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2 | Not Impressed | With my first child I used Avent bottles, but decided to go with Born Free for the second. I was holding a grudge against Avent as I purchased them in the past believing they were BPA free when they weren't. I wanted to support Born Free as Avent has been slow to jump on the BPA free bandwagon. Now that Avent does make a BPA free line I am letting the grudge go and switching back. My daughter has been using the Born Free bottles for the first three weeks of her life. She doesn't seem to be able to latch on to the nipple very well. She makes a loud smacking sound with every suck which leads me to think she is taking in a lot of air. Now it seems she may be having some nipple confusion as she is having a tough time latching on while breastfeeding and isn't creating a good seal. She was doing fine, but it seems that the more bottles she gets, the tougher it is becoming for her to latch on to the breast. Also, the Avent bottles are smaller and more comfortable to feed with. | 984 | [
"With my first child I used Avent bottles, but decided to go with Born Free for the second.",
"I was holding a grudge against Avent as I purchased them in the past believing they were BPA free when they weren't.",
"I wanted to support Born Free as Avent has been slow to jump on the BPA free bandwagon.",
"Now that Avent does make a BPA free line I am letting the grudge go and switching back.",
"My daughter has been using the Born Free bottles for the first three weeks of her life.",
"She doesn't seem to be able to latch on to the nipple very well.",
"She makes a loud smacking sound with every suck which leads me to think she is taking in a lot of air.",
"Now it seems she may be having some nipple confusion as she is having a tough time latching on while breastfeeding and isn't creating a good seal.",
"She was doing fine, but it seems that the more bottles she gets, the tougher it is becoming for her to latch on to the breast.",
"Also, the Avent bottles are smaller and more comfortable to feed with."
] |
2 | Fantastic Idea, But . . . | On March 23rd, I received this little gem with the 30-day warranty and immediately programmed it into my computer. For a month, it gently prodded me into walking a bit more, smiling when I reached goals and frowning when I failed. Tracking progress online was a joy -- and a great incentive to try to exceed previous activity. On April 26th, I looked forward to uploading data from an extra-good day only to see a "0" in the window. I didn't even try to connect it to the computer, but wore it for the two following days. Still zeros. Having heard the little pendulum sound in the unit, tonight I decided to see if it recorded steps anyway and found that it showed lots of data -- incorrectly. Active days showed few steps, while a relatively sedentary day had unaccountably high numbers that didn't tally right, hour-by-hour. I have not dropped or otherwise damaged it, so can see no reason for it to suddenly malfunction. This is an excellent idea that should be a lot more durable. | 984 | [
"On March 23rd, I received this little gem with the 30-day warranty and immediately programmed it into my computer.",
"For a month, it gently prodded me into walking a bit more, smiling when I reached goals and frowning when I failed.",
"Tracking progress online was a joy -- and a great incentive to try to exceed previous activity.",
"On April 26th, I looked forward to uploading data from an extra-good day only to see a \"0\" in the window.",
"I didn't even try to connect it to the computer, but wore it for the two following days.",
"Still zeros.",
"Having heard the little pendulum sound in the unit, tonight I decided to see if it recorded steps anyway and found that it showed lots of data -- incorrectly.",
"Active days showed few steps, while a relatively sedentary day had unaccountably high numbers that didn't tally right, hour-by-hour.",
"I have not dropped or otherwise damaged it, so can see no reason for it to suddenly malfunction.",
"This is an excellent idea that should be a lot more durable."
] |
2 | Might be good | If you are familiar with this type of calculator and its funtions then it might be a good calculator to have.But, if you are not, then good luck figuring out how to use it. Setting the date and time is easy once you figure out the cryptic and 100% worthless manual.There are keys on it that I have absolutely no idea of what they are for. No picture of the key layout and what each keys function is.Yes, one that is familiar with this type of calculator may not have any problems but not all people are and there are those who would like to learn to use it properly. The examples in the manual are bad.What good is any product if the manual is so poor that you can't even begin to figure out how to use it properly and take advantage of its advanced features? If any...I went to the Canon web page and found absolutely no help there.Bottom Line:Calculator might be good if one can figure out how to fully use it. Manual is an afterthought written by either by an engineer or a lawyer. | 984 | [
"If you are familiar with this type of calculator and its funtions then it might be a good calculator to have.But, if you are not, then good luck figuring out how to use it.",
"Setting the date and time is easy once you figure out the cryptic and 100% worthless manual.There are keys on it that I have absolutely no idea of what they are for.",
"No picture of the key layout and what each keys function is.Yes, one that is familiar with this type of calculator may not have any problems but not all people are and there are those who would like to learn to use it properly.",
"The examples in the manual are bad.What good is any product if the manual is so poor that you can't even begin to figure out how to use it properly and take advantage of its advanced features?",
"If any...I went to the Canon web page and found absolutely no help there.Bottom Line:Calculator might be good if one can figure out how to fully use it.",
"Manual is an afterthought written by either by an engineer or a lawyer."
] |
2 | Kinda Reptitive! | Don't get me wrong, G-Spot was good and Candy Licker was okay. I do not like reading books that start sounding the same. It gets kinda old! But since my review is over Candy licker, let me review on that. Noire books are unrealistic, she is a good writer but she needs to try and connect with her characters more. Things that happened to Candy will not probably happen in real life. This book shows how young, fast A** women get caught up in the money and fast life with older men. Both of Noire's books were about that. Also how both of there moms weren't good mothers, they had a sibling that got caught up into the game with their "Older men", they both had a friend that was scandlous and had to watch out for her, they both got they A** beat by these sick men. So YES these books are the same scenario, different characters! I hope Noire's next book change clothes, because this chapter should be closed! If the next book is anyhow releated to these two, she will lose fans fast! | 984 | [
"Don't get me wrong, G-Spot was good and Candy Licker was okay.",
"I do not like reading books that start sounding the same.",
"It gets kinda old!",
"But since my review is over Candy licker, let me review on that.",
"Noire books are unrealistic, she is a good writer but she needs to try and connect with her characters more.",
"Things that happened to Candy will not probably happen in real life.",
"This book shows how young, fast A** women get caught up in the money and fast life with older men.",
"Both of Noire's books were about that.",
"Also how both of there moms weren't good mothers, they had a sibling that got caught up into the game with their \"Older men\", they both had a friend that was scandlous and had to watch out for her, they both got they A** beat by these sick men.",
"So YES these books are the same scenario, different characters!",
"I hope Noire's next book change clothes, because this chapter should be closed!",
"If the next book is anyhow releated to these two, she will lose fans fast!"
] |
2 | Disappointed....a little | My fault for not doing enough research prior to buying the sub. I purchased the sub for my stereo system. My main speakers are rather small in size but totally efficent and fast. (Totem Mites) The sub was a mismatch. First of all, the sub is too large and massive to compliment the accuracy of the Totems. It simply cannot move in unison with the main speakers. A better match would be a smaller (8") sub that has faster response and tone. The Athena will hopefully be better suited to our home theather setup. I bought the Athena because I was taken by the low price compared to the size of the unit. I figured I could dial it down and adjust to my liking. There is simply not enough adjustment to get the system tuned correctly.Bottom line. Poor call for stereo system. If I had it to do over again I would spend twice as much in order to get something that really matched the other components and I would not buy a 12" woofer just because it was inexpensive. I got what I paid for. | 984 | [
"My fault for not doing enough research prior to buying the sub.",
"I purchased the sub for my stereo system.",
"My main speakers are rather small in size but totally efficent and fast.",
"(Totem Mites) The sub was a mismatch.",
"First of all, the sub is too large and massive to compliment the accuracy of the Totems.",
"It simply cannot move in unison with the main speakers.",
"A better match would be a smaller (8\") sub that has faster response and tone.",
"The Athena will hopefully be better suited to our home theather setup.",
"I bought the Athena because I was taken by the low price compared to the size of the unit.",
"I figured I could dial it down and adjust to my liking.",
"There is simply not enough adjustment to get the system tuned correctly.Bottom line.",
"Poor call for stereo system.",
"If I had it to do over again I would spend twice as much in order to get something that really matched the other components and I would not buy a 12\" woofer just because it was inexpensive.",
"I got what I paid for."
] |
2 | $30?? REALLY??? | Let me start by saying this is a really cute toy. It makes real sounds & has a little piece of "garbage" that you dump in the truck. That being said, the garbage was lost the 1st night, the noises are obnoxious, it is pretty small & is plastic. My son loves it though & it is well worth the price I spent on it. I am trying to find another one for my nephew who has not let it out of his hands since he arrived today. But it is NOT worth the price it is listed for on here. I'm not sure what is with Amazon sellers lately, but they are becoming ridiculously overpriced. The new ebay. I got this truck at Kohl's where the original price was $15.99. And anybody who shops at Kohl's knows their toys are way overpriced there to begin with. They were having a sale & I got it for under $11. Well worth it. Not at all worth nearly $30. Save your money & go get a garbage truck 5x the size from toys r us or walmart. If you can find this between $10-$15, go for it. I think you'll be happy! | 984 | [
"Let me start by saying this is a really cute toy.",
"It makes real sounds & has a little piece of \"garbage\" that you dump in the truck.",
"That being said, the garbage was lost the 1st night, the noises are obnoxious, it is pretty small & is plastic.",
"My son loves it though & it is well worth the price I spent on it.",
"I am trying to find another one for my nephew who has not let it out of his hands since he arrived today.",
"But it is NOT worth the price it is listed for on here.",
"I'm not sure what is with Amazon sellers lately, but they are becoming ridiculously overpriced.",
"The new ebay.",
"I got this truck at Kohl's where the original price was $15.99.",
"And anybody who shops at Kohl's knows their toys are way overpriced there to begin with.",
"They were having a sale & I got it for under $11.",
"Well worth it.",
"Not at all worth nearly $30.",
"Save your money & go get a garbage truck 5x the size from toys r us or walmart.",
"If you can find this between $10-$15, go for it.",
"I think you'll be happy!"
] |
2 | Not useful for railings | I'm in the process of remodeling my house and am replacing a stair railing. I used information from instructions the stair parts manufacturers produce and help from a stair parts salesman to figure out the parts I would need but needed some additional help in actually installing it. I found this book at a woodworking show and thought I was set. Unfortunately almost all it covers is the design and constructions of the stairs themselves. The design and construction of the railing is barely touched on. I got more information from the manufacturer's instructions and the instructions that came with some of the installation hardware.I can't really comment on how good the stair construction information is since that's not what I was interested in, but I can't recommend this at all if your looking for information on stair railing design and construction.If you're looking for railing information I would recommend the book "Stairs: The Best of Fine Homebuiling". (ISBN 1561581313) | 984 | [
"I'm in the process of remodeling my house and am replacing a stair railing.",
"I used information from instructions the stair parts manufacturers produce and help from a stair parts salesman to figure out the parts I would need but needed some additional help in actually installing it.",
"I found this book at a woodworking show and thought I was set.",
"Unfortunately almost all it covers is the design and constructions of the stairs themselves.",
"The design and construction of the railing is barely touched on.",
"I got more information from the manufacturer's instructions and the instructions that came with some of the installation hardware.I can't really comment on how good the stair construction information is since that's not what I was interested in, but I can't recommend this at all if your looking for information on stair railing design and construction.If you're looking for railing information I would recommend the book \"Stairs: The Best of Fine Homebuiling\".",
"(ISBN 1561581313)"
] |
2 | A solid step down from Demons | A disappointing sequel to say the least. When first viewing Demons 2, I remember being upset wiht how it explained the end events of the first film. The first Demons ended with the Demon plauge spreading and the world on the brink of armageddon. Demons 2 begins with some cheesy explaination on "how the human race beat the demon onslaught." I was not impressed on how it explained it and it seemed to rush through it in order to get to the new story. After that we get introduced to the bratty Asia Argento at her birthday party. She gets possessed by a demon through her TV set(?) and spreads the contaigon to other members in an apartment complex. Lamerbto Bava's stylish direction is back and so are the special effects, bu the script just has too many holes and looses ends and the film seems to be editied by some knife weilding maniac. Sure it entertains to an agree, but it is a solid step down from the first film and it had the opportunity to be just as good or even better. | 984 | [
"A disappointing sequel to say the least.",
"When first viewing Demons 2, I remember being upset wiht how it explained the end events of the first film.",
"The first Demons ended with the Demon plauge spreading and the world on the brink of armageddon.",
"Demons 2 begins with some cheesy explaination on \"how the human race beat the demon onslaught.\" I was not impressed on how it explained it and it seemed to rush through it in order to get to the new story.",
"After that we get introduced to the bratty Asia Argento at her birthday party.",
"She gets possessed by a demon through her TV set(?",
") and spreads the contaigon to other members in an apartment complex.",
"Lamerbto Bava's stylish direction is back and so are the special effects, bu the script just has too many holes and looses ends and the film seems to be editied by some knife weilding maniac.",
"Sure it entertains to an agree, but it is a solid step down from the first film and it had the opportunity to be just as good or even better."
] |
2 | I keep my 70-200 F/4 | This lens is anything from being sharp at 400mm and auto focus is not very precise. I bought this lens for a trip to Costa Rica and many photos turned out unusable, and few are OK. To get this lens somewhat OK at 400mm range, you need to shoot at F8 or F11, because F5.6 is just too soft. I have done test with my Canon 70-400 F/4 L lens compared to 100-400mm lens, both shot at far end of zoom, and 70-200f/4 resulted in better sharpness at F4 at the same crop size! I don't need couple stops of stabilization, auto focus works properly, bokeh looks the same, I have flexibility with crop and I saved myself $1200 and my shoulders for carrying heavier lens. Sold my 100-400mm lens on eBay few days ago. I use 5D Mark II, but I believe crop sensor will have similar results. Hope this was helpful. I only wish I would do the same test before I left to Costa Rica. Darn it. ....and just to mention, I did compared this lens to my friends, just to make sure it wasn't a lemon from eBay. | 984 | [
"This lens is anything from being sharp at 400mm and auto focus is not very precise.",
"I bought this lens for a trip to Costa Rica and many photos turned out unusable, and few are OK.",
"To get this lens somewhat OK at 400mm range, you need to shoot at F8 or F11, because F5.6 is just too soft.",
"I have done test with my Canon 70-400 F/4 L lens compared to 100-400mm lens, both shot at far end of zoom, and 70-200f/4 resulted in better sharpness at F4 at the same crop size!",
"I don't need couple stops of stabilization, auto focus works properly, bokeh looks the same, I have flexibility with crop and I saved myself $1200 and my shoulders for carrying heavier lens.",
"Sold my 100-400mm lens on eBay few days ago.",
"I use 5D Mark II, but I believe crop sensor will have similar results.",
"Hope this was helpful.",
"I only wish I would do the same test before I left to Costa Rica.",
"Darn it.",
"....and just to mention, I did compared this lens to my friends, just to make sure it wasn't a lemon from eBay."
] |
2 | Waste of money | I bought this to replace one that I had a year ago. This was no where near what I thought it was going to be (Mainly my fault for not reading reviews and looking at pictures). The first thing I did not like with this product is that the net where you try to kill the bugs only goes side to side. I found lots of the bugs I swung at went thru the big gap between the wires. The second thing that I did not like was that in order to kill a bug, you had to press two buttons at the same time. Having to hold both buttons at the same time made it awkward to swing. The last and most important thing about this thing I did not like was it is cheaply made. The yellow plastic is hollow vs. being solid. I had been careful with it for a long time, until I was chasing a bee that flew on the wall. As soon as I hit the wall, the yellow plastic broke releasing the wires, making it useless.If you decide to buy this, be careful not to hit anything, because the cheap yellow plastic will break. | 984 | [
"I bought this to replace one that I had a year ago.",
"This was no where near what I thought it was going to be (Mainly my fault for not reading reviews and looking at pictures).",
"The first thing I did not like with this product is that the net where you try to kill the bugs only goes side to side.",
"I found lots of the bugs I swung at went thru the big gap between the wires.",
"The second thing that I did not like was that in order to kill a bug, you had to press two buttons at the same time.",
"Having to hold both buttons at the same time made it awkward to swing.",
"The last and most important thing about this thing I did not like was it is cheaply made.",
"The yellow plastic is hollow vs.",
"being solid.",
"I had been careful with it for a long time, until I was chasing a bee that flew on the wall.",
"As soon as I hit the wall, the yellow plastic broke releasing the wires, making it useless.If you decide to buy this, be careful not to hit anything, because the cheap yellow plastic will break."
] |
2 | Hold out for the Extras | I am a huge Star Trek fan. So far I have bought four of the DVDs: The Next Generation triology and ST:IV. I was very disappointed in the lack of extras. Star Trek: Generations did not even contain a movie trailer. (ST:IV contained some decent extras.) Most serious Trek fans would love commentary from the directors and/or actors. It is well known that there has been footage that was not included in the theatrical releases of almost every Trek film. Most notably, ST:II, where missing footage was shown when it was originally broadcast on TV. This footage made a GREAT movie even BETTER. None of this was included in the DVD. It is rumored that Paramount will be releasing Special Editions of the Trek films, including a 2-disc set for ST:II. Don't pay Paramount twice. The Trek films are all on TV so often, that you can tape a rough copy while you wait for Paramount to give us the extras we want and deserve. (The reason I gave the set 2 stars is because they are decent movies.) | 984 | [
"I am a huge Star Trek fan.",
"So far I have bought four of the DVDs: The Next Generation triology and ST:IV.",
"I was very disappointed in the lack of extras.",
"Star Trek: Generations did not even contain a movie trailer.",
"(ST:IV contained some decent extras.) Most serious Trek fans would love commentary from the directors and/or actors.",
"It is well known that there has been footage that was not included in the theatrical releases of almost every Trek film.",
"Most notably, ST:II, where missing footage was shown when it was originally broadcast on TV.",
"This footage made a GREAT movie even BETTER.",
"None of this was included in the DVD.",
"It is rumored that Paramount will be releasing Special Editions of the Trek films, including a 2-disc set for ST:II.",
"Don't pay Paramount twice.",
"The Trek films are all on TV so often, that you can tape a rough copy while you wait for Paramount to give us the extras we want and deserve.",
"(The reason I gave the set 2 stars is because they are decent movies.)"
] |
2 | Brown Fluff | Richard Rodriguez' "Brown" clearly showcases his mastery of the essay form as well as a lack of substance that makes it an ultimately unsatisfying read. In his eagerness to validate the Latino experience this book deteriorates all too often into a name-dropping frenzy when it comes to American and European writers. It is fascinating how Rodriguez fails to mention the works of other Latino writers in what can only be seen as his effort to elevate himself above them in a most self-serving way. The book contains a number of interesting insights, but it could stand a lot of editing and would probably have been better issued as a magazine article. It's brown fluff that tries to set Rodriguez up as the major interpretor of the Latino experience by way of brown-nosing white intellectuals. Rodriguez's "Brown" has an bitter aroma that combines individual self-promotion with group deprecation. I was deeply disappointed, considering all the hype it has received in the white media. | 984 | [
"Richard Rodriguez' \"Brown\" clearly showcases his mastery of the essay form as well as a lack of substance that makes it an ultimately unsatisfying read.",
"In his eagerness to validate the Latino experience this book deteriorates all too often into a name-dropping frenzy when it comes to American and European writers.",
"It is fascinating how Rodriguez fails to mention the works of other Latino writers in what can only be seen as his effort to elevate himself above them in a most self-serving way.",
"The book contains a number of interesting insights, but it could stand a lot of editing and would probably have been better issued as a magazine article.",
"It's brown fluff that tries to set Rodriguez up as the major interpretor of the Latino experience by way of brown-nosing white intellectuals.",
"Rodriguez's \"Brown\" has an bitter aroma that combines individual self-promotion with group deprecation.",
"I was deeply disappointed, considering all the hype it has received in the white media."
