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3 | It all depends on what you like | To begin with, I like and don't like this bra. On the good side, it seems to be well-made (haven't used it much this far though) and the straps are comfortable. What I don't like about it is that it really doesn't seem easy to release the cup and is very light support. The company claims that it is one-hand release but I find it a little difficult. I also don't like having to stretch this bra over my head and breasts; I guess I prefer a back or front closure type of bra. It would be useful to have the sizes when ordering, as mine is a little small and had I known to go a little larger, I would've done so. So here goes: Small (30 and 32 A, B, C; and 34 A, B); Med (30 and 32D, DD, F; 34 C, D, DD; 36 A, B, C, D; and 38 A); Large (30 and 32 G, H, I, J; 34 F, G, H; 36 DD, F; 38 B, C, D, DD; 40 A, B; XL is all the rest (42 DD being the largest). It seems best suited to something you'd want to wear while sleeping or staying home all day especially if you have larger breasts. | 982 | [
"To begin with, I like and don't like this bra.",
"On the good side, it seems to be well-made (haven't used it much this far though) and the straps are comfortable.",
"What I don't like about it is that it really doesn't seem easy to release the cup and is very light support.",
"The company claims that it is one-hand release but I find it a little difficult.",
"I also don't like having to stretch this bra over my head and breasts; I guess I prefer a back or front closure type of bra.",
"It would be useful to have the sizes when ordering, as mine is a little small and had I known to go a little larger, I would've done so.",
"So here goes: Small (30 and 32 A, B, C; and 34 A, B); Med (30 and 32D, DD, F; 34 C, D, DD; 36 A, B, C, D; and 38 A); Large (30 and 32 G, H, I, J; 34 F, G, H; 36 DD, F; 38 B, C, D, DD; 40 A, B; XL is all the rest (42 DD being the largest).",
"It seems best suited to something you'd want to wear while sleeping or staying home all day especially if you have larger breasts."
] |
3 | Good, but... | I hate it when things don't fit - my pants, batteries, screws, guitars. I hate it even more when they almost fit - when were the fabric just a little stretchier or had you eaten just one less cookie, had you drilled the whole with the next smaller bit, had the guitar maker not put that decorative flourish at the end of the neck, things would fit perfectly.This case is just fine save for one thing: I can't quite close the zipper over the end of the guitar. Is the problem bad enough to send it back? No. The case wasn't expensive, it seems more than rugged enough for my son, the padding is as good as I was expecting, and at the end of the day it seems more trouble than it's worth to send it back. But why couldn't it be a quarter inch longer? My wife stuck a stocking cap over the end - problem solved. And really, the case is quite decent. But aggravation costs you stars, in this case 1 1/2. Much better to make something like this slightly too long than slightly too short. | 982 | [
"I hate it when things don't fit - my pants, batteries, screws, guitars.",
"I hate it even more when they almost fit - when were the fabric just a little stretchier or had you eaten just one less cookie, had you drilled the whole with the next smaller bit, had the guitar maker not put that decorative flourish at the end of the neck, things would fit perfectly.This case is just fine save for one thing: I can't quite close the zipper over the end of the guitar.",
"Is the problem bad enough to send it back?",
"No.",
"The case wasn't expensive, it seems more than rugged enough for my son, the padding is as good as I was expecting, and at the end of the day it seems more trouble than it's worth to send it back.",
"But why couldn't it be a quarter inch longer?",
"My wife stuck a stocking cap over the end - problem solved.",
"And really, the case is quite decent.",
"But aggravation costs you stars, in this case 1 1/2.",
"Much better to make something like this slightly too long than slightly too short."
] |
3 | It was okay. | This book was okay. Parts of it were very boring, parts of it were sort of interesting, but it was filled with errors. First of all, the EMH's name is NOT Zimmerman (as he is referred to basically all the time). If Susan Wright had actually seen a few episodes of Voyager, maybe she would have noticed this! Also, Janeway DOES NOT call her XO "Number One." It sounds as if Wright is a TNG fan, so why is she writing for Voyager?!?!The plot of this book was mediocre, and the characterizations were pretty bland. It was as if someone told her, Janeway is THIS type of person, and Tom is THAT type of person, etc. It didn't feel as if she really knew the people she was writing about. I hate that.This book could have been a lot better if it had been written by, say, Dean Wesley Smith & Kristine Kathryn Rusch, who are my favorite team of Voyager writers. They wrote my favorite Voyager book, Echoes, which I highly recommend in place of Violations because Echoes was SO MUCH BETTER. | 982 | [
"This book was okay.",
"Parts of it were very boring, parts of it were sort of interesting, but it was filled with errors.",
"First of all, the EMH's name is NOT Zimmerman (as he is referred to basically all the time).",
"If Susan Wright had actually seen a few episodes of Voyager, maybe she would have noticed this!",
"Also, Janeway DOES NOT call her XO \"Number One.\" It sounds as if Wright is a TNG fan, so why is she writing for Voyager?!?",
"!",
"The plot of this book was mediocre, and the characterizations were pretty bland.",
"It was as if someone told her, Janeway is THIS type of person, and Tom is THAT type of person, etc.",
"It didn't feel as if she really knew the people she was writing about.",
"I hate that.This book could have been a lot better if it had been written by, say, Dean Wesley Smith & Kristine Kathryn Rusch, who are my favorite team of Voyager writers.",
"They wrote my favorite Voyager book, Echoes, which I highly recommend in place of Violations because Echoes was SO MUCH BETTER."
] |
3 | support me | I have back pains, lower abdomen pressure (since I'm carrying my baby low) and the vulvar pressure; mainly after being on my feet for awhile. So far this contraption isn't what I'd hoped. Perhaps its too big and not holding me well enough yet. I did purchase it with room to grow in mind, but its not loose; yet I feel more comfort from the V2 pull up and a belly belt. The cradle plus is NOT something to wear if you are wearing anything other than a scoop necked shirt and its a hassle to get in and out of for the frequent restroom visits, (especially while out and about, which is when I need it most). I am 6mos and have gained 33lbs already, so though I am trying to slow it down big time, I have hope that one day this will be the support it appeared to be when I purchased it. Definitely not there yet. Not adjustable (except the straps around the behind, and I don't need to switch that, but it'd be nice to get a better lift in the front based on comfort and support need. | 982 | [
"I have back pains, lower abdomen pressure (since I'm carrying my baby low) and the vulvar pressure; mainly after being on my feet for awhile.",
"So far this contraption isn't what I'd hoped.",
"Perhaps its too big and not holding me well enough yet.",
"I did purchase it with room to grow in mind, but its not loose; yet I feel more comfort from the V2 pull up and a belly belt.",
"The cradle plus is NOT something to wear if you are wearing anything other than a scoop necked shirt and its a hassle to get in and out of for the frequent restroom visits, (especially while out and about, which is when I need it most).",
"I am 6mos and have gained 33lbs already, so though I am trying to slow it down big time, I have hope that one day this will be the support it appeared to be when I purchased it.",
"Definitely not there yet.",
"Not adjustable (except the straps around the behind, and I don't need to switch that, but it'd be nice to get a better lift in the front based on comfort and support need."
] |
3 | Chic - Lit at best | Overall the book isn't one of the better ones, the most accurate description I could come up with was Chic lit. Its written well enough for you to keep moving through the book. Has some rather hilarious situations that I could, as an unmarried 30 yr old Indian woman, could relate to... or foresee happening if I came from a family that believed in arranged marriages. I wouldn't reccomend it to someone looking to get to know Indian culture or authors, or someone expecting another Juhmpa Lahiri, but rather for a good beach reading book.By the way why is it that EVERY Indian female author seems to get compared to either Jhumpa Lahiri or Arundhati Roy? Do none of you know of any other Indian authors? By that rate should every American author be compared to.... say Mark Twain, or Toni Morrison, or any other poet laureate? Not every one is going to write a Booker Award winning novel... and to pick up any Indian author and expect them to match the quality is just plain silly. | 982 | [
"Overall the book isn't one of the better ones, the most accurate description I could come up with was Chic lit.",
"Its written well enough for you to keep moving through the book.",
"Has some rather hilarious situations that I could, as an unmarried 30 yr old Indian woman, could relate to... or foresee happening if I came from a family that believed in arranged marriages.",
"I wouldn't reccomend it to someone looking to get to know Indian culture or authors, or someone expecting another Juhmpa Lahiri, but rather for a good beach reading book.By the way why is it that EVERY Indian female author seems to get compared to either Jhumpa Lahiri or Arundhati Roy?",
"Do none of you know of any other Indian authors?",
"By that rate should every American author be compared to.... say Mark Twain, or Toni Morrison, or any other poet laureate?",
"Not every one is going to write a Booker Award winning novel... and to pick up any Indian author and expect them to match the quality is just plain silly."
] |
3 | L'age ingrat | This is one of the later Jean Gabin movies (1964 - he died in November 1976)and was certainly very funny in this period. Especially the actor Fernandel gave it a humorous touch. You must be familiar with the French regions to understand why there is always a "fight" between people from the north (e.g. Brittain) and the south ("midi"). That's what makes the charme of this movie: The confrontation between two cultures. The story as such is very simple: Two young people intend to marry and therefore the family of the girl living in the north is visiting the couple who lives in the south. The different characters - especially of the male family members lead to comic situtations. Funny is the fact that the real son of the main actor plays the son in the film (Fernandel and his son Franck Fernandel).All in all this is a family movie and you must be a real "Gabin" or "Fernadel" fan to enjoy this DVD.L'age ingrat / Le couturier de ces dames - Fernandel Boxset 2DVDL'age ingrat | 982 | [
"This is one of the later Jean Gabin movies (1964 - he died in November 1976)and was certainly very funny in this period.",
"Especially the actor Fernandel gave it a humorous touch.",
"You must be familiar with the French regions to understand why there is always a \"fight\" between people from the north (e.g. Brittain) and the south (\"midi\").",
"That's what makes the charme of this movie: The confrontation between two cultures.",
"The story as such is very simple: Two young people intend to marry and therefore the family of the girl living in the north is visiting the couple who lives in the south.",
"The different characters - especially of the male family members lead to comic situtations.",
"Funny is the fact that the real son of the main actor plays the son in the film (Fernandel and his son Franck Fernandel).All in all this is a family movie and you must be a real \"Gabin\" or \"Fernadel\" fan to enjoy this DVD.L'age ingrat / Le couturier de ces dames - Fernandel Boxset 2DVDL'age ingrat"
] |
3 | 2001 was much better | If you're looking for a realistic football sim, definitly DO NOT buy Madden 2002.#1. The pass defense is WAY out of whack! The computer will complete about 90% of it's passes against you, and complete all of it's long bombs. I don't know how on earth EA let this game get out! (and every TE is a superstar catching 15 passes a game)#2. The screen pass is now impossible to do. Half the time the ball lands in front of the player, and even if you player does catch it, you are very lucky to get back to the line of scrimmage.#3. The computer can't run the ball worth jack. The game play is so unbalanced in this way.Ea also got rid of the accel clock feature, so you have to play 8 minute quarters to have a realistic game. (as in number of plays)Don't listen to the reviews that say this is the greatest sim ever, they are most likely marketing plants from EA sports. They do this with every game. Go to any Madden forum and you will hear the wide spread complaints about this game. | 982 | [
"If you're looking for a realistic football sim, definitly DO NOT buy Madden 2002.#1.",
"The pass defense is WAY out of whack!",
"The computer will complete about 90% of it's passes against you, and complete all of it's long bombs.",
"I don't know how on earth EA let this game get out!",
"(and every TE is a superstar catching 15 passes a game)#2.",
"The screen pass is now impossible to do.",
"Half the time the ball lands in front of the player, and even if you player does catch it, you are very lucky to get back to the line of scrimmage.#3.",
"The computer can't run the ball worth jack.",
"The game play is so unbalanced in this way.Ea also got rid of the accel clock feature, so you have to play 8 minute quarters to have a realistic game.",
"(as in number of plays)Don't listen to the reviews that say this is the greatest sim ever, they are most likely marketing plants from EA sports.",
"They do this with every game.",
"Go to any Madden forum and you will hear the wide spread complaints about this game."
] |
3 | Lots of actors no substance | I new this movie was made for TV but I figured that with so many well know actors that it would rival real movies. I was wrong. It was quite formula and many of the actors just walked through their parts.Chili Palmer (John Travolta "Grease" (1978)) ex-shylock goes from movie producer to record producer with the discovery of a suppressed singer Linda Moon (Christina Milian.) Naturally, she is under contract to a bad guy. Well so it does not look too simple or like some second rate musical, we through in a black want-to-be, a black gangster singing group, and even the Russian mafia.One of the main catalysts and the reason to watch this is Uma Thurman who played Irene Cassini in "GATTACA" (1997), and has done the impossible by just keeps looking cuter with age.Danny DeVito must think he is Alfred Hitchcock as he makes his cameo in the movie.All in all, it is watchable. Buy Blu-ray when you can but do not expect the acting to get any better.GATTACA [Blu-ray] ~ Uma Thurman | 982 | [
"I new this movie was made for TV but I figured that with so many well know actors that it would rival real movies.",
"I was wrong.",
"It was quite formula and many of the actors just walked through their parts.Chili Palmer (John Travolta \"Grease\" (1978)) ex-shylock goes from movie producer to record producer with the discovery of a suppressed singer Linda Moon (Christina Milian.) Naturally, she is under contract to a bad guy.",
"Well so it does not look too simple or like some second rate musical, we through in a black want-to-be, a black gangster singing group, and even the Russian mafia.One of the main catalysts and the reason to watch this is Uma Thurman who played Irene Cassini in \"GATTACA\" (1997), and has done the impossible by just keeps looking cuter with age.Danny DeVito must think he is Alfred Hitchcock as he makes his cameo in the movie.All in all, it is watchable.",
"Buy Blu-ray when you can but do not expect the acting to get any better.GATTACA [Blu-ray] ~ Uma Thurman"
] |
3 | OLIVIER'S GHOST | My first question: why in the world did the producers and directors of this film decide to use the "ghost" of the great Sir Laurence Olivier in this movie? It doesn't seem at all necessary and its cleverness merely elicits a scratch of the head from this reviewer. Oh, well, guess they thought it would be "original?"Anyway, this film, a digital masterpiece, is a wonderful homage to the films of the 30s 40s and 50s, gorgeously colored and with awesome digital effects. It is most definitely an eye candy movie, its acting and plot overshadowed by the sheer artistry of the special effects crew. Suffice to say, Jude Law, Angelina Jolie and particularly Gwyneth Paltrow have never looked more beautiful or stunning. Giovanni Ribisi is excellent as always in a smaller role, but the real star of the movie is its visionary director, Kerry Conran. Although I wouldn't want to see a lot of movies filmed in this manner, one must admit the excellence and hard work that went behind it. | 982 | [
"My first question: why in the world did the producers and directors of this film decide to use the \"ghost\" of the great Sir Laurence Olivier in this movie?",
"It doesn't seem at all necessary and its cleverness merely elicits a scratch of the head from this reviewer.",
"Oh, well, guess they thought it would be \"original?",
"\"Anyway, this film, a digital masterpiece, is a wonderful homage to the films of the 30s 40s and 50s, gorgeously colored and with awesome digital effects.",
"It is most definitely an eye candy movie, its acting and plot overshadowed by the sheer artistry of the special effects crew.",
"Suffice to say, Jude Law, Angelina Jolie and particularly Gwyneth Paltrow have never looked more beautiful or stunning.",
"Giovanni Ribisi is excellent as always in a smaller role, but the real star of the movie is its visionary director, Kerry Conran.",
"Although I wouldn't want to see a lot of movies filmed in this manner, one must admit the excellence and hard work that went behind it."
] |
3 | Fair Action Flick | Keanu Reeves gives his typical wooden performance -- never laughs, phony smile. But you can always count on Morgan Freeman to carry the weight of any film. Please note Rachel Weisz's make-up and hair: The director deliberately made her look like a clown. Tammy Faye Baker would have been shocked. It is also the director's fault that every time Rachel and Keanu run to escape from the bad guys, Keanu has to reach back and grab her hand to pull her along. She wasn't cripple or retarded -- she didn't need Keanu's macho assistance to run like hell.The plot is based upon the chemistry of water -- extract hydrogen for fuel -- plentiful, clean and super cheap. Now, try and find the chemistry between Keanu and Rachel. That is one guy who can turn a wet woman into the Sahara desert by opening his mouth. He looks pretty, but my god is he boring. He should never be cast as a romantic lead. Unless it is with a piece of duct tape over his mouth.As action flicks go, this one is fair. | 982 | [
"Keanu Reeves gives his typical wooden performance -- never laughs, phony smile.",
"But you can always count on Morgan Freeman to carry the weight of any film.",
"Please note Rachel Weisz's make-up and hair: The director deliberately made her look like a clown.",
"Tammy Faye Baker would have been shocked.",
"It is also the director's fault that every time Rachel and Keanu run to escape from the bad guys, Keanu has to reach back and grab her hand to pull her along.",
"She wasn't cripple or retarded -- she didn't need Keanu's macho assistance to run like hell.The plot is based upon the chemistry of water -- extract hydrogen for fuel -- plentiful, clean and super cheap.",
"Now, try and find the chemistry between Keanu and Rachel.",
"That is one guy who can turn a wet woman into the Sahara desert by opening his mouth.",
"He looks pretty, but my god is he boring.",
"He should never be cast as a romantic lead.",
"Unless it is with a piece of duct tape over his mouth.As action flicks go, this one is fair."
] |
3 | Runs a bit small | I ordered this for my son, who was invited to a Superhearo party. He has been in a solid size 6 and sometimes goes up to a 7. I think this costume runs a bit small. It fit him perfectly but if he wore a 7, I think it would be too tight.The costume is of average durability. Parents used to ordering these types of costumes will find it average. If I had to wash this every week, it might not make it past 6 months.I didn't order any gloves to go with this, he wanted them but didn't need them. Unless it's a chilly Halloween night, save your $ and skip the gloves as well.Overall my son loves this costume. He's not a fan of the velcroe back. it bothers him, so we leave the back open, he's usually wearing a shirt underneath anyway.We were going to a party in the spring. The costume is quite warm. The material is thin but the overall effect left him overheated in the sun. Please keep this in mind if you're using the costume in a warmer climate.It is a good value for the price. | 982 | [
"I ordered this for my son, who was invited to a Superhearo party.",
"He has been in a solid size 6 and sometimes goes up to a 7.",
"I think this costume runs a bit small.",
"It fit him perfectly but if he wore a 7, I think it would be too tight.The costume is of average durability.",
"Parents used to ordering these types of costumes will find it average.",
"If I had to wash this every week, it might not make it past 6 months.I didn't order any gloves to go with this, he wanted them but didn't need them.",
"Unless it's a chilly Halloween night, save your $ and skip the gloves as well.Overall my son loves this costume.",
"He's not a fan of the velcroe back.",
"it bothers him, so we leave the back open, he's usually wearing a shirt underneath anyway.We were going to a party in the spring.",
"The costume is quite warm.",
"The material is thin but the overall effect left him overheated in the sun.",
"Please keep this in mind if you're using the costume in a warmer climate.It is a good value for the price."
