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3 | oops | Don't know who put a broken comb in the package, but doesn't doo much good with several teeth mising from it. Not a typical amazon packing job thats for sure. So can't give it any higher because I have to buy another one, but it won't be from this seller. Shame because it was going to a be a christmas present and it was actually the nice teal,black,&white; one, not the nasty pink as shown.11/29/12I have updated this comb to 3 stars as i have reordered another comb to replace the original broken one since the return system won't allow for a return of even a broken "add on item' apparently. Anyway, this time whoever packed the comb just threw it it in loose with again larger heavier items , but luckily the box wasn't thrown around as much i guess as the first one since it arrived w/o damage. Seriously need some work on packing, but I unfairly rated this as a 1 star when Amazon was to blame and not the comb itself. So we stand at a 3 star for the cheapy plastic that breaks easily. | 992 | [
"Don't know who put a broken comb in the package, but doesn't doo much good with several teeth mising from it.",
"Not a typical amazon packing job thats for sure.",
"So can't give it any higher because I have to buy another one, but it won't be from this seller.",
"Shame because it was going to a be a christmas present and it was actually the nice teal,black,&white; one, not the nasty pink as shown.11/29/12I have updated this comb to 3 stars as i have reordered another comb to replace the original broken one since the return system won't allow for a return of even a broken \"add on item' apparently.",
"Anyway, this time whoever packed the comb just threw it it in loose with again larger heavier items , but luckily the box wasn't thrown around as much i guess as the first one since it arrived w/o damage.",
"Seriously need some work on packing, but I unfairly rated this as a 1 star when Amazon was to blame and not the comb itself.",
"So we stand at a 3 star for the cheapy plastic that breaks easily."
] |
3 | Interesting concept | Overall, it's an interesting little book. The negatives are that because it is a new concept there is nothing to compare it to and about half of the shows written about are rare shows that even OTR enthusiests have never listened to (Ma Perkins, Tom Mix, Clyde Beatty Show, Candy Matson, Pat Novak). I just say that if you are going to make a book of OTR fiction, they need to make the fiction from shows people have listened to like Suspense, Lone Ranger, The Shadow, Escape, Gunsmoke, etc. The book does have some stories from popular shows like Quiet Please, Inner Sanctum, Johnny Dollar, Dimension X and Our Miss Brooks, but the story quality is a toss up. I did like the Rouge's Gallery story, the Johnny Dollar and the Dimension X ("Willoughby Goes And Gets It" was a gem!). I will also say that the Our Miss Brooks story read more like an episode than any other story.I liked the author's "The Great Gildersleeve" a little more than this one, but recommend both to the diehard OTR fan. | 992 | [
"Overall, it's an interesting little book.",
"The negatives are that because it is a new concept there is nothing to compare it to and about half of the shows written about are rare shows that even OTR enthusiests have never listened to (Ma Perkins, Tom Mix, Clyde Beatty Show, Candy Matson, Pat Novak).",
"I just say that if you are going to make a book of OTR fiction, they need to make the fiction from shows people have listened to like Suspense, Lone Ranger, The Shadow, Escape, Gunsmoke, etc.",
"The book does have some stories from popular shows like Quiet Please, Inner Sanctum, Johnny Dollar, Dimension X and Our Miss Brooks, but the story quality is a toss up.",
"I did like the Rouge's Gallery story, the Johnny Dollar and the Dimension X (\"Willoughby Goes And Gets It\" was a gem!",
").",
"I will also say that the Our Miss Brooks story read more like an episode than any other story.I liked the author's \"The Great Gildersleeve\" a little more than this one, but recommend both to the diehard OTR fan."
] |
3 | Maybe he just does... | (...)Call me naive, but I actually find it highly unlikely that Slayer knew what was going to happen on September 11. The fact that this album entered the world on the same day as that world's greatest act of murder is grim, chilling coincidence. Let's not confuse effect and cause - Slayer tell it like it is and that fact was never more grimly illustrated. And they take this stuff seriously - a lot more seriously than some of the unprofessional news stations who descended into saccharine sentimentality when the world wanted hard-headed analysis.As for the album itself, well... I am afraid the Diabolus still has all the best tunes. Disciple is a uniquely ferocious and stupendous song, and several others (War Zone, Exile, Threshold) rock with unfeasible intensity, but in general the bass has gone, the riffs are squandered and the anger is diluted. Still streets ahead of each and every nu-metal fraud, however, and well worth getting. Will you be this angry when you're in your 40s? | 992 | [
"(...)Call me naive, but I actually find it highly unlikely that Slayer knew what was going to happen on September 11.",
"The fact that this album entered the world on the same day as that world's greatest act of murder is grim, chilling coincidence.",
"Let's not confuse effect and cause - Slayer tell it like it is and that fact was never more grimly illustrated.",
"And they take this stuff seriously - a lot more seriously than some of the unprofessional news stations who descended into saccharine sentimentality when the world wanted hard-headed analysis.As for the album itself, well... I am afraid the Diabolus still has all the best tunes.",
"Disciple is a uniquely ferocious and stupendous song, and several others (War Zone, Exile, Threshold) rock with unfeasible intensity, but in general the bass has gone, the riffs are squandered and the anger is diluted.",
"Still streets ahead of each and every nu-metal fraud, however, and well worth getting.",
"Will you be this angry when you're in your 40s?"
] |
3 | Almost but not Quite | I actually enjoyed the film even though I did not find it to be factual about the dates the author was using for the birth of Jesus. I did contact him regarding the descrepancies but he clung to his very loose determinations. I found the astrological parts to be quite fascinating. I enjoyed it but would not recommend it to anyone without letting them know about the date descrepancy.It isn't hard to research the date of the birth of Jesus it is very well documented in History. It was the Emperor Constantine that choose the date of the Winter Solstice for the birthdate of Jesus. Constantine just switched the birthdate of Tamuz the son of the Sun God that the pagans had been celebrating for centuries to the birthdate of the Son of the Creator of the Universe who was actually born during the Feast of Trumpets somewhere between September and October. There are other historical facts that also prove the time of the birth of Jesus but he wasn't interested in hearing about them either. | 992 | [
"I actually enjoyed the film even though I did not find it to be factual about the dates the author was using for the birth of Jesus.",
"I did contact him regarding the descrepancies but he clung to his very loose determinations.",
"I found the astrological parts to be quite fascinating.",
"I enjoyed it but would not recommend it to anyone without letting them know about the date descrepancy.It isn't hard to research the date of the birth of Jesus it is very well documented in History.",
"It was the Emperor Constantine that choose the date of the Winter Solstice for the birthdate of Jesus.",
"Constantine just switched the birthdate of Tamuz the son of the Sun God that the pagans had been celebrating for centuries to the birthdate of the Son of the Creator of the Universe who was actually born during the Feast of Trumpets somewhere between September and October.",
"There are other historical facts that also prove the time of the birth of Jesus but he wasn't interested in hearing about them either."
] |
3 | A very lovely film... | The film paints the story of two actors, from their first encounter at school in the Twenties through their success as stars of the Peking Opera, difficulties during the Japanese occupation, the Communist takeover in 1949 and the traumas of the Cultural Revolution in the Sixties...For the so-called Fifth Generation of Chinese filmmakers, the film touches new ground on two fronts... In the first place, though it does not avoid from acknowledging the sufferings under the old regime, it takes an embittered view of Communist society and of the Cultural Revolution specifically...The two friends, Xiaolou and Dieyi, adopt a young man, Xiao Si, who becomes one of the Red Guards and quickly informs the political sins of his benefactors...Second the film is a love story of a rare kind... Dieyi is a homosexual and suffers rejection when Xiaolou begins an affair with Juxian (Gong Li), a gorgeous prostitute... The personal conflict of each character is the heart of this exceptional movie... | 992 | [
"The film paints the story of two actors, from their first encounter at school in the Twenties through their success as stars of the Peking Opera, difficulties during the Japanese occupation, the Communist takeover in 1949 and the traumas of the Cultural Revolution in the Sixties...For the so-called Fifth Generation of Chinese filmmakers, the film touches new ground on two fronts... In the first place, though it does not avoid from acknowledging the sufferings under the old regime, it takes an embittered view of Communist society and of the Cultural Revolution specifically...The two friends, Xiaolou and Dieyi, adopt a young man, Xiao Si, who becomes one of the Red Guards and quickly informs the political sins of his benefactors...Second the film is a love story of a rare kind... Dieyi is a homosexual and suffers rejection when Xiaolou begins an affair with Juxian (Gong Li), a gorgeous prostitute... The personal conflict of each character is the heart of this exceptional movie..."
] |
3 | As Is | Phil Collins' debut album title says everything about the approach to this LP. This album begins with "In The Air Tonight" with its quiet, night time feel until nearly the end when the other instruments emerge from the darkness. Baring feeling over subtle tones on "This Must Be Love" gives a sense of authenticity. "The Roof Is Leaking" is a tale of despair and struggling with everyday life. "Droned" is an intense instrumental that has some sort of story to fit somewhere in-between. To add to the feeling of love "You Know What I Mean" has the effects of motion picture song all over it. On to a more up step "Thunder And Lighting", it is laced with a horn section to get you up. And the most heartfelt and sorrow drowned song, "If Leaving Me Is Easy", is about his real life story of his wife leaving while he was on tour. Maybe she should have listened to this as much as I have and had a change of heart. This is the beginning of what Phil had to offer and its well worth checking out. | 992 | [
"Phil Collins' debut album title says everything about the approach to this LP.",
"This album begins with \"In The Air Tonight\" with its quiet, night time feel until nearly the end when the other instruments emerge from the darkness.",
"Baring feeling over subtle tones on \"This Must Be Love\" gives a sense of authenticity.",
"\"The Roof Is Leaking\" is a tale of despair and struggling with everyday life.",
"\"Droned\" is an intense instrumental that has some sort of story to fit somewhere in-between.",
"To add to the feeling of love \"You Know What I Mean\" has the effects of motion picture song all over it.",
"On to a more up step \"Thunder And Lighting\", it is laced with a horn section to get you up.",
"And the most heartfelt and sorrow drowned song, \"If Leaving Me Is Easy\", is about his real life story of his wife leaving while he was on tour.",
"Maybe she should have listened to this as much as I have and had a change of heart.",
"This is the beginning of what Phil had to offer and its well worth checking out."
] |
3 | words from the past | Vico wrote the original book in Latin in 1710, long before I was born. Wisdom already had tremendous problems with its reputation, and the people who responded in Italian did not understand what was meant "for its learned author crowds speculations without number unto every page" (p. 117). Following the conclusion in this book is a section called the Disputation with two articles in Giornale de' letterati d'Italia, which reveals who knows when a dog is up to its tricks:But then if the pimp had answeredto the first two insults, "Excellently done,"he would have been speaking Latinjust as well. Perhaps others mightthink differently. (p. 145)Vico's responses which included, on the authority of Virgil:"Happy is he who knows the causes of everything." (p. 163)followed by Vico's Final Statement, then an Editorial Declaration of the Giornale de' letterati d'Italia that:To this we answer nothing,out of respect for the authorand in order not to extendcontroversies ad infinitum. (p. 187). | 992 | [
"Vico wrote the original book in Latin in 1710, long before I was born.",
"Wisdom already had tremendous problems with its reputation, and the people who responded in Italian did not understand what was meant \"for its learned author crowds speculations without number unto every page\" (p.",
"117).",
"Following the conclusion in this book is a section called the Disputation with two articles in Giornale de' letterati d'Italia, which reveals who knows when a dog is up to its tricks:But then if the pimp had answeredto the first two insults, \"Excellently done,\"he would have been speaking Latinjust as well.",
"Perhaps others mightthink differently.",
"(p.",
"145)Vico's responses which included, on the authority of Virgil:\"Happy is he who knows the causes of everything.\" (p.",
"163)followed by Vico's Final Statement, then an Editorial Declaration of the Giornale de' letterati d'Italia that:To this we answer nothing,out of respect for the authorand in order not to extendcontroversies ad infinitum.",
"(p.",
"187)."
] |
3 | Not for beginners | This book is divided into two sections; each section is divided into "parts" and there is no index.I had a little trouble getting started on this book, I had to take a break from it several times before I was able to get through the first section which seems to have a "do it this way" feel that I didn't care for however this may just be my impression and some readers may like that approach. Also the book doesn't have the "nature lover" or "tree hugger" feel that I expected from the title, but this is neither good nor bad.The second section contains a wealth of information that in my opinion makes the book worth the price; however I was unable to determine what rune set she has used. It does not seem to be the "Elder Futhark" or Germanic runes that is most commonly used, nor does it appear to be Danish runes, Swedish-Norse runes, Angle-Saxon runes, or Seax-Wica runes. She has used short name or abbreviations for some runes, and may simply have listed them in an unfamiliar order. | 992 | [
"This book is divided into two sections; each section is divided into \"parts\" and there is no index.I had a little trouble getting started on this book, I had to take a break from it several times before I was able to get through the first section which seems to have a \"do it this way\" feel that I didn't care for however this may just be my impression and some readers may like that approach.",
"Also the book doesn't have the \"nature lover\" or \"tree hugger\" feel that I expected from the title, but this is neither good nor bad.The second section contains a wealth of information that in my opinion makes the book worth the price; however I was unable to determine what rune set she has used.",
"It does not seem to be the \"Elder Futhark\" or Germanic runes that is most commonly used, nor does it appear to be Danish runes, Swedish-Norse runes, Angle-Saxon runes, or Seax-Wica runes.",
"She has used short name or abbreviations for some runes, and may simply have listed them in an unfamiliar order."
] |
3 | A madcap farce | Mr. Brewer is not trying to write literature in this novel, nor indeed anything the slightest bit serious. He has instead given free reign to his comic impulses to create a fun, light, madcap farce involving an assassination in Las Vegas, and the crazy, off-kilter, and wacky people that get swept up into the action. This is meant as pure comedy, and reminds me of those 1950 TV sit-coms like Gomer Pyle in its feel and mood. It's a simple light-hearted farce and good for filling in a few moments, but this is not going to be one you remember for the rest of your life. After reading it I can't say I really thought that much of it; the book is short and the chapters even shorter (most going for two or three pages only). If you in the mood something lighter than helium and crammed with a surplus of comic relief than this will fit your bill......but it's hard to create a good book when all the cast are comic relief and there is no foil for them. This is pure Bridget does Assasination. | 992 | [
"Mr.",
"Brewer is not trying to write literature in this novel, nor indeed anything the slightest bit serious.",
"He has instead given free reign to his comic impulses to create a fun, light, madcap farce involving an assassination in Las Vegas, and the crazy, off-kilter, and wacky people that get swept up into the action.",
"This is meant as pure comedy, and reminds me of those 1950 TV sit-coms like Gomer Pyle in its feel and mood.",
"It's a simple light-hearted farce and good for filling in a few moments, but this is not going to be one you remember for the rest of your life.",
"After reading it I can't say I really thought that much of it; the book is short and the chapters even shorter (most going for two or three pages only).",
"If you in the mood something lighter than helium and crammed with a surplus of comic relief than this will fit your bill......but it's hard to create a good book when all the cast are comic relief and there is no foil for them.",
"This is pure Bridget does Assasination."
] |
3 | odd little book | This book starts with a 17 year old girl (Karen) going into an unexplained coma the night that she loses her virginity to Richard in 1979. However, the night she goes into a coma she confides to Richard visons or dreams of the future that she doesn't believe she should be seeing. Just weeks after entering into the coma it's learned that she is pregnant. After giving birth while still in the coma to a healty baby girl, the narratation goes into the lives of Richard and his friends who seem to drift through their 20s. Karen awakes 20 years later to a world she doesn't really know how to react to and can't help getting the feeling that the end of the world is near (I won't give anymore away). The book is interesting enough, but doesn't always keep me reading, because I don't always care about the characters. The ending of the book was also a disappointment. Overall, the book is a quick read and does have its oddly funny moments and version of the appocalypse that makes you wonder. | 992 | [
"This book starts with a 17 year old girl (Karen) going into an unexplained coma the night that she loses her virginity to Richard in 1979.",
"However, the night she goes into a coma she confides to Richard visons or dreams of the future that she doesn't believe she should be seeing.",
"Just weeks after entering into the coma it's learned that she is pregnant.",
"After giving birth while still in the coma to a healty baby girl, the narratation goes into the lives of Richard and his friends who seem to drift through their 20s.",
"Karen awakes 20 years later to a world she doesn't really know how to react to and can't help getting the feeling that the end of the world is near (I won't give anymore away).",
"The book is interesting enough, but doesn't always keep me reading, because I don't always care about the characters.",
"The ending of the book was also a disappointment.",
"Overall, the book is a quick read and does have its oddly funny moments and version of the appocalypse that makes you wonder."
] |
3 | fairly cool at first | I scored my kindle last November when they were 400BUX.I loaded her up and read quite a few books while recovery from major surgery.You can read fast with this thing.The design is a bad joke,all weirdassed angles and you can't pick itup without changing a page or two or three.The tiny piece of cardboard tab that "holds" the cover on lasted about three days.Once you get used to the silly design it is a fairly cool device.Biggeset gripe is my kindle no longer will buy a book.It USED to work beautifully but no more.To buy a volumne I have to go to this site to purchase stuff.Not so cool.When attempting to buy books right from kindle I get a promt saying to try back latter, for four months and counting.Wait for the next generation and save dough and aggravation. UPDATE:January 2009. Guess what? All the issues I was having with this Kindle disappeared when I moved.My last apartment was in a basement and that was the problem.I now live on the 5th floor and I'm back in business.JOY!!! | 992 | [
"I scored my kindle last November when they were 400BUX.I loaded her up and read quite a few books while recovery from major surgery.You can read fast with this thing.The design is a bad joke,all weirdassed angles and you can't pick itup without changing a page or two or three.The tiny piece of cardboard tab that \"holds\" the cover on lasted about three days.Once you get used to the silly design it is a fairly cool device.Biggeset gripe is my kindle no longer will buy a book.It USED to work beautifully but no more.To buy a volumne I have to go to this site to purchase stuff.Not so cool.When attempting to buy books right from kindle I get a promt saying to try back latter, for four months and counting.Wait for the next generation and save dough and aggravation.",
"UPDATE:January 2009.",
"Guess what?",
"All the issues I was having with this Kindle disappeared when I moved.My last apartment was in a basement and that was the problem.I now live on the 5th floor and I'm back in business.JOY!!!"
] |
3 | ...Long forgotten | British power pop band "The Records" were never a great band, they just wrote and sang catchy pop tunes about love and heartbreak...nothing really serious unless you happened to be in love. The Record's debut and second album "Crashes" (which you can no longer find) are well represented on this disc with probably more crashes and near misses than smashes but needless to say "Smashes, Crashes and Near Misses" does give you a fairly good scope into the band and their short history. Songs like Starry Eyes, Teenarama, Girls That Don't Exist, Hearts Will Be Broken, Girl, Affection Rejected all reflected my youth, it was puberty going into adolescent for me and all those songs were the coming of age for me because I could relate to them. Such as having school girl crushes but being much too shy to do anything about it, The Records just put it down as music for me and it's nice being able to reminisce about the past through their music...it's a very welcomed addition to my collection. | 992 | [
"British power pop band \"The Records\" were never a great band, they just wrote and sang catchy pop tunes about love and heartbreak...nothing really serious unless you happened to be in love.",
"The Record's debut and second album \"Crashes\" (which you can no longer find) are well represented on this disc with probably more crashes and near misses than smashes but needless to say \"Smashes, Crashes and Near Misses\" does give you a fairly good scope into the band and their short history.",
"Songs like Starry Eyes, Teenarama, Girls That Don't Exist, Hearts Will Be Broken, Girl, Affection Rejected all reflected my youth, it was puberty going into adolescent for me and all those songs were the coming of age for me because I could relate to them.",
"Such as having school girl crushes but being much too shy to do anything about it, The Records just put it down as music for me and it's nice being able to reminisce about the past through their music...it's a very welcomed addition to my collection."
] |
3 | :| | The last of the Diamond siblings is getting married. Piper has always had a crush on Kyle Masters, but he flat out refused and humiliated her the last time they seen each other. Now years later Piper returns pregnant and scared. The father of her child is gone and his parents want her baby. Her lawyer suggests that she have a marriage of convience. The only person that Piper thinks to ask is the now divorced father Kyle. Kyle had a hard enough time walking away from young Piper all those years ago, and the thought of her marrying anyone else made him see red. Kyle and Piper decide on a marriage of convience, but what they both want is a real marriage. But, will they admit it before its to late?This series held little excitement for me. I found that the stories held a lot of potential, but rarely lived up to it. I have found it disappointing that in all three stories the characters only admit their feelings in the last couple of pages. This leaves me wondering what happens next. | 992 | [
"The last of the Diamond siblings is getting married.",
"Piper has always had a crush on Kyle Masters, but he flat out refused and humiliated her the last time they seen each other.",
"Now years later Piper returns pregnant and scared.",
"The father of her child is gone and his parents want her baby.",
"Her lawyer suggests that she have a marriage of convience.",
"The only person that Piper thinks to ask is the now divorced father Kyle.",
"Kyle had a hard enough time walking away from young Piper all those years ago, and the thought of her marrying anyone else made him see red.",
"Kyle and Piper decide on a marriage of convience, but what they both want is a real marriage.",
"But, will they admit it before its to late?",
"This series held little excitement for me.",
"I found that the stories held a lot of potential, but rarely lived up to it.",
"I have found it disappointing that in all three stories the characters only admit their feelings in the last couple of pages.",
"This leaves me wondering what happens next."