] |
2 | Not their best effort... | Given the experience and positions of the players (Regni is principal saxophone of the NY Philharmonic), I expected a much more polished performance.The players don't seem to blend well with each other, and the recording seems forward and top-heavy, with the soprano almost screeching at times. Not pleasant, especially when compared to the sound of more refined quartets, such as the New Century S.Q. (try "Standards" for a nicer reading of the Mintzer) and younger quartets like Adelphia (try their recording of the Histoire du Tango for more flair, style, and character if not intonation).Intonation is a problem on this recording. It might have been okay if the players weren't as seasoned or didn't have big names. But I was disappointed pretty much from the first note at the lack of sensitivity to tone quality, blend and intonation in this group.This recording is a valiant try, but hopefully in the future ones they pay more attention to the finer points of ensemble playing. | 984 | [
"Given the experience and positions of the players (Regni is principal saxophone of the NY Philharmonic), I expected a much more polished performance.The players don't seem to blend well with each other, and the recording seems forward and top-heavy, with the soprano almost screeching at times.",
"Not pleasant, especially when compared to the sound of more refined quartets, such as the New Century S.Q. (try \"Standards\" for a nicer reading of the Mintzer) and younger quartets like Adelphia (try their recording of the Histoire du Tango for more flair, style, and character if not intonation).Intonation is a problem on this recording.",
"It might have been okay if the players weren't as seasoned or didn't have big names.",
"But I was disappointed pretty much from the first note at the lack of sensitivity to tone quality, blend and intonation in this group.This recording is a valiant try, but hopefully in the future ones they pay more attention to the finer points of ensemble playing."
] |
2 | Poorly made | I got this for Christmas. The video quality is terrible. And while I understand that video quality wasn't the best when this show first aired...they could have done a better job with this dvd set. In one episode the sound quality will be fair, while in the next, the volume and quality will be much lower. So from episode to episode, I find that I must constantly adjust the volume.Sometimes the screen will scroll like they used to do on older tvs. And this is just something I never expected to find on a dvd.Also, the episode titles air differently than what is printed on the disk. so they are printed out of order.Basically, what this 'seems' to be is a set of dvds pirated and sold at a flea market. Not saying it is...but that's what it looks like. Terrible quality. And the ONLY reason I haven't sent them back is that I love the Amos & Andy show so much and I doubt I can find a better set.But if you don't just absolutely love this series...skip this set. It's not worth $5. | 984 | [
"I got this for Christmas.",
"The video quality is terrible.",
"And while I understand that video quality wasn't the best when this show first aired...they could have done a better job with this dvd set.",
"In one episode the sound quality will be fair, while in the next, the volume and quality will be much lower.",
"So from episode to episode, I find that I must constantly adjust the volume.Sometimes the screen will scroll like they used to do on older tvs.",
"And this is just something I never expected to find on a dvd.Also, the episode titles air differently than what is printed on the disk.",
"so they are printed out of order.Basically, what this 'seems' to be is a set of dvds pirated and sold at a flea market.",
"Not saying it is...but that's what it looks like.",
"Terrible quality.",
"And the ONLY reason I haven't sent them back is that I love the Amos & Andy show so much and I doubt I can find a better set.But if you don't just absolutely love this series...skip this set.",
"It's not worth $5."
] |
2 | After School Special-icious! | I caught this film off cable a couple years ago. It is overwhelmingly cliche, but fun despite its corniness. Some of the music is good, one song, though melodramatic, "Wishing on Another Lucky Star," performed near the end, is absolutely beautiful, and worth the viewing just to hear performed. All in all the film is so-so, it's just a little cheesy, but not mean spirited or vapid. Hey, it was the 80s, Keanu Reeves is in the movie playing a grief stricken version of his "Bill and Ted's," character (huge surprise), what more can be expected? Basically, it is a very polished (in that 80s way which is barely) after school special. Don't expext any emotional revelations from it. If you're looking for a touching movie about grief, see "Ordinary People" (or the wonderful, "Imaginary Crimes" with Fairuza Balk), if you want to see a good 80s movie, catch "Some Kind of Wonderful," but if you just want to see a watchable movie with a few cute, sappy moments, this flick is for you! | 984 | [
"I caught this film off cable a couple years ago.",
"It is overwhelmingly cliche, but fun despite its corniness.",
"Some of the music is good, one song, though melodramatic, \"Wishing on Another Lucky Star,\" performed near the end, is absolutely beautiful, and worth the viewing just to hear performed.",
"All in all the film is so-so, it's just a little cheesy, but not mean spirited or vapid.",
"Hey, it was the 80s, Keanu Reeves is in the movie playing a grief stricken version of his \"Bill and Ted's,\" character (huge surprise), what more can be expected?",
"Basically, it is a very polished (in that 80s way which is barely) after school special.",
"Don't expext any emotional revelations from it.",
"If you're looking for a touching movie about grief, see \"Ordinary People\" (or the wonderful, \"Imaginary Crimes\" with Fairuza Balk), if you want to see a good 80s movie, catch \"Some Kind of Wonderful,\" but if you just want to see a watchable movie with a few cute, sappy moments, this flick is for you!"
] |
2 | Shall we say.. different | While I won't lambast this book as being "dumb" like the previous reviewer, I must say it is "different." This is the 21st Dragonlance book I've read, and definetly one of the oddities of the bunch. I don't find the gnomes to necessarily be portrayed as evil, merely different from what the world of Krynn sees them as. The plot is really off the wall, but manages to barely keep itself together into something enjoyable. If you're looking for the normal quality of the Dragonlance series - avoid this book. It doesn't hold up to the quality of any of the other books I've read, but I guess that's what you get when Margaret Weis had nothing to do with it. It's a common problem since the Dragonlance name has become "exploited" by various authors. Fergus Ryan seems to have some writing experience under his belt, and it does show here. Otherwise, if you want something different from the usual in the Dragonlance world, The Siege of Mt. Nevermind may be the book you're looking for. | 984 | [
"While I won't lambast this book as being \"dumb\" like the previous reviewer, I must say it is \"different.\" This is the 21st Dragonlance book I've read, and definetly one of the oddities of the bunch.",
"I don't find the gnomes to necessarily be portrayed as evil, merely different from what the world of Krynn sees them as.",
"The plot is really off the wall, but manages to barely keep itself together into something enjoyable.",
"If you're looking for the normal quality of the Dragonlance series - avoid this book.",
"It doesn't hold up to the quality of any of the other books I've read, but I guess that's what you get when Margaret Weis had nothing to do with it.",
"It's a common problem since the Dragonlance name has become \"exploited\" by various authors.",
"Fergus Ryan seems to have some writing experience under his belt, and it does show here.",
"Otherwise, if you want something different from the usual in the Dragonlance world, The Siege of Mt.",
"Nevermind may be the book you're looking for."
] |
2 | Undecided | Still working on the cat training. We did not follow the directions exactly and today I came home and my cats had gone to the bathroom on the bathroom rug and in their cat bed. We did not change out their scented litter gradually, we just changed it abruptly right before we put the training seat on the toilet. And we skipped from moving the litter box gradually on the toilet seat to just putting it on top of the toilet once we had gotten it up to the same level as the toilet. They were able to use the litter box on top of the toilet with no problem and even figured out that the new unscented litter was okay when it was in the litter box. But once we put the cat training seat on the toilet and removed the litter box they were totally confused and decided going to the bathroom on the floor was a better option I guess. So now we are going back and trying to gradually integrate the new unscented litter in with their scented litter and we will see if that makes a difference. | 984 | [
"Still working on the cat training.",
"We did not follow the directions exactly and today I came home and my cats had gone to the bathroom on the bathroom rug and in their cat bed.",
"We did not change out their scented litter gradually, we just changed it abruptly right before we put the training seat on the toilet.",
"And we skipped from moving the litter box gradually on the toilet seat to just putting it on top of the toilet once we had gotten it up to the same level as the toilet.",
"They were able to use the litter box on top of the toilet with no problem and even figured out that the new unscented litter was okay when it was in the litter box.",
"But once we put the cat training seat on the toilet and removed the litter box they were totally confused and decided going to the bathroom on the floor was a better option I guess.",
"So now we are going back and trying to gradually integrate the new unscented litter in with their scented litter and we will see if that makes a difference."
] |
2 | If Only... | You know, this movie had the potential to be good camp, but sadly, can't even achieve that. What can I say? The plot is lame, Dracula looks ridiculous, and the ending is incredibly stupid. Want more details? Ok, as one person mentioned, it's the year 3000, and space suits are a mix of cheap gas masks and BARE SKIN!! Hello? At least tell us they have some kind of force shield like in Star Trek! I mean, why the hell are they walking into a potentially hazardous environment with BARE SKIN? ARgh!Then there is Drac. In the year 3000, interstellar traveler Dracula is STILL wearing a cape and out dated formal wear. OK.Then the end. The robot turns to the only living member of the crew, mentions that in 12 hours they are going to fly into the heart of a sun, and offers to have sex with him! THAT'S THE END OF THE MOVIE!! What the hell? Let's get laid, then BOOM!ARGH!Watch this only if you are really, really bored. Or a huge Casper Van Diem fan. Nah, even then, it's not worth it. | 984 | [
"You know, this movie had the potential to be good camp, but sadly, can't even achieve that.",
"What can I say?",
"The plot is lame, Dracula looks ridiculous, and the ending is incredibly stupid.",
"Want more details?",
"Ok, as one person mentioned, it's the year 3000, and space suits are a mix of cheap gas masks and BARE SKIN!!",
"Hello?",
"At least tell us they have some kind of force shield like in Star Trek!",
"I mean, why the hell are they walking into a potentially hazardous environment with BARE SKIN?",
"ARgh!",
"Then there is Drac.",
"In the year 3000, interstellar traveler Dracula is STILL wearing a cape and out dated formal wear.",
"OK.Then the end.",
"The robot turns to the only living member of the crew, mentions that in 12 hours they are going to fly into the heart of a sun, and offers to have sex with him!",
"THAT'S THE END OF THE MOVIE!!",
"What the hell?",
"Let's get laid, then BOOM!",
"ARGH!",
"Watch this only if you are really, really bored.",
"Or a huge Casper Van Diem fan.",
"Nah, even then, it's not worth it."
] |
2 | Mediocre writing | I bought the book on a recommendation from a management trainer. Very disappointing! Whereas Southwest airlines, their customer relations and their business model are certainly interesting, this book is not. The authors of Nuts! managed to bore after 20 pages. Nuts! could easily have been compressed into 50-80 pages by eliminating all repetition and fluff. What bothered me most was the uncritical Rah Rah cheerleader style of the authors, who used any example at hand to make the point they wanted, no matter how little the example supported that (on occasion the same example is used in different chapters of the book to make two logically opposed points).I am giving the book two points because I enjoyed reading customer letters and transcripts from Southwest Airlines. Those were much more instructive than the prose of the two authors.If the book had been the entertaining read it promised to be judging from the reviews, I wouldn't have minded the absence of content as much. | 984 | [
"I bought the book on a recommendation from a management trainer.",
"Very disappointing!",
"Whereas Southwest airlines, their customer relations and their business model are certainly interesting, this book is not.",
"The authors of Nuts!",
"managed to bore after 20 pages.",
"Nuts!",
"could easily have been compressed into 50-80 pages by eliminating all repetition and fluff.",
"What bothered me most was the uncritical Rah Rah cheerleader style of the authors, who used any example at hand to make the point they wanted, no matter how little the example supported that (on occasion the same example is used in different chapters of the book to make two logically opposed points).I am giving the book two points because I enjoyed reading customer letters and transcripts from Southwest Airlines.",
"Those were much more instructive than the prose of the two authors.If the book had been the entertaining read it promised to be judging from the reviews, I wouldn't have minded the absence of content as much."
] |
2 | Not for me | I've tried everything under the sun to quit, patches, gum, lozenges, inhalers, everything. Nothing worked for me. The only thing that worked for me after 10 years of smoking was the electronic cigarette. I've been cancer stick free now for more than a year.Electronic cigarettes and personal vaporizers are definitely top notch in my book. I've saved thousands of dollars in my year now as an e-cig smoker. All the effects of smoking that damaged my body making me cough and unable to taste or breathe properly are gone but I bet I've saved even more money because I refilled my cartridges instead of purchasing new cartridges each time they've gone dry. I also purchased my starter kit for a great price. The company I buy from is fast, affordable and always answers any questions I have, I really recommend them and I've been a happy customer. FreshSmoking, one word, google them. You'll be surprised how easy it is to stop smoking normal cigarettes. Your wallet will thank you too! | 984 | [
"I've tried everything under the sun to quit, patches, gum, lozenges, inhalers, everything.",
"Nothing worked for me.",
"The only thing that worked for me after 10 years of smoking was the electronic cigarette.",
"I've been cancer stick free now for more than a year.Electronic cigarettes and personal vaporizers are definitely top notch in my book.",
"I've saved thousands of dollars in my year now as an e-cig smoker.",
"All the effects of smoking that damaged my body making me cough and unable to taste or breathe properly are gone but I bet I've saved even more money because I refilled my cartridges instead of purchasing new cartridges each time they've gone dry.",
"I also purchased my starter kit for a great price.",
"The company I buy from is fast, affordable and always answers any questions I have, I really recommend them and I've been a happy customer.",
"FreshSmoking, one word, google them.",
"You'll be surprised how easy it is to stop smoking normal cigarettes.",
"Your wallet will thank you too!"
] |
2 | Fear Of Boring Clown Movies | O.K., for an ultra-low budget film the clown makeup of the character Shivers was good and the lighting was done well but that's about it. The story was really dull and allthough you had some really promising scenes the payoff was always lackluster. The thing that really ruined this film for me was the stupidity of it. As the clown attacks his victims none of them screem and as the clown walks over to them they just stand there staring at him. There's a scene when a police officer handcuffs the wrong clown, now this all happens in broad daylight and in a residential neighborhood, Shivers comes from behind the cop with a big ax and cuts of his head(It looked really cheezy), Shivers walks away and the handcuffed clown on the ground never once screems or even tries to get up and run. I wanted to like this movie but it was just too dum, but I think with a little more practice Kevin Kangas could become a good director, just have someone help you write the next script, please. | 984 | [
"O.K., for an ultra-low budget film the clown makeup of the character Shivers was good and the lighting was done well but that's about it.",
"The story was really dull and allthough you had some really promising scenes the payoff was always lackluster.",
"The thing that really ruined this film for me was the stupidity of it.",
"As the clown attacks his victims none of them screem and as the clown walks over to them they just stand there staring at him.",
"There's a scene when a police officer handcuffs the wrong clown, now this all happens in broad daylight and in a residential neighborhood, Shivers comes from behind the cop with a big ax and cuts of his head(It looked really cheezy), Shivers walks away and the handcuffed clown on the ground never once screems or even tries to get up and run.",
"I wanted to like this movie but it was just too dum, but I think with a little more practice Kevin Kangas could become a good director, just have someone help you write the next script, please."
] |
2 | FPS Creator | This is an interesting product, you can make your own FPS game... unfortunately it's only good for bare bone halls and corridors, if you add more than a few`entities' to make the level interesting, the game runs slower than molasses in January...the models are rather sloppy, and of low polygon count. There's nearly no provision made for outdoors, trees are not included...the `getting started manual' is a tiny 15 page document that doesn't really explain much, there is a more useful manual on the disk, but you'll have to print it up yourself...You get WW2 European theater Germans, British and Americans, and a selection of sci-fi characters with the purchase, if you want human zombies (there are odd `space' zombies included) you'll have to visit the FPSCreators web site where you can purchase additional costly `model packs'...If your interested, then you should download the trial software from the FPSCreator website before you buy this, or like me, you may be disappointed | 984 | [
"This is an interesting product, you can make your own FPS game... unfortunately it's only good for bare bone halls and corridors, if you add more than a few`entities' to make the level interesting, the game runs slower than molasses in January...the models are rather sloppy, and of low polygon count.",
"There's nearly no provision made for outdoors, trees are not included...the `getting started manual' is a tiny 15 page document that doesn't really explain much, there is a more useful manual on the disk, but you'll have to print it up yourself...You get WW2 European theater Germans, British and Americans, and a selection of sci-fi characters with the purchase, if you want human zombies (there are odd `space' zombies included) you'll have to visit the FPSCreators web site where you can purchase additional costly `model packs'...If your interested, then you should download the trial software from the FPSCreator website before you buy this, or like me, you may be disappointed"
] |
2 | Had more potential | This author came highly recommended, but I just don't think she's for me.This is the seventh book in the Fall Angels series, but knowledge of the previous books isn't necessary. A duke finds out that he is dying of a rare disease so he does what is least expected of him and sets out anonymously on a journey to find himself and deal with his grief. Along his way he meets up with a group of traveling actors, saves one of their children, and integrates himself into the group. He quickly falls for one of the actresses, a lovely widow, and she for him, and they marry. Meanwhile, his doctor and brother are desperate to find him, and all is not what it seems.There was so much potential in the terminally ill hero estranged from his family, but I thought the execution ended up being bland and lacked depth. I also found the ending disappointing because of a heavy-handed and contrived near-death experience as well as a disappointing (to me) revelation about the heroine's heritage. | 984 | [
"This author came highly recommended, but I just don't think she's for me.This is the seventh book in the Fall Angels series, but knowledge of the previous books isn't necessary.",
"A duke finds out that he is dying of a rare disease so he does what is least expected of him and sets out anonymously on a journey to find himself and deal with his grief.",
"Along his way he meets up with a group of traveling actors, saves one of their children, and integrates himself into the group.",
"He quickly falls for one of the actresses, a lovely widow, and she for him, and they marry.",
"Meanwhile, his doctor and brother are desperate to find him, and all is not what it seems.There was so much potential in the terminally ill hero estranged from his family, but I thought the execution ended up being bland and lacked depth.",
"I also found the ending disappointing because of a heavy-handed and contrived near-death experience as well as a disappointing (to me) revelation about the heroine's heritage."
] |
2 | History by Conjecture | This is a highly influential book. Roosevelt has had many enemies growing out of his presidency. No one has had the same negative impact on Roosevelt's name to equal Wyman's attack. But, although Wyman, a professional historian has well-documented his research, much of the indictment of the Roosevelt Administration is based upon conjecture incapable of proof. The litmus test of his proposals was the bombing of Auschwitz. He asserts that the failure to bomb was due to a lack of caring. Thousands of Jews could have been saved. But there is no way to prove this. Many Jews could also have died because bombing was inaccurate and Jewish prisoners lived close to the crematoria. Too much in his charges is based on too little evidence. Peter Novick in his book, The Holocaust in American Life, calls Wyman's thesis a "comfortable morality tale" and "bad history." In addition to Novick, Henry L. Feingold, Frank W. Brecher, and William Rubinstein have written critically about Wyman. | 984 | [
"This is a highly influential book.",
"Roosevelt has had many enemies growing out of his presidency.",
"No one has had the same negative impact on Roosevelt's name to equal Wyman's attack.",
"But, although Wyman, a professional historian has well-documented his research, much of the indictment of the Roosevelt Administration is based upon conjecture incapable of proof.",
"The litmus test of his proposals was the bombing of Auschwitz.",
"He asserts that the failure to bomb was due to a lack of caring.",
"Thousands of Jews could have been saved.",
"But there is no way to prove this.",
"Many Jews could also have died because bombing was inaccurate and Jewish prisoners lived close to the crematoria.",
"Too much in his charges is based on too little evidence.",
"Peter Novick in his book, The Holocaust in American Life, calls Wyman's thesis a \"comfortable morality tale\" and \"bad history.\" In addition to Novick, Henry L.",
"Feingold, Frank W.",
"Brecher, and William Rubinstein have written critically about Wyman."
] |
2 | Disappointed... | I bought this becasue we all love Violet's House, and I thought this might be similar. Our 1 yr old son LOVES touch and feel books. It does have great pictures and colors, and our son loves the size of the book (nice and big). He likes some of the textures, though most are a bit odd, and don't always feel like what they represent. My biggest gripe is the text. It doesn't talk about the pictures, like in Violet's House where every feely item is described in the text so we can direct his attention to different parts of the page as we read. This just rambles on with a lot of adjectives, and I don't think they mean anything to a child because they're not really in any sort of context that indicates their meaning. So rather than ramble on with a bunch of meaningless words, I tend to sing Old MacDonald as another reviewer suggested. I wanted to like this book, but it is a disappointment. If you don't already have it, I highly recommend Violet's House instead. Hope this helps. | 984 | [
"I bought this becasue we all love Violet's House, and I thought this might be similar.",
"Our 1 yr old son LOVES touch and feel books.",
"It does have great pictures and colors, and our son loves the size of the book (nice and big).",
"He likes some of the textures, though most are a bit odd, and don't always feel like what they represent.",
"My biggest gripe is the text.",
"It doesn't talk about the pictures, like in Violet's House where every feely item is described in the text so we can direct his attention to different parts of the page as we read.",
"This just rambles on with a lot of adjectives, and I don't think they mean anything to a child because they're not really in any sort of context that indicates their meaning.",
"So rather than ramble on with a bunch of meaningless words, I tend to sing Old MacDonald as another reviewer suggested.",
"I wanted to like this book, but it is a disappointment.",
"If you don't already have it, I highly recommend Violet's House instead.",
"Hope this helps."
