, at least you will get the sales you want. | 985 | [
"Unfortunately the two weeks she spent on this album should have been longer.",
"Unfortunately a lot of the beats are annoying, the words to the songs are somewhat boring.",
"The format of the album is no good.",
"I have to say the voice is definitely stronger but the lyrics are not her.",
"She sounds like a woman who has to buy love to keep her man and on the other end a woman who will cut you up if you try to go near him.",
"Tracks like upgrade you, BEyonce seems to play it off like she's a gangsta chick which doesn't work out and instead of originality you have beyonce, a well developed artist copying artists that dont sell close to half of what she does.",
"On TV today she said originally there were 20 tracks for the album, then why in the world would she only give us 10.",
"Tracks that i do like are kitty kat, upgrade u and irreplaceable.",
"Be prepared to hear only two ballads, the rest of the songs are for the clubs.",
"otherwise happy b day beyonce, at least you will get the sales you want."
] |
2 | Not for cancer recovery | This book was a huge disappointment to someone trying to take care of a cancer patient. It is, in essence, a re-hash of the familiar food pyramid guidelines that advise low-fat, low-protein and high-carbohydrate diets, organized around specific cancers. The scientific basis, if there is one, relates to epidemiologic studies of cancer risk. It might be helpful to someone who is trying to reduce their risk of various cancers by altering their dietary habits, but I doubt if this book has much more to offer than most of what has been published on that topic over the past several years. It has no scientific grounding for those who already have cancer, and may in fact suggest dietary patterns that would undermine the nutritional needs of those who are already in treatment, when fats and proteins may be friends. For someone undergoing cancer treatment, or in recovery from that ordeal, it has very little to offer that the hand-outs in your doctor's office don't already tell you. | 985 | [
"This book was a huge disappointment to someone trying to take care of a cancer patient.",
"It is, in essence, a re-hash of the familiar food pyramid guidelines that advise low-fat, low-protein and high-carbohydrate diets, organized around specific cancers.",
"The scientific basis, if there is one, relates to epidemiologic studies of cancer risk.",
"It might be helpful to someone who is trying to reduce their risk of various cancers by altering their dietary habits, but I doubt if this book has much more to offer than most of what has been published on that topic over the past several years.",
"It has no scientific grounding for those who already have cancer, and may in fact suggest dietary patterns that would undermine the nutritional needs of those who are already in treatment, when fats and proteins may be friends.",
"For someone undergoing cancer treatment, or in recovery from that ordeal, it has very little to offer that the hand-outs in your doctor's office don't already tell you."
] |
2 | Poorly written | Backhouse tries to give a brief, accessible summary of the history of economics, but the book is so dry that it is almost unreadable. Although Backhouse brings in some social and political background, for the most part he's just listing people and theories. His explanations, designed for non-technical readers, are not mathematically complex, and do avoid unneccesary terminology. But they're written in a choppy, condensed style, without illumination from real-world examples. The result is just not compelling reading. And his decision to take his history back to Greek times doesn't really work: the pre-modern thinkers omitted from most standard histories aren't consciously writing about economics. Rather, Backhouse is inferring economic assumptions from literary or ethical discussions. This discussion is potentially interesting (although it suffers from the same flaws as the rest of the book), but not really the same subject-matter as the conventional history of economics. | 985 | [
"Backhouse tries to give a brief, accessible summary of the history of economics, but the book is so dry that it is almost unreadable.",
"Although Backhouse brings in some social and political background, for the most part he's just listing people and theories.",
"His explanations, designed for non-technical readers, are not mathematically complex, and do avoid unneccesary terminology.",
"But they're written in a choppy, condensed style, without illumination from real-world examples.",
"The result is just not compelling reading.",
"And his decision to take his history back to Greek times doesn't really work: the pre-modern thinkers omitted from most standard histories aren't consciously writing about economics.",
"Rather, Backhouse is inferring economic assumptions from literary or ethical discussions.",
"This discussion is potentially interesting (although it suffers from the same flaws as the rest of the book), but not really the same subject-matter as the conventional history of economics."