] |
3 | Don't mind the past | This is to me, the real first Moonspell's album. The past is too dark and too noisy, so as a fan of more gothic environments, I heard their great album "Sin/Pecado", then I had to go buy the brilliant masterpiece "Irreligious", and finally I went looking for this "Wolfheart"... I have to admit that this was the worst of the three, but it still is a good album. "Wolfheart" has lots of folchloric influences, and lots of Portuguese lyrics, which brings some surprise to the music, but the vocals lack the power of "Irreligious", and the music sometimes isn't fluid and clean. It lacks the gothic mood of their 2 most recent albuns, but as I said it has folchlore so it is still pretty original. Listen to songs like "Love crimes" or "Vampiria" and you will be convinced that the band had a lot more to give (and it gave in fact!) "Wolfheart" is a good work that you can search for if you like dark metal... It's not so great for the gothic fans... The exact rating to me is a 3 1/2 | 982 | [
"This is to me, the real first Moonspell's album.",
"The past is too dark and too noisy, so as a fan of more gothic environments, I heard their great album \"Sin/Pecado\", then I had to go buy the brilliant masterpiece \"Irreligious\", and finally I went looking for this \"Wolfheart\"... I have to admit that this was the worst of the three, but it still is a good album.",
"\"Wolfheart\" has lots of folchloric influences, and lots of Portuguese lyrics, which brings some surprise to the music, but the vocals lack the power of \"Irreligious\", and the music sometimes isn't fluid and clean.",
"It lacks the gothic mood of their 2 most recent albuns, but as I said it has folchlore so it is still pretty original.",
"Listen to songs like \"Love crimes\" or \"Vampiria\" and you will be convinced that the band had a lot more to give (and it gave in fact!",
") \"Wolfheart\" is a good work that you can search for if you like dark metal... It's not so great for the gothic fans... The exact rating to me is a 3 1/2"
] |
3 | Ok but nothing to go crazy for | I have to agree with some of the other reviews that say this doesn't stand up to the 1st and 2nd movies. Yes, Seth states in the crawl that you should keep an open mind. In the commentary they say, "some of these jokes are recycled.".But...There are some funny scenes in this and if you are a true fan of Family Guy, you will buy it. The majority of the humor seemed more like they were poking fun at holes in the plot of Star Wars than just having fun with their own characters. They even brought characters from Seth's other shows into this movie and made a joke at their own expense about it. Near the end, Chris and Peter do the traditional "Seth Green bashing" comments back and forth which were funny in the past but the whole, Robot Chicken vs. Family Guy thing is getting old. Now when Chris turns it back on Peter saying "I hate Seth McFarlane.", I had to laugh.So you heard it here.I personally liked it but DID feel it fell short of the humor found in the other 2 movies. | 982 | [
"I have to agree with some of the other reviews that say this doesn't stand up to the 1st and 2nd movies.",
"Yes, Seth states in the crawl that you should keep an open mind.",
"In the commentary they say, \"some of these jokes are recycled.\".But...There are some funny scenes in this and if you are a true fan of Family Guy, you will buy it.",
"The majority of the humor seemed more like they were poking fun at holes in the plot of Star Wars than just having fun with their own characters.",
"They even brought characters from Seth's other shows into this movie and made a joke at their own expense about it.",
"Near the end, Chris and Peter do the traditional \"Seth Green bashing\" comments back and forth which were funny in the past but the whole, Robot Chicken vs.",
"Family Guy thing is getting old.",
"Now when Chris turns it back on Peter saying \"I hate Seth McFarlane.\", I had to laugh.So you heard it here.I personally liked it but DID feel it fell short of the humor found in the other 2 movies."
] |
3 | Greatly promising, but damaged. | This recording is 3/4ths of an extraordinary performance of this symphony. The first movement is perhaps one of the finest ever recorded, which means many listeners will find it perfect. It breathes, it flows, it rages, it soothes, it's magnificient. The playing is as fine as can be.The middle movements are also wonderfully shaped and performed, but then comes the finale, when it all falls apart, which is a shame. The first problem to solve in presenting this work is the linking, in weight and breadth of time, of the two main movements, 1 and 4, which are bookends in the complete sense: the work is contained and controlled by them. While they don't need equal weight, they need comparable weight, comparable seriousness and exploration. And here, after that wonderful beginning, Boulez rushes through the last movement, not just failing to answer the questions the first presents, but ignoring their very presence. While his fans may enjoy it, this is not successful Mahler. | 982 | [
"This recording is 3/4ths of an extraordinary performance of this symphony.",
"The first movement is perhaps one of the finest ever recorded, which means many listeners will find it perfect.",
"It breathes, it flows, it rages, it soothes, it's magnificient.",
"The playing is as fine as can be.The middle movements are also wonderfully shaped and performed, but then comes the finale, when it all falls apart, which is a shame.",
"The first problem to solve in presenting this work is the linking, in weight and breadth of time, of the two main movements, 1 and 4, which are bookends in the complete sense: the work is contained and controlled by them.",
"While they don't need equal weight, they need comparable weight, comparable seriousness and exploration.",
"And here, after that wonderful beginning, Boulez rushes through the last movement, not just failing to answer the questions the first presents, but ignoring their very presence.",
"While his fans may enjoy it, this is not successful Mahler."
] |
3 | A moving story | This graphic novel tells the tale of Vladek and Anja Speigelman, who were survivors of the Holocaust. It is delivered to us in the form of a graphic novel. This format is what one would find in a comic book. Don't let the format scare you away from reading it.The author also includes his troubled relationship with his father, and the brother who did not survive the war. Each book is well done, and the illustrations are moving. This is not a book from the young reader. However, it can deliver a good message to the teenagers much quicker and more to the point than some history books.I thought the subject was very hard to read at times, but it is well worth it. We get an insider's glimpse into the beginning of the war, the rounding up of the Jews in ghettos, the degrading conditions, the fear, the hiding, the hunger, and sadness. Our couple manage to stay together until they arrive in the main death camp.Read this story, and remember what had happened. We can not forget. | 982 | [
"This graphic novel tells the tale of Vladek and Anja Speigelman, who were survivors of the Holocaust.",
"It is delivered to us in the form of a graphic novel.",
"This format is what one would find in a comic book.",
"Don't let the format scare you away from reading it.The author also includes his troubled relationship with his father, and the brother who did not survive the war.",
"Each book is well done, and the illustrations are moving.",
"This is not a book from the young reader.",
"However, it can deliver a good message to the teenagers much quicker and more to the point than some history books.I thought the subject was very hard to read at times, but it is well worth it.",
"We get an insider's glimpse into the beginning of the war, the rounding up of the Jews in ghettos, the degrading conditions, the fear, the hiding, the hunger, and sadness.",
"Our couple manage to stay together until they arrive in the main death camp.Read this story, and remember what had happened.",
"We can not forget."
] |
3 | Not what I expected | I bought this book because I was particularly taken with authorLuke Johnson's "Reading Romans" and because I was equally delighted with the first book I purchased in the Sacra Pagina series, "John" by F. Maloney.The commentary seems a bit thin in this volume to me, and I found it distracting that each section of the book presents first the scriptural passage to be discussed, then notes on the translation second, and finally the commentary. For me, this broke the cadence of the text -- inserting the "end notes" between the passage and the analysis -- and made the book feel more like a companion guide to a text on learning historical Greek.Sad to say, as much as I enjoyed this book's thorough discussion, I took away more understanding and a more cohesive sense of Luke's Gospel from reading the one chapter about Luke in Raymond Brown's last work on the New Testament. I looked to Sacra Pagina to provide a more in-depth exegetical and hermeneutic commentary.... and it did. | 982 | [
"I bought this book because I was particularly taken with authorLuke Johnson's \"Reading Romans\" and because I was equally delighted with the first book I purchased in the Sacra Pagina series, \"John\" by F.",
"Maloney.The commentary seems a bit thin in this volume to me, and I found it distracting that each section of the book presents first the scriptural passage to be discussed, then notes on the translation second, and finally the commentary.",
"For me, this broke the cadence of the text -- inserting the \"end notes\" between the passage and the analysis -- and made the book feel more like a companion guide to a text on learning historical Greek.Sad to say, as much as I enjoyed this book's thorough discussion, I took away more understanding and a more cohesive sense of Luke's Gospel from reading the one chapter about Luke in Raymond Brown's last work on the New Testament.",
"I looked to Sacra Pagina to provide a more in-depth exegetical and hermeneutic commentary.... and it did."
] |
3 | The book was much, much better. | I have been a fan of this book for many years, and was THRILLED when I heard it was going to be made into a movie. With Hackman and Hoffman, I had high hopes. But it seems the movie fell flat, but the one thing that was consistant was the excellent acting.I didn't care for the way they carried the story onto script. But what kept me from turning this review into a 1 or 0 star was the acting.Hackman can do no wrong, it seems. I was the few who adored his acting in The Heist, so I have not seen him fall flat. Hoffman was, as always, excellent. Watching these two Hollywood stars act together was exciting. I was shocked that these two haven't acted together on camera, but it was worth the wait. The 'bathroom' scene was shot terrificly and they kept my interest for the entire movie. Hackman will always be the best Villian of all time. It's hard to really HATE his character, because he finds the emotional blend that makes it perfect.3 stars..............For the acting only. | 982 | [
"I have been a fan of this book for many years, and was THRILLED when I heard it was going to be made into a movie.",
"With Hackman and Hoffman, I had high hopes.",
"But it seems the movie fell flat, but the one thing that was consistant was the excellent acting.I didn't care for the way they carried the story onto script.",
"But what kept me from turning this review into a 1 or 0 star was the acting.Hackman can do no wrong, it seems.",
"I was the few who adored his acting in The Heist, so I have not seen him fall flat.",
"Hoffman was, as always, excellent.",
"Watching these two Hollywood stars act together was exciting.",
"I was shocked that these two haven't acted together on camera, but it was worth the wait.",
"The 'bathroom' scene was shot terrificly and they kept my interest for the entire movie.",
"Hackman will always be the best Villian of all time.",
"It's hard to really HATE his character, because he finds the emotional blend that makes it perfect.3 stars..............For the acting only."
] |
3 | Old story | This book is as a companion to the PBS series of the same name. However, reading it without watching the series can make the book dull in places. The authors interviewed people with various English accents/dialects and put the interviews in the book, but I found it difficult to get the sense of the accent by reading and thus I skipped over various tracts of the book. The book was, however, very strong in showing how the English language spread around the world. The story of English is the story of exploration and wars, and this the book did very well. The maps in particular were very useful. Although the book was enjoyable to read, the version I read was published in the 1980's and is now dated, although I can't comment on later editions. My recommendation is that the book is valuable as a history story of the spread of English but without the companion series loses much of its value. If your expectations of the book are not that high, then you might be happy with it. | 982 | [
"This book is as a companion to the PBS series of the same name.",
"However, reading it without watching the series can make the book dull in places.",
"The authors interviewed people with various English accents/dialects and put the interviews in the book, but I found it difficult to get the sense of the accent by reading and thus I skipped over various tracts of the book.",
"The book was, however, very strong in showing how the English language spread around the world.",
"The story of English is the story of exploration and wars, and this the book did very well.",
"The maps in particular were very useful.",
"Although the book was enjoyable to read, the version I read was published in the 1980's and is now dated, although I can't comment on later editions.",
"My recommendation is that the book is valuable as a history story of the spread of English but without the companion series loses much of its value.",
"If your expectations of the book are not that high, then you might be happy with it."
] |
3 | The end of an era. | "Back it Up" is an overlooked item in the rich catalog of Robin Trower-The last recordings of the dynamic duo of the Stratomaster and his foil, the late James Dewar. The Scottish-born singer's vocal style, equal parts growl and purr, is as much a part of the Trower sound as the vibrato and liquid tone of the guitarist, one of the few artists from that era still creating worthwhile and vibrant music. Despite the perky (not a word associated with RT) title track, the remarkable "Benny Dancer" and the fine instrumental "Islands," there is a feeling that it was indeed time to move on with this record. It isn't a bad listen,and is one that the faithful should have in their collection. We would never hear from Dewar again, and had to wait more than a decade for Trower to struggle through the 80s and early 90s factory of processed cheese to come out the other end, only to create his best work since the golden age with his last three recordings. And he still slays in concert. | 982 | [
"\"Back it Up\" is an overlooked item in the rich catalog of Robin Trower-The last recordings of the dynamic duo of the Stratomaster and his foil, the late James Dewar.",
"The Scottish-born singer's vocal style, equal parts growl and purr, is as much a part of the Trower sound as the vibrato and liquid tone of the guitarist, one of the few artists from that era still creating worthwhile and vibrant music.",
"Despite the perky (not a word associated with RT) title track, the remarkable \"Benny Dancer\" and the fine instrumental \"Islands,\" there is a feeling that it was indeed time to move on with this record.",
"It isn't a bad listen,and is one that the faithful should have in their collection.",
"We would never hear from Dewar again, and had to wait more than a decade for Trower to struggle through the 80s and early 90s factory of processed cheese to come out the other end, only to create his best work since the golden age with his last three recordings.",
"And he still slays in concert."
] |
3 | Good soothing sound machine. | My sister has recommended this sound machine to me on amazon.com because of the positive reviews and im usually a very light sleeper who needs some sort of soothing sounds to sleep without dead silence. I have been using an old fan for sounds for a long time even during the winter and I found one of these products at the mori luggage store at my mall and I bought it there instead of amazon.com.All I can say is that this machine has a great soothing sound that's way better then using a fan to improvise for soothing sound for sleeping. But it certainly does not block any sort of outside unwanted noise but I still would recommend this to anyone like me who can't sleep with dead silence, it's a pretty good machine but just don't expect it to block any sort of unwanted noise outside of your room and right now im using mine on dual speed which is more soothing.VERDICT:3 stars for the soothing soundAnd 2 stars taken away for the gimmicky unwanted noise it's suppose to block. | 982 | [
"My sister has recommended this sound machine to me on amazon.com because of the positive reviews and im usually a very light sleeper who needs some sort of soothing sounds to sleep without dead silence.",
"I have been using an old fan for sounds for a long time even during the winter and I found one of these products at the mori luggage store at my mall and I bought it there instead of amazon.com.All I can say is that this machine has a great soothing sound that's way better then using a fan to improvise for soothing sound for sleeping.",
"But it certainly does not block any sort of outside unwanted noise but I still would recommend this to anyone like me who can't sleep with dead silence, it's a pretty good machine but just don't expect it to block any sort of unwanted noise outside of your room and right now im using mine on dual speed which is more soothing.VERDICT:3 stars for the soothing soundAnd 2 stars taken away for the gimmicky unwanted noise it's suppose to block."
] |
3 | Sonically it falls short | I did an experiment. I have 'The Capitol Albums Vol 1.' boxset released in 2004. The first 4 U.S. releases are in there, remastered, with stereo and mono cuts. I made CDs with all three cuts, the Capitols from 2004 and the 2009 Remasters. You can recreate 'With The Beatles' by adding cuts from 'Meet The Beatles' and 'The Beatles Second Album'. I then listened to the cuts one after the other, choosing from each group of 3 the best to my ears. Out of the 14 cuts that make up the 2009 Remastered 'With the Beatles', only 2 were superior, 'Till There Was You', and 'I Wanna Be Your Man'. 'Till There Was You' sounds better I think because it's a ballad with acoustic guitar prominent. I also found the 2009 Remasters worked better with ballads on the 'Please Please Me' 2009 Remaster. It seems that the rocking songs sounded better on the 2004 Capitol Boxset, with an almost even split between stereo and mono versions. Of course they're all superior to the dreadful 1987 releases. | 982 | [
"I did an experiment.",
"I have 'The Capitol Albums Vol 1.' boxset released in 2004.",
"The first 4 U.S. releases are in there, remastered, with stereo and mono cuts.",
"I made CDs with all three cuts, the Capitols from 2004 and the 2009 Remasters.",
"You can recreate 'With The Beatles' by adding cuts from 'Meet The Beatles' and 'The Beatles Second Album'.",
"I then listened to the cuts one after the other, choosing from each group of 3 the best to my ears.",
"Out of the 14 cuts that make up the 2009 Remastered 'With the Beatles', only 2 were superior, 'Till There Was You', and 'I Wanna Be Your Man'.",
"'Till There Was You' sounds better I think because it's a ballad with acoustic guitar prominent.",
"I also found the 2009 Remasters worked better with ballads on the 'Please Please Me' 2009 Remaster.",
"It seems that the rocking songs sounded better on the 2004 Capitol Boxset, with an almost even split between stereo and mono versions.",
"Of course they're all superior to the dreadful 1987 releases."
] |
3 | old one was better | Matchbox made a better car wash about 2 years ago. My son loved the old one, it was during the period that matchbox put out playsets that were 1 piece construction. Now they have followed Hot Wheels footsteps with a toy that has too many flimsy parts that easily detach and low fun value. The lack of a permanent structure makes things frustrating for the little ones. The old one let the kids shoot foam all over the car. This one just blows a few bubbles in the air. The old model had a rinse stream of water, that neatly was picked up by a grate in the roadway and recycled to use again. This new one has a bowl you can fill with water and dip your car in. The old one had a hand cranked fan that blew the car dry, the new one turns but does not do much. An utter failure in every respect. Also unneccesarily large and overpriced. This ine needs batteries, and the old one was kid powered. The elevator is kind of a neat touch, it actually does work, but overall the toy is lame. | 982 | [
"Matchbox made a better car wash about 2 years ago.",
"My son loved the old one, it was during the period that matchbox put out playsets that were 1 piece construction.",
"Now they have followed Hot Wheels footsteps with a toy that has too many flimsy parts that easily detach and low fun value.",
"The lack of a permanent structure makes things frustrating for the little ones.",
"The old one let the kids shoot foam all over the car.",
"This one just blows a few bubbles in the air.",
"The old model had a rinse stream of water, that neatly was picked up by a grate in the roadway and recycled to use again.",
"This new one has a bowl you can fill with water and dip your car in.",
"The old one had a hand cranked fan that blew the car dry, the new one turns but does not do much.",
"An utter failure in every respect.",
"Also unneccesarily large and overpriced.",
"This ine needs batteries, and the old one was kid powered.",
"The elevator is kind of a neat touch, it actually does work, but overall the toy is lame."
] |
3 | 'C' is for Corpse | What I appreciate most in Grafton's Kinsey Millhone series is her attention to realism. Kinsey Millhone is a professional private detective, licensed by the state, and operating in "the real world". The books stick to this idea, and present mysteries in an almost pedestrian manner; while in the middle of a case Kinsey stops by her office, sorts through her mail, drinks coffee, and goes grocery shopping. The little details of the day-to-day are all there, and while they may come off as a bit tedious at times (usually when you've read several books in a row, all with the same details), the overall effect is one of grounded reality. Kinsey is not a super hero; it is not unusual for her to encounter some extreme scenarios because it is in fact her job to pursue mysteries - or insurance fraud (after all, both pay the bills). 'C' is for Corpse is not an extraordinary book, but I can appreciate it for its consistency, and will continue to work my way back through the series. | 982 | [
"What I appreciate most in Grafton's Kinsey Millhone series is her attention to realism.",
"Kinsey Millhone is a professional private detective, licensed by the state, and operating in \"the real world\".",
"The books stick to this idea, and present mysteries in an almost pedestrian manner; while in the middle of a case Kinsey stops by her office, sorts through her mail, drinks coffee, and goes grocery shopping.",
"The little details of the day-to-day are all there, and while they may come off as a bit tedious at times (usually when you've read several books in a row, all with the same details), the overall effect is one of grounded reality.",
"Kinsey is not a super hero; it is not unusual for her to encounter some extreme scenarios because it is in fact her job to pursue mysteries - or insurance fraud (after all, both pay the bills).",
"'C' is for Corpse is not an extraordinary book, but I can appreciate it for its consistency, and will continue to work my way back through the series."
] |
3 | My Perspective-Trishtina Snyder | "The Crucible overall had taken the facts based upon withcraft, and people being accused/prosecuted for practicing withchcraft very clear and understandable. Their were about an equal amount of strenghs and weaknesses.The author of "The Crucible" should have taken those events/facts involving the accusations and prosecutions of witchcraft and have added more action upon the scenes. Rather than just seeing people hung and by seeing a man crushed by stones. Maybe if they had created various punishments or go in depth more of the punishments. Make it more exciting with maybe some blood or something to where people will get into it more. It could have been more explicit in how they practicied witchcraft.It lacked drama and could of had more disaster or tragedy.Although I felt that the movie met the the turning point like all good movies do when Proctor declares himself innocent and knows that if he pleads innocent he will be hung but he still proceeds with being innocent. | 982 | [
"\"The Crucible overall had taken the facts based upon withcraft, and people being accused/prosecuted for practicing withchcraft very clear and understandable.",
"Their were about an equal amount of strenghs and weaknesses.The author of \"The Crucible\" should have taken those events/facts involving the accusations and prosecutions of witchcraft and have added more action upon the scenes.",
"Rather than just seeing people hung and by seeing a man crushed by stones.",
"Maybe if they had created various punishments or go in depth more of the punishments.",
"Make it more exciting with maybe some blood or something to where people will get into it more.",
"It could have been more explicit in how they practicied witchcraft.It lacked drama and could of had more disaster or tragedy.Although I felt that the movie met the the turning point like all good movies do when Proctor declares himself innocent and knows that if he pleads innocent he will be hung but he still proceeds with being innocent."
] |
3 | Magz for father and sons | I bought this toy to have fun with my son, age 5.The magnets are very powerful for their size. Grabbing for a few of them at one time is next to impossible as all the pieces try to join in the fun. We bought a box with compartments for sorting the pieces, and while this helps when starting the building process, it takes a long time to separate them out afterwards.The instructions include a few pictures of structures that can be built, but no step by step instructions. I can't find step by step instructions on the web either, just single images. My son general makes long chains right now. I've figured out how to make most of the structures, but I don't believe I am the target audience.Some of the pieces survived being "stolen" by a cat, which is good, but it's likely that the balls will eventually be lost based on our experiences -- they sometimes go flying when you try to detach them from the stick magnets.This toy might be better suited to an older child, perhaps 7+. | 982 | [
"I bought this toy to have fun with my son, age 5.The magnets are very powerful for their size.",
"Grabbing for a few of them at one time is next to impossible as all the pieces try to join in the fun.",
"We bought a box with compartments for sorting the pieces, and while this helps when starting the building process, it takes a long time to separate them out afterwards.The instructions include a few pictures of structures that can be built, but no step by step instructions.",
"I can't find step by step instructions on the web either, just single images.",
"My son general makes long chains right now.",
"I've figured out how to make most of the structures, but I don't believe I am the target audience.Some of the pieces survived being \"stolen\" by a cat, which is good, but it's likely that the balls will eventually be lost based on our experiences -- they sometimes go flying when you try to detach them from the stick magnets.This toy might be better suited to an older child, perhaps 7+."