] |
2 | meh | i bought this game used for [...] at gamestop and went home to try it. first i didnt know where to go and stuff but figured it out. then i got to battle parts and after a while i felt like chucking the controller through the tv! the game is SO annoying! you run into some enemies after like 2 seconds out of a battle! makes a constant pain when you also have to heal your dudes and stuff. i didnt like the combat system, as it was too boring.1) select a move2) attack3) repeat until enemies deadits annoying! i was hoping you could just get a sword and actually fight like in the return of the king.also whats completely stupid and pointless, is the 2-player co-op mode. its like this: one person moves; one person fights. its not fun at all!and also, its too confusing! especially in moria. you have to find these runes, and it takes too long because the of the stupid enemies who lash out every 5 seconds!so dont waste your money, and go buy the two towers or the return of the king | 984 | [
"i bought this game used for [...] at gamestop and went home to try it.",
"first i didnt know where to go and stuff but figured it out.",
"then i got to battle parts and after a while i felt like chucking the controller through the tv!",
"the game is SO annoying!",
"you run into some enemies after like 2 seconds out of a battle!",
"makes a constant pain when you also have to heal your dudes and stuff.",
"i didnt like the combat system, as it was too boring.1) select a move2) attack3) repeat until enemies deadits annoying!",
"i was hoping you could just get a sword and actually fight like in the return of the king.also whats completely stupid and pointless, is the 2-player co-op mode.",
"its like this: one person moves; one person fights.",
"its not fun at all!",
"and also, its too confusing!",
"especially in moria.",
"you have to find these runes, and it takes too long because the of the stupid enemies who lash out every 5 seconds!",
"so dont waste your money, and go buy the two towers or the return of the king"
] |
2 | Mediocre, at best! | With the impending release of Carey's next project, I decided to review my entire collection of her work. "Rainbow," the album in question, is such an overtly bland recording that I can only hope that the future is brighter for the singer. How someone of the vocal prowess of Mariah Carey could have produced such a lifeless work is beyond me. Too many of the tunes here are rehashes of past successes, with the added "bonus" of guest artists, such as Dru Hill and "Missy" Elliott, to, perhaps, add some flava.Because Miss Carey has been rather prolific since her debut in 1991, she might need to take a longer hiatus between albums. The follow-up "Glitter", while much better than "Rainbow" still lacks the "emotion" the singer exhibited in her first three releases.It is hoped that the upcoming "Charmbracelet" will get the singer back on track as one of the premier singers of the day.I hope that there will be a "pot of gold" at the end of that "rainbow" for her millions of fans. | 984 | [
"With the impending release of Carey's next project, I decided to review my entire collection of her work.",
"\"Rainbow,\" the album in question, is such an overtly bland recording that I can only hope that the future is brighter for the singer.",
"How someone of the vocal prowess of Mariah Carey could have produced such a lifeless work is beyond me.",
"Too many of the tunes here are rehashes of past successes, with the added \"bonus\" of guest artists, such as Dru Hill and \"Missy\" Elliott, to, perhaps, add some flava.Because Miss Carey has been rather prolific since her debut in 1991, she might need to take a longer hiatus between albums.",
"The follow-up \"Glitter\", while much better than \"Rainbow\" still lacks the \"emotion\" the singer exhibited in her first three releases.It is hoped that the upcoming \"Charmbracelet\" will get the singer back on track as one of the premier singers of the day.I hope that there will be a \"pot of gold\" at the end of that \"rainbow\" for her millions of fans."
] |
2 | Unfortunately Useless | As anyone who makes a living designing books can tell you, most books are not $200 art books. But that's what Derek Birdsall seems to concentrate on in his "Notes on Book Design." Really, it's a no-brainer to make the art as large as possible and have the specs in a sans serif font. I don't need endless examples showing me exactly that. I'd like to see what Birdsall does with 30,000 words that the publisher insists page out to 272 pages in a 6 x 9 size, but "not look too horsey or airy." I bet he'd quit.Addditionally, his choice of a typewriter font for the text make the book useless to the reader. Birdsall insists his publisher could not choose a better font--I doubt that. I got one for ya, Birdsall--Garamond. You should try it some time!Ultimately, the tome serves neither the page designs shown as illustrations (too small in most cases) nor the reader. Perhaps a design student may get something out of this, but there must be better books out there on the same subject. | 984 | [
"As anyone who makes a living designing books can tell you, most books are not $200 art books.",
"But that's what Derek Birdsall seems to concentrate on in his \"Notes on Book Design.\" Really, it's a no-brainer to make the art as large as possible and have the specs in a sans serif font.",
"I don't need endless examples showing me exactly that.",
"I'd like to see what Birdsall does with 30,000 words that the publisher insists page out to 272 pages in a 6 x 9 size, but \"not look too horsey or airy.\" I bet he'd quit.Addditionally, his choice of a typewriter font for the text make the book useless to the reader.",
"Birdsall insists his publisher could not choose a better font--I doubt that.",
"I got one for ya, Birdsall--Garamond.",
"You should try it some time!",
"Ultimately, the tome serves neither the page designs shown as illustrations (too small in most cases) nor the reader.",
"Perhaps a design student may get something out of this, but there must be better books out there on the same subject."
] |
2 | reads well but... | I am a foreigner and I have been using romance fiction to improve my english for years... well, this excuse sounds better than my admitting I am an incurable romantic. The more I read, the more eclectic I become. Marine under the Mistletoe by Maureen Child left me with the feeling there was something left unsaid, something lacking from the description of the two heroes and of the events which brought them together and kept them together. There was not enough analysis or, if you do not like this clinical word, description of the emotions and of the story line. I usually rate books by my personal put-down factor. If a book is hard to put down at the end of the day and I want to read just one more page... If, on the other hand, I have no problem leaving the two heroes up to their own devices for the duration of my sleep... I left Davis and Marie up to their own devices for 36 continuous hours. But then again, this is only my opinion... You may enjoy it far more than I did. | 984 | [
"I am a foreigner and I have been using romance fiction to improve my english for years... well, this excuse sounds better than my admitting I am an incurable romantic.",
"The more I read, the more eclectic I become.",
"Marine under the Mistletoe by Maureen Child left me with the feeling there was something left unsaid, something lacking from the description of the two heroes and of the events which brought them together and kept them together.",
"There was not enough analysis or, if you do not like this clinical word, description of the emotions and of the story line.",
"I usually rate books by my personal put-down factor.",
"If a book is hard to put down at the end of the day and I want to read just one more page... If, on the other hand, I have no problem leaving the two heroes up to their own devices for the duration of my sleep... I left Davis and Marie up to their own devices for 36 continuous hours.",
"But then again, this is only my opinion... You may enjoy it far more than I did."
] |
2 | WHAT A LET DOWN!!! | The only reason I gave this game 2 stars was for the incredilbe gameplay. That is when you were actually playing rather than watching the cimimatics. First of all there are WAY TOO MANY cut scenes. They pop up constantly and run FOREVER. I spent more time watching them than actually playing the game. Secondly the story.... Where in the heck did they com up with this garbage?!? A seven year old could have written a better story than that. At least the other games had some sort of realism. This one was way to far fetched. There were some unique twists in the story which were good. But overall...ridiculous and uninteresting. And my biggest gripe is the fact that you don't even play as Snake for most of the damn game. You only play him in the first part of the game which is on the boat.All in all, This is a game that should have been the best out there,... the benchmark for everything to come. But in my eyes....grossly overated and worth more as a frisbee rather than a DVD. | 984 | [
"The only reason I gave this game 2 stars was for the incredilbe gameplay.",
"That is when you were actually playing rather than watching the cimimatics.",
"First of all there are WAY TOO MANY cut scenes.",
"They pop up constantly and run FOREVER.",
"I spent more time watching them than actually playing the game.",
"Secondly the story.... Where in the heck did they com up with this garbage?!?",
"A seven year old could have written a better story than that.",
"At least the other games had some sort of realism.",
"This one was way to far fetched.",
"There were some unique twists in the story which were good.",
"But overall...ridiculous and uninteresting.",
"And my biggest gripe is the fact that you don't even play as Snake for most of the damn game.",
"You only play him in the first part of the game which is on the boat.All in all, This is a game that should have been the best out there,... the benchmark for everything to come.",
"But in my eyes....grossly overated and worth more as a frisbee rather than a DVD."
] |
2 | Great Product, awful service | The Archos 605 is a great product, with a clean, crisp 4.3 inch screen. However, after owning one myself, i returned it due to its compatibility issues, and the web browser. I advise against getting this product if you own a Mac, because the steps necessary to get the Archos up and running are extremely time consuming and pricey. Also, the web browser is extremely sluggish compared to Safari on the Ipod Touch. If you can deal with both of those issues, then you reach the customer service problems. To be able to call customer service, you have to set up an account for your Archos, which is a pain if you a Mac, because you cannot set up an account on Safari, it does not work. Customer service is the worst that you will ever deal with. I sat waiting for the operators to pick up the phone for over half an hour, and this happened multiple times. if you have the choice between the Archos and the Ipod Touch, go with the Touch. It is much more reliable, and easier to work with. | 984 | [
"The Archos 605 is a great product, with a clean, crisp 4.3 inch screen.",
"However, after owning one myself, i returned it due to its compatibility issues, and the web browser.",
"I advise against getting this product if you own a Mac, because the steps necessary to get the Archos up and running are extremely time consuming and pricey.",
"Also, the web browser is extremely sluggish compared to Safari on the Ipod Touch.",
"If you can deal with both of those issues, then you reach the customer service problems.",
"To be able to call customer service, you have to set up an account for your Archos, which is a pain if you a Mac, because you cannot set up an account on Safari, it does not work.",
"Customer service is the worst that you will ever deal with.",
"I sat waiting for the operators to pick up the phone for over half an hour, and this happened multiple times.",
"if you have the choice between the Archos and the Ipod Touch, go with the Touch.",
"It is much more reliable, and easier to work with."
] |
2 | Wouldn't buy again. | Would like to have seen the pictures for the packages next to the description on how to do each one. The book is divided into instructions and then in the back the pictures. Should I have wanted to do one of the ideas, I would have to flip back and forth. I thought the kid-theme packages were cute, but the others just weren't my taste. The Lighted Wreath was a good idea but the battery needed to make the wreath blink was bare and visible on the package between the bow and the wreath. The photographs also looked "home-took" and fuzzy. Isolating them on a plain black background, using professional lighting, and a better camera would have brought out the detail in her artistic work. My eye was also distracted by the clutter around the packages which didn't add anything to the wrapping techiniques. I applaude anyone for putting together a book on what they love to do, and this one might have been great had there been more professional direction in its layout and production. | 984 | [
"Would like to have seen the pictures for the packages next to the description on how to do each one.",
"The book is divided into instructions and then in the back the pictures.",
"Should I have wanted to do one of the ideas, I would have to flip back and forth.",
"I thought the kid-theme packages were cute, but the others just weren't my taste.",
"The Lighted Wreath was a good idea but the battery needed to make the wreath blink was bare and visible on the package between the bow and the wreath.",
"The photographs also looked \"home-took\" and fuzzy.",
"Isolating them on a plain black background, using professional lighting, and a better camera would have brought out the detail in her artistic work.",
"My eye was also distracted by the clutter around the packages which didn't add anything to the wrapping techiniques.",
"I applaude anyone for putting together a book on what they love to do, and this one might have been great had there been more professional direction in its layout and production."
] |
2 | For Diehard Fans Only | Believe it or not (and far too many people will not) this review has nothing to do with politics and everything to do with my love of the mystery form. O'Reilly, known primarily for his television and radio shows, decided to branch out into the world of genre fiction and has crafted a functional, but not very interesting, mystery in which TV network execs are getting clipped. It includes some fairly typical characters such as the ubiquitous tough-but-tender Irish cop, a hard-drinking veteran journalist, and an ambitious tabloid reporter.The interesting part of the novel was Mr. O'Reilly's description of how ruthless TV politics can be. Because of this, I thought it would be far more interesting as a work of nonfiction. O'Reilly, apparently, is not crazy enough to bite the hands that feed him just yet.My guess is that if you're a fan of Bill O'Reilly, you will enjoy the book. However, if it's a good mystery you're after you've so many other choices. Give this one a pass. | 984 | [
"Believe it or not (and far too many people will not) this review has nothing to do with politics and everything to do with my love of the mystery form.",
"O'Reilly, known primarily for his television and radio shows, decided to branch out into the world of genre fiction and has crafted a functional, but not very interesting, mystery in which TV network execs are getting clipped.",
"It includes some fairly typical characters such as the ubiquitous tough-but-tender Irish cop, a hard-drinking veteran journalist, and an ambitious tabloid reporter.The interesting part of the novel was Mr.",
"O'Reilly's description of how ruthless TV politics can be.",
"Because of this, I thought it would be far more interesting as a work of nonfiction.",
"O'Reilly, apparently, is not crazy enough to bite the hands that feed him just yet.My guess is that if you're a fan of Bill O'Reilly, you will enjoy the book.",
"However, if it's a good mystery you're after you've so many other choices.",
"Give this one a pass."
] |
2 | couldn't even finish it | It isn't often that I don't read a book all the way through... unless of course it's utter rubbish. I wouldn't peg Paglia's book of essays as that, but i would approach it with trepidation. It wasn't that I didn't agree with most of her rantings (although I didn't), it was the way they were written. Buried in a heap of reference after reference, it was almost impossible to trudge through most of what she said, without feeling the need to research every other sentence. Her essays on date rape were linguistically digestable, although her ideas were fairly offensive, not to mention, reading this work in 2001 (It came out in the early 90's) makes a lot of her opinions read as outdated. At first I liked it, she made me angry and it was fun to wage an inner debate... but later on... I mean, do we really want to read her lesson plan for a class she once taught... all 50 pages of it? Do you get the idea? A lot of it seemed like her own mental masturbation. Proceed with caution. | 984 | [
"It isn't often that I don't read a book all the way through... unless of course it's utter rubbish.",
"I wouldn't peg Paglia's book of essays as that, but i would approach it with trepidation.",
"It wasn't that I didn't agree with most of her rantings (although I didn't), it was the way they were written.",
"Buried in a heap of reference after reference, it was almost impossible to trudge through most of what she said, without feeling the need to research every other sentence.",
"Her essays on date rape were linguistically digestable, although her ideas were fairly offensive, not to mention, reading this work in 2001 (It came out in the early 90's) makes a lot of her opinions read as outdated.",
"At first I liked it, she made me angry and it was fun to wage an inner debate... but later on... I mean, do we really want to read her lesson plan for a class she once taught... all 50 pages of it?",
"Do you get the idea?",
"A lot of it seemed like her own mental masturbation.",
"Proceed with caution."
] |
2 | Great! until it broke | i bought the 1 GB player in December of last year. I had originally wanted the IPOD, but then i decided to get the walkman, or as i call it "the player" because i dont know exactly what it is called. It was great! I loved it! I listened to it at least 4 times a day, everyday. Then, i pulled out my headphones, and the little cap by the thing that you turn to change the song broke off! I fixed it, but i had to constantly make sure that i pulled out the headphones gently. It kept on breaking and i lost pieces of the the turner thing. I had to use a rubberband to hold it together. Then, yesterday, i went to listen to it, and it sounds like the singer is under water! I can't hear the main singer, all i hear is the backup singers! i have to tie two rubberbands and press my finger on it to make it work! I'm very upset because i really liked this device, and sadly I am going to buy the IPOD nano.Still, if you arent planning on using this as much as i did, its still a great buy! | 984 | [
"i bought the 1 GB player in December of last year.",
"I had originally wanted the IPOD, but then i decided to get the walkman, or as i call it \"the player\" because i dont know exactly what it is called.",
"It was great!",
"I loved it!",
"I listened to it at least 4 times a day, everyday.",
"Then, i pulled out my headphones, and the little cap by the thing that you turn to change the song broke off!",
"I fixed it, but i had to constantly make sure that i pulled out the headphones gently.",
"It kept on breaking and i lost pieces of the the turner thing.",
"I had to use a rubberband to hold it together.",
"Then, yesterday, i went to listen to it, and it sounds like the singer is under water!",
"I can't hear the main singer, all i hear is the backup singers!",
"i have to tie two rubberbands and press my finger on it to make it work!",
"I'm very upset because i really liked this device, and sadly I am going to buy the IPOD nano.Still, if you arent planning on using this as much as i did, its still a great buy!"
] |
2 | not for me | Okay this is a review towards almost all of Silver Ravenwolf's books. I will not use any of it because from my own personal experience it has never helped me. Some people have stated that she goes on about disliking other spiritual paths such as Christianity and for one that's not really why I disliked her books at all. As a matter of fact these people really need to reread her or maybe they never actually read her books in the first place. Her husband is a Christian (if I remember correctly) so how can she 'hate' christianity?I disliked her books because I found that they were way to fluffy and lovey dove for my taste. I found her research laughable at best but in a sort of entertaining sort of way. It seems that she takes herself way to serriously and needs to re-re-research the facts and open her mind a little but than again who doesn't?I guess some people may get value from this book but I myself found it not for me but others might place value with what she writes. | 984 | [
"Okay this is a review towards almost all of Silver Ravenwolf's books.",
"I will not use any of it because from my own personal experience it has never helped me.",
"Some people have stated that she goes on about disliking other spiritual paths such as Christianity and for one that's not really why I disliked her books at all.",
"As a matter of fact these people really need to reread her or maybe they never actually read her books in the first place.",
"Her husband is a Christian (if I remember correctly) so how can she 'hate' christianity?",
"I disliked her books because I found that they were way to fluffy and lovey dove for my taste.",
"I found her research laughable at best but in a sort of entertaining sort of way.",
"It seems that she takes herself way to serriously and needs to re-re-research the facts and open her mind a little but than again who doesn't?",
"I guess some people may get value from this book but I myself found it not for me but others might place value with what she writes."
] |
2 | One Clamp manga is enough | If you read a ton of clamp, the storylines become annoyingly similar after awhile. I decided to give Tsubasa a shot because I enjoyed Cardcaptor Sakura so much. I was very surprised that the storyline, though similar to CCS, was a NEW story! But then, much to my disappointment, characters from all of Clamp's other mangas were referenced to in almost every scene. I enjoy the story, I really do, but it irritates me how Clamp is using Tsubasa as an advertisement for their other mangas. The story is cluttered up with cameos and similar scenes. I took a chance and am generally happy, but if you haven't read Clamp before (and only if you haven't) you will enjoy this manga. However, I have found, that one Clamp manga in your collection is plenty as the stories merge, so choose carefully which series you will buy. Ciao!PS don't read the other reviews of the other volumes if you want the manga to be a surprise. Those reviewers don't care that they are spoiling the entire series! | 984 | [
"If you read a ton of clamp, the storylines become annoyingly similar after awhile.",
"I decided to give Tsubasa a shot because I enjoyed Cardcaptor Sakura so much.",
"I was very surprised that the storyline, though similar to CCS, was a NEW story!",
"But then, much to my disappointment, characters from all of Clamp's other mangas were referenced to in almost every scene.",
"I enjoy the story, I really do, but it irritates me how Clamp is using Tsubasa as an advertisement for their other mangas.",
"The story is cluttered up with cameos and similar scenes.",
"I took a chance and am generally happy, but if you haven't read Clamp before (and only if you haven't) you will enjoy this manga.",
"However, I have found, that one Clamp manga in your collection is plenty as the stories merge, so choose carefully which series you will buy.",
"Ciao!",
"PS don't read the other reviews of the other volumes if you want the manga to be a surprise.",
"Those reviewers don't care that they are spoiling the entire series!"