] |
2 | Not very good | Funny that most movies with Freddie Prinze, Jr. aren't very good. In this one, he plays college student Al, who falls in love with fellow student Imogen (yup, that really IS a name) alias Julia Stiles. Al definitely thinks that Imogen is the love of his life, but soon nothing is as happy as it used to be, especially when Imogen cheats on Al with a reincarnation of Jim Morrison (Ashton Kutcher). But...surprise, surprise...the movie still has a happy ending."Down To You" is not a desastrous movie, but it's really nothing that you'd like to see more than once. The story is old and shapeless, the jokes are not funny and the dialogues are flat and not very smart. The cast, however, doesn't make the movie any better. Julia Stiles was in better roles already, Freddie Prinze, Jr. is acting like a piece of wood and Ashton Kutcher's part is simply bad. Not to mention the supporting actors like Selma Blair and Zak Orth.Don't waste your time or money on that one. It's no good movie. | 985 | [
"Funny that most movies with Freddie Prinze, Jr.",
"aren't very good.",
"In this one, he plays college student Al, who falls in love with fellow student Imogen (yup, that really IS a name) alias Julia Stiles.",
"Al definitely thinks that Imogen is the love of his life, but soon nothing is as happy as it used to be, especially when Imogen cheats on Al with a reincarnation of Jim Morrison (Ashton Kutcher).",
"But...surprise, surprise...the movie still has a happy ending.\"Down To You\" is not a desastrous movie, but it's really nothing that you'd like to see more than once.",
"The story is old and shapeless, the jokes are not funny and the dialogues are flat and not very smart.",
"The cast, however, doesn't make the movie any better.",
"Julia Stiles was in better roles already, Freddie Prinze, Jr.",
"is acting like a piece of wood and Ashton Kutcher's part is simply bad.",
"Not to mention the supporting actors like Selma Blair and Zak Orth.Don't waste your time or money on that one.",
"It's no good movie."
] |
2 | The Tedious Book | I thought that this book was really boring. In the first chapter all he did was describe the Baudelaires. Then in the next few chapters it wasn't very exciting. I expected some thing exciting to pop up in about the third chapter, but nothing happened.Then finally at the end there was something that was kind of exciting. I thought it was really weird that for lunch and dinner they had to chew gum. That doesn't even make any sense. Also that they tried to hypnotize Klaus. The part that I thought was funny was that Count Olaf had to dress up like a woman. I can't even imagine what he would look like because I bet it would be too much of an ugly site to see. I rated it a two and not a one because Count Olaf's disguise was really goo and that there was about one or two exciting and mysterious parts in it. That is all I have to say about this boring book. I would definately not read this book because it is really boring. If I gave this book a letter grade it would be a D-.P.H. | 985 | [
"I thought that this book was really boring.",
"In the first chapter all he did was describe the Baudelaires.",
"Then in the next few chapters it wasn't very exciting.",
"I expected some thing exciting to pop up in about the third chapter, but nothing happened.Then finally at the end there was something that was kind of exciting.",
"I thought it was really weird that for lunch and dinner they had to chew gum.",
"That doesn't even make any sense.",
"Also that they tried to hypnotize Klaus.",
"The part that I thought was funny was that Count Olaf had to dress up like a woman.",
"I can't even imagine what he would look like because I bet it would be too much of an ugly site to see.",
"I rated it a two and not a one because Count Olaf's disguise was really goo and that there was about one or two exciting and mysterious parts in it.",
"That is all I have to say about this boring book.",
"I would definately not read this book because it is really boring.",
"If I gave this book a letter grade it would be a D-.P.H."
] |
2 | give me a break | Give me a break--or rather give Elizabeth George a break!! Yes, I Richard (don't know how to underline the title on e-mail) is somewhat disappointing to those EG groupies like myself who track and anticipate her newest novel with bloodhound-like (sorry) doggedness (I can't stop)--we're all complaining because this short story collection, which would have been heralded as clever, imaginative, timely (delicious in getting back at OJ Simpson!) if published by a new or au courant short story writer--is NOT what we were expecting. We only want approximately every two years an entirely new, convoluted plot, fascinating and familiar characterization, in depth research, and above all, that Anglophilic (is that a word??) Ambiance! Well, Elizabeth probably needed some time off and wanted a romp in the literary surf of southern CA before returning to those 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. days of writing, travels to England, etc. So just enjoy the stories for what they are--marvelously intriguing! | 985 | [
"Give me a break--or rather give Elizabeth George a break!!",
"Yes, I Richard (don't know how to underline the title on e-mail) is somewhat disappointing to those EG groupies like myself who track and anticipate her newest novel with bloodhound-like (sorry) doggedness (I can't stop)--we're all complaining because this short story collection, which would have been heralded as clever, imaginative, timely (delicious in getting back at OJ Simpson!",
") if published by a new or au courant short story writer--is NOT what we were expecting.",
"We only want approximately every two years an entirely new, convoluted plot, fascinating and familiar characterization, in depth research, and above all, that Anglophilic (is that a word??",
") Ambiance!",
"Well, Elizabeth probably needed some time off and wanted a romp in the literary surf of southern CA before returning to those 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. days of writing, travels to England, etc.",
"So just enjoy the stories for what they are--marvelously intriguing!"