] |
3 | Middling | You may like Glass, you may like his previous film music, but you may not like this. Just sharing the category I'm in!Glass has done a lot of great work, and also a good deal of mediocre work, and this score is definitely in the latter. While it works well with the movie, listening to it on it's own is a disappointment. The difference between this and the great "Koyanisqaatsi" is important. The music for that movie was written with a core focus that permeates each piece, and althought the individuals sections are much longer than in "Kundun," interest never wanes. On this soundtrack, however, the trademark repetition never really catches hold, since there always seems to be a crucial musical element missing, as if there was nothing but accompaniment. While the tracks are briefer, they say very little, and there's no build up of musical drama. Of course, it's a soundtrack, and a good accompaniment to the other element of the movie, but as a stand alone recording it doesn't work. | 992 | [
"You may like Glass, you may like his previous film music, but you may not like this.",
"Just sharing the category I'm in!",
"Glass has done a lot of great work, and also a good deal of mediocre work, and this score is definitely in the latter.",
"While it works well with the movie, listening to it on it's own is a disappointment.",
"The difference between this and the great \"Koyanisqaatsi\" is important.",
"The music for that movie was written with a core focus that permeates each piece, and althought the individuals sections are much longer than in \"Kundun,\" interest never wanes.",
"On this soundtrack, however, the trademark repetition never really catches hold, since there always seems to be a crucial musical element missing, as if there was nothing but accompaniment.",
"While the tracks are briefer, they say very little, and there's no build up of musical drama.",
"Of course, it's a soundtrack, and a good accompaniment to the other element of the movie, but as a stand alone recording it doesn't work."
] |
3 | Pas Mal | Welll... To be completely honest I do NOT understand all the hype this book has gotten. Is it because of the movie?? I don't know. I'm just very confused. I read the whole thing through, waiting patiently for it to pull me in, but I kept waiting... and waiting... and then I finished the book. :-\ I really was hoping to find another fantastic fantasy to put on my "keeper" shelf, but this book just fell short for me.Now, that's not to say this is a poorly written book. The prose was actually quite good. I enjoyed the writer's tone and his easy and fast-paced storytelling. He really has a knack for keeping a story going and great flow.What I found lacking was the depth of the characters. I never really cared for any of the main characters at all. If either of the main characters had died, I probably wouldn't have blinked an eye. That, I think, is the main problem with the book. I never felt any connection with the characters, and for me, that is essential for my reading enjoyment. | 992 | [
"Welll... To be completely honest I do NOT understand all the hype this book has gotten.",
"Is it because of the movie??",
"I don't know.",
"I'm just very confused.",
"I read the whole thing through, waiting patiently for it to pull me in, but I kept waiting... and waiting... and then I finished the book.",
":-\\ I really was hoping to find another fantastic fantasy to put on my \"keeper\" shelf, but this book just fell short for me.Now, that's not to say this is a poorly written book.",
"The prose was actually quite good.",
"I enjoyed the writer's tone and his easy and fast-paced storytelling.",
"He really has a knack for keeping a story going and great flow.What I found lacking was the depth of the characters.",
"I never really cared for any of the main characters at all.",
"If either of the main characters had died, I probably wouldn't have blinked an eye.",
"That, I think, is the main problem with the book.",
"I never felt any connection with the characters, and for me, that is essential for my reading enjoyment."
] |
3 | Now I understand.... | I got five minutes into this disc and knew something was wrong. I lugged myself out of bed and over to the player to check to see if I had put something other than GOMEZ by mistake. Yes, we all love GOMEZ, and they have given extremely good reasons to. But this product is just, well...not right.OK, I think I have now identified the problem. It's on Dave Matthews' new label. I am beginning to suspect that there are "certain limits" placed on his stable, or certain seminars all artists are required to attend before entering the studio. GOMEZ was what it was because they were loose, rough. This CD is just too damned polished to be GOMEZ; it's like a river rock. The "voice" saves it from disaster (in fairness, about half the album is salvagable because, well, because it's GOMEZ in spite of itself).For good reason, I had never ever been curious as to what GOMEZ would sound like all DMB-ed up. Well, now we know and let's hope things get to normal on the next outing. Gawd bless GOMEZ. | 992 | [
"I got five minutes into this disc and knew something was wrong.",
"I lugged myself out of bed and over to the player to check to see if I had put something other than GOMEZ by mistake.",
"Yes, we all love GOMEZ, and they have given extremely good reasons to.",
"But this product is just, well...not right.OK, I think I have now identified the problem.",
"It's on Dave Matthews' new label.",
"I am beginning to suspect that there are \"certain limits\" placed on his stable, or certain seminars all artists are required to attend before entering the studio.",
"GOMEZ was what it was because they were loose, rough.",
"This CD is just too damned polished to be GOMEZ; it's like a river rock.",
"The \"voice\" saves it from disaster (in fairness, about half the album is salvagable because, well, because it's GOMEZ in spite of itself).For good reason, I had never ever been curious as to what GOMEZ would sound like all DMB-ed up.",
"Well, now we know and let's hope things get to normal on the next outing.",
"Gawd bless GOMEZ."
] |
3 | Definite it's not | Especially Funkadelic's later work for Warner is being recycled over & over, often under the banner definite. It's important to realize that they mean the definite Warner recordings; none of their Westbound material is represented here. Where as you could claim to have a pretty much definite Funkadelic collection if you've got all their Westbound material, this hardly could be said of their Warner releases.Funkadelic did much of their groundbreaking work on Westbound and cashed in at Warner, at least for a while. Their span at Warner was also when Funkadelic went belly-up. This had much to do with the fact Funkadelic wasn't a real band anymore by the time they left Westbound. It was more just one of the projects of P-Funk mastermind George Clinton, who used Funkadelic for his more rock oriented material. By this point in his career drugs became growingly more important, music slowly became second. The Warner years essentially chronicle the slow but steady decline of Funkadelic. | 992 | [
"Especially Funkadelic's later work for Warner is being recycled over & over, often under the banner definite.",
"It's important to realize that they mean the definite Warner recordings; none of their Westbound material is represented here.",
"Where as you could claim to have a pretty much definite Funkadelic collection if you've got all their Westbound material, this hardly could be said of their Warner releases.Funkadelic did much of their groundbreaking work on Westbound and cashed in at Warner, at least for a while.",
"Their span at Warner was also when Funkadelic went belly-up.",
"This had much to do with the fact Funkadelic wasn't a real band anymore by the time they left Westbound.",
"It was more just one of the projects of P-Funk mastermind George Clinton, who used Funkadelic for his more rock oriented material.",
"By this point in his career drugs became growingly more important, music slowly became second.",
"The Warner years essentially chronicle the slow but steady decline of Funkadelic."
] |
3 | The House of Spirits | I was required to read this book for my english class, and personally, I did not like it. Originally, I thought that the book was going to be about a house full of spirits, but before I read the novel, my teacher explained that it is a novel about class struggle and politics in Chile. However, after reading the book I have come to disagree. The book is really a flash back into the lives of its characters and is full of their personal stories and adventures. To me, these stories due to their graphic nature overshadow the class issues and the politics. It is not that they are not apparent, but that they are overshadowed by the gruesome acts of rape and other digusting things that should have been left out of the book. Also, to me the book becomes very monotonous. At certain parts I felt like the book was going to end, and yet I still had more than 100 pages to go. In the end I find that the rape and violence in this book overshadow its original purpose and thus degrade its value. | 992 | [
"I was required to read this book for my english class, and personally, I did not like it.",
"Originally, I thought that the book was going to be about a house full of spirits, but before I read the novel, my teacher explained that it is a novel about class struggle and politics in Chile.",
"However, after reading the book I have come to disagree.",
"The book is really a flash back into the lives of its characters and is full of their personal stories and adventures.",
"To me, these stories due to their graphic nature overshadow the class issues and the politics.",
"It is not that they are not apparent, but that they are overshadowed by the gruesome acts of rape and other digusting things that should have been left out of the book.",
"Also, to me the book becomes very monotonous.",
"At certain parts I felt like the book was going to end, and yet I still had more than 100 pages to go.",
"In the end I find that the rape and violence in this book overshadow its original purpose and thus degrade its value."
] |
3 | Worth a read. . . | This book has many positive points. I would encourage any TKD practitioner to read it. However, it is ponderous at points, I think due to Mr. Cook's attempt to convey the great inner meaning TKD has for him. It tends to be too personal and anecdotal, reading like a diary of his last trip to Korea. The author tends toward strings of polysyllabic words, however, that conceal as much as they reveal. A good editing to strip away the fluff would have made for a more accessible work. Like another reviewer, I found the author's enthusiasm for other spiritual/philosophical viewpoints a bit grating at times. Is it possible to NOT embrace Buddhism, and yet be a martial artist? If the martial arts encompass universal values, that should be true.Not to fault the author, though. He is clearly well-informed and writes with passion and enthusiasm. For that reason I would recommend it especially to adult readers who want to take their practice of TKD beyond a repertoire of physical techniques. | 992 | [
"This book has many positive points.",
"I would encourage any TKD practitioner to read it.",
"However, it is ponderous at points, I think due to Mr.",
"Cook's attempt to convey the great inner meaning TKD has for him.",
"It tends to be too personal and anecdotal, reading like a diary of his last trip to Korea.",
"The author tends toward strings of polysyllabic words, however, that conceal as much as they reveal.",
"A good editing to strip away the fluff would have made for a more accessible work.",
"Like another reviewer, I found the author's enthusiasm for other spiritual/philosophical viewpoints a bit grating at times.",
"Is it possible to NOT embrace Buddhism, and yet be a martial artist?",
"If the martial arts encompass universal values, that should be true.Not to fault the author, though.",
"He is clearly well-informed and writes with passion and enthusiasm.",
"For that reason I would recommend it especially to adult readers who want to take their practice of TKD beyond a repertoire of physical techniques."
] |
3 | Decent book | It is a decent to good read. Some parts are better than other. However the style is not really David Weber it is more John Ringo. I have also read a lot of Ringo's books. I get the feeling that John Ringo did most of the book. Read some of the Posleen War series and you will see what I mean. I am not saying this is a bad book but it has become formulaic compared to the first two. In fact this book and March to the stars with some editing could be combined and make a much better book. Not really a fan of the ending either. It is like they are trying to draw this out into a series rather than tying up some story lines. Roger has almost become a caricature at times of the man he became. The way the book ended means there will be another. I just hope that they rethink the direction they are taking Roger quit dragging out the series just to publish another book. If you have new ideas for this world great but the term jumping the shark comes to mind and I think that is a danger here. | 992 | [
"It is a decent to good read.",
"Some parts are better than other.",
"However the style is not really David Weber it is more John Ringo.",
"I have also read a lot of Ringo's books.",
"I get the feeling that John Ringo did most of the book.",
"Read some of the Posleen War series and you will see what I mean.",
"I am not saying this is a bad book but it has become formulaic compared to the first two.",
"In fact this book and March to the stars with some editing could be combined and make a much better book.",
"Not really a fan of the ending either.",
"It is like they are trying to draw this out into a series rather than tying up some story lines.",
"Roger has almost become a caricature at times of the man he became.",
"The way the book ended means there will be another.",
"I just hope that they rethink the direction they are taking Roger quit dragging out the series just to publish another book.",
"If you have new ideas for this world great but the term jumping the shark comes to mind and I think that is a danger here."
] |
3 | Yoga with Fabio | This is not a bad set of programs. In fact for their price, these three yoga classes are a great deal. That said, I wish he were less Hollywood and more real. He talks a lot about doing Yoga with the right intention, but I doubt he does Yoga for the right reasons. In these classes he sure seems to love himself and his awesome bod. I wish he had different music and more varied set of body types to demonstrate the classes. He does not give much or any instruction on how to do the yoga posses,nor does he give any modifications to the posses. Even though some of his students are advanced, many have horrible sway backs. There is no emphasis on lengthening the lower spine. Instead many of the students seem as if they are trying to curve their spines as much as possible while sticking out their derrieres. The programs do give you a variety of classes, and as I said the price is incredible, but is it too much to ask for Bryan to cover his manly chest and to put his cascading hair back? | 992 | [
"This is not a bad set of programs.",
"In fact for their price, these three yoga classes are a great deal.",
"That said, I wish he were less Hollywood and more real.",
"He talks a lot about doing Yoga with the right intention, but I doubt he does Yoga for the right reasons.",
"In these classes he sure seems to love himself and his awesome bod.",
"I wish he had different music and more varied set of body types to demonstrate the classes.",
"He does not give much or any instruction on how to do the yoga posses,nor does he give any modifications to the posses.",
"Even though some of his students are advanced, many have horrible sway backs.",
"There is no emphasis on lengthening the lower spine.",
"Instead many of the students seem as if they are trying to curve their spines as much as possible while sticking out their derrieres.",
"The programs do give you a variety of classes, and as I said the price is incredible, but is it too much to ask for Bryan to cover his manly chest and to put his cascading hair back?"
] |
3 | Imperfect but useful. | I have to echo many of the same complaints noted in the previous review. The quality of the colour plates was lackluster - a definate step down in terms of Angus McBride's usual work. I was also disappointed with some (though not all) of the B/W photos, in particular those that were scanned from previously published references. This book would have been much more valuable had new photos been taken, preferably from different angles.The text, on the other hand, contained an awful lot of information and insights into Mycenaean warfare that were wholly new to me; in this respect I rate the book quite highly. This is especially important in light of how little information exists on this subject.Overall, I am glad I bought the book, but still find the graphics were a big letdown. If you are interested in this subject, by all means get this book. The information contained herein is very useful indeed. Through Amazon the price is good, as well. Just be prepared for some disappointment. | 992 | [
"I have to echo many of the same complaints noted in the previous review.",
"The quality of the colour plates was lackluster - a definate step down in terms of Angus McBride's usual work.",
"I was also disappointed with some (though not all) of the B/W photos, in particular those that were scanned from previously published references.",
"This book would have been much more valuable had new photos been taken, preferably from different angles.The text, on the other hand, contained an awful lot of information and insights into Mycenaean warfare that were wholly new to me; in this respect I rate the book quite highly.",
"This is especially important in light of how little information exists on this subject.Overall, I am glad I bought the book, but still find the graphics were a big letdown.",
"If you are interested in this subject, by all means get this book.",
"The information contained herein is very useful indeed.",
"Through Amazon the price is good, as well.",
"Just be prepared for some disappointment."
] |
3 | Killing Mr. Griffin | The story is about a group of students witch takes place in school in an english class. There teacher in that calls is call Mr. Griffin he is the meanest and hardest teacher in the school he takes no late papers and no slack work.The main charecter of the book is makr he decieds to make up a plane to kill Mr. Griffin but in order to do that he needs help so he askes a cupple of his friends that he hangs out with to help him with his plane. It takes him some time to convince his friends into doing it but say lets not kill him but to scare him into thinking of killing him. it ends up in a big mess they end up attaing Mr Griffin in a cabin but the thing about it was he ended up dead and no one knows who did it??I thought Killing Mr. Griffin is a very well writtin suspense novel. I thought the book was ok in my point of viewbecause it took kinda long for me to get into it but when i did it was good. i would recomend this book to people that like to read suspense and mystery novels. | 992 | [
"The story is about a group of students witch takes place in school in an english class.",
"There teacher in that calls is call Mr.",
"Griffin he is the meanest and hardest teacher in the school he takes no late papers and no slack work.The main charecter of the book is makr he decieds to make up a plane to kill Mr.",
"Griffin but in order to do that he needs help so he askes a cupple of his friends that he hangs out with to help him with his plane.",
"It takes him some time to convince his friends into doing it but say lets not kill him but to scare him into thinking of killing him.",
"it ends up in a big mess they end up attaing Mr Griffin in a cabin but the thing about it was he ended up dead and no one knows who did it??",
"I thought Killing Mr.",
"Griffin is a very well writtin suspense novel.",
"I thought the book was ok in my point of viewbecause it took kinda long for me to get into it but when i did it was good.",
"i would recomend this book to people that like to read suspense and mystery novels."
] |
3 | Beautiful but..... | So I let my husband pick out the dishes this round (wait he picked out the other set when he gave them to me for our first christmas together??) Anyways, he picked this set out and I wasn't all that thrilled with the dark red and black (to dark for my taste) so after I got over the color I went to put them away and noticed how incredibly heavy they are for dishes! I wouldn't get these if you have younger children. They didn't fit in our cupboards so now I have these HUGE plates on my counter!I read that they were very durable, while doing dishes the other day I was holding on to a bowl and dropped it a matter of inches and it broke clean in half. It dropped at thee most 6 inches! How durable is that?That same night my husband was putting them in the dishwasher and hit two of them together and took a big chunk out of a plate. This all happened in the matter of 3 days (getting them to them breaking).NOT IMPRESSED! Spend money on a different set! Not worth the price or the hassle. | 992 | [
"So I let my husband pick out the dishes this round (wait he picked out the other set when he gave them to me for our first christmas together??",
") Anyways, he picked this set out and I wasn't all that thrilled with the dark red and black (to dark for my taste) so after I got over the color I went to put them away and noticed how incredibly heavy they are for dishes!",
"I wouldn't get these if you have younger children.",
"They didn't fit in our cupboards so now I have these HUGE plates on my counter!",
"I read that they were very durable, while doing dishes the other day I was holding on to a bowl and dropped it a matter of inches and it broke clean in half.",
"It dropped at thee most 6 inches!",
"How durable is that?",
"That same night my husband was putting them in the dishwasher and hit two of them together and took a big chunk out of a plate.",
"This all happened in the matter of 3 days (getting them to them breaking).NOT IMPRESSED!",
"Spend money on a different set!",
"Not worth the price or the hassle."
] |
3 | Adequate System | A somewhat fast-paced role-playing system. It uses a deck of cards instead of dice, which makes an interesting change of pace. Another interesting quirk is that the gamemaster/narrator doesn't...well, _do_ anything. If an opponent/non-player character tries to hit your player, your _player_ makes the determination of success or not (by dodging). Kinda interesting in that it lets the gamemaster worry more about the story then endless die-rolling.Despite several explanations and re-explanations, there are some parts of the rules that are still kinda vague. As someone else noted, character stats are rather...thin. Presumably the nice quality deck of 96 or so cards boosts the price up, but hey, I've seen it in bargain bins for much less (the game is out of print).Basically, it's a nice "fast" game to pick up, and you won't have to spend a lot of time explaining to folks. Like the original TSR Marvel SuperHeroes RPG, it's fast-starting and players should catch on to it pretty quick. | 992 | [
"A somewhat fast-paced role-playing system.",
"It uses a deck of cards instead of dice, which makes an interesting change of pace.",
"Another interesting quirk is that the gamemaster/narrator doesn't...well, _do_ anything.",
"If an opponent/non-player character tries to hit your player, your _player_ makes the determination of success or not (by dodging).",
"Kinda interesting in that it lets the gamemaster worry more about the story then endless die-rolling.Despite several explanations and re-explanations, there are some parts of the rules that are still kinda vague.",
"As someone else noted, character stats are rather...thin.",
"Presumably the nice quality deck of 96 or so cards boosts the price up, but hey, I've seen it in bargain bins for much less (the game is out of print).Basically, it's a nice \"fast\" game to pick up, and you won't have to spend a lot of time explaining to folks.",
"Like the original TSR Marvel SuperHeroes RPG, it's fast-starting and players should catch on to it pretty quick."
] |
3 | Only in dreams | The dreamiest and most oblique of Robert Altman's '70s classics (granting that IMAGES and QUINTET cannot plausibly be deemed "classics"), 3 WOMEN is a compellingly weird bit of self-indulgence from the deepest recesses of Altman's brain. In fact the director has revealed that the genesis of this movie was an actual dream he had, and it shows in the movie's atmospheric visuals, deliberate pacing and aura of mystery. Ingmar Bergman's PERSONA also seems to be an influence, as this film encroaches on similar territory of two women living together whose identities seem to merge in ambiguous ways. The pairing of Sissy Spacek and Shelley Duvall, two of the most unique and odd female presences in '70s cinema, contributes to the offbeat personality of this "only-in-the-70s" American art film. I wouldn't call it one of Altman's best, but it's a fascinating artifact of a period where such compellingly weird bits of self-indulgence were financed and released by the major Hollywood studios. | 992 | [
"The dreamiest and most oblique of Robert Altman's '70s classics (granting that IMAGES and QUINTET cannot plausibly be deemed \"classics\"), 3 WOMEN is a compellingly weird bit of self-indulgence from the deepest recesses of Altman's brain.",
"In fact the director has revealed that the genesis of this movie was an actual dream he had, and it shows in the movie's atmospheric visuals, deliberate pacing and aura of mystery.",
"Ingmar Bergman's PERSONA also seems to be an influence, as this film encroaches on similar territory of two women living together whose identities seem to merge in ambiguous ways.",
"The pairing of Sissy Spacek and Shelley Duvall, two of the most unique and odd female presences in '70s cinema, contributes to the offbeat personality of this \"only-in-the-70s\" American art film.",
"I wouldn't call it one of Altman's best, but it's a fascinating artifact of a period where such compellingly weird bits of self-indulgence were financed and released by the major Hollywood studios."