] |
2 | You too can write Sci-Fi ... | By the story the way it's written I COULD WRITE SCI-FI ... in fact all you need to do is know how to WRITE period. I like Robert Duvall in this, not as good as TZ's "Miniture" starring Duvall but with the way this material is written ... what can you expect?First, before watching this fastforward the video (or laser disc, like I have) for 15 minutes. Why? Because the first 15 minutes are just general FLUFF used to stretch this out to an HOUR!Second, the story. The scientists will make Mr. Duvall into an alien (EXACTLY like the ones that landed) and chase him into the alien ship in hopes the real aliens will embrace him? And Duvall is supposed to say to the aliens, I do not know my origin, but I've been on earth for a while? Plain ridiculous on every count. Even SCI-Fi needs boundaries and limits ... even in the Outer Limits.Thirdly, the masks used would have looked good in 1950 ... I don't care what kind of a budget they had ... the look of those creatures is too hammy. | 984 | [
"By the story the way it's written I COULD WRITE SCI-FI ... in fact all you need to do is know how to WRITE period.",
"I like Robert Duvall in this, not as good as TZ's \"Miniture\" starring Duvall but with the way this material is written ... what can you expect?",
"First, before watching this fastforward the video (or laser disc, like I have) for 15 minutes.",
"Why?",
"Because the first 15 minutes are just general FLUFF used to stretch this out to an HOUR!",
"Second, the story.",
"The scientists will make Mr.",
"Duvall into an alien (EXACTLY like the ones that landed) and chase him into the alien ship in hopes the real aliens will embrace him?",
"And Duvall is supposed to say to the aliens, I do not know my origin, but I've been on earth for a while?",
"Plain ridiculous on every count.",
"Even SCI-Fi needs boundaries and limits ... even in the Outer Limits.Thirdly, the masks used would have looked good in 1950 ... I don't care what kind of a budget they had ... the look of those creatures is too hammy."
] |
2 | A woman's book | I hate to say it but this is a book designed primarily for women. I am a male and I would have to refrain from calling it a classic as it failed to cross the sexual divide. The characters are well developed and undoubtedly you care for the four children and their mother especially. The girl's lovers are unfortunately less developed as characters and they come across as prissy men. The plot is overlong and unexciting. Is there even a plot? However the plot of Emma was also non-existant but the writing had an edge to it that dismissed any boredom. Unfortunately boredom can creep in while reading this tale. The death of one main character seemed to drag on and on and on... Am I the only person in the world who rejoiced upon reading that the girl had passed on. "About bloody time!" I cried. I thought about giving this book a solid three stars but that would have been too generous. It is regarded as a classic but to me it was a sentimental piece of rubbish. 2 generous stars | 983 | [
"I hate to say it but this is a book designed primarily for women.",
"I am a male and I would have to refrain from calling it a classic as it failed to cross the sexual divide.",
"The characters are well developed and undoubtedly you care for the four children and their mother especially.",
"The girl's lovers are unfortunately less developed as characters and they come across as prissy men.",
"The plot is overlong and unexciting.",
"Is there even a plot?",
"However the plot of Emma was also non-existant but the writing had an edge to it that dismissed any boredom.",
"Unfortunately boredom can creep in while reading this tale.",
"The death of one main character seemed to drag on and on and on... Am I the only person in the world who rejoiced upon reading that the girl had passed on.",
"\"About bloody time!",
"\" I cried.",
"I thought about giving this book a solid three stars but that would have been too generous.",
"It is regarded as a classic but to me it was a sentimental piece of rubbish.",
"2 generous stars"
] |
2 | Shallow | Not much needs to be said about this film, because the film didn't have much to say either--nothing new, at least. Any American who has been at least semi-conscious for the past eight years knows that Bush got us into an expensive war based on false information put forward as absolute fact; failed to capture and punish those responsible for 9/11, that Bush countenanced war crimes by Americans; that Bush violated the fourth amendment to the Constitution; that Bush had people held without charges, without legal representation, The list probably includes another list of things we don't yet know about.Oliver Stone's film covers the Bush administration, but so what? Tell us something we don't know. The acting is mostly okay but a little wooden at times. Brolin's Bush comes across as a buffoon, an ex-drunk who used religion as a cover for his sins. But everyone already knew that.I wouldn't recommend this film to people of any political stripe. It's just not worth one's time. | 983 | [
"Not much needs to be said about this film, because the film didn't have much to say either--nothing new, at least.",
"Any American who has been at least semi-conscious for the past eight years knows that Bush got us into an expensive war based on false information put forward as absolute fact; failed to capture and punish those responsible for 9/11, that Bush countenanced war crimes by Americans; that Bush violated the fourth amendment to the Constitution; that Bush had people held without charges, without legal representation, The list probably includes another list of things we don't yet know about.Oliver Stone's film covers the Bush administration, but so what?",
"Tell us something we don't know.",
"The acting is mostly okay but a little wooden at times.",
"Brolin's Bush comes across as a buffoon, an ex-drunk who used religion as a cover for his sins.",
"But everyone already knew that.I wouldn't recommend this film to people of any political stripe.",
"It's just not worth one's time."
] |
2 | The Truth | I really liked the book. It was a little different and exciting. I haven't read any books like that before, but I enjoyed reading it. I thought it wasn't the best book I have ever read before, but it was definetly one of my favorites. I rated The Giver 2 stars because in my opinion it needed more work. Overall the book was well-written and it seemed to me that the author put some time and effort into this book. I recommend this book to anyone who enjoys reading books about the future and books that are a little out there. In the book, Jonas' world was a little weird. They had certain rules for everything. They were very precise and they wanted everything to be that way. That's the part of the book that really didn't appeal to me that much. I don't think that it was right the way that the people in Jonas' world thought was right. But there was also some advantages to the way they lived. It was nice reading this book because it was something that I had never read before. | 983 | [
"I really liked the book.",
"It was a little different and exciting.",
"I haven't read any books like that before, but I enjoyed reading it.",
"I thought it wasn't the best book I have ever read before, but it was definetly one of my favorites.",
"I rated The Giver 2 stars because in my opinion it needed more work.",
"Overall the book was well-written and it seemed to me that the author put some time and effort into this book.",
"I recommend this book to anyone who enjoys reading books about the future and books that are a little out there.",
"In the book, Jonas' world was a little weird.",
"They had certain rules for everything.",
"They were very precise and they wanted everything to be that way.",
"That's the part of the book that really didn't appeal to me that much.",
"I don't think that it was right the way that the people in Jonas' world thought was right.",
"But there was also some advantages to the way they lived.",
"It was nice reading this book because it was something that I had never read before."
] |
2 | Shania Twain - Live | I read the other reviews proir to renting this concert. I am sad to say that I was dissapointed. I do not doubt that Shania is a very talented performer. In my opinion, this was not one of Shania's best efforts. Furthermore, the sound was not mixed well for this concert. I have rented (and own) several concerts, and this one has below average sound quality. This show comes off as not being "the big time". We all are aware that by this time in Shania's career (1999) that she had already hit "the big time". Shania does not do much to make this show very entertaining. The weave she is donning with her hair completely takes away from her looks that everyone knows her for. I do not think that there was any costume changes throughout the entire show. This is NOT a terrible concert, although, if you are expecting something impressive from this concert just because Shania is a superstar and her music is very entertaining, you might feel that this concert is a bit of a letdown. | 983 | [
"I read the other reviews proir to renting this concert.",
"I am sad to say that I was dissapointed.",
"I do not doubt that Shania is a very talented performer.",
"In my opinion, this was not one of Shania's best efforts.",
"Furthermore, the sound was not mixed well for this concert.",
"I have rented (and own) several concerts, and this one has below average sound quality.",
"This show comes off as not being \"the big time\".",
"We all are aware that by this time in Shania's career (1999) that she had already hit \"the big time\".",
"Shania does not do much to make this show very entertaining.",
"The weave she is donning with her hair completely takes away from her looks that everyone knows her for.",
"I do not think that there was any costume changes throughout the entire show.",
"This is NOT a terrible concert, although, if you are expecting something impressive from this concert just because Shania is a superstar and her music is very entertaining, you might feel that this concert is a bit of a letdown."
] |
2 | One of the worst movies | I'd heard so much about this movie that I finally bought it when it came out on this special DVD edition. Boy was I disappointed. The movie, supposedly based on the true-life news tycoon Hearst, is truly boring. While technically it has a lot of merits -- the editing, the cinematography, the make-ups -- the story itself is really difficult to follow. I paused the movie numerous times, because it was painful to go on watching it.After finally finishing the entire movie, I took out a few books on movies and read the relevant chapters on Citizen Kane. Of course they all sang high praises to the film. Then I watched it again, this time looking for the "classic" moments as described in the books, but once again I found the film disorienting and painful to watch.If you've never seen this movie, you may want to rent it first to see if you can stand it. If you like it, you may consider the DVD edition with an extra DVD on how the movie was made (an equally boring documentary). | 983 | [
"I'd heard so much about this movie that I finally bought it when it came out on this special DVD edition.",
"Boy was I disappointed.",
"The movie, supposedly based on the true-life news tycoon Hearst, is truly boring.",
"While technically it has a lot of merits -- the editing, the cinematography, the make-ups -- the story itself is really difficult to follow.",
"I paused the movie numerous times, because it was painful to go on watching it.After finally finishing the entire movie, I took out a few books on movies and read the relevant chapters on Citizen Kane.",
"Of course they all sang high praises to the film.",
"Then I watched it again, this time looking for the \"classic\" moments as described in the books, but once again I found the film disorienting and painful to watch.If you've never seen this movie, you may want to rent it first to see if you can stand it.",
"If you like it, you may consider the DVD edition with an extra DVD on how the movie was made (an equally boring documentary)."
] |
2 | Not Effective for Squirrels | This trap has not been effective in catching a squirrel in my attic. While following instructions and baiting the trap with peanut butter and crackers, the trap has been cleaned of the bait on numerous occasions without tripping the door release.. There have also been three occasions when the bait was removed and the doors did trip shut, however no squirrel was captured.Even though this is advertised as a squirrel trap, apparently it does not work, unless the squirrel is small enough to get fully into the trap before tripping the release. I can only assume that the times the trap was tripped, the squirrel was able to hold the doors open with some part of his body while eating the bait. Very frustrating efforts over a two week period. I also had contacted Havahart and was using their suggestions for baiting the trap differently than called for in the instructions.. that didn't work either.I am planning to try a slightly larger trap (1079) based on reviews of that model. | 983 | [
"This trap has not been effective in catching a squirrel in my attic.",
"While following instructions and baiting the trap with peanut butter and crackers, the trap has been cleaned of the bait on numerous occasions without tripping the door release..",
"There have also been three occasions when the bait was removed and the doors did trip shut, however no squirrel was captured.Even though this is advertised as a squirrel trap, apparently it does not work, unless the squirrel is small enough to get fully into the trap before tripping the release.",
"I can only assume that the times the trap was tripped, the squirrel was able to hold the doors open with some part of his body while eating the bait.",
"Very frustrating efforts over a two week period.",
"I also had contacted Havahart and was using their suggestions for baiting the trap differently than called for in the instructions..",
"that didn't work either.I am planning to try a slightly larger trap (1079) based on reviews of that model."
] |
2 | new pan set | My husband and I chose this set because we wanted to get a healthier cooking set for our family. We both love the set. We have only had it for two weeks but have been very happy with the pieces. As written before the handles do get hot--they are not covered with a heat resistant material. I expected that. We cannot put them in the dishwasher, which I prefer and they still wash very easily. Yes, food gets stuck around the handle rivets--I would rather have that than handles that are merely welded on and fall off easily. Wanting to keep the pans for more than a year, we only own wooden spoons and plastic spatulas. Tonight while washing the skillet, my husband noticed there are the beginnings of scratches on the bottom. Considering how careful we are--these were an expensive purchase for us--we are shocked. If these are going to scratch that easily, I don't know what we did wrong, we're going to return them and get the same thing but the Costco brand at a much lower cost. | 983 | [
"My husband and I chose this set because we wanted to get a healthier cooking set for our family.",
"We both love the set.",
"We have only had it for two weeks but have been very happy with the pieces.",
"As written before the handles do get hot--they are not covered with a heat resistant material.",
"I expected that.",
"We cannot put them in the dishwasher, which I prefer and they still wash very easily.",
"Yes, food gets stuck around the handle rivets--I would rather have that than handles that are merely welded on and fall off easily.",
"Wanting to keep the pans for more than a year, we only own wooden spoons and plastic spatulas.",
"Tonight while washing the skillet, my husband noticed there are the beginnings of scratches on the bottom.",
"Considering how careful we are--these were an expensive purchase for us--we are shocked.",
"If these are going to scratch that easily, I don't know what we did wrong, we're going to return them and get the same thing but the Costco brand at a much lower cost."
] |
2 | A Book for Fifth Graders? | How could this be a book for fifth graders? I have worked with fifth graders and after reading this book, I would have to say that it is NOT for fifth graders. For instance, the book seems to attack authority and especially religion. It also suggests some homosexuality in the book and that it is fine, like a normal way of life, especailly between the two angels, Balthamos and Baurch. In the Bible, homosexuality is not welcomed and is considered a sin. Besides, would you want your child to be homosexual? Then, it suggests that Will and Lyra are more than friends and had a sexual relationship. But Will and Lyra are just children! Would you like your child to have a sexual relationship with another child? I know if I had a child, I would not. I think overall, that it is ok for a child to read this book as far as the fantasy is concerned, but with the issues I mentioned above, if I had a child, I would not let them read this book and I would find it a disgrace if they did. | 983 | [
"How could this be a book for fifth graders?",
"I have worked with fifth graders and after reading this book, I would have to say that it is NOT for fifth graders.",
"For instance, the book seems to attack authority and especially religion.",
"It also suggests some homosexuality in the book and that it is fine, like a normal way of life, especailly between the two angels, Balthamos and Baurch.",
"In the Bible, homosexuality is not welcomed and is considered a sin.",
"Besides, would you want your child to be homosexual?",
"Then, it suggests that Will and Lyra are more than friends and had a sexual relationship.",
"But Will and Lyra are just children!",
"Would you like your child to have a sexual relationship with another child?",
"I know if I had a child, I would not.",
"I think overall, that it is ok for a child to read this book as far as the fantasy is concerned, but with the issues I mentioned above, if I had a child, I would not let them read this book and I would find it a disgrace if they did."
] |
2 | A Good Try, But... | I was offered Snow Crash by a friend to read. I was a little dismissive, due to it being 'cyber-punk', but I rallied on. After a fairly humourous opening, it went rapidly downhill from there.To give the man his dues, there are at least two cracking good ideas on every page. Unfortunately, the words stringing them together are awful. Horrible, dull, clunky sentences pervade most of the passages. I'd say the man can't write for toffee, but that would be unfair as I've not yet summoned the courage to read his other works. I'm told I would enjoy Cryptonomicon, but then again, I was told the same thing about Snow Crash.And then there is the info-dumping. How I hate info-dumps. The process of just reeling off large sections of what sounds like textbook or encyclopedia and just putting it down on the page as one character talking to another. Ugh. There's a lot of it in this book.So, The book gets 2 stars for the good ideas, but no more for everything else that makes it awful. | 983 | [
"I was offered Snow Crash by a friend to read.",
"I was a little dismissive, due to it being 'cyber-punk', but I rallied on.",
"After a fairly humourous opening, it went rapidly downhill from there.To give the man his dues, there are at least two cracking good ideas on every page.",
"Unfortunately, the words stringing them together are awful.",
"Horrible, dull, clunky sentences pervade most of the passages.",
"I'd say the man can't write for toffee, but that would be unfair as I've not yet summoned the courage to read his other works.",
"I'm told I would enjoy Cryptonomicon, but then again, I was told the same thing about Snow Crash.And then there is the info-dumping.",
"How I hate info-dumps.",
"The process of just reeling off large sections of what sounds like textbook or encyclopedia and just putting it down on the page as one character talking to another.",
"Ugh.",
"There's a lot of it in this book.So, The book gets 2 stars for the good ideas, but no more for everything else that makes it awful."
] |
2 | Ego kills! | So after all the crap Loaf went through to get this made, the lawsuits etc, it ends up being a big flop (very very low sales and off the charts in a few weeks)! He decides to make the CD without Steinman, who is the songwriter, producer, and genius behind Meat Loafs entire career (The first two Bat albums). With all it's slick production, and even using the Steinman written songs, this CD is a pale imitation of the first two. It doesnt sound the same at all. None of the Steinman songs sung by Meat Loaf on his own have ever sounded the same. The CD sounds over dramatic, like a rock opera but it isnt appealing. I heard it 3-4 times and was through. I cant play it anymore, it's boring! I still play the original Bat CD and Part II for many years now without getting tired of them. Now that Loaf has blown it, there will never be another Bat Out Of Hell CD, and his career will be forever glorified on the success of the first two Steinman productions which remain masterpieces! | 983 | [
"So after all the crap Loaf went through to get this made, the lawsuits etc, it ends up being a big flop (very very low sales and off the charts in a few weeks)!",
"He decides to make the CD without Steinman, who is the songwriter, producer, and genius behind Meat Loafs entire career (The first two Bat albums).",
"With all it's slick production, and even using the Steinman written songs, this CD is a pale imitation of the first two.",
"It doesnt sound the same at all.",
"None of the Steinman songs sung by Meat Loaf on his own have ever sounded the same.",
"The CD sounds over dramatic, like a rock opera but it isnt appealing.",
"I heard it 3-4 times and was through.",
"I cant play it anymore, it's boring!",
"I still play the original Bat CD and Part II for many years now without getting tired of them.",
"Now that Loaf has blown it, there will never be another Bat Out Of Hell CD, and his career will be forever glorified on the success of the first two Steinman productions which remain masterpieces!"
] |
2 | Had potential | The story had potential, there are so many things that could have made this a better movie. But for me the most problematic was the acting and the dialog.Here are two supposedly intelligent people creating life, but at no point in the movie did you ever find that plausible. The dialog was something you'd get out of grade school, and the actions taken by the two main characters was just ridiculous. Not even just what they did to create the creature, but afterwards, it just was too implausible. I don't mind suspending belief for a good fantasy or sci fi movie, but the characters have to at least be something you can connect with. The female lead just acted like a spoiled brat the entire movie, a complete distraction. There seems to be no cohesive flow from one set of actions to another, no believable justifications for their actions and decisions.The only performance that wasn't a distraction was that of the creature they created. That part was actually fairly well done. | 983 | [
"The story had potential, there are so many things that could have made this a better movie.",
"But for me the most problematic was the acting and the dialog.Here are two supposedly intelligent people creating life, but at no point in the movie did you ever find that plausible.",
"The dialog was something you'd get out of grade school, and the actions taken by the two main characters was just ridiculous.",
"Not even just what they did to create the creature, but afterwards, it just was too implausible.",
"I don't mind suspending belief for a good fantasy or sci fi movie, but the characters have to at least be something you can connect with.",
"The female lead just acted like a spoiled brat the entire movie, a complete distraction.",
"There seems to be no cohesive flow from one set of actions to another, no believable justifications for their actions and decisions.The only performance that wasn't a distraction was that of the creature they created.",
"That part was actually fairly well done."
] |
2 | Dear, Lord... | All right, the first Harry Potter book was Ok; the whole deal with Diagon Alley; the unpredictable ending, etc. But this one...lacked even the qualities that made the first one barely readable.TCoS is even skimpier than TSS, and again, there is little storyline. The ending was obvious, pointless, and did nothing to advance the tale of Harry (which I've now lost complete interest in). By now you've probably read the excerpts of the story tons of times, so you know what this is about. Nothing. Harry is a character I can't care for no more than his... little goody friends.The only reason I gave this book two stars is because of the new teacher that replaced Quirrel, he was about all the comic relief in this book (and there wasn't very much).Please, save yourselves from these two hundred pages of complete and utter drivel and get something readable. Kids may not be able to tell the difference between good literature and bad, so get this for them if you're stuck for a gift. | 983 | [
"All right, the first Harry Potter book was Ok; the whole deal with Diagon Alley; the unpredictable ending, etc.",
"But this one...lacked even the qualities that made the first one barely readable.TCoS is even skimpier than TSS, and again, there is little storyline.",
"The ending was obvious, pointless, and did nothing to advance the tale of Harry (which I've now lost complete interest in).",
"By now you've probably read the excerpts of the story tons of times, so you know what this is about.",
"Nothing.",
"Harry is a character I can't care for no more than his... little goody friends.The only reason I gave this book two stars is because of the new teacher that replaced Quirrel, he was about all the comic relief in this book (and there wasn't very much).Please, save yourselves from these two hundred pages of complete and utter drivel and get something readable.",
"Kids may not be able to tell the difference between good literature and bad, so get this for them if you're stuck for a gift."