] |
2 | dissapointing ending | I'm glad I picked this up at the library rather than spending my own money on it. _Old Twentieth_ starts off with a gripping beginning to an interesting plot (outlined below by numerous reviewers) and the book has some good twists. But the ending left me furious. The teaser on the cover of the paperback edition advertises a great twist at the end.(((SPOILER ALERT))))At least one reviewer below notes that the great twist is similar to a certain Keanu Reeves movie trilogy. This book is more than similar - it mimics the trilogy flat out! A machine controls the humans in stasis, providing a series of complex virtual reality images to their brains as they travel through space until one human (again) realizes what is happening and the machine resets everyone's internal storyline back to a shared point in the past. Worst of all, this book was published in 2005, well after the aforementioned movie trilogy appeared. Didn't anyone else see the similarities?Thoroughly disappointing | 985 | [
"I'm glad I picked this up at the library rather than spending my own money on it.",
"_Old Twentieth_ starts off with a gripping beginning to an interesting plot (outlined below by numerous reviewers) and the book has some good twists.",
"But the ending left me furious.",
"The teaser on the cover of the paperback edition advertises a great twist at the end.(((SPOILER ALERT))))At least one reviewer below notes that the great twist is similar to a certain Keanu Reeves movie trilogy.",
"This book is more than similar - it mimics the trilogy flat out!",
"A machine controls the humans in stasis, providing a series of complex virtual reality images to their brains as they travel through space until one human (again) realizes what is happening and the machine resets everyone's internal storyline back to a shared point in the past.",
"Worst of all, this book was published in 2005, well after the aforementioned movie trilogy appeared.",
"Didn't anyone else see the similarities?",
"Thoroughly disappointing"
] |
2 | Not worth the pain | So first off, I have to say that this product did get rid of my yeast infection. I woke up yesterday and knew I had a yeast infection so I schlepped over to my local pharmacy and saw Monistat 1, 3, and 7. I noticed that Monistat 1 said you could take it day or night so I figured I'd get a head start on this thing and treat it as soon as I got home. All was well until about and hour after I inserted the ovule. Holy freaking vagina pain! I could barely take care of my 2 year old. I had to park her in front of the TV with DVRed episodes of Mickey Mouse Clubhouse so I could keep running to the bathroom to deal with my burning and itching vajay. After a few hours and after taking Advil and using Cortizone 10 the pain started to subside. Now this morning I don't have any symptoms of having a yeast infection, so I know the Monistat knocked it out. Was it worth the discomfort HECK NO! Next time, just get the 3 day or 7 day treatment. I've never had a problem with those products. | 985 | [
"So first off, I have to say that this product did get rid of my yeast infection.",
"I woke up yesterday and knew I had a yeast infection so I schlepped over to my local pharmacy and saw Monistat 1, 3, and 7.",
"I noticed that Monistat 1 said you could take it day or night so I figured I'd get a head start on this thing and treat it as soon as I got home.",
"All was well until about and hour after I inserted the ovule.",
"Holy freaking vagina pain!",
"I could barely take care of my 2 year old.",
"I had to park her in front of the TV with DVRed episodes of Mickey Mouse Clubhouse so I could keep running to the bathroom to deal with my burning and itching vajay.",
"After a few hours and after taking Advil and using Cortizone 10 the pain started to subside.",
"Now this morning I don't have any symptoms of having a yeast infection, so I know the Monistat knocked it out.",
"Was it worth the discomfort HECK NO!",
"Next time, just get the 3 day or 7 day treatment.",
"I've never had a problem with those products."
] |
2 | Needs Work | My experience is consistent with the previous reviewer's. The razor's edge needed careful reworking before it even approached a usable state. (I used an ad hoc sequence of fine oil stones, followed by abrasive papers up to 8000 grit, with water, on a piece of float glass, before stropping.)At first I thought it was me. I used a straight razor, cluelessly, 30 years ago, and am trying to teach myself how to use one correctly now. I tried this razor and gave up for months, until it occurred to me that I had nothing to lose by trying to sharpen it. The visible grinding marks on the edge should have been a clue; the problem was NOT me!I'm giving this product two stars because I got mine at a local beauty supply shop for $10. If I had known it was not really a finished product, that would have been a good deal, in context. If you have any idea how to sharpen something like this, $27.99 isn't bad. Make your mistakes with something like this, and then look for something fancier! | 985 | [
"My experience is consistent with the previous reviewer's.",
"The razor's edge needed careful reworking before it even approached a usable state.",
"(I used an ad hoc sequence of fine oil stones, followed by abrasive papers up to 8000 grit, with water, on a piece of float glass, before stropping.)At first I thought it was me.",
"I used a straight razor, cluelessly, 30 years ago, and am trying to teach myself how to use one correctly now.",
"I tried this razor and gave up for months, until it occurred to me that I had nothing to lose by trying to sharpen it.",
"The visible grinding marks on the edge should have been a clue; the problem was NOT me!",
"I'm giving this product two stars because I got mine at a local beauty supply shop for $10.",
"If I had known it was not really a finished product, that would have been a good deal, in context.",
"If you have any idea how to sharpen something like this, $27.99 isn't bad.",
"Make your mistakes with something like this, and then look for something fancier!"