] |
3 | not well painted | fun idea, but like others have mentioned, some of the colors are not easy to distinguish, and it can be difficult to keep track of which marbles were set up for the game and which were added later during play. it would be nicethe marbles are lovely to look at in a glass bowl. it would be nice if there was space in the box to just toss them in alongside the board. having to place them back into the indentation, though, makes sure you check for runaway marbles before storing the game. the game cards come in a perforated sheet, with a fold-it-yourself box to store them in. the problem is once they are ripped apart and stacked into the box, you can't store them with the gameboard and marbles in the original package.we had some problems with some of the marbles being lightly stuck to the gameboard because of the stain/paint. they came out easily, but left marks on the marbles and in the indentations of the board. wondering how long-lasting the paint will be on the marbles. | 982 | [
"fun idea, but like others have mentioned, some of the colors are not easy to distinguish, and it can be difficult to keep track of which marbles were set up for the game and which were added later during play.",
"it would be nicethe marbles are lovely to look at in a glass bowl.",
"it would be nice if there was space in the box to just toss them in alongside the board.",
"having to place them back into the indentation, though, makes sure you check for runaway marbles before storing the game.",
"the game cards come in a perforated sheet, with a fold-it-yourself box to store them in.",
"the problem is once they are ripped apart and stacked into the box, you can't store them with the gameboard and marbles in the original package.we had some problems with some of the marbles being lightly stuck to the gameboard because of the stain/paint.",
"they came out easily, but left marks on the marbles and in the indentations of the board.",
"wondering how long-lasting the paint will be on the marbles."
] |
3 | Lost interst quickly | Our oldest daughter obsessed with technology so we bought this for her when she was about 6 months old. At first she liked to get her laptop and sit next to me while I was on mine but the novelty wore off quickly. Her favorite part was the mouse and I really liked the volume control because she could sit next to me without it being distracting.One thing to watch out for is the lid. She would sometimes forget to move her hand and slam the lid down. Most children can find a way to hurt themselves with their toys and I don't think that the lid could ACTUALLY hurt her, but pinched and smashed fingers are inevitable.If you can find it on sale it is a great toy to pull out when you need a few minutes to yourself but at full price I find it to be a little expensive for the amount that she used it. We now have a 9 month old that is just learning the joy of the laptop and I am deeply grateful that the mouse is fully attached because she puts absolutely everything in her mouth. | 982 | [
"Our oldest daughter obsessed with technology so we bought this for her when she was about 6 months old.",
"At first she liked to get her laptop and sit next to me while I was on mine but the novelty wore off quickly.",
"Her favorite part was the mouse and I really liked the volume control because she could sit next to me without it being distracting.One thing to watch out for is the lid.",
"She would sometimes forget to move her hand and slam the lid down.",
"Most children can find a way to hurt themselves with their toys and I don't think that the lid could ACTUALLY hurt her, but pinched and smashed fingers are inevitable.If you can find it on sale it is a great toy to pull out when you need a few minutes to yourself but at full price I find it to be a little expensive for the amount that she used it.",
"We now have a 9 month old that is just learning the joy of the laptop and I am deeply grateful that the mouse is fully attached because she puts absolutely everything in her mouth."
] |
3 | A Little Outdated | I've been a mason for 15 years. And there are alot of benefits to the brick portion of the book. But the impression they leave, which is why I bought the book in the first place, lacked. Their blueprint reading section leaves much to be desired. Granted it does show some symbols, but it never explains what those symbols are or how they are used in a commercial setting. I was also under the impression that I was getting the 5th ed. and was sent the 4th edition. I don't know how much more they updated their book, but the block they use in their pictures, and the legends they use for the prints are way out of date. Perhaps they were masons in the 1950's or something. I really wouldn't recommend this book unless you know nothing about masonry, block, brick or print reading. But if you are green, this book is for you. You could build something successfully by the instructions of this book. But if you are serious about progressing in masonry as a career...find another book. | 982 | [
"I've been a mason for 15 years.",
"And there are alot of benefits to the brick portion of the book.",
"But the impression they leave, which is why I bought the book in the first place, lacked.",
"Their blueprint reading section leaves much to be desired.",
"Granted it does show some symbols, but it never explains what those symbols are or how they are used in a commercial setting.",
"I was also under the impression that I was getting the 5th ed.",
"and was sent the 4th edition.",
"I don't know how much more they updated their book, but the block they use in their pictures, and the legends they use for the prints are way out of date.",
"Perhaps they were masons in the 1950's or something.",
"I really wouldn't recommend this book unless you know nothing about masonry, block, brick or print reading.",
"But if you are green, this book is for you.",
"You could build something successfully by the instructions of this book.",
"But if you are serious about progressing in masonry as a career...find another book."
] |
3 | An Off The Wall Horror Story | A Classic Lake Placid is not. However entertaining it certainly is. The crocodile attacks are so sudden that anyone will certainly be taken by surprise. Somehow the motion of the crocodile does not seem to relistic. But then agan I an expert on crocodiles. I'll defer to the guru in the move.In spite of constant bickering between the cast members, someone this movie has an intriguing hold on me. Bridget Fonda's tempermental character is oh so annoying. Her reason for venturing to Maine is quite ridiculous. The story does unfold with a few unpredictable seasons. I sure did not expect the crocodile to attack the bear so visciously. The use of the cow as bait is quite hillarious. Gosh that Betty White plays such a goofball.Again, Lake Placid is not the stuff that legends are made of. Its just too far fetched in many spots. However as a light campy comedic horror adventure, Lake Placid will give you a few chuckles as well as some gasps as the crocodile attacks its victims. | 982 | [
"A Classic Lake Placid is not.",
"However entertaining it certainly is.",
"The crocodile attacks are so sudden that anyone will certainly be taken by surprise.",
"Somehow the motion of the crocodile does not seem to relistic.",
"But then agan I an expert on crocodiles.",
"I'll defer to the guru in the move.In spite of constant bickering between the cast members, someone this movie has an intriguing hold on me.",
"Bridget Fonda's tempermental character is oh so annoying.",
"Her reason for venturing to Maine is quite ridiculous.",
"The story does unfold with a few unpredictable seasons.",
"I sure did not expect the crocodile to attack the bear so visciously.",
"The use of the cow as bait is quite hillarious.",
"Gosh that Betty White plays such a goofball.Again, Lake Placid is not the stuff that legends are made of.",
"Its just too far fetched in many spots.",
"However as a light campy comedic horror adventure, Lake Placid will give you a few chuckles as well as some gasps as the crocodile attacks its victims."
] |
3 | from another planet | I read once that this dude worked with John Cage. True or not, that should give you a sense of how out there this disc is. The interior cover art reveals that the nine songs are symbol-coded into three categories: "blip," "noise" and "groove." This is no joke: a prime example of a "noise" track would be "Arteries of Tokyo," which is literally a five-and-a-half minute recording of distant highway traffic. This record, in short, subscribes to the Cagean notion that music is anything that we choose to listen to.Now that said, Atau has been around for a while and the fact that "Biorhythms" is even listenable is a testament to his skills. "Otaku" and "f:m:r" are inventive grooves composed mostly of metal industrial hits and sawtooth synthesizers, and "Adagio," an almost ten minute ambient string wash, is remarkably enjoyable. But this album is composed largely of sounds that most people think of as background noise, and background noise is quite quickly what it can become. | 982 | [
"I read once that this dude worked with John Cage.",
"True or not, that should give you a sense of how out there this disc is.",
"The interior cover art reveals that the nine songs are symbol-coded into three categories: \"blip,\" \"noise\" and \"groove.\" This is no joke: a prime example of a \"noise\" track would be \"Arteries of Tokyo,\" which is literally a five-and-a-half minute recording of distant highway traffic.",
"This record, in short, subscribes to the Cagean notion that music is anything that we choose to listen to.Now that said, Atau has been around for a while and the fact that \"Biorhythms\" is even listenable is a testament to his skills.",
"\"Otaku\" and \"f:m:r\" are inventive grooves composed mostly of metal industrial hits and sawtooth synthesizers, and \"Adagio,\" an almost ten minute ambient string wash, is remarkably enjoyable.",
"But this album is composed largely of sounds that most people think of as background noise, and background noise is quite quickly what it can become."
] |
3 | Not Exactly Dissappointing | I must say that I love the concept of a world plunging into darkness and chaos resulting. I also admire the way Asimov and Silverberg manage to explain why everything happens using theoretical science. I also like the way that an astronomer, a psycologist, an archaeologist and a reporter could be linked together amidst a catastrophe. Nevertheless I do not like many things about the book. Mainly, I don't like the ending. As was mentioned in another review, I think that it was too rushed. I don't like the way all the characters turn out to be good and everyone is happy. While this ending is satisfying since you find out what happens to everyone, I find it utterly dull and repetative. I don't like the way the book ties up all loose ends and leaves you nothing to think about. There are no themes to ponder and the characters are not described well enough for you to feel for them. I feel that this book had a great plot, but the story probably could have been better written. | 982 | [
"I must say that I love the concept of a world plunging into darkness and chaos resulting.",
"I also admire the way Asimov and Silverberg manage to explain why everything happens using theoretical science.",
"I also like the way that an astronomer, a psycologist, an archaeologist and a reporter could be linked together amidst a catastrophe.",
"Nevertheless I do not like many things about the book.",
"Mainly, I don't like the ending.",
"As was mentioned in another review, I think that it was too rushed.",
"I don't like the way all the characters turn out to be good and everyone is happy.",
"While this ending is satisfying since you find out what happens to everyone, I find it utterly dull and repetative.",
"I don't like the way the book ties up all loose ends and leaves you nothing to think about.",
"There are no themes to ponder and the characters are not described well enough for you to feel for them.",
"I feel that this book had a great plot, but the story probably could have been better written."
] |
3 | Can be noisy | Our dog likes this toy which we had gotten hastily at a drugstore when we realized we left her toys at home while on vacation. We fill this with Zukes or with crushed Nuturo choice snacks and leave it for her when we go to work. This can be a really long toy for your dog due to the small opening near the rope and it's good to check that what you put in will actually come out. Our dog gets her treats out be picking this up by the rope and then flinging it across the room (much to the chargin of the tenants below our apartment). She also just chews on the rope when she is bored and also tries to tug the rope back and forth in order to dislodge some of the treats. The best method for her however is to throw it and although it's durable, your wood floors may not like it and it can be somewhat noisy. But for this price, your dog will get a relatively long lasting treat dispenser that you can manipulate in order to increase or decrease the difficulty of earning their treat. | 982 | [
"Our dog likes this toy which we had gotten hastily at a drugstore when we realized we left her toys at home while on vacation.",
"We fill this with Zukes or with crushed Nuturo choice snacks and leave it for her when we go to work.",
"This can be a really long toy for your dog due to the small opening near the rope and it's good to check that what you put in will actually come out.",
"Our dog gets her treats out be picking this up by the rope and then flinging it across the room (much to the chargin of the tenants below our apartment).",
"She also just chews on the rope when she is bored and also tries to tug the rope back and forth in order to dislodge some of the treats.",
"The best method for her however is to throw it and although it's durable, your wood floors may not like it and it can be somewhat noisy.",
"But for this price, your dog will get a relatively long lasting treat dispenser that you can manipulate in order to increase or decrease the difficulty of earning their treat."
] |
3 | Less useful than it appears | First, the good: there is a lot of info and it is possible to get something useful out of it. The bad: the author's claim to fame is "Skousen wall" and it does not work terribly well and the whole idea is less than it looks. Here is what I mean: first, 3 1/2" thick wall is complete garbage, will not stop even 7.62 x 39 round at all. The thicker wall MIGHT, but there are serious drawbacks. First, tactical: author uses 3/4" plywood as outer layer which is not at all fire resistant, and fire resistance is more important than ballistic resistance, in my opinion. Second, cost: 6" wall with 3/4" plywood face cost as much (or more) as solid concrete, and it is much less useful than concrete. The only possible benefit I see is in OPSEC (one can fill the wall from inside the house with no one to notice. But even this is less useful than it seems: if first building inside walls (by a contractor), the extra 6" wide empty space around the basement wall is sure to raise questions. | 982 | [
"First, the good: there is a lot of info and it is possible to get something useful out of it.",
"The bad: the author's claim to fame is \"Skousen wall\" and it does not work terribly well and the whole idea is less than it looks.",
"Here is what I mean: first, 3 1/2\" thick wall is complete garbage, will not stop even 7.62 x 39 round at all.",
"The thicker wall MIGHT, but there are serious drawbacks.",
"First, tactical: author uses 3/4\" plywood as outer layer which is not at all fire resistant, and fire resistance is more important than ballistic resistance, in my opinion.",
"Second, cost: 6\" wall with 3/4\" plywood face cost as much (or more) as solid concrete, and it is much less useful than concrete.",
"The only possible benefit I see is in OPSEC (one can fill the wall from inside the house with no one to notice.",
"But even this is less useful than it seems: if first building inside walls (by a contractor), the extra 6\" wide empty space around the basement wall is sure to raise questions."
] |
3 | A great Elvis movie | A few quips, some jump cuts and a few arch scene transition titles do not offset my impression that here is an above average Elvis exploitation movie starring the Beatles. Somehow, I never saw this one until now. It's not remotely comparable to "A Hard Day's Night." The silly plot about an Indian death cult trying to recover one of Ringo's rings wears thin fast. Still, it's delightful to see the Fab Four in restored, glorious color. The songs are great, but are just gratuitously stuck in every 10 minutes with no relation to the plot. Worse, the Beatles don't bother to even pretend to be playing along. They are out of synch, especially Ringo who doesn't bother to stay on the beat, his cymbals flailing every which way, his drums set up in absurd locations like some rocks at the beach or a military plain. Film looks like it was just duped yesterday, though, thanks to the great restoration. Thankfully, you can cue just the songs on the menu and skip the filler in between. | 982 | [
"A few quips, some jump cuts and a few arch scene transition titles do not offset my impression that here is an above average Elvis exploitation movie starring the Beatles.",
"Somehow, I never saw this one until now.",
"It's not remotely comparable to \"A Hard Day's Night.\" The silly plot about an Indian death cult trying to recover one of Ringo's rings wears thin fast.",
"Still, it's delightful to see the Fab Four in restored, glorious color.",
"The songs are great, but are just gratuitously stuck in every 10 minutes with no relation to the plot.",
"Worse, the Beatles don't bother to even pretend to be playing along.",
"They are out of synch, especially Ringo who doesn't bother to stay on the beat, his cymbals flailing every which way, his drums set up in absurd locations like some rocks at the beach or a military plain.",
"Film looks like it was just duped yesterday, though, thanks to the great restoration.",
"Thankfully, you can cue just the songs on the menu and skip the filler in between."
] |
3 | Virtuosity yes...fun no | Ok where to start...ah I've been a Kottke fan for almost 30 years now and own his entire catalog. Since his creative peak in the 70's he has produced an amazing body of work. I've heard him in concert more than once tell of his record labels wanting to pair him with a "chick singer", which at this point might not be a bad idea. The problem with much of this, is as one reviewer had previously some of the licks you do recognize from other songs. His best works (Great Big Boy, Ice Water, Greenhouse), included both instrumental tracks and vocal tracks. But more importantly they were fun. His previously release "Clone" while it took me awhile to warm up to, I appreciate more and more because it's a departure and fun. Certainly, the die-hard Kottke fan will probably find this more than enough to satisfy them but it just didn't do it for me. The songs just sound like they're going nowhere. I believe Leo has at least one more great release in him, unfortunately this isn't it. | 982 | [
"Ok where to start...ah I've been a Kottke fan for almost 30 years now and own his entire catalog.",
"Since his creative peak in the 70's he has produced an amazing body of work.",
"I've heard him in concert more than once tell of his record labels wanting to pair him with a \"chick singer\", which at this point might not be a bad idea.",
"The problem with much of this, is as one reviewer had previously some of the licks you do recognize from other songs.",
"His best works (Great Big Boy, Ice Water, Greenhouse), included both instrumental tracks and vocal tracks.",
"But more importantly they were fun.",
"His previously release \"Clone\" while it took me awhile to warm up to, I appreciate more and more because it's a departure and fun.",
"Certainly, the die-hard Kottke fan will probably find this more than enough to satisfy them but it just didn't do it for me.",
"The songs just sound like they're going nowhere.",
"I believe Leo has at least one more great release in him, unfortunately this isn't it."
] |
3 | Alright, kind of empty... | I had only read one other Nicholas Sparks novel before this one ('The Notebook', which I loved), and I had not seen the movie adaptation before reading this novel (now I have, didn't care for it). I thought this was an okay book, it felt kind of empty to me though. I felt like there wasn't enough character development in this book, I really didn't care what happened to either of the two main characters. The thing that I was most interested in was the relationship between John and his father. I liked that story and would have enjoyed a longer story based on that alone. I was just disappointed in this book. I had had high hopes for it, had heard very good things about it. I was let down, unfortunately. I did not like the ending at all. I can't get into it on here without giving away too much, but I will say that I didn't find it believable at all. I don't see that situation ever happening in real life, ever. It was put in to seem romantic and selfless, but it backfired. | 982 | [
"I had only read one other Nicholas Sparks novel before this one ('The Notebook', which I loved), and I had not seen the movie adaptation before reading this novel (now I have, didn't care for it).",
"I thought this was an okay book, it felt kind of empty to me though.",
"I felt like there wasn't enough character development in this book, I really didn't care what happened to either of the two main characters.",
"The thing that I was most interested in was the relationship between John and his father.",
"I liked that story and would have enjoyed a longer story based on that alone.",
"I was just disappointed in this book.",
"I had had high hopes for it, had heard very good things about it.",
"I was let down, unfortunately.",
"I did not like the ending at all.",
"I can't get into it on here without giving away too much, but I will say that I didn't find it believable at all.",
"I don't see that situation ever happening in real life, ever.",
"It was put in to seem romantic and selfless, but it backfired."
] |
3 | Bought a 3-ring Binder | I bought two of these. After I put some 20 different titles in the wallet (the dvd on the left, the liner on the right), I realised that if I wanted to add into my wallet (which is alphabetised), I'd have to reshift ALL the dvds either before or after it.So now, it's organised in such a way that the liner is on the right and the accompanying dvd is behind it. But because this is not a 3-ring binder, you have to remove all the dvds before a title to insert it alphabetically, as the other reviewers have bemoaned.So then I searched Amazon to find this: www.amazon.com/Avery-27554-Durable-Reference-capacity/dp/B0006HV8V2/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s;=office-products&qid;=1214098565&sr;=8-1Since the dvd sleeves are three-hole punched, they will fit into this 3 ring binder (which does not zip close). I think I will purchase this binder and just chuck the wallet.The only unfortunate thing is I bought two wallets; I should have just bought the refills/inserts & a three-ring binder.... | 982 | [
"I bought two of these.",
"After I put some 20 different titles in the wallet (the dvd on the left, the liner on the right), I realised that if I wanted to add into my wallet (which is alphabetised), I'd have to reshift ALL the dvds either before or after it.So now, it's organised in such a way that the liner is on the right and the accompanying dvd is behind it.",
"But because this is not a 3-ring binder, you have to remove all the dvds before a title to insert it alphabetically, as the other reviewers have bemoaned.So then I searched Amazon to find this: www.amazon.com/Avery-27554-Durable-Reference-capacity/dp/B0006HV8V2/ref=sr_1_1?",
"ie=UTF8&s;=office-products&qid;=1214098565&sr;=8-1Since the dvd sleeves are three-hole punched, they will fit into this 3 ring binder (which does not zip close).",
"I think I will purchase this binder and just chuck the wallet.The only unfortunate thing is I bought two wallets; I should have just bought the refills/inserts & a three-ring binder...."