] |
3 | Eh. | To me, Go Ask Alice seems more like anti-drug propaganda than a teenage girl's diary; however, it is still an interesting book to read.Go Ask Alice is the (supposedly real) diary of an average, teenage girl who goes askew from her life due to her inadvertantly taking LSD at a party. Basically, she falls into a life of hedonism caused by drugs. She repents from the said hedonism and drugs, unknowlingly eats cookies with LSD in them after her repentence, goes crazy, and is institutionalized because of it. (Do not read the rest if you do not wish to know the ending) Eventually, she gets better, is happy with herself and family, seems to have completely changed, and randomly dies a little while later from a drug overdose.It certainly is an interesting story, and it most likely had some heart warming, Lifetime Original Movie effect on somebody or helped persuade some Joe Crackpipe to try to give up his drug habit (although SHE DIES when she does), but I really doubt that it is true. | 992 | [
"To me, Go Ask Alice seems more like anti-drug propaganda than a teenage girl's diary; however, it is still an interesting book to read.Go Ask Alice is the (supposedly real) diary of an average, teenage girl who goes askew from her life due to her inadvertantly taking LSD at a party.",
"Basically, she falls into a life of hedonism caused by drugs.",
"She repents from the said hedonism and drugs, unknowlingly eats cookies with LSD in them after her repentence, goes crazy, and is institutionalized because of it.",
"(Do not read the rest if you do not wish to know the ending) Eventually, she gets better, is happy with herself and family, seems to have completely changed, and randomly dies a little while later from a drug overdose.It certainly is an interesting story, and it most likely had some heart warming, Lifetime Original Movie effect on somebody or helped persuade some Joe Crackpipe to try to give up his drug habit (although SHE DIES when she does), but I really doubt that it is true."
] |
3 | Not exactly a novel | The front cover calls The Girls' Guide to Hunting and Fishing a "novel". However "fresh" this collection of short stories is, a novel it isn't. Thinking it was a novel, I was confused when no greater storyline emerged. By the time I read the fifth "chapter" I realized that all I could hope for was a series of short stories.Not a bad thing, but don't call it a novel if it isn't one.I enjoyed Melissa Bank's humor, and some of her creations (namely Jane) had depth of character. I LOVED the last story -- it actually elicited an emotional response from me, unlike most of the stories, which turned out to be merely interesting but not engaging. I thought the ending was quite abrupt, though. I thought Bank owed us more than such a sudden ending. After all, we read all her stories and we deserve to know "what happens next?"Read this book, but just remember it is a collection of short stories, and be emotionally prepared for the fact that they don't tie together in a more meaningful way. | 992 | [
"The front cover calls The Girls' Guide to Hunting and Fishing a \"novel\".",
"However \"fresh\" this collection of short stories is, a novel it isn't.",
"Thinking it was a novel, I was confused when no greater storyline emerged.",
"By the time I read the fifth \"chapter\" I realized that all I could hope for was a series of short stories.Not a bad thing, but don't call it a novel if it isn't one.I enjoyed Melissa Bank's humor, and some of her creations (namely Jane) had depth of character.",
"I LOVED the last story -- it actually elicited an emotional response from me, unlike most of the stories, which turned out to be merely interesting but not engaging.",
"I thought the ending was quite abrupt, though.",
"I thought Bank owed us more than such a sudden ending.",
"After all, we read all her stories and we deserve to know \"what happens next?",
"\"Read this book, but just remember it is a collection of short stories, and be emotionally prepared for the fact that they don't tie together in a more meaningful way."
] |
3 | Sweet little YA book. | Recent interviews with the author in light of the movie launch made me (a decidedly not YA) read the book. It's a first-person story, told through letters to someone whose identity is not revealed. The narrator is a likeable nerd with more genuine issues than most nerds. As befits a book allegedly written by a smart teenager, it's spotty. The fatigue and constant social worries of high school are well documented, and those are ratcheted up intensely by Difference -- being gay, or sexually available, or being viewed a strident. Though I enjoyed it, I never felt really close to the characters though. They are all held at some distance, maybe so the narrator can examine them more closely. Not all of their actions are consistent with what you might expect (though, teenagers man, that can happen), and I never really felt like all these characters lived. In short, it's a little like reading the script to a John Hughes' movie. Much to recommend it, but not exactly a great work of art. | 992 | [
"Recent interviews with the author in light of the movie launch made me (a decidedly not YA) read the book.",
"It's a first-person story, told through letters to someone whose identity is not revealed.",
"The narrator is a likeable nerd with more genuine issues than most nerds.",
"As befits a book allegedly written by a smart teenager, it's spotty.",
"The fatigue and constant social worries of high school are well documented, and those are ratcheted up intensely by Difference -- being gay, or sexually available, or being viewed a strident.",
"Though I enjoyed it, I never felt really close to the characters though.",
"They are all held at some distance, maybe so the narrator can examine them more closely.",
"Not all of their actions are consistent with what you might expect (though, teenagers man, that can happen), and I never really felt like all these characters lived.",
"In short, it's a little like reading the script to a John Hughes' movie.",
"Much to recommend it, but not exactly a great work of art."
] |
3 | What worked was great | I'm not really reviewing Rachmaninov... I think the titles of the music listed speak for themselves if you know any Rachmaninov. If you don't know any Rachmaninov, I'd suggest you do so pretty quick.Anyway, I got my CD in the mail promptly, but it was buggy. It comes in two CDs... first problem came when trying to copy the music to my computer; the names and data of each song are not loaded onto my CD properly... all the song names on the second disk were the the same as the first, so my computer just overwrote them if that makes any sense, so I had a jumble of pieces and had to end up recopying, etc., yada yada.Second problem is that on some tracks the piece would stop in the middle, unfinished, and go on to the next track. For example, it would be listed as being 4:45 minutes long, but would stop at say, 2:24 in mid-piece and go onto the next track. Bummer.But I don't really know much about CDs, it could just be my copy, who knows. Other than that, what I did get is gorgeous. | 992 | [
"I'm not really reviewing Rachmaninov... I think the titles of the music listed speak for themselves if you know any Rachmaninov.",
"If you don't know any Rachmaninov, I'd suggest you do so pretty quick.Anyway, I got my CD in the mail promptly, but it was buggy.",
"It comes in two CDs... first problem came when trying to copy the music to my computer; the names and data of each song are not loaded onto my CD properly... all the song names on the second disk were the the same as the first, so my computer just overwrote them if that makes any sense, so I had a jumble of pieces and had to end up recopying, etc., yada yada.Second problem is that on some tracks the piece would stop in the middle, unfinished, and go on to the next track.",
"For example, it would be listed as being 4:45 minutes long, but would stop at say, 2:24 in mid-piece and go onto the next track.",
"Bummer.But I don't really know much about CDs, it could just be my copy, who knows.",
"Other than that, what I did get is gorgeous."
] |
3 | OK but Sketchy | Aside from his constant bragging, Mr. Phil's authorial "voice" is pleasant and he conveys information fairly well. He often gives the player a choice of strategic approaches to a situation and that is honest because there are various approaches that will work. His top-ten-only strategy is labeled as a beginner's strategy and will help the beginner stay alive while he learns.The biggest problem I have with the book is that it covers too much ground too shallowly. It would have been much better had he stuck to, say, no-limit Holdem tournaments. Also, his player types are too sketchy. There isn't enough detail.There are one or two situations where I have the temerity to flat disagree with his analysis but I could well be wrong on those.I would have given this book fewer stars, maybe one whole star fewer, because there is better information in so many poker books but Phil writes surprisingly well and has a sense of humor about himself that makes the boasting much less of a problem. | 992 | [
"Aside from his constant bragging, Mr.",
"Phil's authorial \"voice\" is pleasant and he conveys information fairly well.",
"He often gives the player a choice of strategic approaches to a situation and that is honest because there are various approaches that will work.",
"His top-ten-only strategy is labeled as a beginner's strategy and will help the beginner stay alive while he learns.The biggest problem I have with the book is that it covers too much ground too shallowly.",
"It would have been much better had he stuck to, say, no-limit Holdem tournaments.",
"Also, his player types are too sketchy.",
"There isn't enough detail.There are one or two situations where I have the temerity to flat disagree with his analysis but I could well be wrong on those.I would have given this book fewer stars, maybe one whole star fewer, because there is better information in so many poker books but Phil writes surprisingly well and has a sense of humor about himself that makes the boasting much less of a problem."
] |
3 | Growing up | I enjoyed The Saddle Club books when I was younger and I borrowed the first two books in the Pine Hollow series from the library. For some reason the library stopped carrying them and I never got around the reading the rest. All in all, I enjoyed the more mature themes, as I felt like I had grown up with Stevie, Carole and Lisa. I was becoming less horse crazy (yet I still love them) and starting to focus on other things as well. As a side note, the part where Lisa's brother's step-kids from Germany call Americans lazy and that Thanksgiving is just a lame excuse for a day off work... I just want to point out that Germany has between 10 and 13 public holidays a year (not to mention most people have 28 to 30 vacation days). The US has 10. Most Germans find it crazy that Americans don't get as much vacation time and generally view it as a work-a-holic society. Americans definitely need that extra day off in order to stop working, take a deep breath, and be thankful for everything. | 992 | [
"I enjoyed The Saddle Club books when I was younger and I borrowed the first two books in the Pine Hollow series from the library.",
"For some reason the library stopped carrying them and I never got around the reading the rest.",
"All in all, I enjoyed the more mature themes, as I felt like I had grown up with Stevie, Carole and Lisa.",
"I was becoming less horse crazy (yet I still love them) and starting to focus on other things as well.",
"As a side note, the part where Lisa's brother's step-kids from Germany call Americans lazy and that Thanksgiving is just a lame excuse for a day off work... I just want to point out that Germany has between 10 and 13 public holidays a year (not to mention most people have 28 to 30 vacation days).",
"The US has 10.",
"Most Germans find it crazy that Americans don't get as much vacation time and generally view it as a work-a-holic society.",
"Americans definitely need that extra day off in order to stop working, take a deep breath, and be thankful for everything."
] |
3 | Long, Long Ago | 10,000 BC is a prehistoric fantasy. To me, it has a flavor of Dances With Wolves meets Jurassic Park with just a touch of Mad Max's Beyond Thunderdome. The movie has numerous scenes of stunning beauty such as majestic snow covered peaks, golden sand dunes, and a sea filled with boats that have massive, vivid red sails to name a few.The story is okay. At the beginning of the movie, a narrator tells the legend of how a beautiful blue eyed girl, the lone survivor of her people, came to live with the tribe and the prophecy associated with her. I liked that the movie didn't have crude or foul language. I think that aspect created an appropriate ambiance for the simple lifestyle of the prehistoric tribe.One of the earlier scenes with the woolly mammoths reminds me of the old elephant jokes. In tribute to them I'd like to say: When the wild herd of stampeding mammoths came running across the terrain the ancient tribe recognized them immediately because they weren't wearing sunglasses. | 992 | [
"10,000 BC is a prehistoric fantasy.",
"To me, it has a flavor of Dances With Wolves meets Jurassic Park with just a touch of Mad Max's Beyond Thunderdome.",
"The movie has numerous scenes of stunning beauty such as majestic snow covered peaks, golden sand dunes, and a sea filled with boats that have massive, vivid red sails to name a few.The story is okay.",
"At the beginning of the movie, a narrator tells the legend of how a beautiful blue eyed girl, the lone survivor of her people, came to live with the tribe and the prophecy associated with her.",
"I liked that the movie didn't have crude or foul language.",
"I think that aspect created an appropriate ambiance for the simple lifestyle of the prehistoric tribe.One of the earlier scenes with the woolly mammoths reminds me of the old elephant jokes.",
"In tribute to them I'd like to say: When the wild herd of stampeding mammoths came running across the terrain the ancient tribe recognized them immediately because they weren't wearing sunglasses."
] |
3 | Mixed Feelings | I bought this book on Kindle and was excited about reading it. It's a reflection of Wynnona's life and rather disappointing. I was especially interested in her account of The Judd's success, having already read Naomi's "Love Can Build a Bridge". Wynnona explains throughout the book her reasoning for her irresponsible and ungrateful behavior early in her career ~ and while claiming personal responsibility, she backhands her own mother throughout it. It's clear to see through the wordy smoke screen that she is resentful about her mother while all along claiming to care about her. The drunk driving conviction was hers alone and while stating how wrong she was for it, she puts her mother down in the next paragraph to detract from the seriousness of her own choices. Things her mother did in public that she says shamed both her and her sister Ashley are repeated again in this book. Wynonna is full of contradictions. 'Coming Home to Myself' reads like a pitiful veiled 'Mommy Dearest'. | 992 | [
"I bought this book on Kindle and was excited about reading it.",
"It's a reflection of Wynnona's life and rather disappointing.",
"I was especially interested in her account of The Judd's success, having already read Naomi's \"Love Can Build a Bridge\".",
"Wynnona explains throughout the book her reasoning for her irresponsible and ungrateful behavior early in her career ~ and while claiming personal responsibility, she backhands her own mother throughout it.",
"It's clear to see through the wordy smoke screen that she is resentful about her mother while all along claiming to care about her.",
"The drunk driving conviction was hers alone and while stating how wrong she was for it, she puts her mother down in the next paragraph to detract from the seriousness of her own choices.",
"Things her mother did in public that she says shamed both her and her sister Ashley are repeated again in this book.",
"Wynonna is full of contradictions.",
"'Coming Home to Myself' reads like a pitiful veiled 'Mommy Dearest'."
] |
3 | Coffee Table, please | Unfortunately, a coffee table book with nice photos of decaying homes and architecture in Havana/Habana but without any script. There are a few better kept homes shown but no explanation on why the differences or details of the tenants whose portraits demand some biographical notes. Definitely the book isn't worth what it is selling for now, although you could frame some of the large photos if you don't mind destroying a book.The art of decay can be beautiful but the pain and suffering of those living there is sad. I would suggest that the reader watch the movie, Buena Vista Social Club, on YouTube to get another view of the current status of Havana homes.I wish all the fans of rustica could see these photos, I'm sure they would then define two kinds of rustica, the wealthy/clean version and the poverty/dirt definition. The rustica that is currently in vogue in books on Tuscany or Provence seem almost mild tokens of the definition when compared to the images of homes in Havana. | 992 | [
"Unfortunately, a coffee table book with nice photos of decaying homes and architecture in Havana/Habana but without any script.",
"There are a few better kept homes shown but no explanation on why the differences or details of the tenants whose portraits demand some biographical notes.",
"Definitely the book isn't worth what it is selling for now, although you could frame some of the large photos if you don't mind destroying a book.The art of decay can be beautiful but the pain and suffering of those living there is sad.",
"I would suggest that the reader watch the movie, Buena Vista Social Club, on YouTube to get another view of the current status of Havana homes.I wish all the fans of rustica could see these photos, I'm sure they would then define two kinds of rustica, the wealthy/clean version and the poverty/dirt definition.",
"The rustica that is currently in vogue in books on Tuscany or Provence seem almost mild tokens of the definition when compared to the images of homes in Havana."
] |
3 | Less Than Stellar | The format of this book is too busy: a lot of wasted pages with single-sentence quotes pulled out and printed as stand-alone blurbs; too many hypothetical speeches inserted into the text; and overdone spotlights on "regular" Americans who have been hurt by Bush's policies (preaching to the choir here, since it's likely all lefties buying the book). Huffington swerves from guffaw-seeking to self-important attempts at loftiness, and neither one really works. It seems as if she thinks that people have been waiting for her to deliver this oracle of advice to Democrats, so that we can now finally know how to take our country back. But despite her inflated sense of gravitas, there isn't much of substance in her prescriptions beyond the usual liberal fare. For funnier and more trenchant stuff, go with Al Franken and Michael Moore. For more interesting substance, see anything by Lewis Lapham, the current book from Thomas Frank ("What's the Matter with Kansas?"), or the David Corn book. | 992 | [
"The format of this book is too busy: a lot of wasted pages with single-sentence quotes pulled out and printed as stand-alone blurbs; too many hypothetical speeches inserted into the text; and overdone spotlights on \"regular\" Americans who have been hurt by Bush's policies (preaching to the choir here, since it's likely all lefties buying the book).",
"Huffington swerves from guffaw-seeking to self-important attempts at loftiness, and neither one really works.",
"It seems as if she thinks that people have been waiting for her to deliver this oracle of advice to Democrats, so that we can now finally know how to take our country back.",
"But despite her inflated sense of gravitas, there isn't much of substance in her prescriptions beyond the usual liberal fare.",
"For funnier and more trenchant stuff, go with Al Franken and Michael Moore.",
"For more interesting substance, see anything by Lewis Lapham, the current book from Thomas Frank (\"What's the Matter with Kansas?",
"\"), or the David Corn book."
] |
3 | Check for Battery Use | I use these fans with batteries to help cool my dogs during dog events. I found they are better than the typical dog crate fan in moving air, but I have also found they can be erratic on battery power only. The compartments for the 8 D cell batteries are difficult to install batteries, and when installed, the contacts between batteries can be problem some. Two of the four units I purchased had problems, one with contacts that are erratic, causing the fan to stop and the other that runs with the battery cover off but will not run with the battery compartment cover on. I also found the earlier units I purchased had a useful j hook built into the handle, while the later units did not.Pros: Versatile stand, quiet, and moves a fair amount of air.Cons: Batteries difficult to install and contact between batteries can be erratic. Non-rechargeabe batteries will be expensive over timeIf you plan to run on batteries, look for better options, particularly ones using rechargeable batteries. | 992 | [
"I use these fans with batteries to help cool my dogs during dog events.",
"I found they are better than the typical dog crate fan in moving air, but I have also found they can be erratic on battery power only.",
"The compartments for the 8 D cell batteries are difficult to install batteries, and when installed, the contacts between batteries can be problem some.",
"Two of the four units I purchased had problems, one with contacts that are erratic, causing the fan to stop and the other that runs with the battery cover off but will not run with the battery compartment cover on.",
"I also found the earlier units I purchased had a useful j hook built into the handle, while the later units did not.Pros: Versatile stand, quiet, and moves a fair amount of air.Cons: Batteries difficult to install and contact between batteries can be erratic.",
"Non-rechargeabe batteries will be expensive over timeIf you plan to run on batteries, look for better options, particularly ones using rechargeable batteries."
] |
3 | One Tight Novel | Don't get me wrong,I really liked the book. It's just that I only reserve 4 or 5 stars for literary genius. I think Schwartz may someday reach that status, but she still has a little way to go. The biggest criticism I have is that I was not drawn too much into the plot. In fact, it took me two weeks to finish the novel because I never was compelled to pick the book up because I didn't care what happened. But since I always finish a book, I continued with it. The last 100 pages had me hooked. I was amazed by how she pulled the whole thing together. The ending was somewhat predictable, but TIGHT. She began weaving the threads from page one and never left one tie loose, but at the same time she didn't tie them too neatly at the end either. The ending left much to ponder. I would recommend this book to anyone who has patience to get through a slow beginning, the end is worth it and I think Schwarz will most likely produce some terrific work in the future. I'm looking forward to it. | 992 | [
"Don't get me wrong,I really liked the book.",
"It's just that I only reserve 4 or 5 stars for literary genius.",
"I think Schwartz may someday reach that status, but she still has a little way to go.",
"The biggest criticism I have is that I was not drawn too much into the plot.",
"In fact, it took me two weeks to finish the novel because I never was compelled to pick the book up because I didn't care what happened.",
"But since I always finish a book, I continued with it.",
"The last 100 pages had me hooked.",
"I was amazed by how she pulled the whole thing together.",
"The ending was somewhat predictable, but TIGHT.",
"She began weaving the threads from page one and never left one tie loose, but at the same time she didn't tie them too neatly at the end either.",
"The ending left much to ponder.",
"I would recommend this book to anyone who has patience to get through a slow beginning, the end is worth it and I think Schwarz will most likely produce some terrific work in the future.",
"I'm looking forward to it."
] |
3 | Classic Cagney romp. | The young con gets conned. And that's how it starts in a crooked card game with femme fatale Mae Clarke setting the bait. You'll remember Mae, she's the same actress who took the grapefruit in the face in 'Public Enemy'.James Cagney is perfect as the street wise punk who joins a gang after they fleece him. The action (and the plot) move along fast enough to keep any viewer interested. True to it's 'pre-code' status, the subject material is adult. There are few innocent people here. Cagney stays with the gang pulling several 'jobs' until a bystander is killed.In Hollywood, the gang betrays him again and leaves for Mexico with Jimmy's money. Gagney joins a motion picture studio working as an extra. He soon rises to stardom with Margaret Lindsey as his new flame. The gang returns to blackmail him but Jimmy gets them in the end. Plenty of pre-code fun. Jimmy and Mae mix it up again with Jimmy doing the rough stuff. I would recommend this film to Jimmy Cagney fans and pre-code fans. | 992 | [
"The young con gets conned.",
"And that's how it starts in a crooked card game with femme fatale Mae Clarke setting the bait.",
"You'll remember Mae, she's the same actress who took the grapefruit in the face in 'Public Enemy'.James Cagney is perfect as the street wise punk who joins a gang after they fleece him.",
"The action (and the plot) move along fast enough to keep any viewer interested.",
"True to it's 'pre-code' status, the subject material is adult.",
"There are few innocent people here.",
"Cagney stays with the gang pulling several 'jobs' until a bystander is killed.In Hollywood, the gang betrays him again and leaves for Mexico with Jimmy's money.",
"Gagney joins a motion picture studio working as an extra.",
"He soon rises to stardom with Margaret Lindsey as his new flame.",
"The gang returns to blackmail him but Jimmy gets them in the end.",
"Plenty of pre-code fun.",
"Jimmy and Mae mix it up again with Jimmy doing the rough stuff.",
"I would recommend this film to Jimmy Cagney fans and pre-code fans."