] |
2 | Poorly researched | I have mixed feelings about this book. On the one hand, it is well-written, and I certainly enjoyed Cowan's earlier book on shamanism. However, I am a student of the life of Desiderius Erasmus and I bought the book to examine Cowan's evidence on Erasmus' purported homosexuality. I was deeply disappointed to discover that Cowan's research on this matter was skimpy. It appears to be little more than a recitation of some earlier, equally poorly researched works. Cowan does not include some important material from the readily available Collected Works of Erasmus. Either he never bothered to do this small bit of primary research, or he deliberately suppressed some of the information to be found there. I suspect the former, because there is also some supporting information in CWE Volume 1 that he never cited.I suppose I could recommend this book to a gay man with serious self-esteem problems, but for most people, the factual errors in this book deter me from recommending it. | 983 | [
"I have mixed feelings about this book.",
"On the one hand, it is well-written, and I certainly enjoyed Cowan's earlier book on shamanism.",
"However, I am a student of the life of Desiderius Erasmus and I bought the book to examine Cowan's evidence on Erasmus' purported homosexuality.",
"I was deeply disappointed to discover that Cowan's research on this matter was skimpy.",
"It appears to be little more than a recitation of some earlier, equally poorly researched works.",
"Cowan does not include some important material from the readily available Collected Works of Erasmus.",
"Either he never bothered to do this small bit of primary research, or he deliberately suppressed some of the information to be found there.",
"I suspect the former, because there is also some supporting information in CWE Volume 1 that he never cited.I suppose I could recommend this book to a gay man with serious self-esteem problems, but for most people, the factual errors in this book deter me from recommending it."
] |
2 | Dull - - I walked out | Maybe a movie can be comedy, ironic satire, and musical all at once, but it's a tough balancing act to pull off.For example, the opening song "Baltimore" should be hilarious - - the whole idea of singing in delight of a famously dull city - - but instead drags on too long and can't quite decide whether to be serious about itself. In fact, all the songs last too long. I suppose that speaks to the quality of the song writing ("is the damn thing over yet?").Or consider the domestic scenes, exaggerated proletarian misery in wildly perky pastels. Is it supposed to be misery? Or Disney Channel comedy? or a mockery of misery? In the end it looks like they wanted to make fun of miserable conditions, while still being nice to them, but also not being too scary for the kids in the audience or offending the sponsors (god forbid the movie should have the ferocity of, ahem, a John Waters film).Can't review the entire movie because I walked out after about 20 minutes of this idiocy. | 983 | [
"Maybe a movie can be comedy, ironic satire, and musical all at once, but it's a tough balancing act to pull off.For example, the opening song \"Baltimore\" should be hilarious - - the whole idea of singing in delight of a famously dull city - - but instead drags on too long and can't quite decide whether to be serious about itself.",
"In fact, all the songs last too long.",
"I suppose that speaks to the quality of the song writing (\"is the damn thing over yet?",
"\").Or consider the domestic scenes, exaggerated proletarian misery in wildly perky pastels.",
"Is it supposed to be misery?",
"Or Disney Channel comedy?",
"or a mockery of misery?",
"In the end it looks like they wanted to make fun of miserable conditions, while still being nice to them, but also not being too scary for the kids in the audience or offending the sponsors (god forbid the movie should have the ferocity of, ahem, a John Waters film).Can't review the entire movie because I walked out after about 20 minutes of this idiocy."
] |
2 | 2 For Talent- That's It Though | These songs, like every other Dave Matthews song every recorded (in my opinion) are as boring and pointless as you can get. All my friends love Dave Matthews, but I just see them as a waste of talent. They have a very strong band in all sections(except for Dave's singing). This boring, fusion-utilizing, bizzare version of your Grandpa's favorite jazz band is not the kind of music that you'd hear at a party or want to rock out to at a concert, but more like the kind of music they play at your funeral. But I will give credit where it's due. They are all great musicians, but Dave will never be as good as an (read:electric) electric guitar player as say a Slash, a Tim Mahoney (311) or an Eddie Van Halen (actually, nobody will probably surpass Eddie Van Halen on the six-string anytime soon). And while Carter Buford is a world-class drummer, ahem, he is not the best. The best... well that guy from Rush perhaps? Or Max Weinberg? Come to think of it, how about Alex Van Halen?! | 983 | [
"These songs, like every other Dave Matthews song every recorded (in my opinion) are as boring and pointless as you can get.",
"All my friends love Dave Matthews, but I just see them as a waste of talent.",
"They have a very strong band in all sections(except for Dave's singing).",
"This boring, fusion-utilizing, bizzare version of your Grandpa's favorite jazz band is not the kind of music that you'd hear at a party or want to rock out to at a concert, but more like the kind of music they play at your funeral.",
"But I will give credit where it's due.",
"They are all great musicians, but Dave will never be as good as an (read:electric) electric guitar player as say a Slash, a Tim Mahoney (311) or an Eddie Van Halen (actually, nobody will probably surpass Eddie Van Halen on the six-string anytime soon).",
"And while Carter Buford is a world-class drummer, ahem, he is not the best.",
"The best... well that guy from Rush perhaps?",
"Or Max Weinberg?",
"Come to think of it, how about Alex Van Halen?!"
] |
2 | One of those films... | where action is almost not visible:( I watched last year "Phantom" by the same director and thought it couldn't be worse. Unfortunately it is.The beginning is really promising. Two gay lovers are closing their anniversary date with a romantic kiss. Their happiness doesn't last long however. Car accidents happen.From then on we observe very peculiar serie of events. The worst is that the action slows down dramatically. The shots are loooong and don't make the whole thing more clear.Even if the acting is good it doesn't change the whole impression. The actors seem to be as much lost as I was at some moments. If I had to point the best one, it would be with no doubt the one who portrayed the graving mother. The scene at the cementary at the grave of her husband is still in my mind.Well, the ending...My jaw literally dropped. And it's not because it was so amazing. On my list with the most ridiculous film endings the closing scene from "Two drifters" sits proudly in top 3! | 983 | [
"where action is almost not visible:( I watched last year \"Phantom\" by the same director and thought it couldn't be worse.",
"Unfortunately it is.The beginning is really promising.",
"Two gay lovers are closing their anniversary date with a romantic kiss.",
"Their happiness doesn't last long however.",
"Car accidents happen.From then on we observe very peculiar serie of events.",
"The worst is that the action slows down dramatically.",
"The shots are loooong and don't make the whole thing more clear.Even if the acting is good it doesn't change the whole impression.",
"The actors seem to be as much lost as I was at some moments.",
"If I had to point the best one, it would be with no doubt the one who portrayed the graving mother.",
"The scene at the cementary at the grave of her husband is still in my mind.Well, the ending...My jaw literally dropped.",
"And it's not because it was so amazing.",
"On my list with the most ridiculous film endings the closing scene from \"Two drifters\" sits proudly in top 3!"
] |
2 | Not a good read | This is a poorly written book, and it has nothing to do with the treatment of race or gender in America. It has to do with this author's lack of skill.She repeatedly shows us the physical trappings of wealth in a cumbersome, awkward way. The way she writes of a "shiny white Lexus", a "three story house", and even ice cubes from a refrigerator's "built-in dispenser" seem like the writing of a pre-teen who has never actually seen any of these things, but imagines that they must be amazing.Others have mentioned the pacing. Much of this is due to bizarre details that add absolutely nothing to the story. Why do we need to know that she put on sweat pants and a matching t-shirt to get the mail? At times, she enumerates her character's every move: she opens the door, walks inside, turns around, closes the door, walks into the foyer. None of these details are useful in any way.In all, it's a useful way to eat up a few hours, but only if you enjoy trying to edit for the author. | 983 | [
"This is a poorly written book, and it has nothing to do with the treatment of race or gender in America.",
"It has to do with this author's lack of skill.She repeatedly shows us the physical trappings of wealth in a cumbersome, awkward way.",
"The way she writes of a \"shiny white Lexus\", a \"three story house\", and even ice cubes from a refrigerator's \"built-in dispenser\" seem like the writing of a pre-teen who has never actually seen any of these things, but imagines that they must be amazing.Others have mentioned the pacing.",
"Much of this is due to bizarre details that add absolutely nothing to the story.",
"Why do we need to know that she put on sweat pants and a matching t-shirt to get the mail?",
"At times, she enumerates her character's every move: she opens the door, walks inside, turns around, closes the door, walks into the foyer.",
"None of these details are useful in any way.In all, it's a useful way to eat up a few hours, but only if you enjoy trying to edit for the author."
] |
2 | This is a Street Nightmare | When someone comes into the game with such stamina, and the ability to coin phrases (Holla Back Young'n) definately says something about ones skills. Or so you'd thing, however this time around Fabolous practically goes backwards in every department. Flow: Only gets worse, he sounds so bored on most of the songs. Content: Horrendous. How does one go from being a hardcore ..., to a pu**y whipped ladies man? Beats: They're alright, but his collaborations with bad artists ruin anything that can save this album. Then, to top it all off, the track "Wake Up" decides to not appear on the album. Why not? We'll never know. The only songs worth hearing are "I Don't Give a F**k" and "Damn" - Otherwise the whole album is a reincarnation of another Ja Rule wanna be. And Ja Rule already tends to be a wanna be. So basically, Fabolous is a wanna be's wanna be. He should change his name to Fabo-... cause this album is terrible. Verdict: Fab is definately Kazaa material now. No respect. | 983 | [
"When someone comes into the game with such stamina, and the ability to coin phrases (Holla Back Young'n) definately says something about ones skills.",
"Or so you'd thing, however this time around Fabolous practically goes backwards in every department.",
"Flow: Only gets worse, he sounds so bored on most of the songs.",
"Content: Horrendous.",
"How does one go from being a hardcore ..., to a pu**y whipped ladies man?",
"Beats: They're alright, but his collaborations with bad artists ruin anything that can save this album.",
"Then, to top it all off, the track \"Wake Up\" decides to not appear on the album.",
"Why not?",
"We'll never know.",
"The only songs worth hearing are \"I Don't Give a F**k\" and \"Damn\" - Otherwise the whole album is a reincarnation of another Ja Rule wanna be.",
"And Ja Rule already tends to be a wanna be.",
"So basically, Fabolous is a wanna be's wanna be.",
"He should change his name to Fabo-... cause this album is terrible.",
"Verdict: Fab is definately Kazaa material now.",
"No respect."
] |
2 | Fair to putrid | This book definitely did not meet my expectations.For starters, I didn't find Murdo to be all that sympathetic a character. In fact, I was much more interested in the plight of his mother and girlfriend, left behind in the Orkneys to fend for themselves.Second, the whole turn-of-the-century, secret society plot twist was completely uninteresting and distracting from the main story line. It was tempting to keep turning the pages and skip over most of that stuff.Third, the portrayal of Emperor Alexius and the Byzantines is wildly inaccurate and biased.Fourth and lastly, the church characters such as the bishop and the abbot are portrayed as greedy, arrogant, treacherous and power hungry (qualities that certainly describe the Byzantines. Oh irony!). The western crusaders are also cartoon villains who are painted as either dullards and morons or pyschopathic, homicidal maniacs.Overall, unless you are a fanatic historical fiction reader I don't think you'll enjoy this book. | 983 | [
"This book definitely did not meet my expectations.For starters, I didn't find Murdo to be all that sympathetic a character.",
"In fact, I was much more interested in the plight of his mother and girlfriend, left behind in the Orkneys to fend for themselves.Second, the whole turn-of-the-century, secret society plot twist was completely uninteresting and distracting from the main story line.",
"It was tempting to keep turning the pages and skip over most of that stuff.Third, the portrayal of Emperor Alexius and the Byzantines is wildly inaccurate and biased.Fourth and lastly, the church characters such as the bishop and the abbot are portrayed as greedy, arrogant, treacherous and power hungry (qualities that certainly describe the Byzantines.",
"Oh irony!",
").",
"The western crusaders are also cartoon villains who are painted as either dullards and morons or pyschopathic, homicidal maniacs.Overall, unless you are a fanatic historical fiction reader I don't think you'll enjoy this book."
] |
2 | I didn't like it | W. Kaplan "calyndula"'s review makes this book sound like a classic. And it is. It's an old story and alot of people like it. But just because something's labeled 'classic', doesn't mean it's always interesting and simply wonderful. Do not be fooled, I love horses and horse books, it's just that this one, put quite simply, is one big yawn. It is often sold with a gold chain with the "Pie" on it. The chain isn't even worth the price: No matter how gentle you are with it, it will eventually break. Until the 15th chapter, there's no excitement, no cliffhangers...not even any tragedies for pete's sake! Just a bunch of silly nonsense and 'classic' dumb 'english' language. It's VERY confusing and hard to understand. I mean, I don't mind some good old-style language, but for heaven's sake! I may sound like an overly critical old-style book hater, but I'm not. The movie was better. I'm just saying this book doesn't deserve 16 chapters. That's my two cents, take it or leave it. | 983 | [
"W.",
"Kaplan \"calyndula\"'s review makes this book sound like a classic.",
"And it is.",
"It's an old story and alot of people like it.",
"But just because something's labeled 'classic', doesn't mean it's always interesting and simply wonderful.",
"Do not be fooled, I love horses and horse books, it's just that this one, put quite simply, is one big yawn.",
"It is often sold with a gold chain with the \"Pie\" on it.",
"The chain isn't even worth the price: No matter how gentle you are with it, it will eventually break.",
"Until the 15th chapter, there's no excitement, no cliffhangers...not even any tragedies for pete's sake!",
"Just a bunch of silly nonsense and 'classic' dumb 'english' language.",
"It's VERY confusing and hard to understand.",
"I mean, I don't mind some good old-style language, but for heaven's sake!",
"I may sound like an overly critical old-style book hater, but I'm not.",
"The movie was better.",
"I'm just saying this book doesn't deserve 16 chapters.",
"That's my two cents, take it or leave it."
] |
2 | Also a waiste of money | This review is the same as my Parabole review, but here it is again if you see this first, because it is worth repeatingIf you are a fair weather fan, don't waist the money. This is only one track and not worth it. This is a good song off an album that is loosing it's zip. The video is a standard tool video, claymation and bizarre images. However, other than the first track, the rest is just a waste of time and money. The audio comentary is not funny, and makes tool look like fools (but with a some of my money, and me feeling used.) The bonus remix is nothing but an extension 8 minutes of ambient noise before the same song. If you want real trance like meditation like music, listen to Neurosis, they have been doing this for 15 years and are a lot better at it. Tool better have a heck of a next album to dig themselves out of this embarassment. The only reason I don't give this a 1 is that I do like the packaging, and the video is nice to add to Salival in my collection. | 983 | [
"This review is the same as my Parabole review, but here it is again if you see this first, because it is worth repeatingIf you are a fair weather fan, don't waist the money.",
"This is only one track and not worth it.",
"This is a good song off an album that is loosing it's zip.",
"The video is a standard tool video, claymation and bizarre images.",
"However, other than the first track, the rest is just a waste of time and money.",
"The audio comentary is not funny, and makes tool look like fools (but with a some of my money, and me feeling used.) The bonus remix is nothing but an extension 8 minutes of ambient noise before the same song.",
"If you want real trance like meditation like music, listen to Neurosis, they have been doing this for 15 years and are a lot better at it.",
"Tool better have a heck of a next album to dig themselves out of this embarassment.",
"The only reason I don't give this a 1 is that I do like the packaging, and the video is nice to add to Salival in my collection."
] |
2 | Candy - | This book just sort of bored me. I couldn't understand either lead character - Ashley or Scott. He was WAY too understanding and she was way too mean.The back story is she was burned by one of her previous boyfriends. Badly. Now she doesn't trust. Thing is that with the shady way she acts - not even telling Scott her exalted last name - he has serious reason not to trust her as well - especially as he has his own baggage from previous relationships. So why does he try so hard with her when she's not giving him anything?It starts with her going to a bar looking for an annonymous one night stand and he agrees - believing of course that this is not a usual thing for her. Sweet - not realistic but this IS a romance novel. So... Whatever.The good point was that there was a lot of points were the book could have fallen into cliches but didn't. There were no misunderstandings because the leads talked.Probably never read it again - but didn't hate it. Scott was a nice fantasy. | 983 | [
"This book just sort of bored me.",
"I couldn't understand either lead character - Ashley or Scott.",
"He was WAY too understanding and she was way too mean.The back story is she was burned by one of her previous boyfriends.",
"Badly.",
"Now she doesn't trust.",
"Thing is that with the shady way she acts - not even telling Scott her exalted last name - he has serious reason not to trust her as well - especially as he has his own baggage from previous relationships.",
"So why does he try so hard with her when she's not giving him anything?",
"It starts with her going to a bar looking for an annonymous one night stand and he agrees - believing of course that this is not a usual thing for her.",
"Sweet - not realistic but this IS a romance novel.",
"So... Whatever.The good point was that there was a lot of points were the book could have fallen into cliches but didn't.",
"There were no misunderstandings because the leads talked.Probably never read it again - but didn't hate it.",
"Scott was a nice fantasy."
] |
2 | This book didn't help me | This book does an interesting job of describing the problem, but don't buy this book thinking that it will tell you how to lose weight. As the author says on page 124, "There is no safe, effective, and proven way to lose weight. . . . I believe that most cases of abdominal obesity, and perhaps most cases of any kind of obesity, can be traced back to chronic infections. If this is correct, then the best way to fight obesity will be to fight chronic infections. This is, needless to say, an unproven theory." The author holds out the hope that in the future, sophisticated medical treatment will be available. For now, the author recommends reducing stressors: avoid alcohol, caffeine, nicotine, air travel, television, etc. The author also recommends some changes that are easier said than done: marry the right person, live within your means, trust God, and so on. And if you have depression, get that cured somehow. None of this advice has actually made my potbelly any smaller. | 983 | [
"This book does an interesting job of describing the problem, but don't buy this book thinking that it will tell you how to lose weight.",
"As the author says on page 124, \"There is no safe, effective, and proven way to lose weight.",
".",
".",
".",
"I believe that most cases of abdominal obesity, and perhaps most cases of any kind of obesity, can be traced back to chronic infections.",
"If this is correct, then the best way to fight obesity will be to fight chronic infections.",
"This is, needless to say, an unproven theory.\" The author holds out the hope that in the future, sophisticated medical treatment will be available.",
"For now, the author recommends reducing stressors: avoid alcohol, caffeine, nicotine, air travel, television, etc.",
"The author also recommends some changes that are easier said than done: marry the right person, live within your means, trust God, and so on.",
"And if you have depression, get that cured somehow.",
"None of this advice has actually made my potbelly any smaller."
] |
2 | Just not good enough | I SO wanted to love this thing. I have an iPod that I am seldom without, and my car isn't iPod compatible. I bought a Monster Wireless FM Transmitter/Charger so I could listen to my music on the way to my class reunion. Unfortunately, the thing just didn't work for me.There are 8 preset stations (low on the dial) and if all of them are in use, you're out of luck. I don't live in a huge city (maybe 60,000 with farmland all around), but only two of these stations were available. Although I was able to tune in to my iPod, it wasn't crystal clear. In fact, it wasn't even plastic clear. The static sometimes overrode the music, which drove me nuts. This is like a fax machine - the original may be spotless, but the fax will be a little fuzzy.If you have a cassette player in your car, there are adapters that go through the cassette player and are much better. If your car isn't iPod compatible and you don't have a cassette player, you're better off just burning a bunch of CD's. | 983 | [
"I SO wanted to love this thing.",
"I have an iPod that I am seldom without, and my car isn't iPod compatible.",
"I bought a Monster Wireless FM Transmitter/Charger so I could listen to my music on the way to my class reunion.",
"Unfortunately, the thing just didn't work for me.There are 8 preset stations (low on the dial) and if all of them are in use, you're out of luck.",
"I don't live in a huge city (maybe 60,000 with farmland all around), but only two of these stations were available.",
"Although I was able to tune in to my iPod, it wasn't crystal clear.",
"In fact, it wasn't even plastic clear.",
"The static sometimes overrode the music, which drove me nuts.",
"This is like a fax machine - the original may be spotless, but the fax will be a little fuzzy.If you have a cassette player in your car, there are adapters that go through the cassette player and are much better.",
"If your car isn't iPod compatible and you don't have a cassette player, you're better off just burning a bunch of CD's."