] |
3 | Mr Crowley, this is Ms Rand. | Anton LaVey tells us that selfishness is a virtue, and I agree. When I look back on my life, I can't help remembering all the times people who tried to intimidate me into sacrificing my best interests for theirs would inevitably call me "selfish".For example, my third grade teacher, who derived great pleasure from forcing me to annually re-enact what for years was the most embarassing moment of my life. I wanted to live it down, but when I protested, the response was always the same: "Kevin, stop being selfish!"But LaVey's position isn't original, and, in fairness, he didn't exactly say it was. When this book first appeared, Ayn Rand had already published _The Virtue of Selfishness_ (although she wasn't the first to hold this position, either). What _is_ original is the way LaVey synthesized Ayn Rand with Aleister Crowley -- and, considering the Randian contempt for "mysticism", Ayn Rand's "objectivist" fans should find the ease with which that can be done disturbing. | 982 | [
"Anton LaVey tells us that selfishness is a virtue, and I agree.",
"When I look back on my life, I can't help remembering all the times people who tried to intimidate me into sacrificing my best interests for theirs would inevitably call me \"selfish\".For example, my third grade teacher, who derived great pleasure from forcing me to annually re-enact what for years was the most embarassing moment of my life.",
"I wanted to live it down, but when I protested, the response was always the same: \"Kevin, stop being selfish!",
"\"But LaVey's position isn't original, and, in fairness, he didn't exactly say it was.",
"When this book first appeared, Ayn Rand had already published _The Virtue of Selfishness_ (although she wasn't the first to hold this position, either).",
"What _is_ original is the way LaVey synthesized Ayn Rand with Aleister Crowley -- and, considering the Randian contempt for \"mysticism\", Ayn Rand's \"objectivist\" fans should find the ease with which that can be done disturbing."
] |
3 | "G" Whiz! | While I have never been a particularly big fan of Kenny G, I have, over the years, appreciated his skills with the sax. I guess where I sometimes feel let down is with his selections of tunes. I found this CD to above average in song selection and particularly loved the Louis Armstrong "What a Wonderful World" cut. But I just don't get why we have to hear "The Girl from Ipanema" two times. True, they are two different cuts, but it's still the same song! It just seems that the producers just had to fill some space...the second version isn't even listed among the song titles or credited in the song pamphlet! I feel this is unfair to the listener and it really insults my intelligence. I would have hoped that one rendition would suffice and that another song should had been added instead. THERE MUST BE SOME SONG OUT THERE THAT COULD HAVE BEEN INCLUDED! What gives? But, not to turn the listener off totally, since there are several good cuts on the CD, I'll give it 3 stars. | 982 | [
"While I have never been a particularly big fan of Kenny G, I have, over the years, appreciated his skills with the sax.",
"I guess where I sometimes feel let down is with his selections of tunes.",
"I found this CD to above average in song selection and particularly loved the Louis Armstrong \"What a Wonderful World\" cut.",
"But I just don't get why we have to hear \"The Girl from Ipanema\" two times.",
"True, they are two different cuts, but it's still the same song!",
"It just seems that the producers just had to fill some space...the second version isn't even listed among the song titles or credited in the song pamphlet!",
"I feel this is unfair to the listener and it really insults my intelligence.",
"I would have hoped that one rendition would suffice and that another song should had been added instead.",
"THERE MUST BE SOME SONG OUT THERE THAT COULD HAVE BEEN INCLUDED!",
"What gives?",
"But, not to turn the listener off totally, since there are several good cuts on the CD, I'll give it 3 stars."
] |
3 | Mr. Carter Steps Out | Mr. Carter steps out into the world of fiction. I enjoyed his venture. I think that he could have and should have given more life to Espy--the forward and somewhat headstrong young woman who enticed a slightly older young man to engage in conversation with her. She led him to her home and into her life through the offer of botinical books. It would seem that he could have given more life to this less than comunicative grown woman who traveled through the wilds with her husband and finally got close enough to conceive and bear a child.The descriptions of the conflicts and the parties involved were great and it is easy to see that the author is more comfortable with these types of descriptions than those of family interactions. He is especially not easy with a even an gentle "toss in the hay". That's all right tho' neither is half the male population I think.Over all the "Hornets Nest" is a good afternoons read and one most folks that enjoy historical novels will enjoy. | 982 | [
"Mr.",
"Carter steps out into the world of fiction.",
"I enjoyed his venture.",
"I think that he could have and should have given more life to Espy--the forward and somewhat headstrong young woman who enticed a slightly older young man to engage in conversation with her.",
"She led him to her home and into her life through the offer of botinical books.",
"It would seem that he could have given more life to this less than comunicative grown woman who traveled through the wilds with her husband and finally got close enough to conceive and bear a child.The descriptions of the conflicts and the parties involved were great and it is easy to see that the author is more comfortable with these types of descriptions than those of family interactions.",
"He is especially not easy with a even an gentle \"toss in the hay\".",
"That's all right tho' neither is half the male population I think.Over all the \"Hornets Nest\" is a good afternoons read and one most folks that enjoy historical novels will enjoy."
] |
3 | Beware of fretboard damage | I picked up these strings specifically to play slap bass, since my musical "job" was changing a bit. They are low tension, have a nice snap to them and a decent tone, not really like guts but a bit brighter. They play well for slapping, which is what they're meant for.The problem is that the E and A strings (the metal wrapped strings-- the D and G are nylon-wrapped) seem to have very sharp edges that take a little while to wear down-- and the first few times I played them I was very shocked to see horizontal grooves being worn into the fretboard that were clearly from the string windings rubbing as they hit the board. This has settled down as the strings got played in, but the damage is done and will be there until I have the fretboard resurfaced sometime.I realize slapping is going to wear a fretboard more than other styles-- but these strings do you no favors, and I've heard from knowledgeable sources that higher priced strings are much more gentle on the fretboard. | 982 | [
"I picked up these strings specifically to play slap bass, since my musical \"job\" was changing a bit.",
"They are low tension, have a nice snap to them and a decent tone, not really like guts but a bit brighter.",
"They play well for slapping, which is what they're meant for.The problem is that the E and A strings (the metal wrapped strings-- the D and G are nylon-wrapped) seem to have very sharp edges that take a little while to wear down-- and the first few times I played them I was very shocked to see horizontal grooves being worn into the fretboard that were clearly from the string windings rubbing as they hit the board.",
"This has settled down as the strings got played in, but the damage is done and will be there until I have the fretboard resurfaced sometime.I realize slapping is going to wear a fretboard more than other styles-- but these strings do you no favors, and I've heard from knowledgeable sources that higher priced strings are much more gentle on the fretboard."
] |
3 | Worth it for Suchet | I originally liked this a lot when I first saw it about 6 years ago. I recently read the book and then watched it again. Having read the book, I'm somewhat less impressed with this production. I understand condensing. However, it's hard to condone cutting crucial plot elements just so we can see extra scenes with McFayden romping in the woods. Oh well, I guess they needed to make it more appealing to the masses.That said, this is still great for certain performances- Suchet in particular. I simply loved his performance.Certain casting choices were questionable- It's already been said before, but Miranda Otto really was a poor choice. Couldn't they find an actual American actress for this role?I can't find any real fault in Cillian Murphy's performance. However, physically, he just wasn't the right actor for this role. From certain angles he looks more like a young girl than a man. His walking around in a cowboy hat bordered on the ridiculous.Again, see it for Souchet. | 982 | [
"I originally liked this a lot when I first saw it about 6 years ago.",
"I recently read the book and then watched it again.",
"Having read the book, I'm somewhat less impressed with this production.",
"I understand condensing.",
"However, it's hard to condone cutting crucial plot elements just so we can see extra scenes with McFayden romping in the woods.",
"Oh well, I guess they needed to make it more appealing to the masses.That said, this is still great for certain performances- Suchet in particular.",
"I simply loved his performance.Certain casting choices were questionable- It's already been said before, but Miranda Otto really was a poor choice.",
"Couldn't they find an actual American actress for this role?",
"I can't find any real fault in Cillian Murphy's performance.",
"However, physically, he just wasn't the right actor for this role.",
"From certain angles he looks more like a young girl than a man.",
"His walking around in a cowboy hat bordered on the ridiculous.Again, see it for Souchet."
] |
3 | Not a cliche goes by | I enjoy Mr. Harris works and will go out of my way and budget to purchase his books. I found this one full of cliches and soap operatic. You knew what was going to happen to the characters at the beginning of the book, and the end was real weak. The male character didn't learn anything from his experience and the reader dosen't either. The female character whom we meet in the previous book was basically a throw away character and something for the male (Bi)character to play againgst as opposed to another stronger male character. Basil has been in all the books and needs to grow up soon. It hardly even dealt with The last books revelations and insights of Basil. It kind of threw itself out of series. Where were the journal writing group?Sometimes One does not need to know what cologone a person has on. It does not help the plot, it's already established the character's have throw away income. Overall It was something to read but not my favoraite in this series of books | 982 | [
"I enjoy Mr.",
"Harris works and will go out of my way and budget to purchase his books.",
"I found this one full of cliches and soap operatic.",
"You knew what was going to happen to the characters at the beginning of the book, and the end was real weak.",
"The male character didn't learn anything from his experience and the reader dosen't either.",
"The female character whom we meet in the previous book was basically a throw away character and something for the male (Bi)character to play againgst as opposed to another stronger male character.",
"Basil has been in all the books and needs to grow up soon.",
"It hardly even dealt with The last books revelations and insights of Basil.",
"It kind of threw itself out of series.",
"Where were the journal writing group?",
"Sometimes One does not need to know what cologone a person has on.",
"It does not help the plot, it's already established the character's have throw away income.",
"Overall It was something to read but not my favoraite in this series of books"
] |
3 | Not For Everyone | I wish I had read the Amazon.com reviews before I started this novel because I then could have better calibrated my expectations. I found "Atonement" to be long on theme (excellent) but short on flow. Ian McEwan is an accomplished writer but like so many others I found his book painfully slow. In truth, it may not have been but very often I had to mentally fight to stay with it. That may have been because I thought many sections were so uninteresting that I momentarily stopped caring about where the story was headed. I also found the book's characters lacking any appeal. Briony was an intriguing but very unsympathetic central character i.e. she just wasn't someone I could care about.Intellectually I liked the book's powerful theme of an individual's guilt and struggle for redemption. However, I had to work to get there. If you don't mind expending a little effort "Atonement" may strike the right chord in you. For me it was an interesting but not a very enjoyable read. | 982 | [
"I wish I had read the Amazon.com reviews before I started this novel because I then could have better calibrated my expectations.",
"I found \"Atonement\" to be long on theme (excellent) but short on flow.",
"Ian McEwan is an accomplished writer but like so many others I found his book painfully slow.",
"In truth, it may not have been but very often I had to mentally fight to stay with it.",
"That may have been because I thought many sections were so uninteresting that I momentarily stopped caring about where the story was headed.",
"I also found the book's characters lacking any appeal.",
"Briony was an intriguing but very unsympathetic central character i.e. she just wasn't someone I could care about.Intellectually I liked the book's powerful theme of an individual's guilt and struggle for redemption.",
"However, I had to work to get there.",
"If you don't mind expending a little effort \"Atonement\" may strike the right chord in you.",
"For me it was an interesting but not a very enjoyable read."
] |
3 | "Transporter" Part Deux | "I'm in need of a Transporter.""I'm listening." - Master Transporter, Frank Martin can hear his next customer now in "Transporter 2"Decent sequel to the "Transporter" has Frank Martin doing a favor for a friend by watching over a Senator's young son. But, when the boy is kidnapped by terrorists The Transporter puts it into overdrive to retrieve the boy & take out the terrorists. Things get worse when Frank finds out that the boy has been injected with a deadly virus that kills everyone that comes in contact with him. Frank has less than 4 hours to retrieve the antidote & stop the spread of the disease. Good luck.The film is just about non-stop action with the usual intercuts of the family going through the worried argueing phase, while the cops try to formulate a plan.The film has a few flaws. The CGI action is terrible. Leading to a lot of "Yeah, right!" sequences that almost sink the film entirely. Jason Statham is great as the transporter & holds the film together. | 982 | [
"\"I'm in need of a Transporter.\"\"I'm listening.\" - Master Transporter, Frank Martin can hear his next customer now in \"Transporter 2\"Decent sequel to the \"Transporter\" has Frank Martin doing a favor for a friend by watching over a Senator's young son.",
"But, when the boy is kidnapped by terrorists The Transporter puts it into overdrive to retrieve the boy & take out the terrorists.",
"Things get worse when Frank finds out that the boy has been injected with a deadly virus that kills everyone that comes in contact with him.",
"Frank has less than 4 hours to retrieve the antidote & stop the spread of the disease.",
"Good luck.The film is just about non-stop action with the usual intercuts of the family going through the worried argueing phase, while the cops try to formulate a plan.The film has a few flaws.",
"The CGI action is terrible.",
"Leading to a lot of \"Yeah, right!",
"\" sequences that almost sink the film entirely.",
"Jason Statham is great as the transporter & holds the film together."
] |
3 | Everybody Slides Vol.3 | Like its companion volumes "(Almost) Everybody Slides" (RCD 10344) and "Everybody Slides Vol.2" (RCD 10345), this disc is a collection of slide guitar tracks by a wide variety of guitarists, some tracks recorded especially for this compilation and others pulled from the vaults.Like the previous volumes some tracks work better than others. This is especially true on this 3rd volume, since the selection criteria here seems to be "exploring the fringes." There is some free jazz slide guitar, an Indian raga slide guitar, some punkish slide from Curlew guitarist Davey Williams and a fair amount of Fred Frith-like slide "guitar solos." I can fully understand why the previous reviewer was baffled.Nevertheless this volume, as do the others, showcases some incredible talent, and buried in amongst the dross are some real gems (including the first return-to-recording of Bill Harkleroad!) For a reasonable price these three discs belong in the collection of every slide aficionado. | 982 | [
"Like its companion volumes \"(Almost) Everybody Slides\" (RCD 10344) and \"Everybody Slides Vol.2\" (RCD 10345), this disc is a collection of slide guitar tracks by a wide variety of guitarists, some tracks recorded especially for this compilation and others pulled from the vaults.Like the previous volumes some tracks work better than others.",
"This is especially true on this 3rd volume, since the selection criteria here seems to be \"exploring the fringes.\" There is some free jazz slide guitar, an Indian raga slide guitar, some punkish slide from Curlew guitarist Davey Williams and a fair amount of Fred Frith-like slide \"guitar solos.\" I can fully understand why the previous reviewer was baffled.Nevertheless this volume, as do the others, showcases some incredible talent, and buried in amongst the dross are some real gems (including the first return-to-recording of Bill Harkleroad!",
") For a reasonable price these three discs belong in the collection of every slide aficionado."
] |
3 | Too advanced | If your looking for a book to really explain and work out the problems, this book is not for you. Also, a lot of the problems in this book are very advanced for what the test really consist of. If your taking a exam with New York, or some California departments, this book will probably serve you well. However for the rest of us, this book will simply be too advanced for the real problems your going to encounter. The Math section in this book does a good job of letting you know what you need to study, but again, the explanations simply suck, and are very hard to follow.I suggest you try, Smoke Your Firefighter Written Exam. This book really explains in detail every problem and how to solve them by taking baby steps. Really a good book.Keep in mind that almost all of these books are going to consist of the same material. The difference is how the problems are explained. I suggest you buy at least 2 books to study which should give you a good medium somewhere in between. | 982 | [
"If your looking for a book to really explain and work out the problems, this book is not for you.",
"Also, a lot of the problems in this book are very advanced for what the test really consist of.",
"If your taking a exam with New York, or some California departments, this book will probably serve you well.",
"However for the rest of us, this book will simply be too advanced for the real problems your going to encounter.",
"The Math section in this book does a good job of letting you know what you need to study, but again, the explanations simply suck, and are very hard to follow.I suggest you try, Smoke Your Firefighter Written Exam.",
"This book really explains in detail every problem and how to solve them by taking baby steps.",
"Really a good book.Keep in mind that almost all of these books are going to consist of the same material.",
"The difference is how the problems are explained.",
"I suggest you buy at least 2 books to study which should give you a good medium somewhere in between."
] |
3 | Handles Could be Better Made | I bought this set of handles because I needed another pair for my Tower 2000 workout gym. These were the only ones I could find online and at Amazon. I received them in a very timely manner even though I live overseas on a military installation. The shipping and timely delivery was great!I used them twice and noticed that the outside edges of the foam handles were beginning to fray. This is a result of the nylon straps rubbing against the foam padding when you do things like bicep curls or any other exercise that involves the handles moving but the padded foam handle remaining still in your hands.I was very disappointed that this was the case and expected a better made handle. If Perform Better had made the foam padding a little shorter than the actual length of the handle, then there would be no problem. My solution was to actually use a scalpel knife and trim the edges of the foam myself so there's no rubbing. I should now get years of workouts out of these handles. | 982 | [
"I bought this set of handles because I needed another pair for my Tower 2000 workout gym.",
"These were the only ones I could find online and at Amazon.",
"I received them in a very timely manner even though I live overseas on a military installation.",
"The shipping and timely delivery was great!",
"I used them twice and noticed that the outside edges of the foam handles were beginning to fray.",
"This is a result of the nylon straps rubbing against the foam padding when you do things like bicep curls or any other exercise that involves the handles moving but the padded foam handle remaining still in your hands.I was very disappointed that this was the case and expected a better made handle.",
"If Perform Better had made the foam padding a little shorter than the actual length of the handle, then there would be no problem.",
"My solution was to actually use a scalpel knife and trim the edges of the foam myself so there's no rubbing.",
"I should now get years of workouts out of these handles."
] |
3 | Crazy is putting it mildly! | I found the story of PeeJoe and his crazy Aunt Lucille to be a wickedly funny book with dark undertones.In the time of serious civil unrest in Alabama,the parallel stories both have moments of hilarious comedy and frightening truths about the way people see each other in their different worlds.Lucille decides that she's had quite enough of her appalling husband who,she's convinced,has been the sole reason for her not being a famous movie star.She therefore slips rat poison into his coffee and after cutting off his head(with great difficulty)pops it into a Tupperware lettuce keeper-I'll never be able to look at mine in the same light again!She then sets out for Hollywood,complete with the head and starts the great adventure.Meanwhile,PeeJoe is caught up in the civil rights confrontations and quickly learns that he will never again see life in the same way.I can't imagine anyone NOT liking this book and intend looking up the other things that Mark Childress has written. | 982 | [
"I found the story of PeeJoe and his crazy Aunt Lucille to be a wickedly funny book with dark undertones.In the time of serious civil unrest in Alabama,the parallel stories both have moments of hilarious comedy and frightening truths about the way people see each other in their different worlds.Lucille decides that she's had quite enough of her appalling husband who,she's convinced,has been the sole reason for her not being a famous movie star.She therefore slips rat poison into his coffee and after cutting off his head(with great difficulty)pops it into a Tupperware lettuce keeper-I'll never be able to look at mine in the same light again!",
"She then sets out for Hollywood,complete with the head and starts the great adventure.Meanwhile,PeeJoe is caught up in the civil rights confrontations and quickly learns that he will never again see life in the same way.I can't imagine anyone NOT liking this book and intend looking up the other things that Mark Childress has written."
] |
3 | Not Great, Simply Put | I got this phone knowing some of the bad reviews. Being my first cell phone. I didn't think I'd mind so much. At first it was great, perfect for me.However, 4mb of memory is so little... all the features get more annoying.It serves my needs still until I can upgrade. Now starts to freeze...I do like the size, and menus (they aren't THAT bad to navigate) and displays are nice to customize. It isn't a terrible phone, but not great.ALL PHONES have their quirks people range so much in reviews... and any phone can die even the best always a few rotten apples in the bunch. This phone was good for me as a first cell phone when I didn't need all the features and memory I would like now...So I won't knock more stars off because I outgrew it, but it does have it's issues and annoyances. Definitely not a phone for more advanced users or people who like features, and as for FM radio cool idea I used to use it... but since getting an MP3 player really haven't touched that feature. | 982 | [
"I got this phone knowing some of the bad reviews.",
"Being my first cell phone.",
"I didn't think I'd mind so much.",
"At first it was great, perfect for me.However, 4mb of memory is so little... all the features get more annoying.It serves my needs still until I can upgrade.",
"Now starts to freeze...I do like the size, and menus (they aren't THAT bad to navigate) and displays are nice to customize.",
"It isn't a terrible phone, but not great.ALL PHONES have their quirks people range so much in reviews... and any phone can die even the best always a few rotten apples in the bunch.",
"This phone was good for me as a first cell phone when I didn't need all the features and memory I would like now...So I won't knock more stars off because I outgrew it, but it does have it's issues and annoyances.",
"Definitely not a phone for more advanced users or people who like features, and as for FM radio cool idea I used to use it... but since getting an MP3 player really haven't touched that feature."