] |
3 | A long way down! | Wow, this was a surprise. A long way down from Bananas. I really loved the CD Bananas, it was one of the BEST 90's-2000's release by Deep Purple. So I expected this CD was going to also be good, but it's very mediocre. I really dont find a lot of fault with Ian's voice, he's still got the voice. The band also doesnt sound bad, they are very capable in the studio although Richie Blackmore is certainly missed. The problem with this CD is the songs are not that greatly written. There lies the problem, they dont have nothing that great to work with here. On Bananas, the songs were awesome, and the band shined! Bananas really was about as great of a moment as Perfect Strangers was, just the music public doesnt appreciate bands like Deep Purple anymore. Music has come to alternative, Teen Pop, Country, etc. It pretty much stings except for a few exceptions. But to me it seems like every time Deep Purple hits a HIGH note, it's followed by a low one. I will look forward to the next CD! | 992 | [
"Wow, this was a surprise.",
"A long way down from Bananas.",
"I really loved the CD Bananas, it was one of the BEST 90's-2000's release by Deep Purple.",
"So I expected this CD was going to also be good, but it's very mediocre.",
"I really dont find a lot of fault with Ian's voice, he's still got the voice.",
"The band also doesnt sound bad, they are very capable in the studio although Richie Blackmore is certainly missed.",
"The problem with this CD is the songs are not that greatly written.",
"There lies the problem, they dont have nothing that great to work with here.",
"On Bananas, the songs were awesome, and the band shined!",
"Bananas really was about as great of a moment as Perfect Strangers was, just the music public doesnt appreciate bands like Deep Purple anymore.",
"Music has come to alternative, Teen Pop, Country, etc.",
"It pretty much stings except for a few exceptions.",
"But to me it seems like every time Deep Purple hits a HIGH note, it's followed by a low one.",
"I will look forward to the next CD!"
] |
3 | Not logical puzzles | When I first started this game, I was really excited while playing it. I REALLY enjoyed the atmosphere and scenary in the game (very cozy). However, once I really started playing more into the game, I found the puzzles got harder and harder. Besides the annoying and extreme long nonsense/confusing chatter, the gameplay was only about figuring out what to do next. I can't explain but it was like there was no fun parts to this game. Each puzzle/mission was so, non logical! For just about every puzzle/part of the game, I had to look at the walkthrough! There was nothing logical about the puzzles and they were so far out, you'd never guess which object to use/combine with what. The only thing I really liked about the game, was the scenary. But that's not worth playing this game for. So I stopped 50% through. *The puzzles also reminded me of the game Memento Mori as did the game too. And there was nothing about this game that reminded me of The Longest journey (like others claimed). | 992 | [
"When I first started this game, I was really excited while playing it.",
"I REALLY enjoyed the atmosphere and scenary in the game (very cozy).",
"However, once I really started playing more into the game, I found the puzzles got harder and harder.",
"Besides the annoying and extreme long nonsense/confusing chatter, the gameplay was only about figuring out what to do next.",
"I can't explain but it was like there was no fun parts to this game.",
"Each puzzle/mission was so, non logical!",
"For just about every puzzle/part of the game, I had to look at the walkthrough!",
"There was nothing logical about the puzzles and they were so far out, you'd never guess which object to use/combine with what.",
"The only thing I really liked about the game, was the scenary.",
"But that's not worth playing this game for.",
"So I stopped 50% through.",
"*The puzzles also reminded me of the game Memento Mori as did the game too.",
"And there was nothing about this game that reminded me of The Longest journey (like others claimed)."
] |
3 | Disapointing | This game was a BIG disapointment for me! First, the GEOMOD system is pure non-sense. There are a few places you can blow through, especially at the start, but for the most part, it plays no role in the game. Disregard that "Can't find the key create your own door ...," garbage on the back. Also, the game has horrible, unpolished stealth missions where the gaurds seem to have a random field of vision and it is impossible to sneak the entire way through them. Not that it's a big deal for me, my favorite game is Xenogears, but the graphics are pretty bad in some spots, and especially during the cut scenes, and the acting is comparable to Resident Evil, lol. The game also gets rediculously hard towards the end. There is this one part where there is this series of long hallways with very high sealings, and gaurds at the end with guns that kill you in one hit, and a giant flying machine with vey heavy machine guns flying at you. All in all, I would save my money, and rent this game. | 992 | [
"This game was a BIG disapointment for me!",
"First, the GEOMOD system is pure non-sense.",
"There are a few places you can blow through, especially at the start, but for the most part, it plays no role in the game.",
"Disregard that \"Can't find the key create your own door ...,\" garbage on the back.",
"Also, the game has horrible, unpolished stealth missions where the gaurds seem to have a random field of vision and it is impossible to sneak the entire way through them.",
"Not that it's a big deal for me, my favorite game is Xenogears, but the graphics are pretty bad in some spots, and especially during the cut scenes, and the acting is comparable to Resident Evil, lol.",
"The game also gets rediculously hard towards the end.",
"There is this one part where there is this series of long hallways with very high sealings, and gaurds at the end with guns that kill you in one hit, and a giant flying machine with vey heavy machine guns flying at you.",
"All in all, I would save my money, and rent this game."
] |
3 | Not the best. | I bought this for a little heater for when my room gets a chill to it, Foolish move? yes, why? i bought this heater because my sister has one of same size (Different brand) so i figured i could use one to considering hers can make you sweat... this heater is more for a bathroom and small areas as it says on the box which i did not know, yes it can make a neat little desk heater for your face but that is the most it will do. Dont make the same mistake i did and think this is for a bedroom which it clearly is not.It would be much better to spend about $10 to $20 dollars more on another model instead of this one, such a small price change will make a HUGE difference.As for the heater rating, this heater give off a heat radius of about 6 to 8 inch's outward from the heater, Mainly meant to change the temperature in the moisture (Such as a bathroom). The heater can heat up quite quickly considering its size as i saw most complained about how long it can take to heat up, there wrong. | 992 | [
"I bought this for a little heater for when my room gets a chill to it, Foolish move?",
"yes, why?",
"i bought this heater because my sister has one of same size (Different brand) so i figured i could use one to considering hers can make you sweat... this heater is more for a bathroom and small areas as it says on the box which i did not know, yes it can make a neat little desk heater for your face but that is the most it will do.",
"Dont make the same mistake i did and think this is for a bedroom which it clearly is not.It would be much better to spend about $10 to $20 dollars more on another model instead of this one, such a small price change will make a HUGE difference.As for the heater rating, this heater give off a heat radius of about 6 to 8 inch's outward from the heater, Mainly meant to change the temperature in the moisture (Such as a bathroom).",
"The heater can heat up quite quickly considering its size as i saw most complained about how long it can take to heat up, there wrong."
] |
3 | Egg muffin | The breakfast toaster definitely works and it toasts well. but i would say that the eggs come out a little messy mainly because they are steamed so the water gets in the egg and its watery, i mean the egg is cooked but there is water and the water needs to be strained. Other than that the eggs do come out very tasty and the sandwiches are good. The only other thing is that egg residue gets inside where you would put the water to steam and it does need to be cleaned out with a sponge which can be annoying. But its a pretty fun gadget to have at home. A major plus though is that it makes hard boiled eggs which is really great because usually boiling eggs is a really big chore and they come out perfect almost everytime. I would say that after a month or so the making breakfast sandwhich part will get old and you probably wont do it very often but it is still a good toaster and hard egg maker and doing those two things are much cleaner and requires little to no cleaning afterwards. | 992 | [
"The breakfast toaster definitely works and it toasts well.",
"but i would say that the eggs come out a little messy mainly because they are steamed so the water gets in the egg and its watery, i mean the egg is cooked but there is water and the water needs to be strained.",
"Other than that the eggs do come out very tasty and the sandwiches are good.",
"The only other thing is that egg residue gets inside where you would put the water to steam and it does need to be cleaned out with a sponge which can be annoying.",
"But its a pretty fun gadget to have at home.",
"A major plus though is that it makes hard boiled eggs which is really great because usually boiling eggs is a really big chore and they come out perfect almost everytime.",
"I would say that after a month or so the making breakfast sandwhich part will get old and you probably wont do it very often but it is still a good toaster and hard egg maker and doing those two things are much cleaner and requires little to no cleaning afterwards."
] |
3 | VERY CHEAP TOY | I BOUGHT THIS TOY FOR MY DAUGHTERS FIFTH BIRTHDAY. SHE LOVES THE TOY DESPITE THE FACT THAT SHE CANT SCAN THE ITEMS FAST ENOUGH WHEN BARBIE ASKS. ALSO THE TOY DID NOT COME WITH THE CARDS THAT SHE CAN SCAN, I WROTE THEM ABOUT THIS THREE TIMES AND I NEVER GOT A RESPONSE BACK FROM THEM. NOW I THOUGHT THIS WAS A GOOD TOY UNTIL A MONTH AND A HALF LATER THE TOY JUST STOPPED WORKING. THE LAST ITEM SHE SCANNED REMAINED ON THE SCREEN AND IT WONT COME OFF. I CHANGED THE BATTERIES AND EVERYTHING AND THIS TOY DOES NOT WANT TO WORK. I CALLED KID DESIGN INC. AND THEY WANT ME TO PAY TO SHIP IT TO THEM IN NEW JERSEY AND PAY FOR THE PACKAGE AND THE POSTAGE! I DONT THINK THAT IS RIGHT WHEN IT'S THEIR TOY THAT IS MESSED UP. I CANT EVEN TAKE IT BACK TO WHERE I BOUGHT IT CAUSE THEY DO NOT HAVE ANYMORE. I THINK THEY SHOULD HAVE BETTER WARRANTIES FOR THESE KIND OF TOYS. I RAISE MY DAUGHTER TO TAKE CARE OF HER THINGS AND I DON'T THINK SHE SHOULD SUFFER CAUSE PEOPLE DONT MAKE THE STUFF LIKE THEY SHOULD. | 992 | [
"I BOUGHT THIS TOY FOR MY DAUGHTERS FIFTH BIRTHDAY.",
"SHE LOVES THE TOY DESPITE THE FACT THAT SHE CANT SCAN THE ITEMS FAST ENOUGH WHEN BARBIE ASKS.",
"ALSO THE TOY DID NOT COME WITH THE CARDS THAT SHE CAN SCAN, I WROTE THEM ABOUT THIS THREE TIMES AND I NEVER GOT A RESPONSE BACK FROM THEM.",
"NOW I THOUGHT THIS WAS A GOOD TOY UNTIL A MONTH AND A HALF LATER THE TOY JUST STOPPED WORKING.",
"THE LAST ITEM SHE SCANNED REMAINED ON THE SCREEN AND IT WONT COME OFF.",
"I CHANGED THE BATTERIES AND EVERYTHING AND THIS TOY DOES NOT WANT TO WORK.",
"I CALLED KID DESIGN INC.",
"AND THEY WANT ME TO PAY TO SHIP IT TO THEM IN NEW JERSEY AND PAY FOR THE PACKAGE AND THE POSTAGE!",
"I DONT THINK THAT IS RIGHT WHEN IT'S THEIR TOY THAT IS MESSED UP.",
"I CANT EVEN TAKE IT BACK TO WHERE I BOUGHT IT CAUSE THEY DO NOT HAVE ANYMORE.",
"I THINK THEY SHOULD HAVE BETTER WARRANTIES FOR THESE KIND OF TOYS.",
"I RAISE MY DAUGHTER TO TAKE CARE OF HER THINGS AND I DON'T THINK SHE SHOULD SUFFER CAUSE PEOPLE DONT MAKE THE STUFF LIKE THEY SHOULD."
] |
3 | Mixed reviews | I just bought my 30 Gb Zune this week. It's an elegant little device...attractive, easy to use, fantastic graphics and a great radio tuner (my favorite local station displays the artist and song titles). Plus, it has let me rip a few protected discs that have been invisible to iTunes. However, the software itself is ridiculously buggy...it crashed the system (an HP Pavilion), disabled Internet Explorer, Outlook Express and Windows, and rendered my USB drives inoperable. I had to uninstall and reinstall XP and Internet Explorer. Plus, I had to download Windows Installation Cleanup Utility to nuke it out of the system because it refused to uninstall. Silly me, I then loaded it on the Dell laptop. So far I've only had one Blue Screen of Death and it has "experienced an error" and shut down several times, but otherwise hasn't affected the system. I still think it was worth the $129 (Office Depot), but I wouldn't buy it at full price. Definitely keep up with the patches and updates! | 992 | [
"I just bought my 30 Gb Zune this week.",
"It's an elegant little device...attractive, easy to use, fantastic graphics and a great radio tuner (my favorite local station displays the artist and song titles).",
"Plus, it has let me rip a few protected discs that have been invisible to iTunes.",
"However, the software itself is ridiculously buggy...it crashed the system (an HP Pavilion), disabled Internet Explorer, Outlook Express and Windows, and rendered my USB drives inoperable.",
"I had to uninstall and reinstall XP and Internet Explorer.",
"Plus, I had to download Windows Installation Cleanup Utility to nuke it out of the system because it refused to uninstall.",
"Silly me, I then loaded it on the Dell laptop.",
"So far I've only had one Blue Screen of Death and it has \"experienced an error\" and shut down several times, but otherwise hasn't affected the system.",
"I still think it was worth the $129 (Office Depot), but I wouldn't buy it at full price.",
"Definitely keep up with the patches and updates!"
] |
3 | :| | I am only giving this book three stars because I have read Lindsay McKenna's Morgan's Mercenaries series since the beginning. I like the characters, and the beginning books were so good, but they have slacked off since. I am holding out hope that they get better.The one word that I can use to describe this book is Depressing. This beloved couple that we fell in love with in 'Return of a Hero' has been put through the ringer yet again. The horrible things that these characters have had to endure completely overshadows the earlier love story that I remember. I also know that if I had not read the earlier stories I would not have bought this book. Without the earlier stories involving Morgan and his family I do not think that any reader would enjoy this or understand the past of these characters or the company that Morgan put together, Perseus. I have already bought all of the books in this series, so I can only hope that they get better because this one was a huge disappointment. | 992 | [
"I am only giving this book three stars because I have read Lindsay McKenna's Morgan's Mercenaries series since the beginning.",
"I like the characters, and the beginning books were so good, but they have slacked off since.",
"I am holding out hope that they get better.The one word that I can use to describe this book is Depressing.",
"This beloved couple that we fell in love with in 'Return of a Hero' has been put through the ringer yet again.",
"The horrible things that these characters have had to endure completely overshadows the earlier love story that I remember.",
"I also know that if I had not read the earlier stories I would not have bought this book.",
"Without the earlier stories involving Morgan and his family I do not think that any reader would enjoy this or understand the past of these characters or the company that Morgan put together, Perseus.",
"I have already bought all of the books in this series, so I can only hope that they get better because this one was a huge disappointment."
] |
3 | Soul At Stake | I admire the author for writing a subject that is so misunderstood about women pastors. Unfortunately, many are forever learning and never coming into the knowledge of the Truth, as with Journee. Her father stood his ground on not only believing, but actually knowing for a fact, that women pastors are a "no-no." If you are a believer in The Holy Bible, it clearly outlines a woman's position in the body of Christ and it does not include pastorship. Speaking of pastorship, there was another novel I read called "Lust of the Flesh" by Beverly Rolyat and it had a woman pastor name Reverend Hall as one of the characters (and she was a trip). "Lust of the Flesh" was an outstanding read because the author showed how when a woman takes a superior position as a pastor over many flock, she outlined what the outcome could bring.Although "Soul Journey" is a story that is easy to follow, it leaves some characters with cliffhangers, which leads the readers to believe that sequels will follow. | 992 | [
"I admire the author for writing a subject that is so misunderstood about women pastors.",
"Unfortunately, many are forever learning and never coming into the knowledge of the Truth, as with Journee.",
"Her father stood his ground on not only believing, but actually knowing for a fact, that women pastors are a \"no-no.\" If you are a believer in The Holy Bible, it clearly outlines a woman's position in the body of Christ and it does not include pastorship.",
"Speaking of pastorship, there was another novel I read called \"Lust of the Flesh\" by Beverly Rolyat and it had a woman pastor name Reverend Hall as one of the characters (and she was a trip).",
"\"Lust of the Flesh\" was an outstanding read because the author showed how when a woman takes a superior position as a pastor over many flock, she outlined what the outcome could bring.Although \"Soul Journey\" is a story that is easy to follow, it leaves some characters with cliffhangers, which leads the readers to believe that sequels will follow."
] |
3 | But is it living? | The basic principles endorsed by the MNDs (live below your means, save, invest, and don't waste your money on ostentation) are sound, and I agree that we'd all be better off if we followed them. On the other hand, there's nothing intrinsically admirable about being a millionaire, and it's possible to follow these principles and still be a scumbag. It's high time we in this country got over our focus on "how much ___ you have" and learned how to LIVE WELL -- and that has more to do with your attitude than your bank balance.To me, a good life includes meaningful work, solid relationships with your family and friends, participating membership in your community, a rich mental, emotional, and spiritual life, and a living situation that supports all of these. Some MNDs have these, and some don't. I'm far more interested in hearing about people who live well -- whatever the size of their bank balance -- than in many of the self-absorbed, money-obsessed misfits chronicled in this book. | 992 | [
"The basic principles endorsed by the MNDs (live below your means, save, invest, and don't waste your money on ostentation) are sound, and I agree that we'd all be better off if we followed them.",
"On the other hand, there's nothing intrinsically admirable about being a millionaire, and it's possible to follow these principles and still be a scumbag.",
"It's high time we in this country got over our focus on \"how much ___ you have\" and learned how to LIVE WELL -- and that has more to do with your attitude than your bank balance.To me, a good life includes meaningful work, solid relationships with your family and friends, participating membership in your community, a rich mental, emotional, and spiritual life, and a living situation that supports all of these.",
"Some MNDs have these, and some don't.",
"I'm far more interested in hearing about people who live well -- whatever the size of their bank balance -- than in many of the self-absorbed, money-obsessed misfits chronicled in this book."
] |
3 | Playing With Fire | This book is about a woman named Belle who gets something put in her coffee, she gets sick and when she finally wakes up there is a man in her room.Rometells her she can control the elements and that he is also something supernatural. This book is about Belle learning how to try and control her new powers and the problems that comes with. She andRomestart to fall for each other and try to figure out who is trying to kill/ kidnap her. This book was interesting and had a lot going for it. The secondary characters were really funny and added the conflict that needed to move the book along. As much as I liked the writing and story line, I had to rate this book lower because the main character bugged me. I thought that Belle was really immature and that she had a tendency to whine a lot. I also had a problem when at the beginning she uses her boobs to get out of being in trouble with her boss. I borrowed this book from library and I did like it but I don't think I am going to buy it | 992 | [
"This book is about a woman named Belle who gets something put in her coffee, she gets sick and when she finally wakes up there is a man in her room.Rometells her she can control the elements and that he is also something supernatural.",
"This book is about Belle learning how to try and control her new powers and the problems that comes with.",
"She andRomestart to fall for each other and try to figure out who is trying to kill/ kidnap her.",
"This book was interesting and had a lot going for it.",
"The secondary characters were really funny and added the conflict that needed to move the book along.",
"As much as I liked the writing and story line, I had to rate this book lower because the main character bugged me.",
"I thought that Belle was really immature and that she had a tendency to whine a lot.",
"I also had a problem when at the beginning she uses her boobs to get out of being in trouble with her boss.",
"I borrowed this book from library and I did like it but I don't think I am going to buy it"
] |
3 | Okay, but Monotonous | No, Salieri was neither evil nor murderous. No, his music was not bad, but at the same time it wasn't as good as some people make it out to be. The overtures on this disc are individually all right in their way, but an even dozen of them heard one after the other is a bit of overkill. Most rely on repetition and crescendo to make a point, and while in small doses that's fine, once you've heard a couple the novelty fades rather quickly. If you'd like to sample this composer's output, I think the best place to start is a release from Chandos by the London Mozart Players under Matthias Bamert. You get three overtures equal to or better than the ones on the Naxos disc, plus two symphonies (including the engaging "Venetian") and the marvelous Variations on La folia. The playing is superior on the Chandos release as well. In the consolation rounds for runners-up to Mozart and Haydn, Salieri is a contender of sorts, but this Naxos disc doesn't give his reputation that much of a boost. | 992 | [
"No, Salieri was neither evil nor murderous.",
"No, his music was not bad, but at the same time it wasn't as good as some people make it out to be.",
"The overtures on this disc are individually all right in their way, but an even dozen of them heard one after the other is a bit of overkill.",
"Most rely on repetition and crescendo to make a point, and while in small doses that's fine, once you've heard a couple the novelty fades rather quickly.",
"If you'd like to sample this composer's output, I think the best place to start is a release from Chandos by the London Mozart Players under Matthias Bamert.",
"You get three overtures equal to or better than the ones on the Naxos disc, plus two symphonies (including the engaging \"Venetian\") and the marvelous Variations on La folia.",
"The playing is superior on the Chandos release as well.",
"In the consolation rounds for runners-up to Mozart and Haydn, Salieri is a contender of sorts, but this Naxos disc doesn't give his reputation that much of a boost."