] |
2 | Fails on many levels | If you can't handle a full on rant don't read this or my Golden Axe Beast Rider review I did a few months back. So here we go Shinobi PS2 or Shinobi 5 if you are a casual gamer don't bother with this game it's very difficult. It has to be said d**n you Sega you have to bring back an old franchise & like how Sega has been ran since they went 3rd party have f***ed it up & the story is pretty good but sh***y controlls ruin it bad camera angles the controller freezing up I have to skip levels which makes me miss out on a pretty good story & it's about this ninja Hotsuma who is trying to stop this group from resurrecting this Sorcer most of his clan have been killed & Tokyo is on the verge of collapse because of these new creatures called Hellspawn. Other than a good story this game is epic fail to what could have been a epic game. To Sega Shinobi, Golden Axe & Sonic all kicked a** on the Genesis/Megadrive 1989-1998. How about you play the original Genesis games Simon Jeffry. | 985 | [
"If you can't handle a full on rant don't read this or my Golden Axe Beast Rider review I did a few months back.",
"So here we go Shinobi PS2 or Shinobi 5 if you are a casual gamer don't bother with this game it's very difficult.",
"It has to be said d**n you Sega you have to bring back an old franchise & like how Sega has been ran since they went 3rd party have f***ed it up & the story is pretty good but sh***y controlls ruin it bad camera angles the controller freezing up I have to skip levels which makes me miss out on a pretty good story & it's about this ninja Hotsuma who is trying to stop this group from resurrecting this Sorcer most of his clan have been killed & Tokyo is on the verge of collapse because of these new creatures called Hellspawn.",
"Other than a good story this game is epic fail to what could have been a epic game.",
"To Sega Shinobi, Golden Axe & Sonic all kicked a** on the Genesis/Megadrive 1989-1998.",
"How about you play the original Genesis games Simon Jeffry."
] |
2 | Poor scissor feature | Looked forward to replacing my Classic knife on my keychain because the scissor feature did not perform well. The two halves of the scissor bind and only open partially unless you manually assist it each stroke. So I ordered a new one. It arrived, incorrect style, quickly corrected by Amazon customer service. But the correct knife arrived and was a continued quality disappointment. The scissor feature on the new one is as bad as the old one. I have many Swiss Army knives and have previously believed their quality and customer service were first rate. I contacted SA and received a response stating they would look into my quality concern. A couple weeks went by and they replied that their scissor spring had not changed. Period. Hardly addresses the poor performance I reported to them. And the spring was never the problem anyway. The two cutting faces of the scissor are too tight.Bottom line ... Poor or deteriorating product quality and sadly poor customer service to match. | 985 | [
"Looked forward to replacing my Classic knife on my keychain because the scissor feature did not perform well.",
"The two halves of the scissor bind and only open partially unless you manually assist it each stroke.",
"So I ordered a new one.",
"It arrived, incorrect style, quickly corrected by Amazon customer service.",
"But the correct knife arrived and was a continued quality disappointment.",
"The scissor feature on the new one is as bad as the old one.",
"I have many Swiss Army knives and have previously believed their quality and customer service were first rate.",
"I contacted SA and received a response stating they would look into my quality concern.",
"A couple weeks went by and they replied that their scissor spring had not changed.",
"Period.",
"Hardly addresses the poor performance I reported to them.",
"And the spring was never the problem anyway.",
"The two cutting faces of the scissor are too tight.Bottom line ... Poor or deteriorating product quality and sadly poor customer service to match."