] |
3 | This music needs Viagra! | I bought this album for $3.00 here on Amazon, based on reviews I read here. It arrived today. I gave it 3 spins and came to the conclusion that this album/music is, although recorded well, was not what I was hoping to hear.It really sucks to think that just because five guys (musicians) like a certain style of music, that they can re-create that music, send out demos to companies like Metal Blade (who sign all sorts of unoriginal acts), and offer albums full of this regurgitated crap to the public. The galloping beats remind me of early Savatage, the guitars were nothing special - typical harmonized (bastardized) riffs that seem to "Iron Maiden" their way around the whole album. The guy sounds like a T.Lindberg clone. I say, if youre going to rip off another bands material... do it well. If I was 12 years old, this album probably wouldve blew my mind.If you want to an hear original Death/Thrash band then do yourself a favor & check out Dimension Zero. They f-ing rip!! | 982 | [
"I bought this album for $3.00 here on Amazon, based on reviews I read here.",
"It arrived today.",
"I gave it 3 spins and came to the conclusion that this album/music is, although recorded well, was not what I was hoping to hear.It really sucks to think that just because five guys (musicians) like a certain style of music, that they can re-create that music, send out demos to companies like Metal Blade (who sign all sorts of unoriginal acts), and offer albums full of this regurgitated crap to the public.",
"The galloping beats remind me of early Savatage, the guitars were nothing special - typical harmonized (bastardized) riffs that seem to \"Iron Maiden\" their way around the whole album.",
"The guy sounds like a T.Lindberg clone.",
"I say, if youre going to rip off another bands material... do it well.",
"If I was 12 years old, this album probably wouldve blew my mind.If you want to an hear original Death/Thrash band then do yourself a favor & check out Dimension Zero.",
"They f-ing rip!!"
] |
3 | For Bobbie Phillips fans | I came across this low budget western on cable one night and recorded it out of curiosity. A good call on my part seeing I have liked lead actress Bobbie Phillips ever since I saw her on an episode of the X-Files as a bug expert. I believe this is her first leading role, but it's nothing to write home about. The plot - about a ruthless gunrunner trying to find his cheating wife and the money she stole from him - could have worked if they had a better script, better actors and a bigger budget. As it is, the action sequences are laughable and the dialogue makes you groan. They scraped the bottom of the barrel by getting MC Hammer to play a bounty hunter, together with a mute dwarf!Cheyenne's only saving grace is Bobbie Phillips, who is not shy about showing some skin. You may remember Ms. Phillips as one of the background characters in Showgirls - she's one of the strippers at the club Elizabeth Berkley moonlights at before her big break. The three stars are for Bobbie! | 982 | [
"I came across this low budget western on cable one night and recorded it out of curiosity.",
"A good call on my part seeing I have liked lead actress Bobbie Phillips ever since I saw her on an episode of the X-Files as a bug expert.",
"I believe this is her first leading role, but it's nothing to write home about.",
"The plot - about a ruthless gunrunner trying to find his cheating wife and the money she stole from him - could have worked if they had a better script, better actors and a bigger budget.",
"As it is, the action sequences are laughable and the dialogue makes you groan.",
"They scraped the bottom of the barrel by getting MC Hammer to play a bounty hunter, together with a mute dwarf!",
"Cheyenne's only saving grace is Bobbie Phillips, who is not shy about showing some skin.",
"You may remember Ms.",
"Phillips as one of the background characters in Showgirls - she's one of the strippers at the club Elizabeth Berkley moonlights at before her big break.",
"The three stars are for Bobbie!"
] |
3 | Not for the real world | I know, I know, all you jiu jitsu lovers out there probably love the information in this book. I have worked in law enforcement and teach military members how to fight in real combat situations. I have practiced Judo and Jiu Jitsu for a long time. One of my instructors is a bronze medalist in Judo and is one of the finest Jiu Jitsu masters. I have worked in person with students of the ground fighting masters. These men are in fantastic shape. The techniques shown in this book can get you killed. If you get involved with a knife wielding maniac who feels no pain and you try most of the stuff in this book it will prove ineffective in most cases. I am sorry but I must tell the truth. If you like Jiu-Jitsu then practice the atemi (strikes) until you can deal with a raging fighter with a weapon. You will not get the locks and grapples to work against a knife moving at high speed. Check out some of the Close Combat masters books who have been in actual battle. Good luck, JR | 982 | [
"I know, I know, all you jiu jitsu lovers out there probably love the information in this book.",
"I have worked in law enforcement and teach military members how to fight in real combat situations.",
"I have practiced Judo and Jiu Jitsu for a long time.",
"One of my instructors is a bronze medalist in Judo and is one of the finest Jiu Jitsu masters.",
"I have worked in person with students of the ground fighting masters.",
"These men are in fantastic shape.",
"The techniques shown in this book can get you killed.",
"If you get involved with a knife wielding maniac who feels no pain and you try most of the stuff in this book it will prove ineffective in most cases.",
"I am sorry but I must tell the truth.",
"If you like Jiu-Jitsu then practice the atemi (strikes) until you can deal with a raging fighter with a weapon.",
"You will not get the locks and grapples to work against a knife moving at high speed.",
"Check out some of the Close Combat masters books who have been in actual battle.",
"Good luck, JR"
] |
3 | This Book is good | I read this book before i went on a vacation to New Zealand last year. It was fairly informative. If you have absolutely no knowledge of the country, this book will be very helpful. However books such as this one are not extremely useful, even if they were updated each year. (which this book isn't) The section about Television in New Zealand was outdated. This book makes it seem that even the best satellite service will not compare to even cable in the US. In other words, their television offerings are scarce. However, I found that to be untrue. Sky TV offers many channels and has good variety. This is just an example of how this book cannot possibly keep you informed about a rapidly changing country like New Zealand. The point is, if you really want the scoop on living in New Zealand, ask your friends who've visited for information. An even better way is to search on the internet. Go to a chatroom that has New Zealand inhabitants and ask them. They are very friendly. | 982 | [
"I read this book before i went on a vacation to New Zealand last year.",
"It was fairly informative.",
"If you have absolutely no knowledge of the country, this book will be very helpful.",
"However books such as this one are not extremely useful, even if they were updated each year.",
"(which this book isn't) The section about Television in New Zealand was outdated.",
"This book makes it seem that even the best satellite service will not compare to even cable in the US.",
"In other words, their television offerings are scarce.",
"However, I found that to be untrue.",
"Sky TV offers many channels and has good variety.",
"This is just an example of how this book cannot possibly keep you informed about a rapidly changing country like New Zealand.",
"The point is, if you really want the scoop on living in New Zealand, ask your friends who've visited for information.",
"An even better way is to search on the internet.",
"Go to a chatroom that has New Zealand inhabitants and ask them.",
"They are very friendly."
] |
3 | Beautiful Imagery - Dull Story | Watching Mirror Mask I was continually stunned by the imaginative imagery. Floating giants, monkey birds, a wicked queen and evil undulating tendrils are only a few of the marvels to be seen. The film is just jam packed with other-worldly images and creatures. It has a look unlike anything you've seen before. For that alone Mirror Mask deserves high praise.However, the story and (to a lesser extent) characters are shallow and not fleshed out. At the core of Mirror Mask is the relationship between a mother and a daughter, a relationship that I never fully understood or believed. The emotions and situations of the characters were glossed over in order to give more screen time to the amazing visuals.It's sad really becuase many will never make it through the full film since it is so cold and therefore miss out on some of the most amazing imagery from a movie in decades. With just a little more attention paid to the story and characters this could have been a masterpiece. | 982 | [
"Watching Mirror Mask I was continually stunned by the imaginative imagery.",
"Floating giants, monkey birds, a wicked queen and evil undulating tendrils are only a few of the marvels to be seen.",
"The film is just jam packed with other-worldly images and creatures.",
"It has a look unlike anything you've seen before.",
"For that alone Mirror Mask deserves high praise.However, the story and (to a lesser extent) characters are shallow and not fleshed out.",
"At the core of Mirror Mask is the relationship between a mother and a daughter, a relationship that I never fully understood or believed.",
"The emotions and situations of the characters were glossed over in order to give more screen time to the amazing visuals.It's sad really becuase many will never make it through the full film since it is so cold and therefore miss out on some of the most amazing imagery from a movie in decades.",
"With just a little more attention paid to the story and characters this could have been a masterpiece."
] |
3 | It's what you make of it. | I enjoyed Jabez much. I thought that it challenged disciples to examine their prayer life. It offered insight and exposed a common lack of expectation of God's blessings. I am disappointed with what I think Wilkinson is purposing: Praying a four line prayer. He never explains that prayer is an open of our heart to God and that this prayer can be used as an outline. There are a few implications that the prayer is just an outline, but he makes just as many implications to merely pray the four lines. I fear for the people that read this book and then ritualistically recite the four lines every morning. On the other hand, if someone that realises that the prayers in the bible are outlines, if that person reads this book, their prayer life, and walk with God in general, will be lifted to a new level. For more mature disciples who will easily see through the ritualism, this is a great book. For the inexperienced Christian, I would recommend buying a new Bible, NIV, perhaps. | 982 | [
"I enjoyed Jabez much.",
"I thought that it challenged disciples to examine their prayer life.",
"It offered insight and exposed a common lack of expectation of God's blessings.",
"I am disappointed with what I think Wilkinson is purposing: Praying a four line prayer.",
"He never explains that prayer is an open of our heart to God and that this prayer can be used as an outline.",
"There are a few implications that the prayer is just an outline, but he makes just as many implications to merely pray the four lines.",
"I fear for the people that read this book and then ritualistically recite the four lines every morning.",
"On the other hand, if someone that realises that the prayers in the bible are outlines, if that person reads this book, their prayer life, and walk with God in general, will be lifted to a new level.",
"For more mature disciples who will easily see through the ritualism, this is a great book.",
"For the inexperienced Christian, I would recommend buying a new Bible, NIV, perhaps."
] |
3 | Good book, but bad reprint. | The book itself is very good; unfortunately the current printing being sold is a poor quality reprint by Oxford. The pages look like xerox copies (actually my own cheap personal copier makes better quality copies than Oxford made here). As a result, many of the plates are very hard or impossible to decipher. Very disappointing for an Oxford book: For $70+ the purchaser expects much better quality.The original 1981 (uncorrected) printing (tan-colored binding) appears to be the best - the print quality of the plates is much better.The early printings of the 1991-corrected reprint (tan-colored binding with dark-blue dust jacket) appear to be okay. The plates aren't as high resolution printing as the original 1981 edition, but they're much better than the latest (dark-blue binding, no dust jacket) 1991-corrected reprint.The book itself I give 5 stars. The current reprint I give 1 star, after having the opportunity to compare it side-by-side with the two earlier printings. | 982 | [
"The book itself is very good; unfortunately the current printing being sold is a poor quality reprint by Oxford.",
"The pages look like xerox copies (actually my own cheap personal copier makes better quality copies than Oxford made here).",
"As a result, many of the plates are very hard or impossible to decipher.",
"Very disappointing for an Oxford book: For $70+ the purchaser expects much better quality.The original 1981 (uncorrected) printing (tan-colored binding) appears to be the best - the print quality of the plates is much better.The early printings of the 1991-corrected reprint (tan-colored binding with dark-blue dust jacket) appear to be okay.",
"The plates aren't as high resolution printing as the original 1981 edition, but they're much better than the latest (dark-blue binding, no dust jacket) 1991-corrected reprint.The book itself I give 5 stars.",
"The current reprint I give 1 star, after having the opportunity to compare it side-by-side with the two earlier printings."
] |
3 | disappointing | I liked the game for its great graphics and the way you can decipher the coded messages, you can pick your characters most levels, and that it gives you a password for each level you finish. It has four game modes: forced side scroller, non-forced side scroller, shooter and sword fighting. In forced side scroller you keep running from an entity and can't stop, in non-forced side scroller (my favorite mode) you can maneuver yourself through the level, in shooter you just shoot and duck (boring), and in sword-fighting you can't even jump or anything (more boring). It was so much like the movie that it was like playing through the film! But it was boring and not very challenging---you can finish this game in a few hours. The levels just repeat themselves except that the backgrounds change and the controls are confusing because the game doesn't tell you what mode the upcoming level is, and the controls for each mode change. I expected the game to be much better than this. | 982 | [
"I liked the game for its great graphics and the way you can decipher the coded messages, you can pick your characters most levels, and that it gives you a password for each level you finish.",
"It has four game modes: forced side scroller, non-forced side scroller, shooter and sword fighting.",
"In forced side scroller you keep running from an entity and can't stop, in non-forced side scroller (my favorite mode) you can maneuver yourself through the level, in shooter you just shoot and duck (boring), and in sword-fighting you can't even jump or anything (more boring).",
"It was so much like the movie that it was like playing through the film!",
"But it was boring and not very challenging---you can finish this game in a few hours.",
"The levels just repeat themselves except that the backgrounds change and the controls are confusing because the game doesn't tell you what mode the upcoming level is, and the controls for each mode change.",
"I expected the game to be much better than this."
] |
3 | John Cena Experience | What hasn't already been said about John Cena? The man has virtually done it all and this DVD gives you a chance to see how hectic his day to day schedule really is. For all the crap he gets from the WWE Universe about being a poor wrestler, he sure does go through an awful lot to try and make all of us fans happy. He's on tv, he's in parades, he's flipping coins at football games, he's granting wishes, he's making music, he's signing thousands of autographs in one sitting, he's entertaining us every week on RAW. John Cena is like a machine the way that he works. I only wish he was as good in the ring as he is out of the ring. That's the only reason why Cena receives so much hate. His matches come off as stale and boring because of his lack of in-ring manuevers. All in all I thought this was a good set. If your a fan of the backstage aspect of wrestling then I suggest picking this up. There are some pretty good matches on here as well. I had a good time watching this. | 982 | [
"What hasn't already been said about John Cena?",
"The man has virtually done it all and this DVD gives you a chance to see how hectic his day to day schedule really is.",
"For all the crap he gets from the WWE Universe about being a poor wrestler, he sure does go through an awful lot to try and make all of us fans happy.",
"He's on tv, he's in parades, he's flipping coins at football games, he's granting wishes, he's making music, he's signing thousands of autographs in one sitting, he's entertaining us every week on RAW.",
"John Cena is like a machine the way that he works.",
"I only wish he was as good in the ring as he is out of the ring.",
"That's the only reason why Cena receives so much hate.",
"His matches come off as stale and boring because of his lack of in-ring manuevers.",
"All in all I thought this was a good set.",
"If your a fan of the backstage aspect of wrestling then I suggest picking this up.",
"There are some pretty good matches on here as well.",
"I had a good time watching this."
] |
3 | Not Much New | Honestly, I had no great expectations for this film after it was released. Sure, it is an action film and it lives up to that; however, I was sad to see what they had done with the whole thing. The most interesting part of the movie was the end. Everything was like a repeat of T2; shooting police cars with a machine gun, the cars chase, the terminator fight scene, and although a little different, the female villain.I wish they had stared the move where it ended and get into the real good stuff, and then it would have a more appropriate title, "T3-The Rise & Fall of the Machines"I'm now keeping my fingers crossed that T4 which I believe will take place in the war torn world will be much better. I really missed the dark tone, and serious atmosphere of the first film in which the terminator was actually scary.Now, as I mentioned earlier, if you're looking for a high action film, then sure this is for you, but don't be expecting too much if you're a fan of the Terminator. | 982 | [
"Honestly, I had no great expectations for this film after it was released.",
"Sure, it is an action film and it lives up to that; however, I was sad to see what they had done with the whole thing.",
"The most interesting part of the movie was the end.",
"Everything was like a repeat of T2; shooting police cars with a machine gun, the cars chase, the terminator fight scene, and although a little different, the female villain.I wish they had stared the move where it ended and get into the real good stuff, and then it would have a more appropriate title, \"T3-The Rise & Fall of the Machines\"I'm now keeping my fingers crossed that T4 which I believe will take place in the war torn world will be much better.",
"I really missed the dark tone, and serious atmosphere of the first film in which the terminator was actually scary.Now, as I mentioned earlier, if you're looking for a high action film, then sure this is for you, but don't be expecting too much if you're a fan of the Terminator."
] |
3 | Hmmmm.... | Omigosh, what happened??!! is what I wanted to say when I saw the cover of Britney Spears' new album and heard "(I'm a) Slave 4 U." She used to be sweet and innocent looking and now....well...she went from PG-13 to almost R.I really did like the old Britney, maybe because I'm more of a "soda-pop" person than "dirty-pop." Is it true Justin of *NSync helped her with this album? He succeeded in making Britney more of a(...)than before!I know some people will like this new style, and maybe some will agree with me. The beat and melody for "Slave 4 U" is nice and catchy, but the lyrics....how cheesy!What will be next, Miss Britney "X-rated" Spears? How is this artist supposed to be appropriate for kids?As you can see, the cover of "Britney" gives a sneak preview of the inside. Don't get me wrong, I'm still a fan of Britney Spears (maybe? kinda? sorta?) and I wish her luck with her future, but I guess I'll have to look and listen to Mandy Moore for pop the way I like it now. | 982 | [
"Omigosh, what happened??!",
"!",
"is what I wanted to say when I saw the cover of Britney Spears' new album and heard \"(I'm a) Slave 4 U.\" She used to be sweet and innocent looking and now....well...she went from PG-13 to almost R.I really did like the old Britney, maybe because I'm more of a \"soda-pop\" person than \"dirty-pop.\" Is it true Justin of *NSync helped her with this album?",
"He succeeded in making Britney more of a(...)than before!",
"I know some people will like this new style, and maybe some will agree with me.",
"The beat and melody for \"Slave 4 U\" is nice and catchy, but the lyrics....how cheesy!",
"What will be next, Miss Britney \"X-rated\" Spears?",
"How is this artist supposed to be appropriate for kids?",
"As you can see, the cover of \"Britney\" gives a sneak preview of the inside.",
"Don't get me wrong, I'm still a fan of Britney Spears (maybe?",
"kinda?",
"sorta?",
") and I wish her luck with her future, but I guess I'll have to look and listen to Mandy Moore for pop the way I like it now."
] |
3 | An eventful New Year | During the New Year's Eve break when Imspector Morse was supposed to be on leave, a body was discovered in the bedroom of a local hotel which had held a special holiday function in the form of a fancy dress dance and dinner. Morse and Sergeant Lewis were called in to investigate the murder of a guest at the dinner, whose head had been smashed in with a heavy object, but when the names and addresses of all the attending guests were checked out, it appeared that not only had this guest but several others given false names and addresses. As the guests had not been detained before the arrival of the police, a hunt began for the occupants of the rooms who had obviously been there with "significant others" who were not their legal spouses. The reader needs to concentrate closely to unwind the tangled web which follows but if this is possible, it's an intriguing read with Morse being his usual arrogant, boozy self and with poor Lewis being the fall guy for his sarcastic wit. | 982 | [
"During the New Year's Eve break when Imspector Morse was supposed to be on leave, a body was discovered in the bedroom of a local hotel which had held a special holiday function in the form of a fancy dress dance and dinner.",
"Morse and Sergeant Lewis were called in to investigate the murder of a guest at the dinner, whose head had been smashed in with a heavy object, but when the names and addresses of all the attending guests were checked out, it appeared that not only had this guest but several others given false names and addresses.",
"As the guests had not been detained before the arrival of the police, a hunt began for the occupants of the rooms who had obviously been there with \"significant others\" who were not their legal spouses.",
"The reader needs to concentrate closely to unwind the tangled web which follows but if this is possible, it's an intriguing read with Morse being his usual arrogant, boozy self and with poor Lewis being the fall guy for his sarcastic wit."
] |
3 | the image of deranged | This movie is very similiar to some of jess francos output from the same era. It's disjointed and it's filled with lots of images of disconnected scenes. It has strange pulsating music and the monster makes a strange howling noise while people fall in front of the camera. However it's still entertaining even if the whole movie is rather deranged. There is a general plot in this movie but you really have to pay attention to it to understand what's happening throughout the procedings. There is little actual violence in the movie but it's still fun for lovers of bad euro horror anyways. My main beef is with image the company that released this ,they made little attempts to clean up the scratches and dirt smudges. They have done the same thing with other fun but cheesy older horror movies as well. This is why I am going to email them and ask them to please clean up a movie before they sling it out to us. Alot of companies are taking the time to do this and so should they. | 982 | [
"This movie is very similiar to some of jess francos output from the same era.",
"It's disjointed and it's filled with lots of images of disconnected scenes.",
"It has strange pulsating music and the monster makes a strange howling noise while people fall in front of the camera.",
"However it's still entertaining even if the whole movie is rather deranged.",
"There is a general plot in this movie but you really have to pay attention to it to understand what's happening throughout the procedings.",
"There is little actual violence in the movie but it's still fun for lovers of bad euro horror anyways.",
"My main beef is with image the company that released this ,they made little attempts to clean up the scratches and dirt smudges.",
"They have done the same thing with other fun but cheesy older horror movies as well.",
"This is why I am going to email them and ask them to please clean up a movie before they sling it out to us.",
"Alot of companies are taking the time to do this and so should they."