] |
3 | Not very good anymore | The good: I've had this gamepad for a couple years now and it still works like new. It's solidly built. The game that comes with it (Motocross Madness) is fun, and a good demonstration of the tilt control.The bad: It doesn't work in the game port under Windows XP. The driver software doesn't work under Windows XP. You can still use it in the USB port, but without driver software you cannot calibrate the tilt control. Not that it matters, because the tilt control is less useful than you would think. It's too easy to go from full left to full right, making car-racing games an exercise in zig-zagging. In fact, Motocross Madness is the only game I've found in which you can reliably use the tilt mode, so I basically keep tilt mode off. Also, the direction pad feels cumbersome. It's really hard to go from left to right without putting any up or down in between. In some games, it makes you want to revert to the keyboard.Summary: built well, but for XP there are tons of better choices. | 992 | [
"The good: I've had this gamepad for a couple years now and it still works like new.",
"It's solidly built.",
"The game that comes with it (Motocross Madness) is fun, and a good demonstration of the tilt control.The bad: It doesn't work in the game port under Windows XP.",
"The driver software doesn't work under Windows XP.",
"You can still use it in the USB port, but without driver software you cannot calibrate the tilt control.",
"Not that it matters, because the tilt control is less useful than you would think.",
"It's too easy to go from full left to full right, making car-racing games an exercise in zig-zagging.",
"In fact, Motocross Madness is the only game I've found in which you can reliably use the tilt mode, so I basically keep tilt mode off.",
"Also, the direction pad feels cumbersome.",
"It's really hard to go from left to right without putting any up or down in between.",
"In some games, it makes you want to revert to the keyboard.Summary: built well, but for XP there are tons of better choices."
] |
3 | Mailguard mailbox | The overall design of this mailbox is appealing, and the box is serving us fairly well. The main advantage has been having a locked storage vault at a reasonable price, but we have had some problems. First, the drop slot through which the mail deliverer inserts the mail is too narrow. We occasionally receive items that are too thick to go through the slot. Second, the door to the mailbox slants upward and has a tendency simply to fall open. As a result, outgoing mail sometimes is exposed to passersby and to the elements. Also when the door falls open, the mail slot is exposed and, if it rains, water may enter the vault through the exposed mail slot. I tried several "fixes" for this problem that didn't work but, after several tries, I did find one that has worked. I placed an ordinary thumb tack in the top of the door so that when the door is closed it fits more tightly than before. The plastic material is soft enough to permit you to do this with only a light tap with a hammer. | 992 | [
"The overall design of this mailbox is appealing, and the box is serving us fairly well.",
"The main advantage has been having a locked storage vault at a reasonable price, but we have had some problems.",
"First, the drop slot through which the mail deliverer inserts the mail is too narrow.",
"We occasionally receive items that are too thick to go through the slot.",
"Second, the door to the mailbox slants upward and has a tendency simply to fall open.",
"As a result, outgoing mail sometimes is exposed to passersby and to the elements.",
"Also when the door falls open, the mail slot is exposed and, if it rains, water may enter the vault through the exposed mail slot.",
"I tried several \"fixes\" for this problem that didn't work but, after several tries, I did find one that has worked.",
"I placed an ordinary thumb tack in the top of the door so that when the door is closed it fits more tightly than before.",
"The plastic material is soft enough to permit you to do this with only a light tap with a hammer."
] |
3 | Deserves 4 stars | Horowitz does something very interesting, he reveals the professors for who they are in their very own words. You cannot critisize him for presenting people as they are.You can judge if what these professors preach is indoctronation or educations but, having read the professors, yeah, it's pretty much a personal worldview imposed on students by unqualified "academics" (e.g. marxism a literary class rather than an economics or political science class??).I dropped a star not because he does not make his point well, he does, but it is a point made early and then repeated with many examples.The problem lies not in Horowitz but in the many, many, examples available. To catalog them all becomes quite an effort.But, the sheer volume of it all certainly makes the point as well.5 stars for making the point well.4 stars for form (sometimes horowitz becomes "preachy").3 stars because... well, I wish it could have been shorter but academia intrudes by providing waaaaayyy too many examples. | 992 | [
"Horowitz does something very interesting, he reveals the professors for who they are in their very own words.",
"You cannot critisize him for presenting people as they are.You can judge if what these professors preach is indoctronation or educations but, having read the professors, yeah, it's pretty much a personal worldview imposed on students by unqualified \"academics\" (e.g. marxism a literary class rather than an economics or political science class??",
").I dropped a star not because he does not make his point well, he does, but it is a point made early and then repeated with many examples.The problem lies not in Horowitz but in the many, many, examples available.",
"To catalog them all becomes quite an effort.But, the sheer volume of it all certainly makes the point as well.5 stars for making the point well.4 stars for form (sometimes horowitz becomes \"preachy\").3 stars because... well, I wish it could have been shorter but academia intrudes by providing waaaaayyy too many examples."
] |
3 | It Could Help | Louise Hay's writing has been around for a very long time. So long that some New Agers repeat things that she said 30 years ago as if it is some proven truth - one example is the idea that you choose your own parents before you come to this life. That's not a fact, people. That's an idea that people latched onto because it makes them feel better. Another is that anyone can heal themselves and that all illness comes from your thoughts. I'm sure the five-year-olds dying of leukemia, etc did not cause their own illness from their thoughts. Yet because she was saying this back in the day, it has evolved into a tenet in New Age thinking. Louise had cancer and spontanteously recovered. Because this happened for her, she has made a lot of money telling other people that they can do the same. Maybe some of them can, and if you know nothing about how your thoughts affect your physical body, this book might give you some insight. Just remember that what she says is her opinion, not fact. | 992 | [
"Louise Hay's writing has been around for a very long time.",
"So long that some New Agers repeat things that she said 30 years ago as if it is some proven truth - one example is the idea that you choose your own parents before you come to this life.",
"That's not a fact, people.",
"That's an idea that people latched onto because it makes them feel better.",
"Another is that anyone can heal themselves and that all illness comes from your thoughts.",
"I'm sure the five-year-olds dying of leukemia, etc did not cause their own illness from their thoughts.",
"Yet because she was saying this back in the day, it has evolved into a tenet in New Age thinking.",
"Louise had cancer and spontanteously recovered.",
"Because this happened for her, she has made a lot of money telling other people that they can do the same.",
"Maybe some of them can, and if you know nothing about how your thoughts affect your physical body, this book might give you some insight.",
"Just remember that what she says is her opinion, not fact."
] |
3 | What's A Pimp? | Too $hort is a Legend...but that doesn't mean that everything he does is automatically good. What's My Favorite Word was a classic Short album released just 2 years ago (2002). It had the funky playalistic riding songs, vintage Too Short rhyming, excellent beats and top notch guests including Twista, Lil John, Gipp, Devin, E-40 and Bun B among others. It was undeniable. His new album Married To The Game doesn't fare quite as well. The album is very uneven. For example, The first seven songs are great and makes you think it's finna be another Short Dog classic. But from there the album takes a horrible dive...delving even into the 'unlistenable' status and that is just uncharicteristic of Too Short. The last 8 songs are some of the worst songs Too $hort has ever done; however the first 7 make the album 'worth having' and to Short fans this should already be in your collection regardless if it is subpar or not. But to others...you might want to take a listen to it first. 3 stars. | 992 | [
"Too $hort is a Legend...but that doesn't mean that everything he does is automatically good.",
"What's My Favorite Word was a classic Short album released just 2 years ago (2002).",
"It had the funky playalistic riding songs, vintage Too Short rhyming, excellent beats and top notch guests including Twista, Lil John, Gipp, Devin, E-40 and Bun B among others.",
"It was undeniable.",
"His new album Married To The Game doesn't fare quite as well.",
"The album is very uneven.",
"For example, The first seven songs are great and makes you think it's finna be another Short Dog classic.",
"But from there the album takes a horrible dive...delving even into the 'unlistenable' status and that is just uncharicteristic of Too Short.",
"The last 8 songs are some of the worst songs Too $hort has ever done; however the first 7 make the album 'worth having' and to Short fans this should already be in your collection regardless if it is subpar or not.",
"But to others...you might want to take a listen to it first.",
"3 stars."
] |
3 | Lolo & Lala return. | This game is very weird. I have not beaten all three but this one is very hard. In this game u r lolo the blue ball, and ur partner that follows u around is lala the pink ball. The story is that the king turns everyone into stone in the village so u (lala) have to go to trees that have a level number on it and beat it. This is a puzzle game so u have to push strff around to block things from shooting at u and avoid from geting hit by one of the enemys. I only got to the last level on the part of the village to unlock the rest of it before i lost. which is not very far. Each one of the levels is in a small area that has many items in it. Ur purpose is to get to however many treasure chests and get the key out and avoid getting hit. That is why it is a puzzle game u have to look and find a way to get to the chests by pushing things around. The password feature is very helpful to continue where u left off at since there is no saving. If u like hard puzzle games, this one is for u. | 992 | [
"This game is very weird.",
"I have not beaten all three but this one is very hard.",
"In this game u r lolo the blue ball, and ur partner that follows u around is lala the pink ball.",
"The story is that the king turns everyone into stone in the village so u (lala) have to go to trees that have a level number on it and beat it.",
"This is a puzzle game so u have to push strff around to block things from shooting at u and avoid from geting hit by one of the enemys.",
"I only got to the last level on the part of the village to unlock the rest of it before i lost.",
"which is not very far.",
"Each one of the levels is in a small area that has many items in it.",
"Ur purpose is to get to however many treasure chests and get the key out and avoid getting hit.",
"That is why it is a puzzle game u have to look and find a way to get to the chests by pushing things around.",
"The password feature is very helpful to continue where u left off at since there is no saving.",
"If u like hard puzzle games, this one is for u."
] |
3 | A Promising Start | The first thing you notice about Lisa Marie Presley's debut effort(beyond the fact that she has a pretty potent set of lungs)is that it's better than anyone ever imagined it could or would be. That's not to say that it's going to change the face of music as we know it, but that's best left up to the U2s and Madonnas of the world. No, what we have here is a highly listenable, occasionally stunning, fusion of pop, rock, country, et al. As with most records, the album's first single is also it's best track, but those who up till now have compared Presley to Sheryl Crow won't see much justification of that beyond 'Lights Out'. The rest of the album is less uptempo, more intropsective, with some of the songs sounding a little too similar to each other to distinguish themselves much. Still, there's alot to like here, and her tendency for self indulgency and profanity aside, this is a promising start for someone who hopefully will be thought of as something other than Elvis' daughter. | 992 | [
"The first thing you notice about Lisa Marie Presley's debut effort(beyond the fact that she has a pretty potent set of lungs)is that it's better than anyone ever imagined it could or would be.",
"That's not to say that it's going to change the face of music as we know it, but that's best left up to the U2s and Madonnas of the world.",
"No, what we have here is a highly listenable, occasionally stunning, fusion of pop, rock, country, et al.",
"As with most records, the album's first single is also it's best track, but those who up till now have compared Presley to Sheryl Crow won't see much justification of that beyond 'Lights Out'.",
"The rest of the album is less uptempo, more intropsective, with some of the songs sounding a little too similar to each other to distinguish themselves much.",
"Still, there's alot to like here, and her tendency for self indulgency and profanity aside, this is a promising start for someone who hopefully will be thought of as something other than Elvis' daughter."
] |
3 | "A Certain Look" | I can best express my opinion of this book by referring to the following words found on pages 74-75: "People who have recently lost someone have a certain look, recognizable maybe only to those who have seen that look on their own faces. I have noticed it on my face and I notice it now on others. The look is one of extreme vulnerability, nakedness, openness. It is the look of someone who walks from the ophthalmologist's office into the bright daylight with dilated eyes, or of someone who wears glasses and is suddenly made to take them off." On December 30, 2003, Ms. Didion was made to take off her glasses. Unfortunately (or fortunately, depending upon one's perspective), this book was written before she was able to once again put on her glasses. If Joan Didion, in all of her brokenness, is what you're looking for you will certainly find that here. However, if you're looking for the fruits of mourning I would look elsewhere as Ms. Didion cannot share what she has yet to possess. | 992 | [
"I can best express my opinion of this book by referring to the following words found on pages 74-75: \"People who have recently lost someone have a certain look, recognizable maybe only to those who have seen that look on their own faces.",
"I have noticed it on my face and I notice it now on others.",
"The look is one of extreme vulnerability, nakedness, openness.",
"It is the look of someone who walks from the ophthalmologist's office into the bright daylight with dilated eyes, or of someone who wears glasses and is suddenly made to take them off.\" On December 30, 2003, Ms.",
"Didion was made to take off her glasses.",
"Unfortunately (or fortunately, depending upon one's perspective), this book was written before she was able to once again put on her glasses.",
"If Joan Didion, in all of her brokenness, is what you're looking for you will certainly find that here.",
"However, if you're looking for the fruits of mourning I would look elsewhere as Ms.",
"Didion cannot share what she has yet to possess."
] |
3 | Sock it to us, Santa! | This is a 24 Karat Gold CD, so it costs more than the average CD. I honestly can't notice any difference in sound quality between gold CDs and regular ones, but maybe that's just me. But gold CD is the only way this album is available, so it's that or nothing. It's a decent album, with Christmas songs by Frank Sinatra and his three kids. Three songs are sung by the whole family, with "I Wouldn't Trade Christmas" being the best one. Frank sings two songs, "Whatever Happened to Christmas?" and a remake of "The Christmas Waltz", both of which are very good. Nancy sings two songs, which are pretty good. Tina sings one song, which is okay. Tina actually sounds a lot like Nancy, but with an untrained voice. Nancy and Tina also sing a duet together, which kind of sounds like Nancy with her voice double tracked. And then there is Frank Jr., who sings the okay "O Bambino". This isn't the greatest Christmas album ever, but it's certainly passable, and Sinatra fans will probably enjoy it. | 992 | [
"This is a 24 Karat Gold CD, so it costs more than the average CD.",
"I honestly can't notice any difference in sound quality between gold CDs and regular ones, but maybe that's just me.",
"But gold CD is the only way this album is available, so it's that or nothing.",
"It's a decent album, with Christmas songs by Frank Sinatra and his three kids.",
"Three songs are sung by the whole family, with \"I Wouldn't Trade Christmas\" being the best one.",
"Frank sings two songs, \"Whatever Happened to Christmas?",
"\" and a remake of \"The Christmas Waltz\", both of which are very good.",
"Nancy sings two songs, which are pretty good.",
"Tina sings one song, which is okay.",
"Tina actually sounds a lot like Nancy, but with an untrained voice.",
"Nancy and Tina also sing a duet together, which kind of sounds like Nancy with her voice double tracked.",
"And then there is Frank Jr., who sings the okay \"O Bambino\".",
"This isn't the greatest Christmas album ever, but it's certainly passable, and Sinatra fans will probably enjoy it."
] |
3 | Good, but outdated | Another reviewer is confusing this with one of the many film versions of Faust done as a straight drama. This DVD, however, is a 1986 production of Charles Gounod's grand French opera based on the first part of Goethe's work. It was recorded "in house" by the theatre and not really intended for broadcast or release. It's in color, but the lighting and camera movement is not of broadcast quality. The sound, however, is surprisingly good and is in true stereo. It seems to be a complete rendering of the opera, including the ballet.Despite its flaws, this is the best version of Gounod's "Faust" currently available. The only other one, the 1985 Vienna production with Ariaza and Raimondi, has better video but is, in my opinion, a weaker production and leaves out the ballet. I hope we will get a more recent, and hopefully complete, rendering on DVD at some point.Update 2012: There's now a good recent version of "Faust" on DVD, the 2012 Royal Opera production with Gheorghiu and Terfel. | 992 | [
"Another reviewer is confusing this with one of the many film versions of Faust done as a straight drama.",
"This DVD, however, is a 1986 production of Charles Gounod's grand French opera based on the first part of Goethe's work.",
"It was recorded \"in house\" by the theatre and not really intended for broadcast or release.",
"It's in color, but the lighting and camera movement is not of broadcast quality.",
"The sound, however, is surprisingly good and is in true stereo.",
"It seems to be a complete rendering of the opera, including the ballet.Despite its flaws, this is the best version of Gounod's \"Faust\" currently available.",
"The only other one, the 1985 Vienna production with Ariaza and Raimondi, has better video but is, in my opinion, a weaker production and leaves out the ballet.",
"I hope we will get a more recent, and hopefully complete, rendering on DVD at some point.Update 2012: There's now a good recent version of \"Faust\" on DVD, the 2012 Royal Opera production with Gheorghiu and Terfel."
] |
3 | Must be more to it! | I have to admit I've been a bit of an Unreal fan in the Quake/Unreal debate over the years. Sinlge player wise, mulitplayer and engine. I prefered Unreal to Quake 2 single player but liked Unreals bright graphics better. Quake II Multiplayer was the nuts!When Quake 3 came out I found I had played the Unreal Tournement Demo more when I first got that! It doesn't detract from a great game but any game I can complete in one evening (on level 3), leaving me wondering if I can be bothered to do it all again on a higer level, doesn't warrant a classic game for me.The engine is the best ever and the bots are gorgeous as is the level design. It just lacks the cutting edge that UT has and I'm still playing that now. I do go back to Quake 3 to make a change to UT but having completed it in one evening I really cant be asked to go all the way back and do it on a harder setting - The lastability just isn't there. Still a great game though - just not as good as Unreal tournement (demo!) HA! | 992 | [
"I have to admit I've been a bit of an Unreal fan in the Quake/Unreal debate over the years.",
"Sinlge player wise, mulitplayer and engine.",
"I prefered Unreal to Quake 2 single player but liked Unreals bright graphics better.",
"Quake II Multiplayer was the nuts!",
"When Quake 3 came out I found I had played the Unreal Tournement Demo more when I first got that!",
"It doesn't detract from a great game but any game I can complete in one evening (on level 3), leaving me wondering if I can be bothered to do it all again on a higer level, doesn't warrant a classic game for me.The engine is the best ever and the bots are gorgeous as is the level design.",
"It just lacks the cutting edge that UT has and I'm still playing that now.",
"I do go back to Quake 3 to make a change to UT but having completed it in one evening I really cant be asked to go all the way back and do it on a harder setting - The lastability just isn't there.",
"Still a great game though - just not as good as Unreal tournement (demo!",
") HA!"
] |
3 | Rango review | Where do I start with this movie? The movie Rango was a good movie overall with a good theme and great graphics. After this movie I wanted to be in a shoot out. But besides that I think that the message of the movie was to complicated for children. It seems that it would fly by children's head. There were somethings that seemed unsuitable for a children's movie. For example, the language they had was a bit extreme for children. They used words in the movie like "Son of a ....", who was not able to finish phrase because he got carried away. The complex theme of this movie also had me considering why this was a children's movie. You have a lizard that is look for who he really is in life. A misunderstood character. Most children do not think about this growing up and seems that it was aid at an older audience then children. If I had to rate this movie I would give it a pg-13 rating. Not just because of the complex theme but because of the language and references to sexual things. | 992 | [
"Where do I start with this movie?",
"The movie Rango was a good movie overall with a good theme and great graphics.",
"After this movie I wanted to be in a shoot out.",
"But besides that I think that the message of the movie was to complicated for children.",
"It seems that it would fly by children's head.",
"There were somethings that seemed unsuitable for a children's movie.",
"For example, the language they had was a bit extreme for children.",
"They used words in the movie like \"Son of a ....\", who was not able to finish phrase because he got carried away.",
"The complex theme of this movie also had me considering why this was a children's movie.",
"You have a lizard that is look for who he really is in life.",
"A misunderstood character.",
"Most children do not think about this growing up and seems that it was aid at an older audience then children.",
"If I had to rate this movie I would give it a pg-13 rating.",
"Not just because of the complex theme but because of the language and references to sexual things."
