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I was surprised to find the formula I recently bought from a local hardware store was basically the same ingredients as this Roundup, but cheaper & more potent.
I'm a little skeptical of having stuff like this shipped (I see leaky bottles at the hardware store all the time). But in case you don't have a Home Depot or Lowes close by, here are my comments about Roundup Weed & Grass Plus:
Yes you can see visible results within hours, but only about 50% of what you spray will turn brown. Some of it will come back. It almost always needs a 2nd application (or more). It is not for tough brush, & did not take care of our poison ivy. I would say, this is best for just the stuff that grows up between the sidewalks (crabgrass, dandelions, etc) - if you need to kill anything more stubborn than that, try something else.
This year I tried a variety of methods on a variety of different weed problems (in my large yard). I tried vinegar, saltwater, bleach (small spots), liquid detergent, etc. I think the vinegar & saltwater solutions I made at home worked as well (or better than) many of the weed killers I bought. My strategy for next year will be, skip the "light duty" weed killers, use vinegar & homemade solutions on most of the moderate weed problems, and only buy the "heavy duty" weed killers on the most stubborn invasive or poisonous brush. | 1 | neutral | [
"I was surprised to find the formula I recently bought from a local hardware store was basically the same ingredients as this Roundup, but cheaper & more potent.",
"I'm a little skeptical of having stuff like this shipped (I see leaky bottles at the hardware store all the time).",
"But in case you don't have a Home Depot or Lowes close by, here are my comments about Roundup Weed & Grass Plus:\n\nYes you can see visible results within hours, but only about 50% of what you spray will turn brown.",
"Some of it will come back.",
"It almost always needs a 2nd application (or more).",
"It is not for tough brush, & did not take care of our poison ivy.",
"I would say, this is best for just the stuff that grows up between the sidewalks (crabgrass, dandelions, etc) - if you need to kill anything more stubborn than that, try something else.",
"This year I tried a variety of methods on a variety of different weed problems (in my large yard).",
"I tried vinegar, saltwater, bleach (small spots), liquid detergent, etc.",
"I think the vinegar & saltwater solutions I made at home worked as well (or better than) many of the weed killers I bought.",
"My strategy for next year will be, skip the \"light duty\" weed killers, use vinegar & homemade solutions on most of the moderate weed problems, and only buy the \"heavy duty\" weed killers on the most stubborn invasive or poisonous brush."
] |
I found out about Little Nemo from the 1990 issue of Nintendo Power (Dr. Mario was on the cover) when I was seven, but I didn't get to play the game until 2001. I bought it for $4 at a Flea Market in the Poconos and I got started once I took this cartridge home. Despite of its slightly juvenile theme, slightly complicated walkthroughs (for a kids'game), mundane objectives, highly unforgiving obsticles, and lack of bosses; its a playable game. Unique on how Little Nemo can ride or turn into different types of Dream creatures by feeding them candy (as a nod to grabbing a plant or suit to turn into a firey being or obscure animal....). Using the powers of some animals is necessary (like the mini-dragon or ape), while others simply make the game a little easier (like a bee). Even with my strategy guide, I had a very hard time getting through some of the levels due to its intense difficulty so it takes alot of patience and much finger dexterity to beat this game. Don't do what I do and use Game Genie when you get frustrated. That's how I got to the final boss and kicking his butt was nothing compared to the endless obsticles I endured throughout the game. Despite of its high difficulty, its a enjoyable game to add to anyones NES collection and its considered to be one of Capcom's underated titles. | 1 | neutral | [
"I found out about Little Nemo from the 1990 issue of Nintendo Power (Dr.",
"Mario was on the cover) when I was seven, but I didn't get to play the game until 2001.",
"I bought it for $4 at a Flea Market in the Poconos and I got started once I took this cartridge home.",
"Despite of its slightly juvenile theme, slightly complicated walkthroughs (for a kids'game), mundane objectives, highly unforgiving obsticles, and lack of bosses; its a playable game.",
"Unique on how Little Nemo can ride or turn into different types of Dream creatures by feeding them candy (as a nod to grabbing a plant or suit to turn into a firey being or obscure animal....",
").",
"Using the powers of some animals is necessary (like the mini-dragon or ape), while others simply make the game a little easier (like a bee).",
"Even with my strategy guide, I had a very hard time getting through some of the levels due to its intense difficulty so it takes alot of patience and much finger dexterity to beat this game.",
"Don't do what I do and use Game Genie when you get frustrated.",
"That's how I got to the final boss and kicking his butt was nothing compared to the endless obsticles I endured throughout the game.",
"Despite of its high difficulty, its a enjoyable game to add to anyones NES collection and its considered to be one of Capcom's underated titles."