] |
2 | Ludicrous | I doubt there has ever been an assemblage of so many A-list actors, such a respected director, and so much hardware in the service of such a bad movie. The scientists all act like they have no idea what their lines mean or how scientists behave - everyone except for Morgan Freeman overacts absurdly. The plot, such as it is, is beyond ridiculous, culminating in the most pointless and unmotivated helicopter chase I can remember seeing. It's almost as if the director had in mind that he had to put in a helicopter chase, regardless of its role in the plot. There are too many movie cliches to mention. The whole film reminds me of that parody of bad Hollywood moviemaking that Anna Scott reads for in Notting Hill.The highlight of the film is a bravura 3-minute single-shot steadicam tour of the lab (starting at about minute 4). It's a great shot and shows that Petersen still had it; I guess he lost interest in the movie after that shot though.The blu-ray transfer is excellent. | 983 | [
"I doubt there has ever been an assemblage of so many A-list actors, such a respected director, and so much hardware in the service of such a bad movie.",
"The scientists all act like they have no idea what their lines mean or how scientists behave - everyone except for Morgan Freeman overacts absurdly.",
"The plot, such as it is, is beyond ridiculous, culminating in the most pointless and unmotivated helicopter chase I can remember seeing.",
"It's almost as if the director had in mind that he had to put in a helicopter chase, regardless of its role in the plot.",
"There are too many movie cliches to mention.",
"The whole film reminds me of that parody of bad Hollywood moviemaking that Anna Scott reads for in Notting Hill.The highlight of the film is a bravura 3-minute single-shot steadicam tour of the lab (starting at about minute 4).",
"It's a great shot and shows that Petersen still had it; I guess he lost interest in the movie after that shot though.The blu-ray transfer is excellent."
] |
2 | Uncomfortable | It's a fairly lightweight sunglass, but you can't hardly tell from the picture that it's not a smooth wrap lens, which is what I thought it was. Instead it's a somewhat ugly lens which is creased in the middle, and it's striking to see when you get it. It takes away from the cool look it could have had if it was a bubble or wrap lens. It also puts uncomfortable pressure on the bridge of my nose, so that after a little while, just after a few minutes of wearing, causes my nose to feel like it has pressure points on it and stuffed up. I hate irritating feelings on and in my nose, so I don't plan on wearing this again. I ordered another pair of sunglasses for about $18 which I got today, and it has no rubber nose pads, just a cheap plastic thing, and I feel perfectly fine with them except I think I feel a slight residual pressure feeling from the bolle sunglasses I'm reviewing here from having worn them for hours, yesterday, but not yesterday night. I intend to return it. | 983 | [
"It's a fairly lightweight sunglass, but you can't hardly tell from the picture that it's not a smooth wrap lens, which is what I thought it was.",
"Instead it's a somewhat ugly lens which is creased in the middle, and it's striking to see when you get it.",
"It takes away from the cool look it could have had if it was a bubble or wrap lens.",
"It also puts uncomfortable pressure on the bridge of my nose, so that after a little while, just after a few minutes of wearing, causes my nose to feel like it has pressure points on it and stuffed up.",
"I hate irritating feelings on and in my nose, so I don't plan on wearing this again.",
"I ordered another pair of sunglasses for about $18 which I got today, and it has no rubber nose pads, just a cheap plastic thing, and I feel perfectly fine with them except I think I feel a slight residual pressure feeling from the bolle sunglasses I'm reviewing here from having worn them for hours, yesterday, but not yesterday night.",
"I intend to return it."
] |
2 | Seuss had a bad week | Dr Seuss is supposed to be funny. Even books that tackle serious issues like Sneetches, are still hilarious. Even Butter Battle was still cute (for adults). But something went terribly wrong with the Lorax. The Lorax is heavy handed, preachy, and depressing.For a man who successfully satired racism and nuclear war, pollution ought to be a cake walk. To be fair, perhaps the Lorax reads differently to someone left-of-center politically. We're not, so we tend to disagree with much of the modern environmentalist agenda. However, good comedy transcends politics. You don't have to agree with it to laugh at it. Unfortunately, we weren't laughing, and we never even tried it on our kids.Interestingly, we observed Seuss books read to several groups of children at our local Target today (Dr Suess day apparently.) The kids (aged 5-9) were fidgety for the Lorax, but were engrossed by his dog book and Green Eggs & Ham. Apparently, it isn't just us; the Lorax just doesn't measure up. | 983 | [
"Dr Seuss is supposed to be funny.",
"Even books that tackle serious issues like Sneetches, are still hilarious.",
"Even Butter Battle was still cute (for adults).",
"But something went terribly wrong with the Lorax.",
"The Lorax is heavy handed, preachy, and depressing.For a man who successfully satired racism and nuclear war, pollution ought to be a cake walk.",
"To be fair, perhaps the Lorax reads differently to someone left-of-center politically.",
"We're not, so we tend to disagree with much of the modern environmentalist agenda.",
"However, good comedy transcends politics.",
"You don't have to agree with it to laugh at it.",
"Unfortunately, we weren't laughing, and we never even tried it on our kids.Interestingly, we observed Seuss books read to several groups of children at our local Target today (Dr Suess day apparently.) The kids (aged 5-9) were fidgety for the Lorax, but were engrossed by his dog book and Green Eggs & Ham.",
"Apparently, it isn't just us; the Lorax just doesn't measure up."
] |
2 | How desperate are you? | Let me start off by saying that the song "Independent Women" is a 5 star song. Buy this maxi single ONLY if you don't want to buy the "Charlie's Angels" soundtrack. That's what I did. I knew that I loved this song that much. Generally I don't like maxi-singles because if you have heard one dance mix, you've heard them all. This isn't an exception. But, I figured buying this over the soundtrack was the lesser of two evils. Unfortunately my CD is in my car, but I can tell you that track 4, which is one of the dance mixes is a great mix. It contains a little Santana-like guitar in the background, and is faster paced. In fact the vocals were redone for this version. Track 5 is a new Christmas song from them called "8 Days of Christmas." It's pretty good. I think these girls can pretty much release a song with them snoring and it would go number one. I am concerned, though. How much longer can they have success talking about no good men and being able to buy what they want? | 983 | [
"Let me start off by saying that the song \"Independent Women\" is a 5 star song.",
"Buy this maxi single ONLY if you don't want to buy the \"Charlie's Angels\" soundtrack.",
"That's what I did.",
"I knew that I loved this song that much.",
"Generally I don't like maxi-singles because if you have heard one dance mix, you've heard them all.",
"This isn't an exception.",
"But, I figured buying this over the soundtrack was the lesser of two evils.",
"Unfortunately my CD is in my car, but I can tell you that track 4, which is one of the dance mixes is a great mix.",
"It contains a little Santana-like guitar in the background, and is faster paced.",
"In fact the vocals were redone for this version.",
"Track 5 is a new Christmas song from them called \"8 Days of Christmas.\" It's pretty good.",
"I think these girls can pretty much release a song with them snoring and it would go number one.",
"I am concerned, though.",
"How much longer can they have success talking about no good men and being able to buy what they want?"
] |
2 | NOT WHAT I THOUGHT | i have a feeling this was a really good movie. borders and amazon need to state the fact CLEARLY when a movie is in a foreign language. this movie was in french. now i have no problem in the movie houses reading english at the bottom but in this case, it was rough. i have no clue what the story line was about since i was so busy reading the english. if a story is in a language other than english, all it would take is that fact. FRENCH w/ENGLISH SUBTITLES WOULD TAKE CARE OF IT, but no one does that. i also would like to contact a human at borders but evidently they are just too busy to talk with a customer. i have about 400 movies, most of them from borders/amazon so i consider myself a good customer. all i ask is a "contact us button" but evidently no chance of that. i don't suppose this will reach the review site because of all this but what does one do except just quitting of ordering all these movies from a company that just doesn't care about the buyers.gary in az. | 983 | [
"i have a feeling this was a really good movie.",
"borders and amazon need to state the fact CLEARLY when a movie is in a foreign language.",
"this movie was in french.",
"now i have no problem in the movie houses reading english at the bottom but in this case, it was rough.",
"i have no clue what the story line was about since i was so busy reading the english.",
"if a story is in a language other than english, all it would take is that fact.",
"FRENCH w/ENGLISH SUBTITLES WOULD TAKE CARE OF IT, but no one does that.",
"i also would like to contact a human at borders but evidently they are just too busy to talk with a customer.",
"i have about 400 movies, most of them from borders/amazon so i consider myself a good customer.",
"all i ask is a \"contact us button\" but evidently no chance of that.",
"i don't suppose this will reach the review site because of all this but what does one do except just quitting of ordering all these movies from a company that just doesn't care about the buyers.gary in az."
] |
2 | PITIFUL AND DISAPPOINTING | When I heard that Whitney had a new album, I rushed out to buy it. I have been a Whitney fan from the very beginning, and I couldn't wait to hear her latest compilation. What a disappointment. The songs on this album are a pitiful attempt to appease to 13 and 14 year old kids who know nothing about the texture of music. While there is nothing wrong with an artist experimenting with different styles of music (it keeps the creative juices going), I fear that Whitney chose the style of music on this album only to make sure that Generation X (what a bore) would purchase it. Or maybe, she just can't do the strong ballad anymore due to smoking or perhaps she's too busy monitoring her husband. Anyway, Whitney, go back to the old landmark -- the passionate ballads that made you who you are today. You never really could get the r&b thing down but that's o.k., we love you anyway. Hopefully, you will listen to critical commentary rather than record sales the next time around..... | 983 | [
"When I heard that Whitney had a new album, I rushed out to buy it.",
"I have been a Whitney fan from the very beginning, and I couldn't wait to hear her latest compilation.",
"What a disappointment.",
"The songs on this album are a pitiful attempt to appease to 13 and 14 year old kids who know nothing about the texture of music.",
"While there is nothing wrong with an artist experimenting with different styles of music (it keeps the creative juices going), I fear that Whitney chose the style of music on this album only to make sure that Generation X (what a bore) would purchase it.",
"Or maybe, she just can't do the strong ballad anymore due to smoking or perhaps she's too busy monitoring her husband.",
"Anyway, Whitney, go back to the old landmark -- the passionate ballads that made you who you are today.",
"You never really could get the r&b thing down but that's o.k., we love you anyway.",
"Hopefully, you will listen to critical commentary rather than record sales the next time around....."
] |
2 | Not for Oil Skin | Let me start by saying I think this is a good product just not good for my skin type. I have oily/acne prone skin and typically only purchase oil-free products but I read so many great reviews on this product I decided to give it a try as I am trying to go more "green" in every aspect of my life - skin care included. The rose smells wonderful and the actual product feels very soothing over your skin. I used this product for about a week once a day and immediately began noticing my face getting oiler throughout the day. I started to break out (outside of the usual) and my pores were actually getting larger. Since nothing else in my skin care routine has changed yet I determined it to be Thayers, probably because of the natural oils and tannins. I stopped using this product and tried Dickerson's witchhazel (oil-free but does contain alcohol) which has worked out much better for me. If you have oily skin I would not recommend this product, I really wish it worked though!! | 983 | [
"Let me start by saying I think this is a good product just not good for my skin type.",
"I have oily/acne prone skin and typically only purchase oil-free products but I read so many great reviews on this product I decided to give it a try as I am trying to go more \"green\" in every aspect of my life - skin care included.",
"The rose smells wonderful and the actual product feels very soothing over your skin.",
"I used this product for about a week once a day and immediately began noticing my face getting oiler throughout the day.",
"I started to break out (outside of the usual) and my pores were actually getting larger.",
"Since nothing else in my skin care routine has changed yet I determined it to be Thayers, probably because of the natural oils and tannins.",
"I stopped using this product and tried Dickerson's witchhazel (oil-free but does contain alcohol) which has worked out much better for me.",
"If you have oily skin I would not recommend this product, I really wish it worked though!!"
] |
2 | So close, yet So far... | This game had so much promise, but they let took it completely to the other end of the spectrum, instead of the micromanaging wich could get time consuming on LOTR2. LOTR3 swings the other way so completely you cannot even decide what type of Army you want.Types of troops you raise are completely dependant on the lords you install in your land parcels. Not bad If I had an inexhaustible supply of each type to decide what I wanted. Nope, you have what the game gives you and thats it. Worse you couldn't micromanage things even if you wanted to. Then they fubared the combat, whatever you do don't attack a castle, the enemy's troops will hide out on the walkway behind the walls while your troops will mill around in the bottom of the courtyard getting shot full of arrows.If you like simplistic games this would be the one for you. The only effective gameplay decisions you will ever make are which lord do I install, where should my next army come from and who do I invade next? | 983 | [
"This game had so much promise, but they let took it completely to the other end of the spectrum, instead of the micromanaging wich could get time consuming on LOTR2.",
"LOTR3 swings the other way so completely you cannot even decide what type of Army you want.Types of troops you raise are completely dependant on the lords you install in your land parcels.",
"Not bad If I had an inexhaustible supply of each type to decide what I wanted.",
"Nope, you have what the game gives you and thats it.",
"Worse you couldn't micromanage things even if you wanted to.",
"Then they fubared the combat, whatever you do don't attack a castle, the enemy's troops will hide out on the walkway behind the walls while your troops will mill around in the bottom of the courtyard getting shot full of arrows.If you like simplistic games this would be the one for you.",
"The only effective gameplay decisions you will ever make are which lord do I install, where should my next army come from and who do I invade next?"
] |
2 | Very much a letdown... | I have been a diehard David Gray fan for about 5 years now; I started with the classic White Ladder, and my obsession has grown since then. I have purchased all albums that have come before and since that fabulous CD, although none stand out more than it does. Its been several years since DG has released anything new, and I was so excited when I heard a new album was on the way...until I heard it. I think it is WAY too over-produced, and it is almost a betrayal of the mellow, low-key sound that thousands of DG fans around the world have come to know, love, and depend on for years. By far, I think this album is his worst yet vocally, lyrically, and musically. I hope the classic DG sound I am so familiar with makes a resurgence on his next album. There are a couple songs that are pretty good in and of themselves, such as Aint No Love and The One I Love, and Nos Da Cariad is very beautiful and interesting. As a whole, tho, this album sounds very discordant and mismatched. | 983 | [
"I have been a diehard David Gray fan for about 5 years now; I started with the classic White Ladder, and my obsession has grown since then.",
"I have purchased all albums that have come before and since that fabulous CD, although none stand out more than it does.",
"Its been several years since DG has released anything new, and I was so excited when I heard a new album was on the way...until I heard it.",
"I think it is WAY too over-produced, and it is almost a betrayal of the mellow, low-key sound that thousands of DG fans around the world have come to know, love, and depend on for years.",
"By far, I think this album is his worst yet vocally, lyrically, and musically.",
"I hope the classic DG sound I am so familiar with makes a resurgence on his next album.",
"There are a couple songs that are pretty good in and of themselves, such as Aint No Love and The One I Love, and Nos Da Cariad is very beautiful and interesting.",
"As a whole, tho, this album sounds very discordant and mismatched."
] |
2 | Not Quite Rome | I thought chick lit portrays women to be empowered with brains, wit and to be upwardly mobile.However, the female protaganist turns out to be bird brained. She can't think logically, I keep tut tutting what a dim wit she is. She does not even have any intuition to process about what men say to her, strange as she is a woman. I guess there are some men in the real world who love bird brains like her and those who like witty women.The title is a misnomer. Less than one quarter of the book is devoted to the physical location, Rome city itself. The plot unfolds mainly in London. I thought the author could do better by weaving the bulk of the plot thru Rome's landmarks of which there are plenty, social scene of which it is very vibrant and local Roman characters which I am sure she can draw a wealth of Italian personalities to elaborate on.Not entirely an engaging novel. I thought "Weekend in Paris" by Robyn Sisman does more justice to its title by basing the plot in Paris. | 983 | [
"I thought chick lit portrays women to be empowered with brains, wit and to be upwardly mobile.However, the female protaganist turns out to be bird brained.",
"She can't think logically, I keep tut tutting what a dim wit she is.",
"She does not even have any intuition to process about what men say to her, strange as she is a woman.",
"I guess there are some men in the real world who love bird brains like her and those who like witty women.The title is a misnomer.",
"Less than one quarter of the book is devoted to the physical location, Rome city itself.",
"The plot unfolds mainly in London.",
"I thought the author could do better by weaving the bulk of the plot thru Rome's landmarks of which there are plenty, social scene of which it is very vibrant and local Roman characters which I am sure she can draw a wealth of Italian personalities to elaborate on.Not entirely an engaging novel.",
"I thought \"Weekend in Paris\" by Robyn Sisman does more justice to its title by basing the plot in Paris."
] |
2 | Disappointed and Frustrated | This product was very difficult to apply. I had a sharp utility knife and a 90 degree ruler and followed the instructions completely, but it was still very difficult to get an even cut and to get the dimensions exactly right. I only knew I needed the 90 degree ruler and the utility knife from reading previous reviews, these items were never mentioned in the directions. There are no grid lines on the back of the product. It was a wet mess until it dried the next morning and then I could see all the places where it hadn't cut evenly. I had to go back and try to patch all the little spots which was very difficult. I was applying this to a window that was divided up into little squares so that complicated the process. I have read that other similar products on here are much easier to deal with and I would recommend trying one of those instead. I still gave it two stars because it is very beautiful when completed, but if I had to do it over again I would try something else. | 983 | [
"This product was very difficult to apply.",
"I had a sharp utility knife and a 90 degree ruler and followed the instructions completely, but it was still very difficult to get an even cut and to get the dimensions exactly right.",
"I only knew I needed the 90 degree ruler and the utility knife from reading previous reviews, these items were never mentioned in the directions.",
"There are no grid lines on the back of the product.",
"It was a wet mess until it dried the next morning and then I could see all the places where it hadn't cut evenly.",
"I had to go back and try to patch all the little spots which was very difficult.",
"I was applying this to a window that was divided up into little squares so that complicated the process.",
"I have read that other similar products on here are much easier to deal with and I would recommend trying one of those instead.",
"I still gave it two stars because it is very beautiful when completed, but if I had to do it over again I would try something else."
] |
2 | pseudo-intellectual nonsense | I watched this movie with all the anticipation of someone who had heard stellar reviews from professionals and friends alike. As a huge fan of art film, I was prepared to watch it and declare a new favorite.To say the least, I was disappointed.This is a self-indulgent journey into the mind of a self-important writer who fancies himself in the same league as Aristotle by asking questions that might as well be, "Is that a reflection of myself in the mirror, or is the real world going on inside the mirror and I'm merely the reflection?"Philosphy for 3rd graders, I suppose.This is absurdity at its most inflated and self-aggrandizing. The method of animating live-action film is the only innovative feature here, and it's really rather pointless, unless you buy into what the makers are selling, in which case it you would consider it pure genius, i'm sure.I gave it 2 stars simply because it's at least an attempt at something important. Unfortunately, it falls very, very short. | 983 | [
"I watched this movie with all the anticipation of someone who had heard stellar reviews from professionals and friends alike.",
"As a huge fan of art film, I was prepared to watch it and declare a new favorite.To say the least, I was disappointed.This is a self-indulgent journey into the mind of a self-important writer who fancies himself in the same league as Aristotle by asking questions that might as well be, \"Is that a reflection of myself in the mirror, or is the real world going on inside the mirror and I'm merely the reflection?",
"\"Philosphy for 3rd graders, I suppose.This is absurdity at its most inflated and self-aggrandizing.",
"The method of animating live-action film is the only innovative feature here, and it's really rather pointless, unless you buy into what the makers are selling, in which case it you would consider it pure genius, i'm sure.I gave it 2 stars simply because it's at least an attempt at something important.",
"Unfortunately, it falls very, very short."
] |
2 | Maybe two-and-a-half stars | Probably the biggest problem with this often charming novel is feeling. The Asian-American teen Mona rebels from her parents, and we see it, are told about it, rather than feeling it. It doesn't particularly make sense, and that stems from Jen not being whole-hearted about the characterization of the parents. This story is a sort of romp for Mona, a notebook purge, perhaps, wherein anything Jen can think of goes in, when the subject is the protagonist and her Jewish boyfriend. The parents are cliches, whipping posts. Occasionally the mother's harangues strike a true note and are thus stirring, but are usually placemarkers. A subplot that occupies a lot of space, concerning an available crash-space for a Black friend of Mona's, doesn't begin to carry the drama Jen seems to attempt. It seems a waste of effort. A lot of the book is like that, including another twisty set of events not to be given away here--not as interesting as the narrative voice would insist--not felt. | 983 | [
"Probably the biggest problem with this often charming novel is feeling.",
"The Asian-American teen Mona rebels from her parents, and we see it, are told about it, rather than feeling it.",
"It doesn't particularly make sense, and that stems from Jen not being whole-hearted about the characterization of the parents.",
"This story is a sort of romp for Mona, a notebook purge, perhaps, wherein anything Jen can think of goes in, when the subject is the protagonist and her Jewish boyfriend.",
"The parents are cliches, whipping posts.",
"Occasionally the mother's harangues strike a true note and are thus stirring, but are usually placemarkers.",
"A subplot that occupies a lot of space, concerning an available crash-space for a Black friend of Mona's, doesn't begin to carry the drama Jen seems to attempt.",
"It seems a waste of effort.",
"A lot of the book is like that, including another twisty set of events not to be given away here--not as interesting as the narrative voice would insist--not felt."