] |
3 | Romantics and Realists | This set is produced under the name of KULTUR. Well, its sort of pseudo Kultur. The narrative does not follow the illustrations, and the experts comments are really too brief to make a point. They seemed more concerned in getting something on the market than producing something educational.Still, it is a good outline or introduction for a beginner. The quality of the pictures is pretty good. After viewing this, where does it get you? You won't be able to talk about these subjects at a party nor pass any test, But you will have a wide base on which to continue your studies.If you are taking your trip, these will not help as they do not disclose where the paintings are on display. If you are a student, there are some tidbits that might add interest to your essay exam.Then again, you can put in these CDs, let them run and leave the room. Amazon carries many of these boxed sets, and I have purchased several of them, knowing what they are. I use them as beginning steps of my study. | 991 | [
"This set is produced under the name of KULTUR.",
"Well, its sort of pseudo Kultur.",
"The narrative does not follow the illustrations, and the experts comments are really too brief to make a point.",
"They seemed more concerned in getting something on the market than producing something educational.Still, it is a good outline or introduction for a beginner.",
"The quality of the pictures is pretty good.",
"After viewing this, where does it get you?",
"You won't be able to talk about these subjects at a party nor pass any test, But you will have a wide base on which to continue your studies.If you are taking your trip, these will not help as they do not disclose where the paintings are on display.",
"If you are a student, there are some tidbits that might add interest to your essay exam.Then again, you can put in these CDs, let them run and leave the room.",
"Amazon carries many of these boxed sets, and I have purchased several of them, knowing what they are.",
"I use them as beginning steps of my study."
] |
3 | Just OK...not great. | We purchased these to communicate between our two vehicles during a recent long-distance move. They worked ok, although the 20-mile claim is bogus. You'd be lucky to be able to pick up the other radio at any distance over a mile. Also, if you're planning on using them in an urban area, be prepared to share the airwaves with a lot of other people. Even in smallish cities like Missoula, MT, we had a hard time finding a clear channel.The batteries didn't hold their charge as long as we were hoping, either. By hour four of the drive each day we had to turn the radios off for short periods of time in order to ensure that we had some juice left for the tricky sections later on. Kept on at all times with normal use I would estimate you have about three to five hours of charge in the batteries.Never did figure out how to use the NOAA alert thingy. Overall a mediocre product. It worked well for our trip (except for the battery thing), but wouldn't really want to use them for much else. | 991 | [
"We purchased these to communicate between our two vehicles during a recent long-distance move.",
"They worked ok, although the 20-mile claim is bogus.",
"You'd be lucky to be able to pick up the other radio at any distance over a mile.",
"Also, if you're planning on using them in an urban area, be prepared to share the airwaves with a lot of other people.",
"Even in smallish cities like Missoula, MT, we had a hard time finding a clear channel.The batteries didn't hold their charge as long as we were hoping, either.",
"By hour four of the drive each day we had to turn the radios off for short periods of time in order to ensure that we had some juice left for the tricky sections later on.",
"Kept on at all times with normal use I would estimate you have about three to five hours of charge in the batteries.Never did figure out how to use the NOAA alert thingy.",
"Overall a mediocre product.",
"It worked well for our trip (except for the battery thing), but wouldn't really want to use them for much else."
] |
3 | Sigh... | This book was helpful and all, but the story was really unsatisfactory. It's very easy to read, so if you have nothing better to do (which I don't), I guess it makes it hard to put down. I don't recommend it unless, of course, you need to study the SAT words. I did find that helpful, but it makes it a bit hard to remember all of them and their definitions because it's a pretty short book with 1000 SAT words, so it's all kind of jam-packed and it's a bit overwhelming.Also, I don't like the story because it was about a teenage girl trying to bust a highschool drug ring, so obviously they're going to talk "like teenagers," but they're also trying to teach you these big SAT words, and it all ends up sounding, well, extremely stupid. No teenager would ever talk like they do in the book. I guess that's not really the point, but then if the book isn't good (it's also EXTREMELY predictable), learning the SAT words in it is just as hard as it would be without the book. See what I mean? | 991 | [
"This book was helpful and all, but the story was really unsatisfactory.",
"It's very easy to read, so if you have nothing better to do (which I don't), I guess it makes it hard to put down.",
"I don't recommend it unless, of course, you need to study the SAT words.",
"I did find that helpful, but it makes it a bit hard to remember all of them and their definitions because it's a pretty short book with 1000 SAT words, so it's all kind of jam-packed and it's a bit overwhelming.Also, I don't like the story because it was about a teenage girl trying to bust a highschool drug ring, so obviously they're going to talk \"like teenagers,\" but they're also trying to teach you these big SAT words, and it all ends up sounding, well, extremely stupid.",
"No teenager would ever talk like they do in the book.",
"I guess that's not really the point, but then if the book isn't good (it's also EXTREMELY predictable), learning the SAT words in it is just as hard as it would be without the book.",
"See what I mean?"
] |
3 | Cannery Row sequel | This novel is Steinbeck's sequel to his very successful CANNERY ROW, which was published in 1945. The book revolves around Doc and the prostitute Suzy; everyone in Cannery Row thinks that Doc needs to get married (his life is in a funk), and that Suzy is the best prospect (her honesty is her key feature). Doc isn't sure he agrees with everyone else about getting married, and Suzy doesn't think she's worthy of him. But the inevitable must occur, of course, and with everyone doing the best they can to get the two together, they finally decide to tie the knot.Steinbeck had a musical comedy in mind when he wrote this, but his attempt at lighthearted humor is not his forte. The big party with the goofy costumes is more silly than funny; better is when Suzy describes the man who would be perfect for her and Doc tells her that's him to a T, but she doesn't believe him. The ending is fairly predictable as the two principals stumble toward it. Not one of Steinbeck's major achievements. | 991 | [
"This novel is Steinbeck's sequel to his very successful CANNERY ROW, which was published in 1945.",
"The book revolves around Doc and the prostitute Suzy; everyone in Cannery Row thinks that Doc needs to get married (his life is in a funk), and that Suzy is the best prospect (her honesty is her key feature).",
"Doc isn't sure he agrees with everyone else about getting married, and Suzy doesn't think she's worthy of him.",
"But the inevitable must occur, of course, and with everyone doing the best they can to get the two together, they finally decide to tie the knot.Steinbeck had a musical comedy in mind when he wrote this, but his attempt at lighthearted humor is not his forte.",
"The big party with the goofy costumes is more silly than funny; better is when Suzy describes the man who would be perfect for her and Doc tells her that's him to a T, but she doesn't believe him.",
"The ending is fairly predictable as the two principals stumble toward it.",
"Not one of Steinbeck's major achievements."
] |
3 | Clean but Grainy | Criterion has taken careful steps to find an unscratched print, but it still suffers from extreme graininess, probably the result of a 16mm transfer. Hopefully, a better original can be found along with someone with the desire put it on blu-ray. My Man Godfrey is one of the best screwball comedies ever made. Powell and Lombard shine throughout this well-written, well-directed film. It is a shame that this sort of genre seems to have given way to what today is labelled as funny. Lombard died early in a plane crash at the age of 33. Powell went on to epitomize Nick Charles in the Thin Man with standout performances through to his last in Mr. Roberts in 1955. Take note, too, of Gail Patrick, the beautiful femme fatale, who plays Lombard's vixen sister, and Eugene Pallette, the foghorned character actor who plays their father. Kudos for all efforts for this all to oft-forgotten work. And what a shame it has to be placed on my "everyone in it's dead" shelf, a sad waste of humanity! | 991 | [
"Criterion has taken careful steps to find an unscratched print, but it still suffers from extreme graininess, probably the result of a 16mm transfer.",
"Hopefully, a better original can be found along with someone with the desire put it on blu-ray.",
"My Man Godfrey is one of the best screwball comedies ever made.",
"Powell and Lombard shine throughout this well-written, well-directed film.",
"It is a shame that this sort of genre seems to have given way to what today is labelled as funny.",
"Lombard died early in a plane crash at the age of 33.",
"Powell went on to epitomize Nick Charles in the Thin Man with standout performances through to his last in Mr.",
"Roberts in 1955.",
"Take note, too, of Gail Patrick, the beautiful femme fatale, who plays Lombard's vixen sister, and Eugene Pallette, the foghorned character actor who plays their father.",
"Kudos for all efforts for this all to oft-forgotten work.",
"And what a shame it has to be placed on my \"everyone in it's dead\" shelf, a sad waste of humanity!"
] |
3 | Does the job I guess | I just recently purchased a treadmill for the first time, and it was recommended to me that I wax it every 3 months, not the every 6 months indicated in the manual since I run on it alot.I ordered this wax kit and it received it pretty quickly without any complaints.The instructions were pretty simple to follow, and the actual application of the wax on the "wand" and then on the treadmill, in thoery, were fairly simple as well.I only gave the product 3 stars for the following reasons:1. the lube is quite runny and it did drip on things as I maneuvered it onder the treadmill belt.2. the applicator wand is NOT designed for wide treadmill decks (I believe mine is 22" wide) so it was VERY hard to move the stick up and down the deck because my belt was just slightly wider than the stick. Now only was it difficult to move, the edge of the belt tore my fingers up in the process.In the end, the lube does do it's job, it's just not super easy getting it there if you've got a wide deck. | 991 | [
"I just recently purchased a treadmill for the first time, and it was recommended to me that I wax it every 3 months, not the every 6 months indicated in the manual since I run on it alot.I ordered this wax kit and it received it pretty quickly without any complaints.The instructions were pretty simple to follow, and the actual application of the wax on the \"wand\" and then on the treadmill, in thoery, were fairly simple as well.I only gave the product 3 stars for the following reasons:1.",
"the lube is quite runny and it did drip on things as I maneuvered it onder the treadmill belt.2. the applicator wand is NOT designed for wide treadmill decks (I believe mine is 22\" wide) so it was VERY hard to move the stick up and down the deck because my belt was just slightly wider than the stick.",
"Now only was it difficult to move, the edge of the belt tore my fingers up in the process.In the end, the lube does do it's job, it's just not super easy getting it there if you've got a wide deck."
] |
3 | A Yawner At Best | This movie never really gets off the ground. In its effort to develop the characters, it moves at a snail's pace with no significant action. The whole mood of the movie is utterly depressive and the dialogue is monotone.The plot involves Robert DeNiro playing a seasoned cop who starts investigating the homicide of a drug pusher. He soon finds that his estranged son in the prime suspect in the homicide and is brought back into the torments of his failed family life.Yes, the movie does touch upon a failed father's attempt to show his son that he's looking out for him but, with that low-life heroin fiend son of his, you wonder: why? The son is portrayed as such a pathetic loser that the film simply evokes no sympathy for him. I came out feeling more for Robert DeNiro's character in having to accept his conception of such a pathetic wretch for a son.Altogether a very forgettable film that perhaps would have been better as a book or one of those cheesy made-for-tv "Lifetime" films. | 991 | [
"This movie never really gets off the ground.",
"In its effort to develop the characters, it moves at a snail's pace with no significant action.",
"The whole mood of the movie is utterly depressive and the dialogue is monotone.The plot involves Robert DeNiro playing a seasoned cop who starts investigating the homicide of a drug pusher.",
"He soon finds that his estranged son in the prime suspect in the homicide and is brought back into the torments of his failed family life.Yes, the movie does touch upon a failed father's attempt to show his son that he's looking out for him but, with that low-life heroin fiend son of his, you wonder: why?",
"The son is portrayed as such a pathetic loser that the film simply evokes no sympathy for him.",
"I came out feeling more for Robert DeNiro's character in having to accept his conception of such a pathetic wretch for a son.Altogether a very forgettable film that perhaps would have been better as a book or one of those cheesy made-for-tv \"Lifetime\" films."
] |
3 | Not her best. | I loved the characters of Cole and Diana! Cole seemed like the ultimate fantasy hero and Diana was perfect for him. I thought it was great to have a couple that liked each other before falling madly in love. Their scenes when they were younger were very beliebvable. Unfortunately, they seemed like secondary characters in their own book! I got the feeling that the book was more of an epic saga about the lives of the Foster-Britton clan than a romance between Cole and Diana. I read more about Grandma, Grandpa, Mary, and Corey than I really wanted to. The plot seemed a bit uneven since so much attention was devoted to those secondary characters. Even the epilogue seemed like it was thrown together at the last minute. And there were no special or memorable love scenes between Cole and Diana; their "honeymoon" was over in a page or two. I would like to see Cole and Diana again; I hope Judith McNaught will include them in her next book as she did with Matt and Meredith in "Perfect". | 991 | [
"I loved the characters of Cole and Diana!",
"Cole seemed like the ultimate fantasy hero and Diana was perfect for him.",
"I thought it was great to have a couple that liked each other before falling madly in love.",
"Their scenes when they were younger were very beliebvable.",
"Unfortunately, they seemed like secondary characters in their own book!",
"I got the feeling that the book was more of an epic saga about the lives of the Foster-Britton clan than a romance between Cole and Diana.",
"I read more about Grandma, Grandpa, Mary, and Corey than I really wanted to.",
"The plot seemed a bit uneven since so much attention was devoted to those secondary characters.",
"Even the epilogue seemed like it was thrown together at the last minute.",
"And there were no special or memorable love scenes between Cole and Diana; their \"honeymoon\" was over in a page or two.",
"I would like to see Cole and Diana again; I hope Judith McNaught will include them in her next book as she did with Matt and Meredith in \"Perfect\"."
] |
3 | Lame commentary track | I've actually owned this DVD for more than a year now, but I never bothered digging into the extras until recently, and I have to speak up on something. I have always loved BTLC -it's a great film that doesn't take itself too seriously and Kurt Russell was perfect in his role. Buy this DVD if you want a nice, remastered DTS soundtrack and a widescreen aspect -both are excellent. However, the commentary track leaves a lot to be desired. Better than two thirds of the duration of the film, all they did was turn down the volume and ramble on amongst themselves about film school theories and their careers. THEY HARDLY EVEN DISCUSSED THE FILM! What a wasted opportunity. The few times that John Carpenter actually makes any commentary about the film, he giggles and laughs his way through the scene under scrutiny.I'm glad they had fun making the movie, and it's wonderful that John thinks it was all a giant joke, but bring something we don't already know to the commentary track, please. | 991 | [
"I've actually owned this DVD for more than a year now, but I never bothered digging into the extras until recently, and I have to speak up on something.",
"I have always loved BTLC -it's a great film that doesn't take itself too seriously and Kurt Russell was perfect in his role.",
"Buy this DVD if you want a nice, remastered DTS soundtrack and a widescreen aspect -both are excellent.",
"However, the commentary track leaves a lot to be desired.",
"Better than two thirds of the duration of the film, all they did was turn down the volume and ramble on amongst themselves about film school theories and their careers.",
"THEY HARDLY EVEN DISCUSSED THE FILM!",
"What a wasted opportunity.",
"The few times that John Carpenter actually makes any commentary about the film, he giggles and laughs his way through the scene under scrutiny.I'm glad they had fun making the movie, and it's wonderful that John thinks it was all a giant joke, but bring something we don't already know to the commentary track, please."
] |
3 | Carrey really cares | This isnt a bad liitle movie. Jim Carrey acts up like he always does with his rubber face but he also does some acting too giving the movie have more meaning. At the begining he is berating GOD that his dull life isnt better. GOD comes in and gives him part of his vast powers. At first Carrey does simpilton things like blow up a womens skirt and stuff. But then, he learns of all the needs people have in the world and his life may not be so bad after all. During his change he realizes what he has is pretty good and leads to a nice heartwarming ending. Carrey walks among nature and realizes that he is part of the un-ending cosmos, he dreams of life and love they way they should be and he treats his fellow man as a brother instead of an enemy. This up-lifting movie will bring you to your feet as Jim shows us all that peace,brotherhood and good will reign surpreme the day mankind wakes up. A day when money doesnt rule us - a day when a walk in the park is as valuable as a diamond. | 991 | [
"This isnt a bad liitle movie.",
"Jim Carrey acts up like he always does with his rubber face but he also does some acting too giving the movie have more meaning.",
"At the begining he is berating GOD that his dull life isnt better.",
"GOD comes in and gives him part of his vast powers.",
"At first Carrey does simpilton things like blow up a womens skirt and stuff.",
"But then, he learns of all the needs people have in the world and his life may not be so bad after all.",
"During his change he realizes what he has is pretty good and leads to a nice heartwarming ending.",
"Carrey walks among nature and realizes that he is part of the un-ending cosmos, he dreams of life and love they way they should be and he treats his fellow man as a brother instead of an enemy.",
"This up-lifting movie will bring you to your feet as Jim shows us all that peace,brotherhood and good will reign surpreme the day mankind wakes up.",
"A day when money doesnt rule us - a day when a walk in the park is as valuable as a diamond."
] |
3 | Wonderful bridge book | Hamilton does a wonderful job of character development in this book. It's a beautiful setup for the rest of the series, and reading about the relationships, conflicts, and passion between Merry and her men was great fun! Ms. Hamilton seems to have skimped a little on the plot though. The plot line was a great idea (a monster called "the Nameless", a movie star who was exiled from fairy, political intrigue in both courts), but it wasn't developed enough at all. I don't want to give it away for those of you who haven't read it yet, but the ending also seemed very abrupt to me, as if she had actually written a longer book and cut it back. The writing over all was good. My only complaint was that she used the phrase "and well you know that" WAAAAAY too often. I found it jarring in a book that otherwise flowed very well. Caress of Twilight wasn't as good as Kiss of Shadows, but it was a good light read that I hope is preparing us for a fabulous third installment in the fairy world! | 991 | [
"Hamilton does a wonderful job of character development in this book.",
"It's a beautiful setup for the rest of the series, and reading about the relationships, conflicts, and passion between Merry and her men was great fun!",
"Ms.",
"Hamilton seems to have skimped a little on the plot though.",
"The plot line was a great idea (a monster called \"the Nameless\", a movie star who was exiled from fairy, political intrigue in both courts), but it wasn't developed enough at all.",
"I don't want to give it away for those of you who haven't read it yet, but the ending also seemed very abrupt to me, as if she had actually written a longer book and cut it back.",
"The writing over all was good.",
"My only complaint was that she used the phrase \"and well you know that\" WAAAAAY too often.",
"I found it jarring in a book that otherwise flowed very well.",
"Caress of Twilight wasn't as good as Kiss of Shadows, but it was a good light read that I hope is preparing us for a fabulous third installment in the fairy world!"
] |
3 | STEP SISTER | PAULA ABDUL-GREATEST HITS: Blessed with a choreographer's eye and sultry good looks, perfect plastic pop princess PAULA ABDUL was a video juggernaut in the the MTV age. ABDUL's perky brand of dance pop couldn't mask a small voice, but ultra slick production and an irresistible beat, the savior of many a sound bite diva then and now, netted her an impressive six number one singles during the course of a three album career. STRAIGHT UP's jittery pop-and-lock groove, the callous diss of COLD HEARTED, and urban "everything but the kitchen sink" stomper VIBEOLOGY were all slinky soundscapes slathered in synthetic soul. A couple of ballad biggies break up the hyper pace on GREATEST HITS, along with the clunky club cut MEGAMIX MEDLEY, which sinks under its own weight. ABDUL would by now be a mere footnote in musical annals, were it not for another more recent taste making boob-tube phenom...namely a certain GONG SHOW update that made her a superstar all over again.RATING: THREE PUMPS | 991 | [
"PAULA ABDUL-GREATEST HITS: Blessed with a choreographer's eye and sultry good looks, perfect plastic pop princess PAULA ABDUL was a video juggernaut in the the MTV age.",
"ABDUL's perky brand of dance pop couldn't mask a small voice, but ultra slick production and an irresistible beat, the savior of many a sound bite diva then and now, netted her an impressive six number one singles during the course of a three album career.",
"STRAIGHT UP's jittery pop-and-lock groove, the callous diss of COLD HEARTED, and urban \"everything but the kitchen sink\" stomper VIBEOLOGY were all slinky soundscapes slathered in synthetic soul.",
"A couple of ballad biggies break up the hyper pace on GREATEST HITS, along with the clunky club cut MEGAMIX MEDLEY, which sinks under its own weight.",
"ABDUL would by now be a mere footnote in musical annals, were it not for another more recent taste making boob-tube phenom...namely a certain GONG SHOW update that made her a superstar all over again.RATING: THREE PUMPS"
] |
3 | Sizing Incorrect | The poster itself is alright for under $3. Shipping was fast, the tube was sturdy and no damage occurred. The paper is a little on the thin side, but it went into a poster frame so it's not a big deal.The color of the image is not as shown above. The colors in the actual poster are a lot more muddied and not nearly as vibrant as shown in the example, but it will be going in a brightly (fluorescent) lit office so they might pop a little more there.What irritates me the most about this, and why I'm not giving it 4 stars: their dimensions are way off. I own a nice metal frame with one of those motivational posters in it and I was searching for a poster in the 24"x30" size. The size was main reason for buying this, the content was far less important. Unfortunately I got it home and this is definitely a 24"x36" poster. NOT 24"x30" as listed. Luckily I had a cheap poster frame with a poster that was more easily trimmed down (no border) otherwise I would have had to buy that as well. | 991 | [
"The poster itself is alright for under $3.",
"Shipping was fast, the tube was sturdy and no damage occurred.",
"The paper is a little on the thin side, but it went into a poster frame so it's not a big deal.The color of the image is not as shown above.",
"The colors in the actual poster are a lot more muddied and not nearly as vibrant as shown in the example, but it will be going in a brightly (fluorescent) lit office so they might pop a little more there.What irritates me the most about this, and why I'm not giving it 4 stars: their dimensions are way off.",
"I own a nice metal frame with one of those motivational posters in it and I was searching for a poster in the 24\"x30\" size.",
"The size was main reason for buying this, the content was far less important.",
"Unfortunately I got it home and this is definitely a 24\"x36\" poster.",
"NOT 24\"x30\" as listed.",
"Luckily I had a cheap poster frame with a poster that was more easily trimmed down (no border) otherwise I would have had to buy that as well."