] |
2 | Smoke and Mirrors | Slick theatrical reproduction of the official storyline of Flight 93. Does not address the fact that cell phones ( at that time) do not work above 2000 ft. altitude and the plane was far above that when the first calls supposedly came in. One of the callers called his mother and used his last name. Who does that when they call their mother? He also asked, " Don't you believe it's me?" Most telling smoking gun briefly glossed over in this film is the fact that the crash site was a crater about 30 ft. in diameter and 10 ft. deep with small pieces of light aluminum scattered around.No engines, tail section, wings, seats, bodies, luggage, nothing you would find at commercial airliner crash site no matter what the angle of impact. The first responders said, " There's no airplane here, let's look in the woods for it." The plane was never found in the woods or anywhere else. Americans need to wake the freak up before it's too late. Our country is being stolen from us. Robert J. | 985 | [
"Slick theatrical reproduction of the official storyline of Flight 93.",
"Does not address the fact that cell phones ( at that time) do not work above 2000 ft.",
"altitude and the plane was far above that when the first calls supposedly came in.",
"One of the callers called his mother and used his last name.",
"Who does that when they call their mother?",
"He also asked, \" Don't you believe it's me?",
"\" Most telling smoking gun briefly glossed over in this film is the fact that the crash site was a crater about 30 ft.",
"in diameter and 10 ft.",
"deep with small pieces of light aluminum scattered around.No engines, tail section, wings, seats, bodies, luggage, nothing you would find at commercial airliner crash site no matter what the angle of impact.",
"The first responders said, \" There's no airplane here, let's look in the woods for it.\" The plane was never found in the woods or anywhere else.",
"Americans need to wake the freak up before it's too late.",
"Our country is being stolen from us.",
"Robert J."
] |
2 | On further listening... | First let me say that I didn't much care for U2 prior to Achtung Baby. I didn't mind hearing them on the radio, but didn't feel the need to own anhy of their albums. Achtung Baby, Zooropa and Pop changed that. Each album charted new ground for the band; they were interesting if nothing else. This album puts U2 back on my "don't need to buy" list. Beautiful Day and Eleveation are the only stand out songs for me on this disc; everything else is at best okay to listen to, but not exciting. Some of it is just boring. I guess U2 has returned to their "roots", but without any real enthusiasm for it. The songs, as I said are almost all unoffensive, but none of them stick in your head afterword; kind of like rock muzak. Only a couple of songs are cringingly bad (Peace On Earth, Grace), with the lifeless music overwhelmed by even worse lyrics. I think long time U2 fanatics will like this very much, but if, like me, you only found U2 to be worth your time recently, avoid this disc | 985 | [
"First let me say that I didn't much care for U2 prior to Achtung Baby.",
"I didn't mind hearing them on the radio, but didn't feel the need to own anhy of their albums.",
"Achtung Baby, Zooropa and Pop changed that.",
"Each album charted new ground for the band; they were interesting if nothing else.",
"This album puts U2 back on my \"don't need to buy\" list.",
"Beautiful Day and Eleveation are the only stand out songs for me on this disc; everything else is at best okay to listen to, but not exciting.",
"Some of it is just boring.",
"I guess U2 has returned to their \"roots\", but without any real enthusiasm for it.",
"The songs, as I said are almost all unoffensive, but none of them stick in your head afterword; kind of like rock muzak.",
"Only a couple of songs are cringingly bad (Peace On Earth, Grace), with the lifeless music overwhelmed by even worse lyrics.",
"I think long time U2 fanatics will like this very much, but if, like me, you only found U2 to be worth your time recently, avoid this disc"
] |
2 | Professional, But Lacking | This movie was highly produced. A lot of time was put into the photography and the soundtrack. The acting was also quite acceptable. The problem is that the writers/director hit you over the head with the message of the film. They go to great lengths to portray stereotypical characters and predictable events which make it impossible for anyone to miss their intended message. While imparting the message of racial tolerance is laudible, it should be done with a little more subtlety (even if this is a movie aimed at an under ten-year-old audience). This movie is a perfect example of a mediocre story which has been raised beyond its potential through heroic efforts in its production.The other major flaw of this movie is the way it ends. It seems that another ten minutes was added to the end of the movie just to provide sufficient length. Cutting it off a bit sooner would have been an improvement... also leaving out the horrendous song at the end would have been a great idea! | 985 | [
"This movie was highly produced.",
"A lot of time was put into the photography and the soundtrack.",
"The acting was also quite acceptable.",
"The problem is that the writers/director hit you over the head with the message of the film.",
"They go to great lengths to portray stereotypical characters and predictable events which make it impossible for anyone to miss their intended message.",
"While imparting the message of racial tolerance is laudible, it should be done with a little more subtlety (even if this is a movie aimed at an under ten-year-old audience).",
"This movie is a perfect example of a mediocre story which has been raised beyond its potential through heroic efforts in its production.The other major flaw of this movie is the way it ends.",
"It seems that another ten minutes was added to the end of the movie just to provide sufficient length.",
"Cutting it off a bit sooner would have been an improvement... also leaving out the horrendous song at the end would have been a great idea!"