] |
2 | Murky and confusing | The first thing about "The Upright Man" that any prospective buyer should know is that it's a SEQUEL! This is not mentioned anywhere on the book cover; I had absolutely no idea about that when I picked up this book on a whim. The author makes almost no allowances for this; he simply assumes that you've read the first book. It becomes very confusing when characters make cryptic, fragmentary references to the events in the earlier volume.Marshall is undoubtedly a talented writer; he has a good ear for dialogue and his social observations are interesting. However, that's the best I can say about this novel. There are too many characters and the point of view is constantly shifting. Marshall also includes some digressions that seem to go nowhere, such as a lengthy subplot about Bigfoot (!). By the time I slogged through to the big finale, in which characters are staggering around a dark forest shooting at each other, I didn't know (or care) who the "bad guys" were anymore. | 983 | [
"The first thing about \"The Upright Man\" that any prospective buyer should know is that it's a SEQUEL!",
"This is not mentioned anywhere on the book cover; I had absolutely no idea about that when I picked up this book on a whim.",
"The author makes almost no allowances for this; he simply assumes that you've read the first book.",
"It becomes very confusing when characters make cryptic, fragmentary references to the events in the earlier volume.Marshall is undoubtedly a talented writer; he has a good ear for dialogue and his social observations are interesting.",
"However, that's the best I can say about this novel.",
"There are too many characters and the point of view is constantly shifting.",
"Marshall also includes some digressions that seem to go nowhere, such as a lengthy subplot about Bigfoot (!",
").",
"By the time I slogged through to the big finale, in which characters are staggering around a dark forest shooting at each other, I didn't know (or care) who the \"bad guys\" were anymore."
] |
2 | What undeserved hype!!!! | A little prelude to my review. One of my neighbors is a game developer who works for a company that makes games for the Xbox, Xbox 360 and MSN network (mostly downloadable content). He told me that his company currently has 4 Xbox 360s and he warned that I should wait until all the bugs are ironed out before I buy one myself.Ok, now onto my review. I don't understand why people would buy this system at this moment. There are no must play game for the 360 and that's the bottom line. Also, one of the reasons why you can't find one is that people are buying these things to solely to sell, thus creating an entirely new class of middlemen who you can find on ebay and craigslist. This in turn makes the people who are forking over $400 to get this system actually believe that they are getting a great "bargain" when compared to what people are paying on ebay.Trust me folks. Just wait 'til spring when some more games come out or wait for the PS3. You really aren't missing much. | 983 | [
"A little prelude to my review.",
"One of my neighbors is a game developer who works for a company that makes games for the Xbox, Xbox 360 and MSN network (mostly downloadable content).",
"He told me that his company currently has 4 Xbox 360s and he warned that I should wait until all the bugs are ironed out before I buy one myself.Ok, now onto my review.",
"I don't understand why people would buy this system at this moment.",
"There are no must play game for the 360 and that's the bottom line.",
"Also, one of the reasons why you can't find one is that people are buying these things to solely to sell, thus creating an entirely new class of middlemen who you can find on ebay and craigslist.",
"This in turn makes the people who are forking over $400 to get this system actually believe that they are getting a great \"bargain\" when compared to what people are paying on ebay.Trust me folks.",
"Just wait 'til spring when some more games come out or wait for the PS3.",
"You really aren't missing much."
] |
2 | One Long Rant | Who among us hasn't noticed that the twenty-first century human seems to have become more insulated, self-involved and less mindful of others? I had hoped that Lynn Truss would offer some humorous observations on this subject, along with a few tongue-in-cheek ways to deal, and possibly a bit of insight or thought as to why things are the way they are.Instead, what she offers is a lot of whining about personal affronts and petty annoyances. To her credit, her writing style is extremely witty and I DID find myself laughing out loud while reading some of the passages. But overall, I felt like I was listening in on her griping at some friends over afternoon tea."Talk to the Hand" brings to the forefront how impersonal, impolite and intolerrant we've all become. But there's not much point in raising awareness about something which we're already aware.I was looking for some more substance, Ms. Truss. And you just told me to talk to the hand.(Come on...you saw that coming...) | 983 | [
"Who among us hasn't noticed that the twenty-first century human seems to have become more insulated, self-involved and less mindful of others?",
"I had hoped that Lynn Truss would offer some humorous observations on this subject, along with a few tongue-in-cheek ways to deal, and possibly a bit of insight or thought as to why things are the way they are.Instead, what she offers is a lot of whining about personal affronts and petty annoyances.",
"To her credit, her writing style is extremely witty and I DID find myself laughing out loud while reading some of the passages.",
"But overall, I felt like I was listening in on her griping at some friends over afternoon tea.\"Talk to the Hand\" brings to the forefront how impersonal, impolite and intolerrant we've all become.",
"But there's not much point in raising awareness about something which we're already aware.I was looking for some more substance, Ms.",
"Truss.",
"And you just told me to talk to the hand.(Come on...you saw that coming...)"
] |
2 | Assembly is PAINFUL | Rating only for Assembly. Purchased stand even after reading other reviews. Have just finished putting together. The other reviews are correct. Lots of pieces and instructions are terrible. Only provided a black and white copy of original Instructions. Hard to see pictures, poorly written, and difficult to follow. With that and some guessing, you will eventually get it together. Several times had to undo and restart some of the steps. Shouldn't be this painful. Bosch needs to start over with the Instructions. Agree with others that would have been helpful to assemble more of it at plant but I am sure Bosch picked cheapest packaging option -- as evidenced by the Instructions.Haven't used yet. Stand appears to be sturdy. But the trade off is the stand and the Bosch saw together will be heavy -- right at 120 pounds (75 lbs for saw + 44 lbs stand). Something to consider if ever have to pick up both pieces at once.Amazon ordering and delivery time (standard)was exceptional. | 983 | [
"Rating only for Assembly.",
"Purchased stand even after reading other reviews.",
"Have just finished putting together.",
"The other reviews are correct.",
"Lots of pieces and instructions are terrible.",
"Only provided a black and white copy of original Instructions.",
"Hard to see pictures, poorly written, and difficult to follow.",
"With that and some guessing, you will eventually get it together.",
"Several times had to undo and restart some of the steps.",
"Shouldn't be this painful.",
"Bosch needs to start over with the Instructions.",
"Agree with others that would have been helpful to assemble more of it at plant but I am sure Bosch picked cheapest packaging option -- as evidenced by the Instructions.Haven't used yet.",
"Stand appears to be sturdy.",
"But the trade off is the stand and the Bosch saw together will be heavy -- right at 120 pounds (75 lbs for saw + 44 lbs stand).",
"Something to consider if ever have to pick up both pieces at once.Amazon ordering and delivery time (standard)was exceptional."
] |
2 | Disappointed | We have tried several plastic sprayers, and they always break after a couple months due to all of the plastic parts. We thought this would be a good solution, even though we could have purchased several plastic ones for the price. At first, it worked well. It had a good spray pattern, and descent pressure. However, after about 10 refills, it started losing pressure at the top seal where it screws together. Fortunately, we bought a rebuild kit after learning our lesson the hard way with other sprayers. Unfortunately, the gasket they sent with the rebuild kit was the wrong thickness for this sprayer. It turns out the metal that screwed together was bending every time it was filled up. Shortly after that, the gasket in the pump that creates pressure failed, so we used the one out of the rebuild kit (this one was actually the correct size). Two fills later, that one went out, too. We have since thrown the unit away and went back to plastic ones. Very costly lesson learned. | 983 | [
"We have tried several plastic sprayers, and they always break after a couple months due to all of the plastic parts.",
"We thought this would be a good solution, even though we could have purchased several plastic ones for the price.",
"At first, it worked well.",
"It had a good spray pattern, and descent pressure.",
"However, after about 10 refills, it started losing pressure at the top seal where it screws together.",
"Fortunately, we bought a rebuild kit after learning our lesson the hard way with other sprayers.",
"Unfortunately, the gasket they sent with the rebuild kit was the wrong thickness for this sprayer.",
"It turns out the metal that screwed together was bending every time it was filled up.",
"Shortly after that, the gasket in the pump that creates pressure failed, so we used the one out of the rebuild kit (this one was actually the correct size).",
"Two fills later, that one went out, too.",
"We have since thrown the unit away and went back to plastic ones.",
"Very costly lesson learned."
] |
2 | Not good | The only good thing about this camra is the video quality. for 80 dollars it actuly has decent image quality. the sound is horable. when the camra is sitting still you can't hear your self talking if your more than a foot or two away from it. but even when you are close upto it, it sounds like you whispering. when the camra is moving it make this really loud noise on the video that amlost sound like something grinding. i have use this camra on my mountainbike, mopeds, and even my Jeep, and it makes the same noise. also this camra eats up batteries like it noones buisness. if the battery gets low it will cut off and if you were recoding when it cuts off you lose the whole file, it dosn't just stop recoarding. overall this camra is not worth 80$ in fact i probly would be skeptible about buying it if it was for only 20$. Don't buy this or the tony hawk cam, if you really want a decent hemlet cam just save you money and buy a real one, you'll be disapointed if you buy this | 983 | [
"The only good thing about this camra is the video quality.",
"for 80 dollars it actuly has decent image quality.",
"the sound is horable.",
"when the camra is sitting still you can't hear your self talking if your more than a foot or two away from it.",
"but even when you are close upto it, it sounds like you whispering.",
"when the camra is moving it make this really loud noise on the video that amlost sound like something grinding.",
"i have use this camra on my mountainbike, mopeds, and even my Jeep, and it makes the same noise.",
"also this camra eats up batteries like it noones buisness.",
"if the battery gets low it will cut off and if you were recoding when it cuts off you lose the whole file, it dosn't just stop recoarding.",
"overall this camra is not worth 80$ in fact i probly would be skeptible about buying it if it was for only 20$.",
"Don't buy this or the tony hawk cam, if you really want a decent hemlet cam just save you money and buy a real one, you'll be disapointed if you buy this"
] |
2 | Coating off in 2 days!! | The manufacturer states that the coating can hold up to most picks. The box cautions the user to be careful during installation and states that the coating will not hold up to certain pick materials like metal picks (cymbal brass, finger picks, and the like.) I was very careful to install my strings as my guitar has a "string through body" design. I inspected the strings after they passed through the body, and again after they passed through the tuning pegs. After verifying the strings were undamaged, I tuned and played (Using a nylon pick of strong/hard resilience. After 2 sessions of around an hour an a half each, very obvious wear had taken place on almost all of the strings in the area of my picking. I have not contacted the manufacturer as I had spoken with a few people who are familiar with strings and they all believe it to be a design flaw, and not a manufacturing defect. I liked the sound of the strings when I started, but that sound changed the more I played. | 983 | [
"The manufacturer states that the coating can hold up to most picks.",
"The box cautions the user to be careful during installation and states that the coating will not hold up to certain pick materials like metal picks (cymbal brass, finger picks, and the like.) I was very careful to install my strings as my guitar has a \"string through body\" design.",
"I inspected the strings after they passed through the body, and again after they passed through the tuning pegs.",
"After verifying the strings were undamaged, I tuned and played (Using a nylon pick of strong/hard resilience.",
"After 2 sessions of around an hour an a half each, very obvious wear had taken place on almost all of the strings in the area of my picking.",
"I have not contacted the manufacturer as I had spoken with a few people who are familiar with strings and they all believe it to be a design flaw, and not a manufacturing defect.",
"I liked the sound of the strings when I started, but that sound changed the more I played."
] |
2 | Unsatisfied | I've been using these for the past three nights and there won't be a fourth. I actually never made it through a full night with them on. They do a good job of blocking light but not great. The rigidity of material allows light to enter around the nose, although it's minimal. However, the comfort factor is terrible and if you sleep on your side forget it. I would say these are slightly more comfortable than swim goggles with the bulky feel of ski goggles. Sorry, but I feel like a ton of the reviewers on amazon could only be working for the companies or are the product makers themselves.Amazon, please make these reviews for customers who have no ties financially or otherwise to the products. A simple disclosure certification for the reviewer would do. Otherwise they are 100% useless. That goes for competitors as well. Buyers will begin to abandon amazon when they have been duped one too many times. Remember, testimonials are relied upon in the world of online purchasing. | 983 | [
"I've been using these for the past three nights and there won't be a fourth.",
"I actually never made it through a full night with them on.",
"They do a good job of blocking light but not great.",
"The rigidity of material allows light to enter around the nose, although it's minimal.",
"However, the comfort factor is terrible and if you sleep on your side forget it.",
"I would say these are slightly more comfortable than swim goggles with the bulky feel of ski goggles.",
"Sorry, but I feel like a ton of the reviewers on amazon could only be working for the companies or are the product makers themselves.Amazon, please make these reviews for customers who have no ties financially or otherwise to the products.",
"A simple disclosure certification for the reviewer would do.",
"Otherwise they are 100% useless.",
"That goes for competitors as well.",
"Buyers will begin to abandon amazon when they have been duped one too many times.",
"Remember, testimonials are relied upon in the world of online purchasing."
] |
2 | Where is the action? | While this story had much potential, the pace of the book was EXTREMELY slow in many spots. Page after page of "meeting-like" dialogue going over background in excruciating detail bogs this "thriller" down. If you are interested in sitting through "secret agent" meetings, lunches, etc. and being in on every single aspect of their discussion, then you will be very pleased with the content and pace of this story. However, if your taste is higher on the action scale, and if you are bored by going through every move that someone makes or contemplates and why they did this and why they did that and why they didn't do this, and what they were thinking when they did "that", you might find this book a bit slow moving for you.I quit after getting through more than half the book waiting for someone to actually DO something. I assume the last part of the book picked up on action a bit, but I had already invested enough time in this "thriller" with very little entertainment value. | 983 | [
"While this story had much potential, the pace of the book was EXTREMELY slow in many spots.",
"Page after page of \"meeting-like\" dialogue going over background in excruciating detail bogs this \"thriller\" down.",
"If you are interested in sitting through \"secret agent\" meetings, lunches, etc.",
"and being in on every single aspect of their discussion, then you will be very pleased with the content and pace of this story.",
"However, if your taste is higher on the action scale, and if you are bored by going through every move that someone makes or contemplates and why they did this and why they did that and why they didn't do this, and what they were thinking when they did \"that\", you might find this book a bit slow moving for you.I quit after getting through more than half the book waiting for someone to actually DO something.",
"I assume the last part of the book picked up on action a bit, but I had already invested enough time in this \"thriller\" with very little entertainment value."
] |
2 | Pay Attenttion | OK, I do like the legs and arms of the video. However, the stand up abs work is just crazy, she just tells you to follow along, she can't be serious!! Tracy goes so fast like she is dancing in a club, you can not keep up to it, and she tells you that you will eventually get good at it... OK Tracy. The problem that I have with this workout is the fact she goes right into another position WITHOUT TELLING YOU!!! Are you kidding me????? You don't count while you are doing it, and if I am supposed to be doing these correctly then I should not be looking at the TV set. Tracy just does what she wants like I have been working out with her for years. It is almost like she hates the cameras. It aggravates the hell out of me she does not talk you through the video enough. She should make a better version of this, it is not fair that we pay the money for this and she does not talk enough through it. She may be a good trainer, but she NEEDS training on how to make a workout video.. | 983 | [
"OK, I do like the legs and arms of the video.",
"However, the stand up abs work is just crazy, she just tells you to follow along, she can't be serious!!",
"Tracy goes so fast like she is dancing in a club, you can not keep up to it, and she tells you that you will eventually get good at it... OK Tracy.",
"The problem that I have with this workout is the fact she goes right into another position WITHOUT TELLING YOU!!!",
"Are you kidding me???",
"??",
"You don't count while you are doing it, and if I am supposed to be doing these correctly then I should not be looking at the TV set.",
"Tracy just does what she wants like I have been working out with her for years.",
"It is almost like she hates the cameras.",
"It aggravates the hell out of me she does not talk you through the video enough.",
"She should make a better version of this, it is not fair that we pay the money for this and she does not talk enough through it.",
"She may be a good trainer, but she NEEDS training on how to make a workout video.."
] |
2 | Trite attempt at a prequel. | Have you ever seen anyone look at a cobra and think, I'm just gonna cuddle with it? Have you ever seen a deep sea diver decide, I'm going to take off the suit that ensures my head isn't crushed like an egg by the intense water pressure at the ocean floor?Though quite pretty at times, this movie was riddles with terrible writing and poor decisions. You know when someone in a horror movie says, "let's split up" that someone is going to die. This sort of writing is generally unacceptable, unless you're watching something like Scream 18 or Bride of Chucky. Those are movies where that level of lazy writing can be accepted under the fun of camp and too much blood. Some like it, some don't.This movie makes all those decisions without any of the camp. It might be better termed, "What happens when we let children who have been dropped on their head go into space."I don't just want my money back. I want Riddley Scott to hand it to me himself with an apology for what he has done. | 983 | [
"Have you ever seen anyone look at a cobra and think, I'm just gonna cuddle with it?",
"Have you ever seen a deep sea diver decide, I'm going to take off the suit that ensures my head isn't crushed like an egg by the intense water pressure at the ocean floor?",
"Though quite pretty at times, this movie was riddles with terrible writing and poor decisions.",
"You know when someone in a horror movie says, \"let's split up\" that someone is going to die.",
"This sort of writing is generally unacceptable, unless you're watching something like Scream 18 or Bride of Chucky.",
"Those are movies where that level of lazy writing can be accepted under the fun of camp and too much blood.",
"Some like it, some don't.This movie makes all those decisions without any of the camp.",
"It might be better termed, \"What happens when we let children who have been dropped on their head go into space.\"I don't just want my money back.",
"I want Riddley Scott to hand it to me himself with an apology for what he has done."
] |
2 | It Is, Indeed | We were bad. So Koontz put us in this place.This is one of several Koontz entries that reads wonderfully, right up until he gives us the explanation for what the cause of the inexplicable paranormal phenomenon is. He stretched real hard, for this one. On his better days, he may try credibility to the point of teetering, but here he just falls right off the edge. More than one of his books from this period does the same thing.On the plus side, the characters are quite well-developed and generally interesting, as they usually are with Koontz - Thomas Dakota, a Downs Syndrome sufferer, is especially appealing. The book's problem is ultimately just throwing reality out the window and going just a little too far into The Twilight Zone, a habit Koontz has fallen more frequently into in recent offerings.If the author's endings for Lightning, Dragon Tears or From the Corner of His Eye didn't bother you, you'll love this book. If any one of them put you off, this one will, too. | 983 | [
"We were bad.",
"So Koontz put us in this place.This is one of several Koontz entries that reads wonderfully, right up until he gives us the explanation for what the cause of the inexplicable paranormal phenomenon is.",
"He stretched real hard, for this one.",
"On his better days, he may try credibility to the point of teetering, but here he just falls right off the edge.",
"More than one of his books from this period does the same thing.On the plus side, the characters are quite well-developed and generally interesting, as they usually are with Koontz - Thomas Dakota, a Downs Syndrome sufferer, is especially appealing.",
"The book's problem is ultimately just throwing reality out the window and going just a little too far into The Twilight Zone, a habit Koontz has fallen more frequently into in recent offerings.If the author's endings for Lightning, Dragon Tears or From the Corner of His Eye didn't bother you, you'll love this book.",
"If any one of them put you off, this one will, too."
] |
2 | Not So Good | I have always had small toaster and or convections overs, to save money and don't always need the power of my new JenAir Kitchen I just had installed (LOVE IT). When I only cook for myself, I use the small oven (Krups). For the price this oven is a BIG BIG MAJOR flop, it gets hot all over when cooking, you can burn yourself, the door does not operate correctly, jams, when cooking the sides and top of the door and frame turn brown from cooking, instead of venting. This is what other write ups also say, I should have learned from their mistakes.My recommendation is that I would PASS on this Krups, especially for the price, where is the craftmanship, attention to details and quality of the product, it does not exist.This is the most expensive Convection and or toaster oven I have ever bought and would strongly recommend that you look at cheaper models with same features, and based on write ups like this one choose any maker but this one.Good Luck if you chose this turkey. | 983 | [
"I have always had small toaster and or convections overs, to save money and don't always need the power of my new JenAir Kitchen I just had installed (LOVE IT).",
"When I only cook for myself, I use the small oven (Krups).",
"For the price this oven is a BIG BIG MAJOR flop, it gets hot all over when cooking, you can burn yourself, the door does not operate correctly, jams, when cooking the sides and top of the door and frame turn brown from cooking, instead of venting.",
"This is what other write ups also say, I should have learned from their mistakes.My recommendation is that I would PASS on this Krups, especially for the price, where is the craftmanship, attention to details and quality of the product, it does not exist.This is the most expensive Convection and or toaster oven I have ever bought and would strongly recommend that you look at cheaper models with same features, and based on write ups like this one choose any maker but this one.Good Luck if you chose this turkey."