] |
3 | Muscle and want | A transitional album from the downtempo torture of "Belief" to the electro-rock of "Ebbhead", "Showtime" builds on the relentless machine beats of NE's earlier work while the slick production rounds off NE's legendary hard edge. Although it starts with the much promising, aggressive "Getting closer" (one of my favorite NE tracks), this album is a bit tame and laid back. It's truly NE's most accessible and moderate album, but sometimes it becomes rather dull and sounds like Depeche Mode without melody. However, Douglas' best vocal performance ever enlivenes the fiercely minimalistic arrangements and makes the whole affair surprisingly listenable. Other interesting tracks apart from the great "Getting closer" are "My heart", "Lightning man" with its strange oboe refrain, and the single "Fun to be had". "Showtime" is a good introduction to NE's work for the unexperienced listener, but "Ebbhead" offers a greater variety of styles and "That total age" is more original and powerful. | 991 | [
"A transitional album from the downtempo torture of \"Belief\" to the electro-rock of \"Ebbhead\", \"Showtime\" builds on the relentless machine beats of NE's earlier work while the slick production rounds off NE's legendary hard edge.",
"Although it starts with the much promising, aggressive \"Getting closer\" (one of my favorite NE tracks), this album is a bit tame and laid back.",
"It's truly NE's most accessible and moderate album, but sometimes it becomes rather dull and sounds like Depeche Mode without melody.",
"However, Douglas' best vocal performance ever enlivenes the fiercely minimalistic arrangements and makes the whole affair surprisingly listenable.",
"Other interesting tracks apart from the great \"Getting closer\" are \"My heart\", \"Lightning man\" with its strange oboe refrain, and the single \"Fun to be had\".",
"\"Showtime\" is a good introduction to NE's work for the unexperienced listener, but \"Ebbhead\" offers a greater variety of styles and \"That total age\" is more original and powerful."
] |
3 | Cast of Dozens | To be sure, with 95% of all war movies being garbage, this is a good flick. However, it lost its opportunity for greatness when it passed on being the portrait of a decisive turning point in the world's greatest conflict. Obviously done on a tight budget with limited research, most of the battle sequences are shot nearsighted in scale so few tanks and actors are needed. Street fighting is limited to one brief episode in a factory. The added intrigue of the evil German officer (something out of an Indiana Jones flick) was out of place as well as being inaccurate for that period of the war (that crap started after Hitler's assassination, years later). Missing is the overconfidence and arrogance that turns to surprise and shock with the German's facing their first defeat. Another omission is the bitter determination displayed by well-trained career soldiers who knew they weren't leaving alive. In this film the Germans come off as a retagged bunch of draftees just waiting to lose. | 991 | [
"To be sure, with 95% of all war movies being garbage, this is a good flick.",
"However, it lost its opportunity for greatness when it passed on being the portrait of a decisive turning point in the world's greatest conflict.",
"Obviously done on a tight budget with limited research, most of the battle sequences are shot nearsighted in scale so few tanks and actors are needed.",
"Street fighting is limited to one brief episode in a factory.",
"The added intrigue of the evil German officer (something out of an Indiana Jones flick) was out of place as well as being inaccurate for that period of the war (that crap started after Hitler's assassination, years later).",
"Missing is the overconfidence and arrogance that turns to surprise and shock with the German's facing their first defeat.",
"Another omission is the bitter determination displayed by well-trained career soldiers who knew they weren't leaving alive.",
"In this film the Germans come off as a retagged bunch of draftees just waiting to lose."
] |
3 | Mikey | I remember reading the tagline for the movie when I was younger and always wanted to see it. This film came out when horror was dead but the movie is pretty good. The trailer shows every kill in this movie, a first for a horror movie.It starts off with little Mikey getting slapped by his mother and he kills his sister (because she didnt stick up for him), his mother, and then his father. Mikey videotaped the killings, which I thought would have come into play later in the film but it doesnt. After the murders, he's adopted by a new family. The film then shows little hints of Mikey being a psycho until the very last part of the film. While the acting was good, I thought the ending just sucked and it probably would have had a sequel if this film did anything at the box office. This is a lost gem in an era where horror films were all but forgotten. I paid 30 for a authentic copy and I see a seller selling one forn only ten bucks, I recommend picking it up. Not a bad movie at all. | 991 | [
"I remember reading the tagline for the movie when I was younger and always wanted to see it.",
"This film came out when horror was dead but the movie is pretty good.",
"The trailer shows every kill in this movie, a first for a horror movie.It starts off with little Mikey getting slapped by his mother and he kills his sister (because she didnt stick up for him), his mother, and then his father.",
"Mikey videotaped the killings, which I thought would have come into play later in the film but it doesnt.",
"After the murders, he's adopted by a new family.",
"The film then shows little hints of Mikey being a psycho until the very last part of the film.",
"While the acting was good, I thought the ending just sucked and it probably would have had a sequel if this film did anything at the box office.",
"This is a lost gem in an era where horror films were all but forgotten.",
"I paid 30 for a authentic copy and I see a seller selling one forn only ten bucks, I recommend picking it up.",
"Not a bad movie at all."
] |
3 | Be Cautious | The sender got the book to me PDQ and it was in very good condition as advertised. No problems there. Reading the contents is another matter. I respect that this topic has not been covered very widely, and I was glad to find this book for that reason. I've been slowly making my way through it. As one who is widely educated and well read in the general area that the author references, I have to say that she is only mildly well researched herself, and the conclusions she draws from her sources and her (very narrowly chosen) group of responders is debatable at best. It's a worthy subject. I wish more people would work with it. But if someone new to the field takes the author's assertions as fact, they will be misled. Beyond not being much of a thinker, Caitlin Matthews is also not much of a writer, so...bravo for taking up a little discussed and worthy topic, but, please, someone who knows more about it, please right a better book! (I think this may have been a PhD dissertation?) | 991 | [
"The sender got the book to me PDQ and it was in very good condition as advertised.",
"No problems there.",
"Reading the contents is another matter.",
"I respect that this topic has not been covered very widely, and I was glad to find this book for that reason.",
"I've been slowly making my way through it.",
"As one who is widely educated and well read in the general area that the author references, I have to say that she is only mildly well researched herself, and the conclusions she draws from her sources and her (very narrowly chosen) group of responders is debatable at best.",
"It's a worthy subject.",
"I wish more people would work with it.",
"But if someone new to the field takes the author's assertions as fact, they will be misled.",
"Beyond not being much of a thinker, Caitlin Matthews is also not much of a writer, so...bravo for taking up a little discussed and worthy topic, but, please, someone who knows more about it, please right a better book!",
"(I think this may have been a PhD dissertation?",
")"
] |
3 | A disappointment | Man, I thought this game was going to be fun. It is, up to a point. But it's nearly impossible to get the light right, and the storyline is missing. And the point of Bionicle is it's story. It only gives you one bit of story related information. The game is also glitchy. You can easily get stuck, walk on water, or float in midair. Especially if you are hunting for the elusive second disc, or the hidden "life-up" berries.The reason I give it 3 stars is because it has a bunch of extremly fun minigames. Also, this game may have the best graphics of any GBA game. Almost. Check out the final lava surfing sequence. (Not the minigame). The nice extras are that the discs and "Volo Mapta Launcher" (a hookshot thingy) will adapt to your colors of the Tohunga you choose.But the game is the same in each level. Save the Turaga. Get the crystals. Get the stone. Go to next village. Repeat six times. Surf on lava. End of game. I beat it in 6 hours.I hope the gamecube one is much, much better. | 991 | [
"Man, I thought this game was going to be fun.",
"It is, up to a point.",
"But it's nearly impossible to get the light right, and the storyline is missing.",
"And the point of Bionicle is it's story.",
"It only gives you one bit of story related information.",
"The game is also glitchy.",
"You can easily get stuck, walk on water, or float in midair.",
"Especially if you are hunting for the elusive second disc, or the hidden \"life-up\" berries.The reason I give it 3 stars is because it has a bunch of extremly fun minigames.",
"Also, this game may have the best graphics of any GBA game.",
"Almost.",
"Check out the final lava surfing sequence.",
"(Not the minigame).",
"The nice extras are that the discs and \"Volo Mapta Launcher\" (a hookshot thingy) will adapt to your colors of the Tohunga you choose.But the game is the same in each level.",
"Save the Turaga.",
"Get the crystals.",
"Get the stone.",
"Go to next village.",
"Repeat six times.",
"Surf on lava.",
"End of game.",
"I beat it in 6 hours.I hope the gamecube one is much, much better."
] |
3 | still ok... | Despite the low reviews/ratings of Shrek 3, it is still worthy of watching. Just don't expect it to be just as good as parts 1 and 2. The thing about Shrek 3 is that it is funny but the storyline sucked.Shrek's father-in-law, King Harold, dies. But before he dies, he tells Shrek that he is next in line to be king. Not wanting to be king, Shrek asks who is next after him, he learns that Arthur is next. So, Shrek takes off on a sea voyage to locate this Arthur.Meanwhile, Charming schemes his revenge on Far Far Away kingdom. With the help of storybook villians, he captures the queen and princesses. He has plans to destroy Shrek, so he can be king.On the other hand, Fiona announces that she's pregnant. Shrek doesn't think that an ogre can be a good father. He contemplates whether he'll be good enough or not.All I can say is that I did enjoy this movie...with their hilarious lines. Of course, most of their jokes were geared towards adults. Now, the storyline...that's another story. | 991 | [
"Despite the low reviews/ratings of Shrek 3, it is still worthy of watching.",
"Just don't expect it to be just as good as parts 1 and 2.",
"The thing about Shrek 3 is that it is funny but the storyline sucked.Shrek's father-in-law, King Harold, dies.",
"But before he dies, he tells Shrek that he is next in line to be king.",
"Not wanting to be king, Shrek asks who is next after him, he learns that Arthur is next.",
"So, Shrek takes off on a sea voyage to locate this Arthur.Meanwhile, Charming schemes his revenge on Far Far Away kingdom.",
"With the help of storybook villians, he captures the queen and princesses.",
"He has plans to destroy Shrek, so he can be king.On the other hand, Fiona announces that she's pregnant.",
"Shrek doesn't think that an ogre can be a good father.",
"He contemplates whether he'll be good enough or not.All I can say is that I did enjoy this movie...with their hilarious lines.",
"Of course, most of their jokes were geared towards adults.",
"Now, the storyline...that's another story."
] |
3 | not essential | It may be something of a dissenting opinion, but to me this concept album hasn't aged well. Some of the compositions (based on live vamps) are nice, like the last few minutes of Packard Goose, Catholic girls, Stick it out and Outside now.Water melon in Easter Hay is the most beautiful melody ever to be played on this side of Schubert (and accounts for star # 3 on its own)and Ike Willis' voice is in fine form throughout, but on the whole I find this album a bit silly. The Scrutinizer bits are all over the place, neccessary to get the story across perhaps but downright silly.The point he wants to make is better expressed on other albums (notably Broadway) and songs. The sterile sound doesn't help either. It is amazing for instance how most of the songs improve in their live versions. The title track for instance is a must hear on YCDTOSA III.Easy listening with a lyrical twist. Daring for your parents perhaps but not audacious enough musically compared to most of his other stuff | 991 | [
"It may be something of a dissenting opinion, but to me this concept album hasn't aged well.",
"Some of the compositions (based on live vamps) are nice, like the last few minutes of Packard Goose, Catholic girls, Stick it out and Outside now.Water melon in Easter Hay is the most beautiful melody ever to be played on this side of Schubert (and accounts for star # 3 on its own)and Ike Willis' voice is in fine form throughout, but on the whole I find this album a bit silly.",
"The Scrutinizer bits are all over the place, neccessary to get the story across perhaps but downright silly.The point he wants to make is better expressed on other albums (notably Broadway) and songs.",
"The sterile sound doesn't help either.",
"It is amazing for instance how most of the songs improve in their live versions.",
"The title track for instance is a must hear on YCDTOSA III.Easy listening with a lyrical twist.",
"Daring for your parents perhaps but not audacious enough musically compared to most of his other stuff"
] |
3 | OEM replacement | This was purchased for a 2001 Qx4, rear shocks.I was looking to upgrade my suspension to be a little more stiff. When inspecting these shocks, I noticed that it was relatively easy to compress these shocks. I interpreted that as soft dampening capability by these shocks. However, after having exchanged these shocks with the KYB monotube Gas-A-Just shocks, I think these would have sufficed, as I also upgraded my coil springs all around to some stiffer coils. All these shocks would really do is just prevent my truck from bouncing all over the place and I believe these shocks would have been able to do that just fine. The ride with the Gas-A-just equivalent shocks seem a little too stiff, but tolerable. I can't say for sure if these GR-2 shocks would have made for a bit more softer ride, but I wouldn't doubt that they'd function just fine with me new stiffer coils.As KYB advertises, I agree that these are good OEM replacements to the shocks that came from Nissan/Infiniti factory. | 991 | [
"This was purchased for a 2001 Qx4, rear shocks.I was looking to upgrade my suspension to be a little more stiff.",
"When inspecting these shocks, I noticed that it was relatively easy to compress these shocks.",
"I interpreted that as soft dampening capability by these shocks.",
"However, after having exchanged these shocks with the KYB monotube Gas-A-Just shocks, I think these would have sufficed, as I also upgraded my coil springs all around to some stiffer coils.",
"All these shocks would really do is just prevent my truck from bouncing all over the place and I believe these shocks would have been able to do that just fine.",
"The ride with the Gas-A-just equivalent shocks seem a little too stiff, but tolerable.",
"I can't say for sure if these GR-2 shocks would have made for a bit more softer ride, but I wouldn't doubt that they'd function just fine with me new stiffer coils.As KYB advertises, I agree that these are good OEM replacements to the shocks that came from Nissan/Infiniti factory."
] |
3 | cynical and sad | Some of the ideas in this book are potentially transformative -- particularly the notion that increasing income through employment is not the best way to get wealthy, or even to get ahead.Ironically, this book shares a troublesome premise with its polar opposite, "Your Money or Your Life." "Rich Dad" promotes freedom through wealth. "Your Money" promotes freedom through frugality. Both disparage WORK as a vehicle for involvement with the human community.I'd venture a guess that most of us aren't desperate to be freed from working entirely. I know that what I would prefer is meaningful, socially useful work (with reasonable hours and work load) and fair reward for the value I create for others/society/humanity.It seems very cynical and sad to conclude that working per se is so inherently degrading that people should seek to avoid it, either by "getting rich and letting other stupid schmoes work" or by shrinking from engagement with the human economy (as opposed to The Economy.) | 991 | [
"Some of the ideas in this book are potentially transformative -- particularly the notion that increasing income through employment is not the best way to get wealthy, or even to get ahead.Ironically, this book shares a troublesome premise with its polar opposite, \"Your Money or Your Life.\" \"Rich Dad\" promotes freedom through wealth.",
"\"Your Money\" promotes freedom through frugality.",
"Both disparage WORK as a vehicle for involvement with the human community.I'd venture a guess that most of us aren't desperate to be freed from working entirely.",
"I know that what I would prefer is meaningful, socially useful work (with reasonable hours and work load) and fair reward for the value I create for others/society/humanity.It seems very cynical and sad to conclude that working per se is so inherently degrading that people should seek to avoid it, either by \"getting rich and letting other stupid schmoes work\" or by shrinking from engagement with the human economy (as opposed to The Economy.)"
] |
3 | an irregular work | I bought Last Rights after buying Too Dark Park; as I really love the latter, and many fans often consider these 2 to be the best Skinny albums, I first listened to Last Rights with anxiety. But I got disillusioned; The dark atmosphere created in TDP is absent here; Last Rights is not a bad album, but I think it lacks the changing beats of VIVISectVI and the darkness of TDP; there're good tracks though, 'Killing Game' is excellent and so is 'Inquisition'; but the work ends in a very irregular way, with instrumental tracks full of samples which are not bad in themselves, but stmes get too repetitive and tiring. I think that VIVISectVI and Too Dark Park are superior to Last Rights, better conceived and less irregular; However, the personal touch of Skinny Puppy is here, so Last Rights grows on you with each listening, but I think it will never beat these 2 previous albums. It anticipates somehow Download's works, mainly with the treatment of samples and instrumental atmospheres; | 991 | [
"I bought Last Rights after buying Too Dark Park; as I really love the latter, and many fans often consider these 2 to be the best Skinny albums, I first listened to Last Rights with anxiety.",
"But I got disillusioned; The dark atmosphere created in TDP is absent here; Last Rights is not a bad album, but I think it lacks the changing beats of VIVISectVI and the darkness of TDP; there're good tracks though, 'Killing Game' is excellent and so is 'Inquisition'; but the work ends in a very irregular way, with instrumental tracks full of samples which are not bad in themselves, but stmes get too repetitive and tiring.",
"I think that VIVISectVI and Too Dark Park are superior to Last Rights, better conceived and less irregular; However, the personal touch of Skinny Puppy is here, so Last Rights grows on you with each listening, but I think it will never beat these 2 previous albums.",
"It anticipates somehow Download's works, mainly with the treatment of samples and instrumental atmospheres;"
] |
3 | The Duke on Command | The Duke himself is in this movie about Marine pilots in the South Pacific during World War II. Since this movie was made in the fifties, there is not a lot of gore and violence. The fight scenes you see are mostly actual footage from aerial combats during WWII.The movie centers around two things. First, it shows the usage of military planes providing close ground support. Repeatedly, everyone mentions it can't be done, but the Duke and his group continue to show that it is viable. Second, we see the agonies of command.John Wayne is a major who is not always liked by his subordinates. He is a career military man trying to keep his team, mostly young college men, alive by enforcing discipline. He drives them relentlessly as the executive officer tries to ease up on them. By the end of the movie, the executive officer gets an explanation on why it is necessary for commanders to push their men.For military film buffs or John Wayne fans, I would highly recommend seeing this movie. | 991 | [
"The Duke himself is in this movie about Marine pilots in the South Pacific during World War II.",
"Since this movie was made in the fifties, there is not a lot of gore and violence.",
"The fight scenes you see are mostly actual footage from aerial combats during WWII.The movie centers around two things.",
"First, it shows the usage of military planes providing close ground support.",
"Repeatedly, everyone mentions it can't be done, but the Duke and his group continue to show that it is viable.",
"Second, we see the agonies of command.John Wayne is a major who is not always liked by his subordinates.",
"He is a career military man trying to keep his team, mostly young college men, alive by enforcing discipline.",
"He drives them relentlessly as the executive officer tries to ease up on them.",
"By the end of the movie, the executive officer gets an explanation on why it is necessary for commanders to push their men.For military film buffs or John Wayne fans, I would highly recommend seeing this movie."
] |
3 | good but not great | These four plays were good plays- they are easier to understand if one is familiar with Sartre's philosophy. The plots in all these plays were both unique and exciting yet at times, especially in dirty hands and the flies, the plays seem to drag on and on. Had the plays been shorter, Sartre's main point would have been made clearer and more forcefully. In plays, it's hard to communicate character background yet with a novel the author can just describe it from third-person perspective. I think perhaps these plays would have been more successful and more dramatic had they been written as short novels with more description and character analysis. At times I felt that the characters were explored and described in superfical ways. All in all, these were good plays yet I cant say I loved them. This might just be me though since I have never been too fond of the format of plays- i feel like it never gets to the heart of the character since you only get dialogue with little analysis. | 991 | [
"These four plays were good plays- they are easier to understand if one is familiar with Sartre's philosophy.",
"The plots in all these plays were both unique and exciting yet at times, especially in dirty hands and the flies, the plays seem to drag on and on.",
"Had the plays been shorter, Sartre's main point would have been made clearer and more forcefully.",
"In plays, it's hard to communicate character background yet with a novel the author can just describe it from third-person perspective.",
"I think perhaps these plays would have been more successful and more dramatic had they been written as short novels with more description and character analysis.",
"At times I felt that the characters were explored and described in superfical ways.",
"All in all, these were good plays yet I cant say I loved them.",
"This might just be me though since I have never been too fond of the format of plays- i feel like it never gets to the heart of the character since you only get dialogue with little analysis."