] |
3 | cute but a bit silly...... | this was my first Sandra Hill book. I had heard that her books were comedic so I had high hopes for this book. I was mildly disappointed.Overall, it was a cute story. It kept me mostly entertained, although I had to pretty much force myself through the last 100 pages as the storyline got VERY silly to downright stupid. Two things would have made be give this book a higher rating. First, the issue with Maire's son should have been concluded a lot sooner in the story, and the heroine's failure to do so really brought her character down in favor to me. Finally, too much comedy, not the right balance with the serious and dramatic, and the comedy was more sophomoric than clever.If you've never read one of this author's books, be forewarned-there is a lot of sex, and very explicit. While not a problem for me, it may be an issue for some.Overall, an OK romance that while I wouldn't recommend, I'll certainly try another of this author's books to see if she improves.2.5 stars. | 982 | [
"this was my first Sandra Hill book.",
"I had heard that her books were comedic so I had high hopes for this book.",
"I was mildly disappointed.Overall, it was a cute story.",
"It kept me mostly entertained, although I had to pretty much force myself through the last 100 pages as the storyline got VERY silly to downright stupid.",
"Two things would have made be give this book a higher rating.",
"First, the issue with Maire's son should have been concluded a lot sooner in the story, and the heroine's failure to do so really brought her character down in favor to me.",
"Finally, too much comedy, not the right balance with the serious and dramatic, and the comedy was more sophomoric than clever.If you've never read one of this author's books, be forewarned-there is a lot of sex, and very explicit.",
"While not a problem for me, it may be an issue for some.Overall, an OK romance that while I wouldn't recommend, I'll certainly try another of this author's books to see if she improves.2.5 stars."
] |
3 | Could Have Been Better | Both Renée Zellweger and Jude Law give outstanding performances in this movie. However, I felt Nicole Kidman was just awful. The movie takes place during the civil war, and Nicole looks like she just walked out of a spa in Beverly Hills. I also felt Natalie Portman was mis-cast in her role.I agree with the other reviews I read that people say the nudity was excessive and unnecessary. The director could have shown the love scene with a much lighter hand, and the point would have come across alot better. It wasn't as romantic as it should have been, the nudity was to obvious.Regardless, Renee is wonderful, and is definately worthy of her Oscar nomnation. Even being in a film that was not that well done, she gives a performance 100% better than anyone else in the cast. Jude Law is also outstanding, as a man who is running away from the Civil War.Also, this is a movie about the American Civil War. The studio shot in in a foreign country just to save money .... very tacky. | 982 | [
"Both Renée Zellweger and Jude Law give outstanding performances in this movie.",
"However, I felt Nicole Kidman was just awful.",
"The movie takes place during the civil war, and Nicole looks like she just walked out of a spa in Beverly Hills.",
"I also felt Natalie Portman was mis-cast in her role.I agree with the other reviews I read that people say the nudity was excessive and unnecessary.",
"The director could have shown the love scene with a much lighter hand, and the point would have come across alot better.",
"It wasn't as romantic as it should have been, the nudity was to obvious.Regardless, Renee is wonderful, and is definately worthy of her Oscar nomnation.",
"Even being in a film that was not that well done, she gives a performance 100% better than anyone else in the cast.",
"Jude Law is also outstanding, as a man who is running away from the Civil War.Also, this is a movie about the American Civil War.",
"The studio shot in in a foreign country just to save money .... very tacky."
] |
3 | pretty good gangster melodrama | The thing that saves this film is the acting: Pacino is a totally convincing criminal who wants to start over, yet faces seemingly insurmountable obstacles to his dream; Penn is amazing as a sleazy coke-head lawyer, who wants to be a "player". Both of these fine actors act with their whole bodies, exuding their life trajectory with every gesture and expression. Indeed, it may be one of Pacino's best performances. Nonetheless, like Scarface (which I thought was a ridiculous caricature, almost cartoon brutality), Carlito seems to walk into violent situations as easily as ordering a latte at Starbuck's. Either the guy has a run of really bad luck, or it is a marvel that there are any punks left in NYC. Then there is the beautiful true love, who returns to him in spite of his spate in prison, pregnant and about to leave with him, until...well, you can guess the formula.This is not a bad film, but with some more imagination it could have been far far better, in my opinion. | 982 | [
"The thing that saves this film is the acting: Pacino is a totally convincing criminal who wants to start over, yet faces seemingly insurmountable obstacles to his dream; Penn is amazing as a sleazy coke-head lawyer, who wants to be a \"player\".",
"Both of these fine actors act with their whole bodies, exuding their life trajectory with every gesture and expression.",
"Indeed, it may be one of Pacino's best performances.",
"Nonetheless, like Scarface (which I thought was a ridiculous caricature, almost cartoon brutality), Carlito seems to walk into violent situations as easily as ordering a latte at Starbuck's.",
"Either the guy has a run of really bad luck, or it is a marvel that there are any punks left in NYC.",
"Then there is the beautiful true love, who returns to him in spite of his spate in prison, pregnant and about to leave with him, until...well, you can guess the formula.This is not a bad film, but with some more imagination it could have been far far better, in my opinion."
] |
3 | needs better fact checking | This is a well written book. It is comprehensive yet not overwelming with detail. I am confused though how a journalist with Mr. Ferguson'snewapaper backgound would get some of the little facts WRONG! I am a member of the voluminous number who would be called Civil War Buffs (whatever that means)...yet I am not by any means an expert or an academic. But, with my ameteur acquantence with the topic I am appalled that in one line Mr. Ferguson puts Gettysburg in "Franklin" not Adams county, Pennsylvania and in another states that Mrs. Lincoln's Brother in law was killed in September at "Chattanooga"-when in fact he was killed at the Battle of Chickamauga. I must confess that such looseness with the facts-easlily checked-tends to put distrust in any other factual information he presents. A newspaperman, which Mr. Ferguson was for many years, must get the Who, What and Where correct! Sloppyness might be a result of poor editing...the final responsibility goes to the author. | 982 | [
"This is a well written book.",
"It is comprehensive yet not overwelming with detail.",
"I am confused though how a journalist with Mr.",
"Ferguson'snewapaper backgound would get some of the little facts WRONG!",
"I am a member of the voluminous number who would be called Civil War Buffs (whatever that means)...yet I am not by any means an expert or an academic.",
"But, with my ameteur acquantence with the topic I am appalled that in one line Mr.",
"Ferguson puts Gettysburg in \"Franklin\" not Adams county, Pennsylvania and in another states that Mrs.",
"Lincoln's Brother in law was killed in September at \"Chattanooga\"-when in fact he was killed at the Battle of Chickamauga.",
"I must confess that such looseness with the facts-easlily checked-tends to put distrust in any other factual information he presents.",
"A newspaperman, which Mr.",
"Ferguson was for many years, must get the Who, What and Where correct!",
"Sloppyness might be a result of poor editing...the final responsibility goes to the author."
] |
3 | Not that good. | I've done tons of racing games, and this one just didn't meet the high mark of its predecessors. I played the original Need For Speeds, including Hot Pursuit, but one feels like an afterthought to the original Need For Speed games.In short, I stopped playing it. I tried several times to get into it, but the gameplay was ever so slightly different from the first installments, and, for whatever reason, it didn't hold my attention.On the plus side, I recognize the actress they used for one of the CGI characters that you see at the beginning of each race. Neat. Who knew she did games?I don't know, there's better racing games out there. This one is oriented towards achievements, making unlocking tracks a bit of a chore. That, and the tracks themselves, as detailed as they are, aren't that inspired.If you absolutely need a new racing game, then I'd recommend either the earlier versions of the title, or the Trackmania series over this particular installment.Just my two bits. | 982 | [
"I've done tons of racing games, and this one just didn't meet the high mark of its predecessors.",
"I played the original Need For Speeds, including Hot Pursuit, but one feels like an afterthought to the original Need For Speed games.In short, I stopped playing it.",
"I tried several times to get into it, but the gameplay was ever so slightly different from the first installments, and, for whatever reason, it didn't hold my attention.On the plus side, I recognize the actress they used for one of the CGI characters that you see at the beginning of each race.",
"Neat.",
"Who knew she did games?",
"I don't know, there's better racing games out there.",
"This one is oriented towards achievements, making unlocking tracks a bit of a chore.",
"That, and the tracks themselves, as detailed as they are, aren't that inspired.If you absolutely need a new racing game, then I'd recommend either the earlier versions of the title, or the Trackmania series over this particular installment.Just my two bits."
] |
3 | good production . . bad dvd | This latest version of Dickens' sprawling novel of love, jealousy, betrayal, and redemption is a faithful (or as much as possible, even in a 3-hr production) rendering. It is well cast, with Ioan Gruffudd as the most handsome Pip on film, and Charlotte Rampling giving her usual regal performance as Miss Havisham.Production design is good, with grim revisionist views of 18th century London typical of modern adaptations. Photography is first rate.What is unacceptable is that the DVD is, apparently, recorded straight off the PBS broadcast -- just as if you recorded it yourself -- complete with all the ads for Mobil, lugubrious intoductions by the pedantic host of Masterpiece Theatre, and PBS icons lingering for 30 seconds at a time throughout the film. Distracting, annoying, and unacceptable.Order the Region 2 disc from the BBC if you can play it. One should not pay a high price for a DVD that one could record off the air, and is little more than an ad for Mobil and PBS. | 982 | [
"This latest version of Dickens' sprawling novel of love, jealousy, betrayal, and redemption is a faithful (or as much as possible, even in a 3-hr production) rendering.",
"It is well cast, with Ioan Gruffudd as the most handsome Pip on film, and Charlotte Rampling giving her usual regal performance as Miss Havisham.Production design is good, with grim revisionist views of 18th century London typical of modern adaptations.",
"Photography is first rate.What is unacceptable is that the DVD is, apparently, recorded straight off the PBS broadcast -- just as if you recorded it yourself -- complete with all the ads for Mobil, lugubrious intoductions by the pedantic host of Masterpiece Theatre, and PBS icons lingering for 30 seconds at a time throughout the film.",
"Distracting, annoying, and unacceptable.Order the Region 2 disc from the BBC if you can play it.",
"One should not pay a high price for a DVD that one could record off the air, and is little more than an ad for Mobil and PBS."
] |
3 | Interesting, but... | A book on an important and interesting topic, written by two great experts, well in particular Hare who seems to be the foremost authority in the world on psychopaths, but in a confused way, or at least it got me confused.I give it noneheless three stars because the content is important, and seems to be well made, unfortunately their style protected my brain from it.They interweave passages of fiction and didactic explanations, this great litterary trick did not help my memorization of the latter, when I turned the last page I had to admit it was a little bit of a mess in my mind about all the didactic and practical infos on psychopaths. I remember their stories well though!So much for the fluke of storytelling.Moreover, I found their description of the corporate world, even psychopath-free, rather depressing.Oh, and by the way: No, Christophe Rocancourt, the notorious Hollywood con man, is not revered as a national hero in France, I don't know where they picked that. | 982 | [
"A book on an important and interesting topic, written by two great experts, well in particular Hare who seems to be the foremost authority in the world on psychopaths, but in a confused way, or at least it got me confused.I give it noneheless three stars because the content is important, and seems to be well made, unfortunately their style protected my brain from it.They interweave passages of fiction and didactic explanations, this great litterary trick did not help my memorization of the latter, when I turned the last page I had to admit it was a little bit of a mess in my mind about all the didactic and practical infos on psychopaths.",
"I remember their stories well though!",
"So much for the fluke of storytelling.Moreover, I found their description of the corporate world, even psychopath-free, rather depressing.Oh, and by the way: No, Christophe Rocancourt, the notorious Hollywood con man, is not revered as a national hero in France, I don't know where they picked that."
] |
3 | EHHHH | First of all lets just say, if you haven't played FF7/ Beaten it, its not worth watching. I have had the wonderful oppurtunity to play this game, and really absorb the story. This movie how ever i feel falls very short of my expectations of what it should be. im not a video game fan , or a hard core gamer, i just loved my experience with FF7 and i feel its the best game ever created.This movie completely fails in its plot/ story line. Its very dry, and some of the terminology they use in the plot (english version) seems very unrealistic (i understand translations are usually a little wack). I felt some scenes felt had no relivance in the movie either.Im giving it 3 stars ,because i've been anticipating more FF7 for years after i played it, and finally something is being released. Also the sheer beauty of the Graphics (dont no what else to call it), is just amazing, i think its very ahead of its time. Looks good with a high def Television. The Sound is pretty good too. | 982 | [
"First of all lets just say, if you haven't played FF7/ Beaten it, its not worth watching.",
"I have had the wonderful oppurtunity to play this game, and really absorb the story.",
"This movie how ever i feel falls very short of my expectations of what it should be.",
"im not a video game fan , or a hard core gamer, i just loved my experience with FF7 and i feel its the best game ever created.This movie completely fails in its plot/ story line.",
"Its very dry, and some of the terminology they use in the plot (english version) seems very unrealistic (i understand translations are usually a little wack).",
"I felt some scenes felt had no relivance in the movie either.Im giving it 3 stars ,because i've been anticipating more FF7 for years after i played it, and finally something is being released.",
"Also the sheer beauty of the Graphics (dont no what else to call it), is just amazing, i think its very ahead of its time.",
"Looks good with a high def Television.",
"The Sound is pretty good too."
] |
3 | TRAVOLTA AND FREUD DO THE ARMY | Psychiatry and Hollywood fell in love a long time ago. We all remember the famous dream conceived by Salvador Dali for Alfred Hitchcock in the mid-forties. Then we had to bear the Tennessee Williams saga with such movies as Joseph Mankiewicz's SUDDENLY LAST SUMMER or Richard Brooks's CAT ON A HOT TIN ROOF. In the seventies came the psycho-killers with their bloody knives and their possessive mothers.So one could qualify THE GENERAL'S DAUGHTER as a psycho-thriller. With a good plot. The best scene of the movie is the confrontation between John Travolta and James Woods. For once, the basics of Psychology have been respected by the screenwriters and the dialogs - and the actors- are terrific.Director Simon Wincer has the not so common ability to create strange atmospheres in a movie. During the first ten minutes of THE GENERAL'S DAUGHTER, I was convinced that John Travolta was in mission in South Asia. Too many movies about Viet-Nam, I suppose...A DVD to rent. Typically. | 982 | [
"Psychiatry and Hollywood fell in love a long time ago.",
"We all remember the famous dream conceived by Salvador Dali for Alfred Hitchcock in the mid-forties.",
"Then we had to bear the Tennessee Williams saga with such movies as Joseph Mankiewicz's SUDDENLY LAST SUMMER or Richard Brooks's CAT ON A HOT TIN ROOF.",
"In the seventies came the psycho-killers with their bloody knives and their possessive mothers.So one could qualify THE GENERAL'S DAUGHTER as a psycho-thriller.",
"With a good plot.",
"The best scene of the movie is the confrontation between John Travolta and James Woods.",
"For once, the basics of Psychology have been respected by the screenwriters and the dialogs - and the actors- are terrific.Director Simon Wincer has the not so common ability to create strange atmospheres in a movie.",
"During the first ten minutes of THE GENERAL'S DAUGHTER, I was convinced that John Travolta was in mission in South Asia.",
"Too many movies about Viet-Nam, I suppose...A DVD to rent.",
"Typically."
] |
3 | A pleasant movie | Although some of the plotlines and jokes are predictable, the movie still entertains. Those who enjoy traditional Irish music, or movies such as "Waking Ned Devine", "Local Hero", "The Commitments" and "The Snapper" should give this movie a watch - although not quite as good as any of the above, it is certainly worth a viewing.For those who play traditional Irish music, you will love the session "in-jokes" such as the visiting American band playing "Irish Washerwoman", one band-leader's admonition "...you're playing the accordion for starters!", and the scene of a session being over-run by a horde of novice bodhran players.Speaking from the viewpoint of one who plays traditional music, the only irksome thing about the movie is that the lead woman (from the Corrs) FAILS TO MOVE HER FINGERS AT ALL as she pretends to play the fiddle. This is even more strange, considering that she actually CAN play the fiddle quite well in real life. How did that one get by the director? | 982 | [
"Although some of the plotlines and jokes are predictable, the movie still entertains.",
"Those who enjoy traditional Irish music, or movies such as \"Waking Ned Devine\", \"Local Hero\", \"The Commitments\" and \"The Snapper\" should give this movie a watch - although not quite as good as any of the above, it is certainly worth a viewing.For those who play traditional Irish music, you will love the session \"in-jokes\" such as the visiting American band playing \"Irish Washerwoman\", one band-leader's admonition \"...you're playing the accordion for starters!",
"\", and the scene of a session being over-run by a horde of novice bodhran players.Speaking from the viewpoint of one who plays traditional music, the only irksome thing about the movie is that the lead woman (from the Corrs) FAILS TO MOVE HER FINGERS AT ALL as she pretends to play the fiddle.",
"This is even more strange, considering that she actually CAN play the fiddle quite well in real life.",
"How did that one get by the director?"
] |
3 | A reprint text | The Great Mathematicians is a conversational text (no graphs, charts, or formulas) about mathematicians whose ideas have influenced or touched us into the 20th century. Written in the 1930's, this edition is a 1993 reprint, so I figure that the author's ideas have a sort of permanency, also.Turnbull discusses nine immortal mathematicians and mentions dozens of others. In the 1930s he clearly had a grasp on the directions of mathematics, but his slant definitely is toward geometry and calculus. He does not even mention mathematical logicians.I liked the personal descriptions of the lives of mathematicians. Yet this book only begins to give a slant on the history of development of mathematics, the cross currents of the field. This book would be an interesting supplement to a college level or high school honors class, but the students will not emerge with a time-line of mathematical development.Or, you could read this for general interest and still get something from it. | 982 | [
"The Great Mathematicians is a conversational text (no graphs, charts, or formulas) about mathematicians whose ideas have influenced or touched us into the 20th century.",
"Written in the 1930's, this edition is a 1993 reprint, so I figure that the author's ideas have a sort of permanency, also.Turnbull discusses nine immortal mathematicians and mentions dozens of others.",
"In the 1930s he clearly had a grasp on the directions of mathematics, but his slant definitely is toward geometry and calculus.",
"He does not even mention mathematical logicians.I liked the personal descriptions of the lives of mathematicians.",
"Yet this book only begins to give a slant on the history of development of mathematics, the cross currents of the field.",
"This book would be an interesting supplement to a college level or high school honors class, but the students will not emerge with a time-line of mathematical development.Or, you could read this for general interest and still get something from it."
] |
3 | Arrington?? | I just want to take issue with the first reviewer on this page who considers this records drummer superior to nico mcbain or even lars ulrich. I am a drummer, play professionally and have studied for some time. I always had trouble getting into this record bec the drumming was so weak and unimaginative. Back when I was 15 and did not know a tremendous amount about good drumming but I still thought this records drumming was very weak. Not that lars or mcbain are unreal or anything but this is one of the worst drumming records in metal. The singer is the only part of the band worth mentioning. He is into melody and has a unique and memorable voice. Too bad he didnt have better musicians to work with. Dude, if you want some good drumming, check out any meshuggah record, or death's gene hoglan (easily the most creative and intelligent drummer in rock, also in control denied and strapping young lad, which feature mediocre songwriting but absolutely mind boggling drumming). | 982 | [
"I just want to take issue with the first reviewer on this page who considers this records drummer superior to nico mcbain or even lars ulrich.",
"I am a drummer, play professionally and have studied for some time.",
"I always had trouble getting into this record bec the drumming was so weak and unimaginative.",
"Back when I was 15 and did not know a tremendous amount about good drumming but I still thought this records drumming was very weak.",
"Not that lars or mcbain are unreal or anything but this is one of the worst drumming records in metal.",
"The singer is the only part of the band worth mentioning.",
"He is into melody and has a unique and memorable voice.",
"Too bad he didnt have better musicians to work with.",
"Dude, if you want some good drumming, check out any meshuggah record, or death's gene hoglan (easily the most creative and intelligent drummer in rock, also in control denied and strapping young lad, which feature mediocre songwriting but absolutely mind boggling drumming)."