] |
2 | Not a good choice | If you have no idea what After Effects is, maybe this is a good choice. If you are impressed with terrible, fake-looking graphics (eg - you are in the third grade), then this book is a good choice. I made the wrong choice.Things that are nice about the book: it holds your hand and walks you screen to screen, mouse-click to mouse-click, through the tutorials. If you have NO IDEA what you are doing, this is great.However, the project examples are so terrible, you have no desire to go through the step-by-step process to get to the lame end-results. Who wants fake red drops of "blood" falling from Halloween text? It takes 15 pages to get to something I could blue screen together in 6 seconds in Premiere to impress my dog, my friend's infant, and maybe some ants.If you are looking to produce something marketable with After Effects, keep right on looking past this book. But, if you know nothing, nothing at all about After Effects and maybe even computers, this book is for you! | 985 | [
"If you have no idea what After Effects is, maybe this is a good choice.",
"If you are impressed with terrible, fake-looking graphics (eg - you are in the third grade), then this book is a good choice.",
"I made the wrong choice.Things that are nice about the book: it holds your hand and walks you screen to screen, mouse-click to mouse-click, through the tutorials.",
"If you have NO IDEA what you are doing, this is great.However, the project examples are so terrible, you have no desire to go through the step-by-step process to get to the lame end-results.",
"Who wants fake red drops of \"blood\" falling from Halloween text?",
"It takes 15 pages to get to something I could blue screen together in 6 seconds in Premiere to impress my dog, my friend's infant, and maybe some ants.If you are looking to produce something marketable with After Effects, keep right on looking past this book.",
"But, if you know nothing, nothing at all about After Effects and maybe even computers, this book is for you!"
] |
2 | review Danse Macabre | I've alway been a fan of Hamilton's books. I liked the characters and didn't mind the sex in fact it was good reading. However, the last two books have become frustrating to read.It's not so much the lack of plot or circular narrative. Or the characters, I adore them. I love the new vampires, especially Wicked and Truth. But the last two books lack fluency. One is stuck in a scene that becomes extended untill the extended part is extended and often touches on matters that are already discussed in earlier books. Especially scenes with Richard have become frustrating to read.There is way too much explantions and not enough fluency.I think it's time the Anita Blake series come to an end, because there cannot be more. Each book there is more powers more sex. And all options are explored, and it would be bad to make Anita all powerful. There's just nothing left to explore with this series.Maybe it's time to focuss on a new series. 13 books are definitely not bad for a series. | 985 | [
"I've alway been a fan of Hamilton's books.",
"I liked the characters and didn't mind the sex in fact it was good reading.",
"However, the last two books have become frustrating to read.It's not so much the lack of plot or circular narrative.",
"Or the characters, I adore them.",
"I love the new vampires, especially Wicked and Truth.",
"But the last two books lack fluency.",
"One is stuck in a scene that becomes extended untill the extended part is extended and often touches on matters that are already discussed in earlier books.",
"Especially scenes with Richard have become frustrating to read.There is way too much explantions and not enough fluency.I think it's time the Anita Blake series come to an end, because there cannot be more.",
"Each book there is more powers more sex.",
"And all options are explored, and it would be bad to make Anita all powerful.",
"There's just nothing left to explore with this series.Maybe it's time to focuss on a new series.",
"13 books are definitely not bad for a series."
] |
2 | Stop teasing us! | Spend an hour in the bookstore with this book but don't buy it. Read the 1st 4 chapters and the last 4 chapters. The rest is bodice-ripper gothic romance. The entire book takes place in 24 hours. SYNOPSIS: Anita and Jean-Claude have ardeur sex with Augustine, Master of Chicago, and Anita *might* be pregnant by...? Everyone's powers are enhanced - some are clarified, most are not. There are a LOT of storylines left open at the end of almost 500 pages of sex: Samuel & Anita; Anita & the sirens; Marmee Noir; Jean-Claude's new powers, if any; Anita's new pomme de sang; merpeople; why the Masters came for this last performance, Belle Norte's rising power; Adonis & Merlin; Anita's 4th lyncathrope, etc. Richard is STILL a pain in *&^%. Anita has *some* character growth and Asher now has an animal to call but that could have been told in a short story.In Short: lots of sex and here's-what's-going-on-dialogue, not much story and certainly not like we got in the 1st 6 Anita books. | 985 | [
"Spend an hour in the bookstore with this book but don't buy it.",
"Read the 1st 4 chapters and the last 4 chapters.",
"The rest is bodice-ripper gothic romance.",
"The entire book takes place in 24 hours.",
"SYNOPSIS: Anita and Jean-Claude have ardeur sex with Augustine, Master of Chicago, and Anita *might* be pregnant by...? Everyone's powers are enhanced - some are clarified, most are not.",
"There are a LOT of storylines left open at the end of almost 500 pages of sex: Samuel & Anita; Anita & the sirens; Marmee Noir; Jean-Claude's new powers, if any; Anita's new pomme de sang; merpeople; why the Masters came for this last performance, Belle Norte's rising power; Adonis & Merlin; Anita's 4th lyncathrope, etc.",
"Richard is STILL a pain in *&^%.",
"Anita has *some* character growth and Asher now has an animal to call but that could have been told in a short story.In Short: lots of sex and here's-what's-going-on-dialogue, not much story and certainly not like we got in the 1st 6 Anita books."