] |
3 | It's worth reading | Does Jones look bad by claiming to have known about all this for years, but only coming out with it now that he's been fired? To an extent, yes. Did the mother of the plaintif in this most recent case come off as suspect? Perhps. Does that make any of these allegations or evidence any less true? Nope. Regardless of how much you like Jackson's music, some people's childlike adoration of him doesn't mean that he's incapable of having and fulfilling weird desires and appetites. This isn't the first time he's been accused; I believe he's made two huge payouts to two different accusers. You don't do that if you've got nothing to hide (just check out the big tobbaco companies). What we have with all of this whi6ning by people who obviously haven't and wouldn't read this book is people whose lives are so barren that they must invest all of their effort and emotion in defending the reputation of some superstar perv who most likely wouldn't even loan them five dollars if asked. Losers. | 991 | [
"Does Jones look bad by claiming to have known about all this for years, but only coming out with it now that he's been fired?",
"To an extent, yes.",
"Did the mother of the plaintif in this most recent case come off as suspect?",
"Perhps.",
"Does that make any of these allegations or evidence any less true?",
"Nope.",
"Regardless of how much you like Jackson's music, some people's childlike adoration of him doesn't mean that he's incapable of having and fulfilling weird desires and appetites.",
"This isn't the first time he's been accused; I believe he's made two huge payouts to two different accusers.",
"You don't do that if you've got nothing to hide (just check out the big tobbaco companies).",
"What we have with all of this whi6ning by people who obviously haven't and wouldn't read this book is people whose lives are so barren that they must invest all of their effort and emotion in defending the reputation of some superstar perv who most likely wouldn't even loan them five dollars if asked.",
"Losers."
] |
3 | Hating Valentine's Day | You don't hear of Valetinine Scrooges, but they do exist; case in point, Liv Hetherington, a wedding photographer who has had it with V-day rituals and dating diseasters. Yet, when everyone who has been urging her into these romantic nightmares gives up on her, there is a strange let down until she discovers that Fate is willing to give her one last chance. Her "Marley" is the ghost of an old woman with the unlikely name of Mrs. Batty Smith, who informs her that three spirits will visit her to encourage her to change her ways. Cupid, aka, Valentines' Past, is sort of cute, albeit irksome. Valentines' Present is the ideal man, one that readers who like to play the book as a movie in their head will want to hit pause on when he comes around. The spirit of the Future- we won't go there. Suffice it to say, she outdoes Christmas Future on the scary level. With more humor than Dickens, readers are given an equally meaningful message that applies to any day, not just Valentine's Day. | 991 | [
"You don't hear of Valetinine Scrooges, but they do exist; case in point, Liv Hetherington, a wedding photographer who has had it with V-day rituals and dating diseasters.",
"Yet, when everyone who has been urging her into these romantic nightmares gives up on her, there is a strange let down until she discovers that Fate is willing to give her one last chance.",
"Her \"Marley\" is the ghost of an old woman with the unlikely name of Mrs.",
"Batty Smith, who informs her that three spirits will visit her to encourage her to change her ways.",
"Cupid, aka, Valentines' Past, is sort of cute, albeit irksome.",
"Valentines' Present is the ideal man, one that readers who like to play the book as a movie in their head will want to hit pause on when he comes around.",
"The spirit of the Future- we won't go there.",
"Suffice it to say, she outdoes Christmas Future on the scary level.",
"With more humor than Dickens, readers are given an equally meaningful message that applies to any day, not just Valentine's Day."
] |
3 | Not for big head! | I ordered this with the Aquis hair towel (19x39). I really wanted to love this turban! I bought cheap hair turban made of cotton before, and while it fits great on my head, the towel just wasn't drying my hair enough (I needed another towel to dry my hair after I take off the turban). After reading so many good reviews, I had high hopes for this hair turban, but when I got it and tried it on, it fit too tightly on my big head. As I secured the loop on the button, I felt uncomfortable pull on my hair (especially on front half of my head). So unfortunately, I had to return the turban. But the good news is the hair towel is superb - and it wraps into a turban shape with no effort, and stays on my head for as long as I want it to. I think the problem with the shape of this turban is that the side is also stretchy. My other hair turbans do not have the stretchy side, and it fits great on my big head. So.. if you have a big head like me, be warned. You may want to go with the towel. | 991 | [
"I ordered this with the Aquis hair towel (19x39).",
"I really wanted to love this turban!",
"I bought cheap hair turban made of cotton before, and while it fits great on my head, the towel just wasn't drying my hair enough (I needed another towel to dry my hair after I take off the turban).",
"After reading so many good reviews, I had high hopes for this hair turban, but when I got it and tried it on, it fit too tightly on my big head.",
"As I secured the loop on the button, I felt uncomfortable pull on my hair (especially on front half of my head).",
"So unfortunately, I had to return the turban.",
"But the good news is the hair towel is superb - and it wraps into a turban shape with no effort, and stays on my head for as long as I want it to.",
"I think the problem with the shape of this turban is that the side is also stretchy.",
"My other hair turbans do not have the stretchy side, and it fits great on my big head.",
"So.. if you have a big head like me, be warned.",
"You may want to go with the towel."
] |
3 | I Don't Know | I like having the swing gate instead of putting up and taking down a regular baby gate. It might be in the product description or other reviews, but I missed the part where you have to screw something into the wall to mount this gate into. They are like little cups that hold the gate in place. I didn't use the cups though, and the gate still works. However, sometimes one of the dogs leans on the gate, and I have to put it back into place. I decided not to use them because I didn't want my nice wood doorway ruined with screw holes.The cat door is useful, but I wished the it slide over. When I have the cat door open in one direction and forget to close it before opening the big gate, it can scratch the door. When it is open the other direction, I have to make sure not to scratch my leg.However, overall, it is nicer than the regular baby gates. It is lot more sturdy. My dogs were leaning on and breaking the traditional wooden gates, and these gates have stood strong against them. | 991 | [
"I like having the swing gate instead of putting up and taking down a regular baby gate.",
"It might be in the product description or other reviews, but I missed the part where you have to screw something into the wall to mount this gate into.",
"They are like little cups that hold the gate in place.",
"I didn't use the cups though, and the gate still works.",
"However, sometimes one of the dogs leans on the gate, and I have to put it back into place.",
"I decided not to use them because I didn't want my nice wood doorway ruined with screw holes.The cat door is useful, but I wished the it slide over.",
"When I have the cat door open in one direction and forget to close it before opening the big gate, it can scratch the door.",
"When it is open the other direction, I have to make sure not to scratch my leg.However, overall, it is nicer than the regular baby gates.",
"It is lot more sturdy.",
"My dogs were leaning on and breaking the traditional wooden gates, and these gates have stood strong against them."
] |
3 | A Decent Bit of Cheese | If you're looking for a standard lost in the woods, scary-gory urban legend horror film, this is a pretty good one. If you're looking for anything beyond that, you will probably find "The Barrens" quite a waste of time.Pros:--Acting, script, and cinematography are better than many films in this genre;--Makes good use of anti-climaxes and dream sequences as well as effective vagueness regarding how human/inhuman the monster really is;Cons:--A lot of loose plot threads, as well as some irrelevant and derivative details: To quote one of the central characters, "[What's] all this Blair Witch crazy s**t hanging from the trees"?;--Although it could be gorier--and I realize that some people like gore for its own sake--all the entrails assault the senses, and, while they're really grotty, both animal and human, they all look alike;--It would be more frightening to just give quick, patchy glimpses of the monster (or not show it at all), than to give such clear shots of the crazy thing. | 991 | [
"If you're looking for a standard lost in the woods, scary-gory urban legend horror film, this is a pretty good one.",
"If you're looking for anything beyond that, you will probably find \"The Barrens\" quite a waste of time.Pros:--Acting, script, and cinematography are better than many films in this genre;--Makes good use of anti-climaxes and dream sequences as well as effective vagueness regarding how human/inhuman the monster really is;Cons:--A lot of loose plot threads, as well as some irrelevant and derivative details: To quote one of the central characters, \"[What's] all this Blair Witch crazy s**t hanging from the trees\"?",
";--Although it could be gorier--and I realize that some people like gore for its own sake--all the entrails assault the senses, and, while they're really grotty, both animal and human, they all look alike;--It would be more frightening to just give quick, patchy glimpses of the monster (or not show it at all), than to give such clear shots of the crazy thing."
] |
3 | Okay Cable | The video quality of this cable is not much better than the composite video that comes with the WII even when I changed the WII settings to 480p resolution with this cable. I'm using a 32" Sony Bravia 1080i LCD HD TV, and I didn't notice much (if any) difference. However, I like the construction of this cable more than the standard cables that come with the WII. Overall, I'd get the cables again, but don't expect to be wowed by the improved resolution, unless you have a large HD TV where small improvements in resolution will show.There are some reviews of this product that say you cannot run the audio cables to an amplifier. This is likely true since the cables leaving the bundle are short and can probably only reach the TV (if you're connecting the video directly to the TV like most people). However, most TVs have audio outputs that you can run to the amplifier. Another option would be to buy a female-to-female RCA coupler and have short audio cables to run to your amplifier. | 991 | [
"The video quality of this cable is not much better than the composite video that comes with the WII even when I changed the WII settings to 480p resolution with this cable.",
"I'm using a 32\" Sony Bravia 1080i LCD HD TV, and I didn't notice much (if any) difference.",
"However, I like the construction of this cable more than the standard cables that come with the WII.",
"Overall, I'd get the cables again, but don't expect to be wowed by the improved resolution, unless you have a large HD TV where small improvements in resolution will show.There are some reviews of this product that say you cannot run the audio cables to an amplifier.",
"This is likely true since the cables leaving the bundle are short and can probably only reach the TV (if you're connecting the video directly to the TV like most people).",
"However, most TVs have audio outputs that you can run to the amplifier.",
"Another option would be to buy a female-to-female RCA coupler and have short audio cables to run to your amplifier."
] |
3 | Not for everyone | I originally bought this to supplement my Black Company game (from Green Ronin), which is a Mercenary type game for 3.5. Some of the prestige classes I wouldn't use (ie the Mechanist or the Mechanist Calvary)--but the subtypes are interesting, since the BC setting already uses backgrounds, I might just supplement some NPCs with the subtypes. Please note that most of this book is geared towards the NPC Warrior class. Gladiators are interesting change from the WoTC Sword and Fist version--its kinda what I wanted the Wizards version to be (although I would add more gladiator fighting styles).Some of the skills and feats were already duplicated or done elsewhere in other sourcebooks (and presented better elsewhere), although I do like the Smell/Taste skill (I've been just using a Spot check, but smell or taste checks don't come up that often) expanded Profession skills, especially the Profession Bartender.A lot of the stuff is hit or miss and the artwork is horrible in most cases. | 991 | [
"I originally bought this to supplement my Black Company game (from Green Ronin), which is a Mercenary type game for 3.5. Some of the prestige classes I wouldn't use (ie the Mechanist or the Mechanist Calvary)--but the subtypes are interesting, since the BC setting already uses backgrounds, I might just supplement some NPCs with the subtypes.",
"Please note that most of this book is geared towards the NPC Warrior class.",
"Gladiators are interesting change from the WoTC Sword and Fist version--its kinda what I wanted the Wizards version to be (although I would add more gladiator fighting styles).Some of the skills and feats were already duplicated or done elsewhere in other sourcebooks (and presented better elsewhere), although I do like the Smell/Taste skill (I've been just using a Spot check, but smell or taste checks don't come up that often) expanded Profession skills, especially the Profession Bartender.A lot of the stuff is hit or miss and the artwork is horrible in most cases."
] |
3 | A glass half-empty... | The art direction and initial premise of "Franklyn" was certainly compelling enough to capture my attention as well as my imagination... typically, I love these kinds of movies. The acting and dialog carry the film well enough, but the scope of the production values is not enough to turn this narrowly focused Freudian psycho-drama into the epic it wants to be. I found it to be a small story told in the context of a needlessly large, and subsequently distracting, setting. Additionally, the characters weren't endearing enough to merit my sympathies or admiration. Franklyn himself ended up confusing me more than enlightening or inspiring so the ending rang hollow for me, I honestly couldn't muster enough caring to be left with any sense of wonder or loss.The movie "V for Vendetta" makes a good corollary as it takes all these elements and combines them effectively into an epic ride. If Franklyn had a message as large as it's ambitious effort it would have been far more satisfying. | 991 | [
"The art direction and initial premise of \"Franklyn\" was certainly compelling enough to capture my attention as well as my imagination... typically, I love these kinds of movies.",
"The acting and dialog carry the film well enough, but the scope of the production values is not enough to turn this narrowly focused Freudian psycho-drama into the epic it wants to be.",
"I found it to be a small story told in the context of a needlessly large, and subsequently distracting, setting.",
"Additionally, the characters weren't endearing enough to merit my sympathies or admiration.",
"Franklyn himself ended up confusing me more than enlightening or inspiring so the ending rang hollow for me, I honestly couldn't muster enough caring to be left with any sense of wonder or loss.The movie \"V for Vendetta\" makes a good corollary as it takes all these elements and combines them effectively into an epic ride.",
"If Franklyn had a message as large as it's ambitious effort it would have been far more satisfying."
] |
3 | Two and a half stars | Overall Corneilia Funke had alot going for her. There was an excellent plot and lots of ideas to dwell on, however Corneilia Funke lost grip on her story.First off there is the ending. I actually enjoy the idea of a tragic ending but Funke made it a confusing mess. Characters who should have died (Mo) live (just because she loves them too much) and characters who should have lived (Dustfinger) randomly die. Fengolio just arrogantly brushed off the chaotic state of inkworld.Then there was the constant repitition. The same facts are continously repeated.The worst part is the romance between Farid and Meggie. In the beginning of the book Corneilia asks to a friend if she talked enough about Meggie and Farid. Yes, Corneilia did to the extent of being annoying. The romance between Meggie and Farid should only take up a chapter or so but instead it takes up a fourth of the book.The book has many good ideas but Corneilia Funke is unable to put them in an enjoyable and coherant order. | 991 | [
"Overall Corneilia Funke had alot going for her.",
"There was an excellent plot and lots of ideas to dwell on, however Corneilia Funke lost grip on her story.First off there is the ending.",
"I actually enjoy the idea of a tragic ending but Funke made it a confusing mess.",
"Characters who should have died (Mo) live (just because she loves them too much) and characters who should have lived (Dustfinger) randomly die.",
"Fengolio just arrogantly brushed off the chaotic state of inkworld.Then there was the constant repitition.",
"The same facts are continously repeated.The worst part is the romance between Farid and Meggie.",
"In the beginning of the book Corneilia asks to a friend if she talked enough about Meggie and Farid.",
"Yes, Corneilia did to the extent of being annoying.",
"The romance between Meggie and Farid should only take up a chapter or so but instead it takes up a fourth of the book.The book has many good ideas but Corneilia Funke is unable to put them in an enjoyable and coherant order."
] |
3 | A fun speed-read | While a lot of it is sped through, and it is very cliche-ridded (is that the right word >.<), I would still say this is a good read. I noticed a few similarities between this story and the Zelda lines, the most obvious being the orphan finding the princess, but all in all, I enjoyed it.As for the depth of the book, I can say it was predictable, but for a light read, that's essential. I didn't want to have to think about what was going on too much--I have Robert Jordan's Wheel of Time series for that-- so it was a nice change of pace. I would reccomend it to anyone who wants a quick, fun read.The one thing I really didn't like about it was the typos. Typos are major for me! But, with the re-release, I'm sure those I had seen were fixed.And I jsut want to say that the first book in a series is never the best that author can do. Give it time, it'll get better, I promise! (I actually can't wait for Saberondan, 'cause I think her minstrel's gonna be in it! He's a cool kinda guy...) | 991 | [
"While a lot of it is sped through, and it is very cliche-ridded (is that the right word >.<), I would still say this is a good read.",
"I noticed a few similarities between this story and the Zelda lines, the most obvious being the orphan finding the princess, but all in all, I enjoyed it.As for the depth of the book, I can say it was predictable, but for a light read, that's essential.",
"I didn't want to have to think about what was going on too much--I have Robert Jordan's Wheel of Time series for that-- so it was a nice change of pace.",
"I would reccomend it to anyone who wants a quick, fun read.The one thing I really didn't like about it was the typos.",
"Typos are major for me!",
"But, with the re-release, I'm sure those I had seen were fixed.And I jsut want to say that the first book in a series is never the best that author can do.",
"Give it time, it'll get better, I promise!",
"(I actually can't wait for Saberondan, 'cause I think her minstrel's gonna be in it!",
"He's a cool kinda guy...)"
] |
3 | Mariah:Remixed | A collection of Mariah's best mixes. A definite purchase for any Mariah fan out there. Also a great purchase for any dance music/club music fan. A nice listen for hip-hop audiences as well. However, if you are into Mariah's more pop based songs, this is not an album for you to purchase. There is one track on here I had not heard before which actually was a little popish called "Miss You" and is probably one of the highlights of this album. There are some very good remixes on here "Heartbreaker/If You Should Ever Be Lonely", "Thank God I Found You/Make It Last Forever" are 2 of those highlights...there are also a couple of tracks on here which really aren't remixes at all...such as "Sweetheart" with Jermaine Dupri, "Crybaby" with Snoop Dogg & "Breakdown" with Krayzie Bone & Wish Bone. Those are the original album versions, however I do love the track "Breakdown"...nevertheless this is a worthwhile purchase for many out there with the possible exception of the "pop" Mariah fans. | 991 | [
"A collection of Mariah's best mixes.",
"A definite purchase for any Mariah fan out there.",
"Also a great purchase for any dance music/club music fan.",
"A nice listen for hip-hop audiences as well.",
"However, if you are into Mariah's more pop based songs, this is not an album for you to purchase.",
"There is one track on here I had not heard before which actually was a little popish called \"Miss You\" and is probably one of the highlights of this album.",
"There are some very good remixes on here \"Heartbreaker/If You Should Ever Be Lonely\", \"Thank God I Found You/Make It Last Forever\" are 2 of those highlights...there are also a couple of tracks on here which really aren't remixes at all...such as \"Sweetheart\" with Jermaine Dupri, \"Crybaby\" with Snoop Dogg & \"Breakdown\" with Krayzie Bone & Wish Bone.",
"Those are the original album versions, however I do love the track \"Breakdown\"...nevertheless this is a worthwhile purchase for many out there with the possible exception of the \"pop\" Mariah fans."
] |
3 | I NEED MINE $$ | I REALLY HERE TO WRITE ABOUT LIL'FLIPS I NEED MINE $$ ALBUM (2005). I THOUGHT THE CD WAS PUSHED BACK BUT TO MY SURPISE THE ALBUM IS AVAILABLE FOR PURCHASE/IF U A MEMBER OF BMGMUSICSERVICE.COM/I WENT TO LIL FLIPS WEBSITE HIS THIRD ALBUM WILL DROP LATE JUNE 2006.HERE IS THE COMPLETE LINEUP IF U DON'T BELIEVE I OWN THIS LP ALREADY.1.STARCHED&CLEANED;2.GIVE ME A BEAT3.WHAT IT DO FEATURING MANNIE FRESH (WAS THE 1ST SINGLE)4.I'M A BALLA5.GHETTO MINDSTATE6.TAKE YOU THERE7.SORRY LIL'MA8.CAN'T U TELL9.TELL ME10.DA GUDDA11.ADDICTED12.PIMP JUJU SKIT13.YOU'Z A TRICK14.I'M A WARRIOR15.WHAT U KNOW16.3,2,1 GO! W/ THREE 6 MAFIA17.I JUST WANNA TELL U18.AFTER PARTY19.I NEED 2 FIND MY WAYTHERE U GO THE COMPLETE LINEUP FOR HIS UPCOMING THIRD ALBUM.THAT'S CRAZY I HAVE THE REAL OFFICIAL ALBUM BEFORE SONYBMG RELEASED IT IN THE STORES. OVERALL THE ALUM IS GOOD.TIGHT BEATS AND HE REPEATS HE WENT PLATINUM LIKE HE THE BOMB.MY FAVORITE TRACKS ARE2.3.4.5.6.9.10.13.14.16.P.S. WHEN U SEE FLIP IT FLIPARCHE!! | 991 | [
"I REALLY HERE TO WRITE ABOUT LIL'FLIPS I NEED MINE $$ ALBUM (2005).",
"I THOUGHT THE CD WAS PUSHED BACK BUT TO MY SURPISE THE ALBUM IS AVAILABLE FOR PURCHASE/IF U A MEMBER OF BMGMUSICSERVICE.COM/I WENT TO LIL FLIPS WEBSITE HIS THIRD ALBUM WILL DROP LATE JUNE 2006.HERE IS THE COMPLETE LINEUP IF U DON'T BELIEVE I OWN THIS LP ALREADY.1.STARCHED&CLEANED;2.GIVE ME A BEAT3.WHAT IT DO FEATURING MANNIE FRESH (WAS THE 1ST SINGLE)4.I'M A BALLA5.GHETTO MINDSTATE6.TAKE YOU THERE7.SORRY LIL'MA8.CAN'T U TELL9.TELL ME10.DA GUDDA11.ADDICTED12.PIMP JUJU SKIT13.YOU'Z A TRICK14.I'M A WARRIOR15.WHAT U KNOW16.3,2,1 GO!",
"W/ THREE 6 MAFIA17.I JUST WANNA TELL U18.AFTER PARTY19.I NEED 2 FIND MY WAYTHERE U GO THE COMPLETE LINEUP FOR HIS UPCOMING THIRD ALBUM.THAT'S CRAZY I HAVE THE REAL OFFICIAL ALBUM BEFORE SONYBMG RELEASED IT IN THE STORES.",
"OVERALL THE ALUM IS GOOD.TIGHT BEATS AND HE REPEATS HE WENT PLATINUM LIKE HE THE BOMB.MY FAVORITE TRACKS ARE2.3.4.5.6.9.10.13.14.16.P.S. WHEN U SEE FLIP IT FLIPARCHE!!"
] |
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