] |
3 | Patchy genius | Like all Frank Black albums, this one is a mixture of delights and disappointments. But like everything else he's done, it's worth the price of admission for the good moments - especially if you can pick it up for a few bucks on Amazon. The first four tracks lay out Frank's stylistic palette beautifully: careering-out-of-control thrash (Whatever Happened To Pong); smart punk (Thallassocracy); catchy falsetto pop (Abstract Plain); and gorgeous mini-epic balladry (Calistan). From there on, though, it's a very mixed bag. For every masterpiece there are four or five total duds - some half-baked, some overblown, and some that start out nicely but then sputter to a close, as though Frank thought he had a good idea for a song, but then lost interest and couldn't be bothered finishing it properly (Fazer Eyes; Space Is Gonna Do Me Good). As always, the playing is faultless, and Frank does rhythm guitar with his usual lethal precision. But at 22 tracks it's all a bit indulgent. | 982 | [
"Like all Frank Black albums, this one is a mixture of delights and disappointments.",
"But like everything else he's done, it's worth the price of admission for the good moments - especially if you can pick it up for a few bucks on Amazon.",
"The first four tracks lay out Frank's stylistic palette beautifully: careering-out-of-control thrash (Whatever Happened To Pong); smart punk (Thallassocracy); catchy falsetto pop (Abstract Plain); and gorgeous mini-epic balladry (Calistan).",
"From there on, though, it's a very mixed bag.",
"For every masterpiece there are four or five total duds - some half-baked, some overblown, and some that start out nicely but then sputter to a close, as though Frank thought he had a good idea for a song, but then lost interest and couldn't be bothered finishing it properly (Fazer Eyes; Space Is Gonna Do Me Good).",
"As always, the playing is faultless, and Frank does rhythm guitar with his usual lethal precision.",
"But at 22 tracks it's all a bit indulgent."
] |
3 | WOW | Ok, let me start by saying this DOES work! However i felt like my heart was going to beat out of my chest and that was with me taking only one pill a day. After i would take it, i would wait like the directions said about thirty to sixty minutes, then eat. Well about fourty-five minutes after taking this i felt like i was on speed or something. i mean my heart was racing and i had the shakes, i didnt have this problem my first time taking it. only my second and my fourth time. I dont know if it was just me or what the deal was. I did however lose about five pounds in one week, that was with dieting and exercising. I dont take this often anymore, but i have been taking it about one to two times a week and never back to back. My only suggestion is take it and see how you do on this. This just may not be meant for me, i am not used to taking products like this, but i thought i would give it a try since it was offered through vine. Just be careful and follow instructions! | 982 | [
"Ok, let me start by saying this DOES work!",
"However i felt like my heart was going to beat out of my chest and that was with me taking only one pill a day.",
"After i would take it, i would wait like the directions said about thirty to sixty minutes, then eat.",
"Well about fourty-five minutes after taking this i felt like i was on speed or something.",
"i mean my heart was racing and i had the shakes, i didnt have this problem my first time taking it.",
"only my second and my fourth time.",
"I dont know if it was just me or what the deal was.",
"I did however lose about five pounds in one week, that was with dieting and exercising.",
"I dont take this often anymore, but i have been taking it about one to two times a week and never back to back.",
"My only suggestion is take it and see how you do on this.",
"This just may not be meant for me, i am not used to taking products like this, but i thought i would give it a try since it was offered through vine.",
"Just be careful and follow instructions!"
] |
3 | Plausible but not convincing | The two authors, reporters for the Buffalo News, did an admirable job at fillingin the background of McVeigh but fail to address two central issues. They appear to accept at face value McVeigh's claim to have done it all himself. However the finances of the bombing do not hold up to scrutiny. McVeigh traveled widely without any visible means of support. The authors claim the money gained in the robbery of a gun dealer did not go to him. If so, where did the money come from to finance this operation? For clues to that, see Stephen Jones' book, "Others Unknown".The other crucial issue which they do not address, is how a single fertilizer bomb do so much damage to a modern concrete, steel reinforced building? Why are there two blasts which show on the siesmograph within seconds that morning? Again, the authors do not address that. That McVeigh was in on it, cannot be disputed. But there's a "rest of the story" here. Maybe we will learn it after we learn who killed JFK... | 982 | [
"The two authors, reporters for the Buffalo News, did an admirable job at fillingin the background of McVeigh but fail to address two central issues.",
"They appear to accept at face value McVeigh's claim to have done it all himself.",
"However the finances of the bombing do not hold up to scrutiny.",
"McVeigh traveled widely without any visible means of support.",
"The authors claim the money gained in the robbery of a gun dealer did not go to him.",
"If so, where did the money come from to finance this operation?",
"For clues to that, see Stephen Jones' book, \"Others Unknown\".The other crucial issue which they do not address, is how a single fertilizer bomb do so much damage to a modern concrete, steel reinforced building?",
"Why are there two blasts which show on the siesmograph within seconds that morning?",
"Again, the authors do not address that.",
"That McVeigh was in on it, cannot be disputed.",
"But there's a \"rest of the story\" here.",
"Maybe we will learn it after we learn who killed JFK..."
] |
3 | ....... | I am mostly dissapointed, I recieved this Kindle as a gift. I was exstatic, when I had my Kindle I used it everyday and liked it alot. The only feature I didn't really like was the screen, I was hoping it would light up because I LOVE reading at night. This didn't happen. I was content until the screen BROKE. I was careful with it, I didn't want to test the durability, but I handed it to my friend for one second and he dropped it. I was extremly angry and upset but there wasn't anything I could do about it. I was hoping there would be some type of repair service but there is not. I am not using this review to complain. I however wish for you to really think about buying this. It is very fragile I have read MANY reports just like this. Buyer beware handle with extreme care. The only thing they could possibly do for you is for you to get a new one, or a refurbished model. It doesn't seem like a good idea at all. Very expensive and the other model might not work as well. | 982 | [
"I am mostly dissapointed, I recieved this Kindle as a gift.",
"I was exstatic, when I had my Kindle I used it everyday and liked it alot.",
"The only feature I didn't really like was the screen, I was hoping it would light up because I LOVE reading at night.",
"This didn't happen.",
"I was content until the screen BROKE.",
"I was careful with it, I didn't want to test the durability, but I handed it to my friend for one second and he dropped it.",
"I was extremly angry and upset but there wasn't anything I could do about it.",
"I was hoping there would be some type of repair service but there is not.",
"I am not using this review to complain.",
"I however wish for you to really think about buying this.",
"It is very fragile I have read MANY reports just like this.",
"Buyer beware handle with extreme care.",
"The only thing they could possibly do for you is for you to get a new one, or a refurbished model.",
"It doesn't seem like a good idea at all.",
"Very expensive and the other model might not work as well."
] |
3 | (C+) | This is a moderately entertaining mystery, the story is well paced, the dialogue is clever, and the setting has vivid color and depth. The weaknesses are in the uninspired plot, the unlikable and weird characters, and their highly unconvincing motivations (except for the cat, which is by far the most enjoyable character).We are supposed too believe in the main character who has a PhD in English from Berkley, is an unlicensed private investigator, and a Tie Chi master. He's also broke, drunk, slovenly, mentally unstable, anti-social, and not to bright. But he has a nice cat. The supporting characters are even less believable for the most part, and just as mentally unbalanced, particularly his mother.Also the Law Enforcement aspects to the novel are particularly weak, as a former Lawman I was not impressed.OVERALL SCORE: (C+)READABILITY: (B+), PLOT: (C-), CHARATERS: (B+), DIALOGUE: (B), SETTING: (A-), ACTION/COMBAT: (C-), ANTAGONISTS: (C-), ROMANCE: (B-),AGE LEVEL: (PG) | 982 | [
"This is a moderately entertaining mystery, the story is well paced, the dialogue is clever, and the setting has vivid color and depth.",
"The weaknesses are in the uninspired plot, the unlikable and weird characters, and their highly unconvincing motivations (except for the cat, which is by far the most enjoyable character).We are supposed too believe in the main character who has a PhD in English from Berkley, is an unlicensed private investigator, and a Tie Chi master.",
"He's also broke, drunk, slovenly, mentally unstable, anti-social, and not to bright.",
"But he has a nice cat.",
"The supporting characters are even less believable for the most part, and just as mentally unbalanced, particularly his mother.Also the Law Enforcement aspects to the novel are particularly weak, as a former Lawman I was not impressed.OVERALL SCORE: (C+)READABILITY: (B+), PLOT: (C-), CHARATERS: (B+), DIALOGUE: (B), SETTING: (A-), ACTION/COMBAT: (C-), ANTAGONISTS: (C-), ROMANCE: (B-),AGE LEVEL: (PG)"
] |
3 | Good Movie But... | Ok I'll say it wasn't a bad movie. As people have said the acting wa great and the animation was awesome, I especially liked Pantalimon aka Pan. I wish they hadn't moved the Bolvangar scene to after the Svalbard scene but I can live with it because they were well done. But, what really bugged me is why they left out the most gripping part of the book, the ending. I mean the revelation of how crazy Azriel is is one of my favorite part. They shouldn't have left out his kidnapping poor Roger and Lyra's attempt to rescue him and they should have left in the opening of the gate and the romantic talk between Coltier and Azriel at the gate. That was my big beef with the movie and they had better put it in the Subtle Knife movie or I will be mad. Oh yeah, the only other thing that truly bugged me was Lyra finding the Costa boy separated from his daemon, It was not him in the book it was Tony Makarios and his daemon was Ratter not the Costa boy's. Ok, I guess I've said enough. | 982 | [
"Ok I'll say it wasn't a bad movie.",
"As people have said the acting wa great and the animation was awesome, I especially liked Pantalimon aka Pan.",
"I wish they hadn't moved the Bolvangar scene to after the Svalbard scene but I can live with it because they were well done.",
"But, what really bugged me is why they left out the most gripping part of the book, the ending.",
"I mean the revelation of how crazy Azriel is is one of my favorite part.",
"They shouldn't have left out his kidnapping poor Roger and Lyra's attempt to rescue him and they should have left in the opening of the gate and the romantic talk between Coltier and Azriel at the gate.",
"That was my big beef with the movie and they had better put it in the Subtle Knife movie or I will be mad.",
"Oh yeah, the only other thing that truly bugged me was Lyra finding the Costa boy separated from his daemon, It was not him in the book it was Tony Makarios and his daemon was Ratter not the Costa boy's.",
"Ok, I guess I've said enough."
] |
3 | Not for super dry skin | I LOVE theMurad Resurgence Age-Balancing Night Cream, 3: Hydrate/Protect, 1.7 fl oz (50 ml). I have really dry skin and that product is fantastic, so I had high hopes for this eye cream. It is thick, but not emollient (for me), and I must really need that extra oil because I feel like this just sits on my skin doing nothing. I tried using it on my face, since it isn't working under my eyes, but it does not feel like it soaks in or does anything. Basically, it doesn't feel good - on MY skin. I'm not giving this a low rating, because I realize that what works for one person won't work for another. The skin under my eyes actually hurts if I don't have enough moisture/oil in the product. The only eye cream I have found so far that feels really good and makes my eyes look and feel great all day isSkinceuticals A.g.e. Eye Complex Mature Skin Treatment, 0.5-Ounce. I'm always on the hunt for a lower price replacement, but Murad Resurgence Renewing Eye Cream one is not for me. | 982 | [
"I LOVE theMurad Resurgence Age-Balancing Night Cream, 3: Hydrate/Protect, 1.7 fl oz (50 ml).",
"I have really dry skin and that product is fantastic, so I had high hopes for this eye cream.",
"It is thick, but not emollient (for me), and I must really need that extra oil because I feel like this just sits on my skin doing nothing.",
"I tried using it on my face, since it isn't working under my eyes, but it does not feel like it soaks in or does anything.",
"Basically, it doesn't feel good - on MY skin.",
"I'm not giving this a low rating, because I realize that what works for one person won't work for another.",
"The skin under my eyes actually hurts if I don't have enough moisture/oil in the product.",
"The only eye cream I have found so far that feels really good and makes my eyes look and feel great all day isSkinceuticals A.g.e. Eye Complex Mature Skin Treatment, 0.5-Ounce.",
"I'm always on the hunt for a lower price replacement, but Murad Resurgence Renewing Eye Cream one is not for me."
] |
3 | Problems, but decent | The e250 functions well as an mp3 player, bit has PC connectivity problems.The screen needs an overlay or a case; it scratches easily. The included headphones are uncomfortable.The PC charged, but did not recognize, the device the 2nd time I plugged it in. The expansion slot holds a micro SD, so I used the chip to swap out tunes... until the blue ring of death. (That's what the help blogs call it.)I sent Sansa an Email & they responded within 24 hrs. When the hold switch is on, the record button is a reset. The e250 will connect if plugged in while the record button is held. This sounds easy, but an extra hand to hold the USB helps if you use a hub. The firmware must then be reloaded.Great! It worked for a month. Now sometimes (1 in 10) my XP computer recognizes it or at least knows I've plugged something in. my vista PC & the iMac can only charge it.The m250 came with better headphones, a clear action jacket and armband and no connectivity problems. (My Mom loves it) | 982 | [
"The e250 functions well as an mp3 player, bit has PC connectivity problems.The screen needs an overlay or a case; it scratches easily.",
"The included headphones are uncomfortable.The PC charged, but did not recognize, the device the 2nd time I plugged it in.",
"The expansion slot holds a micro SD, so I used the chip to swap out tunes... until the blue ring of death.",
"(That's what the help blogs call it.)I sent Sansa an Email & they responded within 24 hrs.",
"When the hold switch is on, the record button is a reset.",
"The e250 will connect if plugged in while the record button is held.",
"This sounds easy, but an extra hand to hold the USB helps if you use a hub.",
"The firmware must then be reloaded.Great!",
"It worked for a month.",
"Now sometimes (1 in 10) my XP computer recognizes it or at least knows I've plugged something in.",
"my vista PC & the iMac can only charge it.The m250 came with better headphones, a clear action jacket and armband and no connectivity problems.",
"(My Mom loves it)"
] |
3 | Some Positives, Some Negatives | Positives:Acting but with that cast it's hard to go wrong.Somewhat well directed and written storyline of a man who appears to have either inherited a delusional, almost paranoid, mental illness or that he has a gift (from whatever source) to foresee an upcoming tragic weather related event.Overall a nice flow of building tension as the viewer is torn between choosing the illness or the supernatural explanation.Negatives:Story had it's plodding predicable stretches especially within a two hour, mostly singular location, movie.Low budget CGI of crows, tidal wave and funnels over ocean was a bit disappointing. Seemed to cheapen the movie.Ambiguous endings in movies are too often a result of writers enamored with their own cleverness. Since it's their story that a viewer has watched for 119 minutes and not the viewer's story they should finish the final minute of their story. Every beginning in life has a ending unless you're into infinite parallel alternative universes. | 982 | [
"Positives:Acting but with that cast it's hard to go wrong.Somewhat well directed and written storyline of a man who appears to have either inherited a delusional, almost paranoid, mental illness or that he has a gift (from whatever source) to foresee an upcoming tragic weather related event.Overall a nice flow of building tension as the viewer is torn between choosing the illness or the supernatural explanation.Negatives:Story had it's plodding predicable stretches especially within a two hour, mostly singular location, movie.Low budget CGI of crows, tidal wave and funnels over ocean was a bit disappointing.",
"Seemed to cheapen the movie.Ambiguous endings in movies are too often a result of writers enamored with their own cleverness.",
"Since it's their story that a viewer has watched for 119 minutes and not the viewer's story they should finish the final minute of their story.",
"Every beginning in life has a ending unless you're into infinite parallel alternative universes."
] |
3 | Effective - but can be noisy | First, the good - this is a very effective humidifier. Keeps humidity at 48 to 52% in our 2000 square foot house - something our furnace mount units have been unable to do in freezing weather.All evaporative type humidifier with fans have fan noise. There can be a humming noise in addition to the expected sound of the fan from this unit. The hum seems to be due to vibration of the parts particularly the water tanks against each other. We found the same thing with the original unit we received and returned, and with the replacement unit. We also found that we can minimize and almost eliminate the hum by adjusting the position of the water tanks in the base - or simply letting the unit run on high for a while (notable fan sound on high) which seems to allow the tanks to "settle" into a position where there is minimal hum.Does a good job - yes, we need to fill the tanks twice a day in cold weather but that's expected as the unit is effectively adding moisture to the air. | 982 | [
"First, the good - this is a very effective humidifier.",
"Keeps humidity at 48 to 52% in our 2000 square foot house - something our furnace mount units have been unable to do in freezing weather.All evaporative type humidifier with fans have fan noise.",
"There can be a humming noise in addition to the expected sound of the fan from this unit.",
"The hum seems to be due to vibration of the parts particularly the water tanks against each other.",
"We found the same thing with the original unit we received and returned, and with the replacement unit.",
"We also found that we can minimize and almost eliminate the hum by adjusting the position of the water tanks in the base - or simply letting the unit run on high for a while (notable fan sound on high) which seems to allow the tanks to \"settle\" into a position where there is minimal hum.Does a good job - yes, we need to fill the tanks twice a day in cold weather but that's expected as the unit is effectively adding moisture to the air."
] |
3 | room for improvement | The ravioli press makes a nice size ravioli. The drawbacks are the plastic base with the holes shaped for filling tears the pasta sheet easily. I haven't mastered getting the pasta in that depression, and completely filled without tearing. Also, I recommend using a rolling pin to crimp the sheets between the molds. This is somewhat difficult since the plastic slips around on the counter, and there are little feet that stick up on the metal side in 6 areas which prevent rolling with longer passes. You must do one half of the mold at a time, and both ends have feet as well, making this part not accessible with the rolling pin. Without rolling, you risk not crimping the ravioli sealed. Pros, the ravioli do not stick to either part of the mold. The metal crimper is heavy duty material. Works OK for now, but I'd like to get a ravioli cutter/wheel type. You need to spend extra time with the sheets fitting in the little filling depressions. Plan on losing a few due to tears. | 982 | [
"The ravioli press makes a nice size ravioli.",
"The drawbacks are the plastic base with the holes shaped for filling tears the pasta sheet easily.",
"I haven't mastered getting the pasta in that depression, and completely filled without tearing.",
"Also, I recommend using a rolling pin to crimp the sheets between the molds.",
"This is somewhat difficult since the plastic slips around on the counter, and there are little feet that stick up on the metal side in 6 areas which prevent rolling with longer passes.",
"You must do one half of the mold at a time, and both ends have feet as well, making this part not accessible with the rolling pin.",
"Without rolling, you risk not crimping the ravioli sealed.",
"Pros, the ravioli do not stick to either part of the mold.",
"The metal crimper is heavy duty material.",
"Works OK for now, but I'd like to get a ravioli cutter/wheel type.",
"You need to spend extra time with the sheets fitting in the little filling depressions.",
"Plan on losing a few due to tears."
] |
3 | glasswerk review | Dancehall Places is the follow up to last year's acclaimed debut On the Ropes, and is an eclectic mix of joyous blues and handbag beats. The opening 'Blue Song' bubbles along like a summer treat, and ska legend Prince Buster's claim in 'Sexiest Man in Jamaica' is indicative of the mood of the whole album. 'Anything' and 'Floor Basics' are straight-to the-dancefloor barnstormers, and the title track collaboration with Jez Williams of Doves fame is an absorption of guitar-based splendour and wonderment. 'Miles and Miles' wouldn't be out of place in a Moby record, and 'Princess' is of a similar ilk. De La Soul's Pos' breezy contribution to new single 'Show Me' is both relaxing and stimulating at the same time, and '54' revs the engine of this album up a notch. 'I Don't Know' is a similar feet-tapper, and 'Always Welcome' is simply heart-warming. Can't decide what to listen to after a hard night out clubbing? Mint Royale have got the perfect solution to your problem.Ricky | 982 | [
"Dancehall Places is the follow up to last year's acclaimed debut On the Ropes, and is an eclectic mix of joyous blues and handbag beats.",
"The opening 'Blue Song' bubbles along like a summer treat, and ska legend Prince Buster's claim in 'Sexiest Man in Jamaica' is indicative of the mood of the whole album.",
"'Anything' and 'Floor Basics' are straight-to the-dancefloor barnstormers, and the title track collaboration with Jez Williams of Doves fame is an absorption of guitar-based splendour and wonderment.",
"'Miles and Miles' wouldn't be out of place in a Moby record, and 'Princess' is of a similar ilk.",
"De La Soul's Pos' breezy contribution to new single 'Show Me' is both relaxing and stimulating at the same time, and '54' revs the engine of this album up a notch.",
"'I Don't Know' is a similar feet-tapper, and 'Always Welcome' is simply heart-warming.",
"Can't decide what to listen to after a hard night out clubbing?",
"Mint Royale have got the perfect solution to your problem.Ricky"
] |
3 | Fun, but load times are slow | I did not know what to expect when I decided to get this game. I had not read any reviews and just thought it sounded kind of fun.The game itself is fun. Controls are easy to use, graphics are good and my machine setup allows me to run at higher resolution/settings without any issues. I would agree with other people that I would have like some type of storyline or such to work with -- I think it would make the overall gaming experience a bit better.My one big complaint with the game is the load times. It is terrible. As you move from one campaign to another, the load time is about 60 seconds. This seems like an eternity to sit and watch a the spining "loading" graphic. At first I thought I might have change the graphic settings to be to high, so I kicked them down several notches, but still the same slow load times. This is driving me nuts -- at least in KOTOR the load times were only a few seconds. I could even live with 15-20 seconds, 60 seconds -- that is terrible. | 982 | [
"I did not know what to expect when I decided to get this game.",
"I had not read any reviews and just thought it sounded kind of fun.The game itself is fun.",
"Controls are easy to use, graphics are good and my machine setup allows me to run at higher resolution/settings without any issues.",
"I would agree with other people that I would have like some type of storyline or such to work with -- I think it would make the overall gaming experience a bit better.My one big complaint with the game is the load times.",
"It is terrible.",
"As you move from one campaign to another, the load time is about 60 seconds.",
"This seems like an eternity to sit and watch a the spining \"loading\" graphic.",
"At first I thought I might have change the graphic settings to be to high, so I kicked them down several notches, but still the same slow load times.",
"This is driving me nuts -- at least in KOTOR the load times were only a few seconds.",
"I could even live with 15-20 seconds, 60 seconds -- that is terrible."