] |
2 | Not bad, but mostly water loss | I am trying this diet. You might lose a few pounds at first due to dehydration and water loss. Side effects I experienced were: headaches, nausea and then constipation and heartburn. I subscribed to the web site hoping I'd get more assistance, but it seems to be run by a bunch of low-paid children who don't ever answer peoples' questions. Promised features and updates just don't happen. You find the ever-helpful volunteers who do their best, but no other staff in sight to assist. I think Prevention.com is the best answer to get further information on your South Beach Diet. There is an extensive archive of Dr. Agatston's question and answer (more than his own wimpy web site!) and a large message board forum of experienced Beachers. Along with the book, I'd advise going there. Bottom line-- if you have trouble with carbs and they are the key to your weight gain, this is great for you. If you are just "Joe Blow Dieter" then you might be disappointed by slower weight loss. | 983 | [
"I am trying this diet.",
"You might lose a few pounds at first due to dehydration and water loss.",
"Side effects I experienced were: headaches, nausea and then constipation and heartburn.",
"I subscribed to the web site hoping I'd get more assistance, but it seems to be run by a bunch of low-paid children who don't ever answer peoples' questions.",
"Promised features and updates just don't happen.",
"You find the ever-helpful volunteers who do their best, but no other staff in sight to assist.",
"I think Prevention.com is the best answer to get further information on your South Beach Diet.",
"There is an extensive archive of Dr.",
"Agatston's question and answer (more than his own wimpy web site!",
") and a large message board forum of experienced Beachers.",
"Along with the book, I'd advise going there.",
"Bottom line-- if you have trouble with carbs and they are the key to your weight gain, this is great for you.",
"If you are just \"Joe Blow Dieter\" then you might be disappointed by slower weight loss."
] |
2 | This is not Elvis. . . | Elvis Presley is a hard-rocking man from the fifties, banging out hit after hit, such as "Hound Dog," "Heartbreak Hotel," and "All Shook Up." That is Elvis. During this period, drugs were in control, and he was not able to play as he could before. He is weak, out of energy, quiet and dull. He has also lost his looks since the fifties. This is not Elvis at all, and don't be fooled. This CD looks like it has a lot of good songs on it. Elvis is two verses short on "Johnny B. Goode," two verses short on "What I'd Say," and two verses short on "Jailhouse Rock." How can you like music that's only half of the music? I feel bad for Elvis; I really do.Still, there are a couple good songs in here, such as "Hound Dog," and "That's All Right Mama," and for those two songs I give it two stars. Other than that, I really didn't think this album was very good.If you want to hear Elvis, and not this weak old guy, I'd recomend The '68 Comeback Special, or Live at Madison Square Gardens. | 983 | [
"Elvis Presley is a hard-rocking man from the fifties, banging out hit after hit, such as \"Hound Dog,\" \"Heartbreak Hotel,\" and \"All Shook Up.\" That is Elvis.",
"During this period, drugs were in control, and he was not able to play as he could before.",
"He is weak, out of energy, quiet and dull.",
"He has also lost his looks since the fifties.",
"This is not Elvis at all, and don't be fooled.",
"This CD looks like it has a lot of good songs on it.",
"Elvis is two verses short on \"Johnny B.",
"Goode,\" two verses short on \"What I'd Say,\" and two verses short on \"Jailhouse Rock.\" How can you like music that's only half of the music?",
"I feel bad for Elvis; I really do.Still, there are a couple good songs in here, such as \"Hound Dog,\" and \"That's All Right Mama,\" and for those two songs I give it two stars.",
"Other than that, I really didn't think this album was very good.If you want to hear Elvis, and not this weak old guy, I'd recomend The '68 Comeback Special, or Live at Madison Square Gardens."
] |
2 | Disappointingly detached | Being a huge Jane Hamilton fan, I have to admit I was disappointed with Disobedience, in no small part to the detached, third-party view of the characters through the eyes of Henry, a world-weary and not terribly insightful teenager (which in my opinion, he should be, if he is going to be telling the story). I also found quite tedious the numerous ways Henry refers to his mother, ranging from "mom" to "Mrs. Shaw" to "Beth" to her "Liza38", her e-mail screen name. These references are used interchangeably and frequently, using up to three of these monikers in a single paragraph! Not sure what the point is of this particular literary device. I never really understood the motivations of any of the characters, thus could not sympathize with them. Also, events in the book evolve without a sense of how much time has elapsed between them, so context is lost. Would have appreciated at least alternating chapters in different characters voices to get their perspective on events. | 983 | [
"Being a huge Jane Hamilton fan, I have to admit I was disappointed with Disobedience, in no small part to the detached, third-party view of the characters through the eyes of Henry, a world-weary and not terribly insightful teenager (which in my opinion, he should be, if he is going to be telling the story).",
"I also found quite tedious the numerous ways Henry refers to his mother, ranging from \"mom\" to \"Mrs.",
"Shaw\" to \"Beth\" to her \"Liza38\", her e-mail screen name.",
"These references are used interchangeably and frequently, using up to three of these monikers in a single paragraph!",
"Not sure what the point is of this particular literary device.",
"I never really understood the motivations of any of the characters, thus could not sympathize with them.",
"Also, events in the book evolve without a sense of how much time has elapsed between them, so context is lost.",
"Would have appreciated at least alternating chapters in different characters voices to get their perspective on events."
] |
2 | Oy Gevalt | How could you take such an exciting idea and make it into such a tedious, boring, overinflated novel. I'm sorry, this writer is talented and smart, but he's no John Grisham, who as a writer is not as talented and smart, but he sure knows how to tell a story. This guy hasn't a clue, and I don't think he has any respect for readers to tolerate all the nonsensical, convolutions, the Jewish shtick is OK, but way overdone, of plot. I said to myself, is this ever going to be interesting, or worth reading--no less all the time and effort it took to write it--the answer was a resounding NO.I think any sane editor would have told him, very early on, Michael this is terrible, you have a gem of an idea and talent but, when is this novel going to wake up from its frozen pickled herring slumber.YAWN. YAWN. YAWN.If it wasn't for the professional critic's hype this thing would land on the remainder table in a flash. Definitely not worth your time.The best thing about it is the cover. | 983 | [
"How could you take such an exciting idea and make it into such a tedious, boring, overinflated novel.",
"I'm sorry, this writer is talented and smart, but he's no John Grisham, who as a writer is not as talented and smart, but he sure knows how to tell a story.",
"This guy hasn't a clue, and I don't think he has any respect for readers to tolerate all the nonsensical, convolutions, the Jewish shtick is OK, but way overdone, of plot.",
"I said to myself, is this ever going to be interesting, or worth reading--no less all the time and effort it took to write it--the answer was a resounding NO.I think any sane editor would have told him, very early on, Michael this is terrible, you have a gem of an idea and talent but, when is this novel going to wake up from its frozen pickled herring slumber.YAWN.",
"YAWN.",
"YAWN.If it wasn't for the professional critic's hype this thing would land on the remainder table in a flash.",
"Definitely not worth your time.The best thing about it is the cover."
] |
2 | Amateurish and unsophisticated | This book had come highly recommended to me by several people, and as you can see, the reviews are glowing. Personally, I couldn't get through it. If I hadn't heard that it was a first novel, I would have soon figured that out, as the writing is so irritatingly, distractingly amateurish. I understand that English is not the author's native language, but my issues with the writing were not so much style as content - such as being beaten over the head with certain points (I get it, I get it!). Then there's the main character. I don't need for a character to be "good" to care what happens to him, but he must be interesting. This guy? I just didn't care. If you're enchanted by the Middle Eastern setting, there is plenty of wonderful literature in translation from this region. Or, for some other social, political or historical perspective, you might dip into the wealth of nonfiction available. Unless you're big on the bestseller/Oprah stuff, don't waste your time with this. | 983 | [
"This book had come highly recommended to me by several people, and as you can see, the reviews are glowing.",
"Personally, I couldn't get through it.",
"If I hadn't heard that it was a first novel, I would have soon figured that out, as the writing is so irritatingly, distractingly amateurish.",
"I understand that English is not the author's native language, but my issues with the writing were not so much style as content - such as being beaten over the head with certain points (I get it, I get it!",
").",
"Then there's the main character.",
"I don't need for a character to be \"good\" to care what happens to him, but he must be interesting.",
"This guy?",
"I just didn't care.",
"If you're enchanted by the Middle Eastern setting, there is plenty of wonderful literature in translation from this region.",
"Or, for some other social, political or historical perspective, you might dip into the wealth of nonfiction available.",
"Unless you're big on the bestseller/Oprah stuff, don't waste your time with this."
] |
2 | It's an okay fiction read | I picked up this book on recommendation from a friend, did not have any preconceived opinion from other Amazon reviews. The book is okay in terms of writing style, but it feels as though it was written by someone in the military. The author goes to great lengths to describe weapons, ammunition and tools but very little other details like the looks of the characters, the surroundings etc.My only huge complaint about the book is the massive focus on Christianity. It gets old real fast (by about chapter 2). Other than that, it's a good read overall and does suck you in if you're into survival/post-apocalyptic themes.*UPDATE* I just finished this book (review previously written early) and wow does it completely fall apart. By chapter 20 the book just jumps from topic to topic only covering small little glimpses. It's almost as if the editors dictated it be cut short. Feels rushed and written by high school kid that just wanted to finish up.It could have been a better book. | 983 | [
"I picked up this book on recommendation from a friend, did not have any preconceived opinion from other Amazon reviews.",
"The book is okay in terms of writing style, but it feels as though it was written by someone in the military.",
"The author goes to great lengths to describe weapons, ammunition and tools but very little other details like the looks of the characters, the surroundings etc.My only huge complaint about the book is the massive focus on Christianity.",
"It gets old real fast (by about chapter 2).",
"Other than that, it's a good read overall and does suck you in if you're into survival/post-apocalyptic themes.*UPDATE* I just finished this book (review previously written early) and wow does it completely fall apart.",
"By chapter 20 the book just jumps from topic to topic only covering small little glimpses.",
"It's almost as if the editors dictated it be cut short.",
"Feels rushed and written by high school kid that just wanted to finish up.It could have been a better book."
] |
2 | What a disappointment | After reading all the glowing reviews, I couldn't wait to read this book. I hadn't read 20 pages before I realized I wasn't going to like it. I think the only reason I even finished it was I was stuck on an airplane with nothing else to read. I think my primary problem with the book was that Bryson just sort of wanders from one destination to another, telling us the travails he experienced getting from Point A to Point B. I didn't get any real insight into the British people. And there were several instances in the book where I was sure he was making things up for alledged comic effect. Several people have made comparisons between this book and Paul Theroux's "Kingdom By The Sea." I will admit that Paul can be kind of mean-spirited and doesn't seem to have a good time when he travels. But he is such a far superior writer that I felt I had a real sense of what Great Britain was about after reading his book. I got little, if any, of that with "Notes From A Small Island." | 983 | [
"After reading all the glowing reviews, I couldn't wait to read this book.",
"I hadn't read 20 pages before I realized I wasn't going to like it.",
"I think the only reason I even finished it was I was stuck on an airplane with nothing else to read.",
"I think my primary problem with the book was that Bryson just sort of wanders from one destination to another, telling us the travails he experienced getting from Point A to Point B.",
"I didn't get any real insight into the British people.",
"And there were several instances in the book where I was sure he was making things up for alledged comic effect.",
"Several people have made comparisons between this book and Paul Theroux's \"Kingdom By The Sea.\" I will admit that Paul can be kind of mean-spirited and doesn't seem to have a good time when he travels.",
"But he is such a far superior writer that I felt I had a real sense of what Great Britain was about after reading his book.",
"I got little, if any, of that with \"Notes From A Small Island.\""
] |
2 | Dont buy samsung dlp. | I have this Samsung DLP rear projection after 3 or 4 years is having problems. First when plugged in now, the screen will show picture(which is good), but after 30s or 1min, the picture will turn into 2 dozen horizontal lines of garbled picture for 2 seconds, then the picture will change to green screen, then to blank(or black) screen) and the back to a good picture. Meanwhile the tv will not respond to the remote except for in a 1 second window(then the channel can be changed). I have another problem with another Samsung tv in the past. They like other manufactures are using bad parts and not talking responsibility for their Tvs. Samsung are not the only ones who have this problem. The reason my parents picked the tv because of their picture, which looks great, when it works.Samsung has a recall but not for this type of problem described above.Now I dont know which manufacture to trust. Sony has had similar problems and their picture is not as good. Who else is there? | 983 | [
"I have this Samsung DLP rear projection after 3 or 4 years is having problems.",
"First when plugged in now, the screen will show picture(which is good), but after 30s or 1min, the picture will turn into 2 dozen horizontal lines of garbled picture for 2 seconds, then the picture will change to green screen, then to blank(or black) screen) and the back to a good picture.",
"Meanwhile the tv will not respond to the remote except for in a 1 second window(then the channel can be changed).",
"I have another problem with another Samsung tv in the past.",
"They like other manufactures are using bad parts and not talking responsibility for their Tvs.",
"Samsung are not the only ones who have this problem.",
"The reason my parents picked the tv because of their picture, which looks great, when it works.Samsung has a recall but not for this type of problem described above.Now I dont know which manufacture to trust.",
"Sony has had similar problems and their picture is not as good.",
"Who else is there?"
] |
2 | good story but "not a movie" | I bought this at wal-mart yesterday... animated X-Men movie for $15 with a story by Joss Whedon?!? Hells yeah!That's where the good ended... it's not a movie at all it's a motion comic. Basically they scanned the comic panels into a computer & used photoshop to turn, angle & warp the image to give it the appearance of really crappy animation.Then they remove the word bubbles and hire voice actors. The voice acting was not half bad but nobody in their right mind would pay $15 for a movie that is just comic panels flashed on the screen while people read the text. At least when they did it for the Watchman graphic novel it was during the watchmen hype when the movie was out AND they said straight on the package it was a motion comic.... this is just shameless money grubbing and nowhere on the packaging does this say anything about being a motion comic.I made it through the first episode but they couldn't even make the credits smooth... this is going back tomorrow morning. | 983 | [
"I bought this at wal-mart yesterday... animated X-Men movie for $15 with a story by Joss Whedon?!?",
"Hells yeah!",
"That's where the good ended... it's not a movie at all it's a motion comic.",
"Basically they scanned the comic panels into a computer & used photoshop to turn, angle & warp the image to give it the appearance of really crappy animation.Then they remove the word bubbles and hire voice actors.",
"The voice acting was not half bad but nobody in their right mind would pay $15 for a movie that is just comic panels flashed on the screen while people read the text.",
"At least when they did it for the Watchman graphic novel it was during the watchmen hype when the movie was out AND they said straight on the package it was a motion comic.... this is just shameless money grubbing and nowhere on the packaging does this say anything about being a motion comic.I made it through the first episode but they couldn't even make the credits smooth... this is going back tomorrow morning."
] |
2 | INEXCUSABLY LETHARGIC | This tremendously beloved piece of music is on a healthy dose of sedative under director Walter Susskind. Really, I have no idea what happened here; the hallelujah chorus sounds like a leisurely lullaby... Tempo is way too slow throughout, and there is just no "gusto" that should be a part of a piece of music covering profound themes like this one does. I wanted to feel it (and tried for a very long time), but just didn't.If you are interested in picking up a copy of Messiah, skip this version and instead purchase a copy of the rendition by director John Alldis (also featuring London Philharmonic Orchestra/Choir). Alldis TOTALLY redeems the London Philharmonic and wakens this important piece of music from the dead. I highly recommend the Alldis version; highly discourage this one. The classic rendition featuring the Mormon Tabernacle Choir from the 1980s also puts this version to shame.The Messiah needs to be felt deeply, and this version just doesn't get the job done. | 983 | [
"This tremendously beloved piece of music is on a healthy dose of sedative under director Walter Susskind.",
"Really, I have no idea what happened here; the hallelujah chorus sounds like a leisurely lullaby... Tempo is way too slow throughout, and there is just no \"gusto\" that should be a part of a piece of music covering profound themes like this one does.",
"I wanted to feel it (and tried for a very long time), but just didn't.If you are interested in picking up a copy of Messiah, skip this version and instead purchase a copy of the rendition by director John Alldis (also featuring London Philharmonic Orchestra/Choir).",
"Alldis TOTALLY redeems the London Philharmonic and wakens this important piece of music from the dead.",
"I highly recommend the Alldis version; highly discourage this one.",
"The classic rendition featuring the Mormon Tabernacle Choir from the 1980s also puts this version to shame.The Messiah needs to be felt deeply, and this version just doesn't get the job done."
] |
2 | Just OK...that's all | I purchased these for a 2006 Hyundai Sonata. According to the application guide, this is the model number that fits the 06 Sonata. They fit fine, but the operation is mediocre at best. They lift better that the old ones that had worn out over time, but these tend to bind on the way up. This binding causes the trunk to "stick" on the way up. I'm afraid to push up on the trunk because it could break the lift. I should have returned them immediately, but I didn't so forget it now. Lesson learned!Additionally, I purchased a set of these for a 2004 Cadillac CTS (not this model--see different reveiw), and they work a bit better than these. However, the lift support does not work nearly as good since the weather has gotten cooler. I'm in Vegas, so maybe its been around low 50s (not really cold), but that temperature has definitly impacted the lifting properties.I won't buy this brand again. Instead, I'll pay probably double at the dealer, and get a better product...hopefully! | 983 | [
"I purchased these for a 2006 Hyundai Sonata.",
"According to the application guide, this is the model number that fits the 06 Sonata.",
"They fit fine, but the operation is mediocre at best.",
"They lift better that the old ones that had worn out over time, but these tend to bind on the way up.",
"This binding causes the trunk to \"stick\" on the way up.",
"I'm afraid to push up on the trunk because it could break the lift.",
"I should have returned them immediately, but I didn't so forget it now.",
"Lesson learned!",
"Additionally, I purchased a set of these for a 2004 Cadillac CTS (not this model--see different reveiw), and they work a bit better than these.",
"However, the lift support does not work nearly as good since the weather has gotten cooler.",
"I'm in Vegas, so maybe its been around low 50s (not really cold), but that temperature has definitly impacted the lifting properties.I won't buy this brand again.",
"Instead, I'll pay probably double at the dealer, and get a better product...hopefully!"
] |
2 | it kills the XD cards!!! | I have used this camera for about 2 years, and have taken a lot of wonderful pictures with it, although I agree with the negative reviews (the quality is noticeably worse at 3X zoom, slow shutter speed, almost impossible to take a decent picture in dark places, etc).However, I believe the BIGGEST problem this camera has (and it took my wife and I a while to figure out wtf was going on) is the fact that it destroys the XD card when one erases all the pictures on it! It happened to me on several occasions when I was abroad in some beautiful places, and had the cards full with pictures from previous trips; I erased all the pictures using the "ERASE ALL" option in the menu, and promptly received the "CARD ERROR" message after trying to take a new picture.I am giving this camera 2 stars instead of 1 only because somehow I managed to get a lot of wonderful pictures (though I spent a lot of money on cards); I am currently shopping for a new camera, and Fuji is not on my list. | 983 | [
"I have used this camera for about 2 years, and have taken a lot of wonderful pictures with it, although I agree with the negative reviews (the quality is noticeably worse at 3X zoom, slow shutter speed, almost impossible to take a decent picture in dark places, etc).However, I believe the BIGGEST problem this camera has (and it took my wife and I a while to figure out wtf was going on) is the fact that it destroys the XD card when one erases all the pictures on it!",
"It happened to me on several occasions when I was abroad in some beautiful places, and had the cards full with pictures from previous trips; I erased all the pictures using the \"ERASE ALL\" option in the menu, and promptly received the \"CARD ERROR\" message after trying to take a new picture.I am giving this camera 2 stars instead of 1 only because somehow I managed to get a lot of wonderful pictures (though I spent a lot of money on cards); I am currently shopping for a new camera, and Fuji is not on my list."
] |
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