] |
2 | Average bestseller | Here's an example of a reasonably well executed thriller - I'd really rate it 2 1/2 stars. Donegan makes use of most of the classic elements: high concept, tight deadlines and effective use of scene jump cutting and multiple points of view to ratchet up the suspense and keep the story moving. The use of a dog in the plot is relatively fresh and interesting. However, there are some spots where the book falls down. Characterization is weak - all the villians are pure evil with no other reedeming characteristics, so their actions and reactions are quite predictable. His science and technology aren't up to snuff either, I found numerous errors in his explanations of devices (for example the color of light does not affect the speed of propogation, only the density of the transit medium does - which makes the Bright Eye device bogus) which jarred me out of my suspension of disbelief. Aside from these distractions, the book is reasonably executed and an entertaining light read. | 985 | [
"Here's an example of a reasonably well executed thriller - I'd really rate it 2 1/2 stars.",
"Donegan makes use of most of the classic elements: high concept, tight deadlines and effective use of scene jump cutting and multiple points of view to ratchet up the suspense and keep the story moving.",
"The use of a dog in the plot is relatively fresh and interesting.",
"However, there are some spots where the book falls down.",
"Characterization is weak - all the villians are pure evil with no other reedeming characteristics, so their actions and reactions are quite predictable.",
"His science and technology aren't up to snuff either, I found numerous errors in his explanations of devices (for example the color of light does not affect the speed of propogation, only the density of the transit medium does - which makes the Bright Eye device bogus) which jarred me out of my suspension of disbelief.",
"Aside from these distractions, the book is reasonably executed and an entertaining light read."
] |
2 | Consider it disposable | Got this bag for my kid's umbrella stroller to take on trips. Good size, covers the stroller pretty well and mine is a relatively mid/large size umbrella stroller. The tie-string and handle are well made and feel durable. However, like the other reviews mentioned, the bag material is not very thick, therefore tear easily. After the first 1.5 hour plane ride, it already got a 2-3 inch tear near where the bottom wheels are. (only via gate-check, not baggage claim.) I'm duck-taping the hole for now. Still usable, but I don't expect it last for more than 3-4 more trips. If the material is little more durable, it would've been a very good bag.Also, the storage pouch is a bit too small. The bag will fit in the pouch if it's folded nicely and air-tight. If you are in a hurry and just stuff the bag into the pouch (like they showed in the video on the manufacture website), good luck zipping it up.I would buy it again if it's about $5, just use it as a few-time-use disposable bag. | 985 | [
"Got this bag for my kid's umbrella stroller to take on trips.",
"Good size, covers the stroller pretty well and mine is a relatively mid/large size umbrella stroller.",
"The tie-string and handle are well made and feel durable.",
"However, like the other reviews mentioned, the bag material is not very thick, therefore tear easily.",
"After the first 1.5 hour plane ride, it already got a 2-3 inch tear near where the bottom wheels are.",
"(only via gate-check, not baggage claim.) I'm duck-taping the hole for now.",
"Still usable, but I don't expect it last for more than 3-4 more trips.",
"If the material is little more durable, it would've been a very good bag.Also, the storage pouch is a bit too small.",
"The bag will fit in the pouch if it's folded nicely and air-tight.",
"If you are in a hurry and just stuff the bag into the pouch (like they showed in the video on the manufacture website), good luck zipping it up.I would buy it again if it's about $5, just use it as a few-time-use disposable bag."