] |
3 | Great Concept, but... | I found this wagon online first and then found it at the Toys R Us. I was really excited to find it as I have not seen any other kids with this yet and I wanted my son to be the first to have one. My neighbors were impressed by the look of it but others don't quite know what it is. It looks really cool, but there is one major flaw... The handle is heavy metal, when you let the handle loose it can come crashing down to the ground. This handle could hurt a child if it hits them and especially if it hits their head. The handle is already cracked because it's hit the ground so many times. I like it, but I am thinking about taking it back for a regular wagon. I would like for my son to stay put on the seat, but with this type of wagon he can just step out of it at any time unless you use the seat belt. As well, my son did not seem that interested in this. This wagon does not have any storage space, only a cup holders. I think I am going to return it : (PS- I did return it. | 982 | [
"I found this wagon online first and then found it at the Toys R Us.",
"I was really excited to find it as I have not seen any other kids with this yet and I wanted my son to be the first to have one.",
"My neighbors were impressed by the look of it but others don't quite know what it is.",
"It looks really cool, but there is one major flaw... The handle is heavy metal, when you let the handle loose it can come crashing down to the ground.",
"This handle could hurt a child if it hits them and especially if it hits their head.",
"The handle is already cracked because it's hit the ground so many times.",
"I like it, but I am thinking about taking it back for a regular wagon.",
"I would like for my son to stay put on the seat, but with this type of wagon he can just step out of it at any time unless you use the seat belt.",
"As well, my son did not seem that interested in this.",
"This wagon does not have any storage space, only a cup holders.",
"I think I am going to return it : (PS- I did return it."
] |
3 | Not impressed | I have to admit that my first contact with Jeffrey Deaver's work was the film version of his novel "The Bone Collector." It was not a film I was deeply impressed with, but since so many good books translate into lousy movies, when I came across "The Empty Chair," I decided to give it a chance. Well . . . I wasn't that impressed with this, either. Technically, Deavers writes well, but I really didn't find myself drawn into the story or to the characters, although the plot was certainly one of the more interesting ones I've come across. I also attempted this book's predecessor, "The Coffin Dancer," with much the same result. To me, Deaver brings the secondary and minor characters to life far better than he does his main characters, Lincoln Rhyme and Amelia Sachs. I may try to go back and read some of Deaver's earlier Rhyme novels and see if my opinion changes, but as of right now, I definitely would not recommend "The Empty Chair" to those unfamiliar with Deaver's work. | 982 | [
"I have to admit that my first contact with Jeffrey Deaver's work was the film version of his novel \"The Bone Collector.\" It was not a film I was deeply impressed with, but since so many good books translate into lousy movies, when I came across \"The Empty Chair,\" I decided to give it a chance.",
"Well.",
".",
".",
"I wasn't that impressed with this, either.",
"Technically, Deavers writes well, but I really didn't find myself drawn into the story or to the characters, although the plot was certainly one of the more interesting ones I've come across.",
"I also attempted this book's predecessor, \"The Coffin Dancer,\" with much the same result.",
"To me, Deaver brings the secondary and minor characters to life far better than he does his main characters, Lincoln Rhyme and Amelia Sachs.",
"I may try to go back and read some of Deaver's earlier Rhyme novels and see if my opinion changes, but as of right now, I definitely would not recommend \"The Empty Chair\" to those unfamiliar with Deaver's work."
] |
3 | Okay, Not Great | First, I love Japanese food and probably have around ten Japanese cookbooks. There are two major problems with this particular cookbook. First, the pages started falling out the first time I used it. The publisher did not do a good job with the binding. Second, the recipes just aren't very good and use a lot of ingredients that are hard to find even if you live near a Japanese grocery store, which I do. Ingredients such as nuka (rice bran), udo (a kind of vegetable), taro root, konnyaku (devil's tongue jelly), gobo (burdock root), and mitsuba leaves are often difficult to find. As for the recipes themselves, they just aren't very tasty. I do love her thick omelet recipe, but you can find similar recipes in other cookbooks. The photos and directions are the one strength this book has: they are clear and well-done.For a better cookbook check out Naomi Kijima's Bento Boxes. Most of Naomi's recipes are for single servings, but can easily be doubled or tripled or whatever. | 982 | [
"First, I love Japanese food and probably have around ten Japanese cookbooks.",
"There are two major problems with this particular cookbook.",
"First, the pages started falling out the first time I used it.",
"The publisher did not do a good job with the binding.",
"Second, the recipes just aren't very good and use a lot of ingredients that are hard to find even if you live near a Japanese grocery store, which I do.",
"Ingredients such as nuka (rice bran), udo (a kind of vegetable), taro root, konnyaku (devil's tongue jelly), gobo (burdock root), and mitsuba leaves are often difficult to find.",
"As for the recipes themselves, they just aren't very tasty.",
"I do love her thick omelet recipe, but you can find similar recipes in other cookbooks.",
"The photos and directions are the one strength this book has: they are clear and well-done.For a better cookbook check out Naomi Kijima's Bento Boxes.",
"Most of Naomi's recipes are for single servings, but can easily be doubled or tripled or whatever."
] |
3 | It's No Rififi, but... | Perfectly adequate, albeit overlong heist caper movie, no more, no less. Back in 1955 Jules Dassin's Rififi set the bar for this genre, and no film since has even come close (Topkapi, also directed by Dassin, occupies a reasonable second place). Grand Slam does have the added bonus of some nice location shooting in Rio during Carnival. The object of the heist is diamonds, and, as with most heist movies, most of the film centers on the planning and preparation, along with unforeseen complications (the title refers to the name of a new alarm system that has been installed, unanticipated by the thieves, to further protect the vault), and the execution of the heist. Of course, the real suspense for the viewer falls under the "will they or won't they get away with it" rubric. Some twists at the end as well. Nice to see Edward G. Robinson in one of his later roles, even if he has little screen time. Recommended for fans of this genre; otherwise, you can take it or leave it. | 982 | [
"Perfectly adequate, albeit overlong heist caper movie, no more, no less.",
"Back in 1955 Jules Dassin's Rififi set the bar for this genre, and no film since has even come close (Topkapi, also directed by Dassin, occupies a reasonable second place).",
"Grand Slam does have the added bonus of some nice location shooting in Rio during Carnival.",
"The object of the heist is diamonds, and, as with most heist movies, most of the film centers on the planning and preparation, along with unforeseen complications (the title refers to the name of a new alarm system that has been installed, unanticipated by the thieves, to further protect the vault), and the execution of the heist.",
"Of course, the real suspense for the viewer falls under the \"will they or won't they get away with it\" rubric.",
"Some twists at the end as well.",
"Nice to see Edward G.",
"Robinson in one of his later roles, even if he has little screen time.",
"Recommended for fans of this genre; otherwise, you can take it or leave it."
] |
3 | Not rewritable in Sony Handycam | As others have said and anyone can see, these are very inexpensive rewritable mini-dvds. They may be rewritable when using them to hold data in a computer but not in my Sony Handycam.After using a disk in the Handycam, before the disk can be played in a simple dvd player the disk must be finalized in the camera. Using another brand of mini-dvds (JVC, much more expensive) the disks can later be rewritten or added to by telling the camera to "un-finalize" the disk. Using these Memorex disks the images are retained well enough but my Handycam cannot "un-finalize" the disks for rewriting. I can reuse the disk by reformatting but that, of course, necessitates deleting the information already on the disk.So I give these three stars. On the plus side are the price and the fact that, like most rewritables, you can reformat them or delete the most recently shot image on the disk; but on the negative side is that they can't easily be reopened after finalizing to add new images. | 982 | [
"As others have said and anyone can see, these are very inexpensive rewritable mini-dvds.",
"They may be rewritable when using them to hold data in a computer but not in my Sony Handycam.After using a disk in the Handycam, before the disk can be played in a simple dvd player the disk must be finalized in the camera.",
"Using another brand of mini-dvds (JVC, much more expensive) the disks can later be rewritten or added to by telling the camera to \"un-finalize\" the disk.",
"Using these Memorex disks the images are retained well enough but my Handycam cannot \"un-finalize\" the disks for rewriting.",
"I can reuse the disk by reformatting but that, of course, necessitates deleting the information already on the disk.So I give these three stars.",
"On the plus side are the price and the fact that, like most rewritables, you can reformat them or delete the most recently shot image on the disk; but on the negative side is that they can't easily be reopened after finalizing to add new images."
] |
3 | Messed up, but oddly engrossing | This review is difficult to write. The movie starts off with a decision that doesn't make a lot of sense. But then it starts showing us this bizarre progression of events... and the odd part is that I actually cared a little about two of the Characters: The Dead Girl and Ricky (one of the guys who seems like he might have a redeeming quality or two).I'm trying to convey my reaction to this movie, but it's hard to do. I'm a bit disturbed. And the fact that I want to know a bit more about what happened afterward says I must have cared at least a bit. But I'm also disappointed in characters, and I find myself not feeling very happy.The production values are good, and I appreciate the effort they put into it.Last bit to mention: Jenny Spain (the Dead Girl) spends every scene she's in nude.If this review seems unfocused and vague... well... that's probably a good representation of my reaction to the movie. Use that information as you see fit for deciding whether to see it. | 982 | [
"This review is difficult to write.",
"The movie starts off with a decision that doesn't make a lot of sense.",
"But then it starts showing us this bizarre progression of events... and the odd part is that I actually cared a little about two of the Characters: The Dead Girl and Ricky (one of the guys who seems like he might have a redeeming quality or two).I'm trying to convey my reaction to this movie, but it's hard to do.",
"I'm a bit disturbed.",
"And the fact that I want to know a bit more about what happened afterward says I must have cared at least a bit.",
"But I'm also disappointed in characters, and I find myself not feeling very happy.The production values are good, and I appreciate the effort they put into it.Last bit to mention: Jenny Spain (the Dead Girl) spends every scene she's in nude.If this review seems unfocused and vague... well... that's probably a good representation of my reaction to the movie.",
"Use that information as you see fit for deciding whether to see it."
] |
3 | Not so bad | Well, I prefer Benson playing the guitar than singing. If we start from this statement I can tell you that for me, the concert was good, just good. The band BEHIND Benson is cold and the don't really play with joy and soul. There are few good moments of playing (the piano section with Joe sample and when Benson makes a bagpipe sound with the guitar) but all is ruined when a group of middle-age women start to do some dirty dancing... come on!!! one of them climbed up to dance with an uncomfortable George (just look at his face when she tries to do a sexual dance with him). She even tries to catch the mic from George's hand. This can't happen in a professional performance. No way.Concert includes: All of me, I only have eyes for you, Beyond the sea, Deeper than you think, Hipping the hop, Lately, The ghetto, In your eyes, Moody's mood, Danny boy, The masquerade, Breezin', Love x love, Turn your love around, Never give up on a good thing, Give me that night, On Broadway. | 982 | [
"Well, I prefer Benson playing the guitar than singing.",
"If we start from this statement I can tell you that for me, the concert was good, just good.",
"The band BEHIND Benson is cold and the don't really play with joy and soul.",
"There are few good moments of playing (the piano section with Joe sample and when Benson makes a bagpipe sound with the guitar) but all is ruined when a group of middle-age women start to do some dirty dancing... come on!!!",
"one of them climbed up to dance with an uncomfortable George (just look at his face when she tries to do a sexual dance with him).",
"She even tries to catch the mic from George's hand.",
"This can't happen in a professional performance.",
"No way.Concert includes: All of me, I only have eyes for you, Beyond the sea, Deeper than you think, Hipping the hop, Lately, The ghetto, In your eyes, Moody's mood, Danny boy, The masquerade, Breezin', Love x love, Turn your love around, Never give up on a good thing, Give me that night, On Broadway."
] |
3 | A better tutorial | This book should be given 3.5 stars, but since so many people gives 4 and 5 stars, giving 3 stars keeps a good balance.This book is definitely better than Microsoft's tutorial, but not so much better. Here are something I don't like about the book.1) The author does not have real industry programming experience, as can be seen from the coding style: no C++ except Microsoft's D3Dframework, lots of global variables, repeat D3dframework in every chapter (why not build a library), no functions to wrap common D3d functions.2) No thing much extra, for example how to display text properly in DirectDraw/Direct3D, how to draw a generic polygon, how to make DrawPrimitive as easy to use as OpenGL.3) Based on Microsoft's D3Dframe, which is only good for a demo program. D3Dframe is not a well-designed C++ library for Direct3D. It uses global variables, only allows single window instance, ... ZeroMemory is a Microsoft call, it's normally slower than memset because it's not inlined. | 982 | [
"This book should be given 3.5 stars, but since so many people gives 4 and 5 stars, giving 3 stars keeps a good balance.This book is definitely better than Microsoft's tutorial, but not so much better.",
"Here are something I don't like about the book.1) The author does not have real industry programming experience, as can be seen from the coding style: no C++ except Microsoft's D3Dframework, lots of global variables, repeat D3dframework in every chapter (why not build a library), no functions to wrap common D3d functions.2) No thing much extra, for example how to display text properly in DirectDraw/Direct3D, how to draw a generic polygon, how to make DrawPrimitive as easy to use as OpenGL.3) Based on Microsoft's D3Dframe, which is only good for a demo program.",
"D3Dframe is not a well-designed C++ library for Direct3D.",
"It uses global variables, only allows single window instance, ... ZeroMemory is a Microsoft call, it's normally slower than memset because it's not inlined."
] |
3 | Bad cropping | The film itself is a masterpiece - the build-up of tension as the main character tells his story, climaxing in his final lesson - you will not find anything like it in cinema. And as always with Criterion, the image quality and extras are unparalleled.But there is one major problem that existed in their DVD release and still exists in the Blu-ray edition: the sides have been cropped by about 10% total. See DVDBeaver for several side-by-side comparisons (particularly, the scene in which Chijiiwa is seated in a white robe, surrounded by clan members - one guy on the left is cropped out, destroying the composition of the scene). I have also added two comparison images to the Amazon Product photo gallery at the top of this page.It appears that only the Masters of Cinema Blu-ray edition has the right composition, but unfortunately the detail appears to be slightly lacking compared to Criterion.Hopefully Criterion will realize this problem and correct it in future releases. | 982 | [
"The film itself is a masterpiece - the build-up of tension as the main character tells his story, climaxing in his final lesson - you will not find anything like it in cinema.",
"And as always with Criterion, the image quality and extras are unparalleled.But there is one major problem that existed in their DVD release and still exists in the Blu-ray edition: the sides have been cropped by about 10% total.",
"See DVDBeaver for several side-by-side comparisons (particularly, the scene in which Chijiiwa is seated in a white robe, surrounded by clan members - one guy on the left is cropped out, destroying the composition of the scene).",
"I have also added two comparison images to the Amazon Product photo gallery at the top of this page.It appears that only the Masters of Cinema Blu-ray edition has the right composition, but unfortunately the detail appears to be slightly lacking compared to Criterion.Hopefully Criterion will realize this problem and correct it in future releases."
] |
3 | Coldly Honest | Kropp & Lagercrantz's book Ultimate High is the latest in my Everest obsession which began with my reading Into Thin Air.This book has a proper index (I hate books that do not have a proper index), though it has no table of contents(?)and at the conclusion of the 'story' are excellent lists: Kropp's "Ultimate Mountain List" (I had wanted to read a list like this since reading Into Thin Air), Kropp's packing list (hmmmm), and the Special Summiteer List (very helpful & informative).The book was well-crafted and reveals Kropp's thoughts, feelings and actions on his trek. The authors do a good job of letting the reader see what Kropp saw! I liked the book and the story, but at the conclusion, though I admired what Kropp did and how he did it, I didn't like Kropp very much. I was left with the impression of a cold, very self-absorbed, somewhat shallow, ecologically-minded tough-guy.I do recommend buying this book, however; it is worth the purchase price just for the lists! | 982 | [
"Kropp & Lagercrantz's book Ultimate High is the latest in my Everest obsession which began with my reading Into Thin Air.This book has a proper index (I hate books that do not have a proper index), though it has no table of contents(?",
")and at the conclusion of the 'story' are excellent lists: Kropp's \"Ultimate Mountain List\" (I had wanted to read a list like this since reading Into Thin Air), Kropp's packing list (hmmmm), and the Special Summiteer List (very helpful & informative).The book was well-crafted and reveals Kropp's thoughts, feelings and actions on his trek.",
"The authors do a good job of letting the reader see what Kropp saw!",
"I liked the book and the story, but at the conclusion, though I admired what Kropp did and how he did it, I didn't like Kropp very much.",
"I was left with the impression of a cold, very self-absorbed, somewhat shallow, ecologically-minded tough-guy.I do recommend buying this book, however; it is worth the purchase price just for the lists!"
] |
3 | Good Read | Tate Gibson is a true player and trying to juggle three women at the same time almost was his undoing. One of his "ladies" LeQuisha at first seemed to be willing to play herself just for the love of someone not worthy but in the end she seemed to grow up and really be a good person. Tangie Tate's other girl was young minded and at times just seemed to be annoying. Carmela was never truly a factor and I wonder why the author's synopsis ever really gave her any mention. This book was just ok it had no real WOW! factor or held any real special meaning. I mean the premise of player vs too many women has been done before many many times. The unfortunate death of LeQuisha's sister was a bit surprising but way unnecessary and I felt the author just threw that in for no apparent reason it didn't make the characters any more or less stronger. The sudden antics of LeQuisha's daughter was a trip and that might have been the best part. This book was just ok but still recommended. | 982 | [
"Tate Gibson is a true player and trying to juggle three women at the same time almost was his undoing.",
"One of his \"ladies\" LeQuisha at first seemed to be willing to play herself just for the love of someone not worthy but in the end she seemed to grow up and really be a good person.",
"Tangie Tate's other girl was young minded and at times just seemed to be annoying.",
"Carmela was never truly a factor and I wonder why the author's synopsis ever really gave her any mention.",
"This book was just ok it had no real WOW!",
"factor or held any real special meaning.",
"I mean the premise of player vs too many women has been done before many many times.",
"The unfortunate death of LeQuisha's sister was a bit surprising but way unnecessary and I felt the author just threw that in for no apparent reason it didn't make the characters any more or less stronger.",
"The sudden antics of LeQuisha's daughter was a trip and that might have been the best part.",
"This book was just ok but still recommended."
] |
3 | Not a great book | If you're playing a rogue/bard, you've probably seen this book before. It's got a few prestige classes for each class, and a bunch of random feats/equipment/skill tricks that you will want to bring into your game. This is by no means a must-have book, but it does have a lot of fluff and other interesting material to help inspire you.If you're willing to spend the extra money, Complete Scoundrel is a much better book, in my opinion. This book (as all books do) has some balance problems, so everything that comes out of here has to be run past the DM first.In total, this book is probably 110 pages of content, and as a player you'll use maybe a dozen of them.If you're buying this book as a gift, here are some things to know: This is a book for the 3rd edition of D&D.; It can be uses with both 3.0e and 3.5e, with some minor tweaking. This cannot be used for any other editions (newer or older). Check with the birthday boy (or girl) to make sure this is the book (s)he needs. | 982 | [
"If you're playing a rogue/bard, you've probably seen this book before.",
"It's got a few prestige classes for each class, and a bunch of random feats/equipment/skill tricks that you will want to bring into your game.",
"This is by no means a must-have book, but it does have a lot of fluff and other interesting material to help inspire you.If you're willing to spend the extra money, Complete Scoundrel is a much better book, in my opinion.",
"This book (as all books do) has some balance problems, so everything that comes out of here has to be run past the DM first.In total, this book is probably 110 pages of content, and as a player you'll use maybe a dozen of them.If you're buying this book as a gift, here are some things to know: This is a book for the 3rd edition of D&D.; It can be uses with both 3.0e and 3.5e, with some minor tweaking.",
"This cannot be used for any other editions (newer or older).",
"Check with the birthday boy (or girl) to make sure this is the book (s)he needs."
] |
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