] |
2 | Re-define 'Bestseller' | Like many other people, I bought this book simply out of curiousity. It appears to have made many waves and since I am interested in the history of Religion I thought it would make an interesting read. Far from it.The characters are flat and one-dimension and the whole book is based on the so-called 'secrets' Brown reveals. Without the information on the history of the church (though their accuracy is debateable) the fact that the storyline is completely lacking would have been blaringly obvious. But even so, he obviously trusts that all his readers are as dense and uniformed on the subject matter as his character Sophie. Rather, I found myself laughing out loud every time it took Langdon and Leigh forever to figure out a 'riddle' I, the layman, had solved within seconds. Not to mention that the 'revolutionary' ideas portrayed by Brown are hardly new. I had heard most of this before at one point or another.I should hope that everyone takes this book with a pound of salt. | 985 | [
"Like many other people, I bought this book simply out of curiousity.",
"It appears to have made many waves and since I am interested in the history of Religion I thought it would make an interesting read.",
"Far from it.The characters are flat and one-dimension and the whole book is based on the so-called 'secrets' Brown reveals.",
"Without the information on the history of the church (though their accuracy is debateable) the fact that the storyline is completely lacking would have been blaringly obvious.",
"But even so, he obviously trusts that all his readers are as dense and uniformed on the subject matter as his character Sophie.",
"Rather, I found myself laughing out loud every time it took Langdon and Leigh forever to figure out a 'riddle' I, the layman, had solved within seconds.",
"Not to mention that the 'revolutionary' ideas portrayed by Brown are hardly new.",
"I had heard most of this before at one point or another.I should hope that everyone takes this book with a pound of salt."
] |
2 | How NOT to make an album | I recently purchased "Stand in Line" solely based on Mr. Impellitteri's reputation as a speedy guitarist. Unfortunately, the bulk of his solo playing is buried due to poor mixing. What I can hear sounds fast, but very mechanical and uninspired.As with most shredders, comparisons to Yngwie are unavoidable. However, I hear more similarity in the songwriting than the soloing. The song structures, chord voicings, and even instrument tones are so Malmsteen-esque it's not funny.By far, the biggest disappointment to me was the inclusion of a 5+ minute cover of "Somewhere Over the Rainbow" right in the middle of the album. While his interpretation of the classic tune was mildly interesting, it certainly didn't fit with the other material. I could see using it as a hidden track at the end, but that's about it. Why he chose to stick it smack dab in the middle is beyond me.If you're into shred-style guitar, I honestly feel you could do much better than "Stand in Line." Sorry Chris. | 985 | [
"I recently purchased \"Stand in Line\" solely based on Mr.",
"Impellitteri's reputation as a speedy guitarist.",
"Unfortunately, the bulk of his solo playing is buried due to poor mixing.",
"What I can hear sounds fast, but very mechanical and uninspired.As with most shredders, comparisons to Yngwie are unavoidable.",
"However, I hear more similarity in the songwriting than the soloing.",
"The song structures, chord voicings, and even instrument tones are so Malmsteen-esque it's not funny.By far, the biggest disappointment to me was the inclusion of a 5+ minute cover of \"Somewhere Over the Rainbow\" right in the middle of the album.",
"While his interpretation of the classic tune was mildly interesting, it certainly didn't fit with the other material.",
"I could see using it as a hidden track at the end, but that's about it.",
"Why he chose to stick it smack dab in the middle is beyond me.If you're into shred-style guitar, I honestly feel you could do much better than \"Stand in Line.\" Sorry Chris."
] |
2 | For me it wasn't that good. | I remember when this album came out, Fergie was practically the biggest pop star for a while. I never was a huge of the black eyed peas. The overplay their crap way too much. So when Fergie came out as a solo act,and I wasn't execpting her to be huge. Boy was I wrong. There were several hit singles, and Fergie seemed like she was everywhere(as far as music goes...). I mean let's face it,she can sing, She's hot, and she had good producers for this album. I thought Fergilicous was awful! London Brdige wasn't too bad, but got really old after a while. Clumsy had to be my favorite track because it has great beats, and her voice doesn't annoy me. Big Girls Don't Cry seemed as if it were missing something. Like it needed an extra kick to it, if it did then it would have been as good as Irreplaceble by Beyonce for me. The beginning of Glamourous was funny,but the song sucked. Overall, if you like hiphop pop then you should buy this cd, if not then dont waste your money or time! | 985 | [
"I remember when this album came out, Fergie was practically the biggest pop star for a while.",
"I never was a huge of the black eyed peas.",
"The overplay their crap way too much.",
"So when Fergie came out as a solo act,and I wasn't execpting her to be huge.",
"Boy was I wrong.",
"There were several hit singles, and Fergie seemed like she was everywhere(as far as music goes...).",
"I mean let's face it,she can sing, She's hot, and she had good producers for this album.",
"I thought Fergilicous was awful!",
"London Brdige wasn't too bad, but got really old after a while.",
"Clumsy had to be my favorite track because it has great beats, and her voice doesn't annoy me.",
"Big Girls Don't Cry seemed as if it were missing something.",
"Like it needed an extra kick to it, if it did then it would have been as good as Irreplaceble by Beyonce for me.",
"The beginning of Glamourous was funny,but the song sucked.",
"Overall, if you like hiphop pop then you should buy this cd, if not then dont waste your money or time!"
] |
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