] |
I've long been a fan of the Street Fighter II series on the SNES. When I heard there was going to be a GBA version, I couldn't wait to get my hands on it. And while it's fun to play, it's far from perfect.
First, the good stuff. The graphics are nice, and stay true to the original (as do the sound effects). Arcade mode is a blast to play, and the various little bonus games you can unlock are pretty cool.
But there are, unfortunately, some significant problems with the game. Firstly, there's the fact that the GBA has two less buttons than the SNES. The control scheme is customizable, thankfully, but it takes time to get used to it. Finger-cramping is pretty common after playing for a long period of time, even if you're used to playing the GBA for extended sessions.
Another downside is the music. To put it simply, it's bad. We're talking barely Game Boy Color quality here, and it's a real shame. Part of the charm of the SF2 games is the cool music, and unfortunately this aspect did not carry over well to the GBA at all.
And one other gripe - the game can crash. After unlocking Akuma, he can be your opponent in the arcade mode. But unfortunately, the game crashes and burns horribly 9 times out of 10 when it brings me to him in the arcade ladder. A console game crashing under normal usage is a Very Bad Thing(tm), and that's ultimately what brings this game's rating down from 4 stars to 3 stars in my book.
Conclusion: SF2 for GBA is fun, but in many regards it just doesn't do justice to the SNES versions. When you see awesome conversions like Mario Kart Super Circuit, and compare them to this somewhat lacking port of Street Fighter II, its faults can become pretty glaring. | 1 | neutral | [
"I've long been a fan of the Street Fighter II series on the SNES.",
"When I heard there was going to be a GBA version, I couldn't wait to get my hands on it.",
"And while it's fun to play, it's far from perfect.",
"First, the good stuff.",
"The graphics are nice, and stay true to the original (as do the sound effects).",
"Arcade mode is a blast to play, and the various little bonus games you can unlock are pretty cool.",
"But there are, unfortunately, some significant problems with the game.",
"Firstly, there's the fact that the GBA has two less buttons than the SNES.",
"The control scheme is customizable, thankfully, but it takes time to get used to it.",
"Finger-cramping is pretty common after playing for a long period of time, even if you're used to playing the GBA for extended sessions.",
"Another downside is the music.",
"To put it simply, it's bad.",
"We're talking barely Game Boy Color quality here, and it's a real shame.",
"Part of the charm of the SF2 games is the cool music, and unfortunately this aspect did not carry over well to the GBA at all.",
"And one other gripe - the game can crash.",
"After unlocking Akuma, he can be your opponent in the arcade mode.",
"But unfortunately, the game crashes and burns horribly 9 times out of 10 when it brings me to him in the arcade ladder.",
"A console game crashing under normal usage is a Very Bad Thing(tm), and that's ultimately what brings this game's rating down from 4 stars to 3 stars in my book.",
"Conclusion: SF2 for GBA is fun, but in many regards it just doesn't do justice to the SNES versions.",
"When you see awesome conversions like Mario Kart Super Circuit, and compare them to this somewhat lacking port of Street Fighter II, its faults can become pretty glaring."
] |
I've read and reviewed several "History in an Hour" books and this is the first one I felt did not work in this format. The HIAH books are designed to give you a basic overview and understanding of various historical events in what, for most readers, would be one or two reading sessions. The problem with this particular book is the subject matter, World War Two, is just too massive for the extremely limited scope of this series.
As with other books, there is nothing but facts presented in a chronological order with very little commentary. The book begins with the Nazi invasion of Poland and ends with the Japanese surrender in Tokyo Bay; no introductions, no preludes, no forwards. There are several helpful appendices which give you individual biographies of key players and timelines.
The problem is with the limitations of the HIAH format. Events which had incredible significance like the D-Day invasion, The Battle of Britain, The siege of Stalingrad and the dropping of atomic bombs on Hiroshima and Nagasaki are discussed in an brief, almost clinical way. This is not the fault of the writer, it is the fault of the format as the idea of a one sitting overview of something just doesn't allow that much detail when the subject matter is as overwhelming as WW2.
Exclusions abound. For example, Gen. George Patton is mentioned only once in the entire book and that reference incorrectly lists him as one of the primary Allied generals in D-Day. It's not that Patton isn't important; the problem is an event like Patton's historic march to support Allied troops under siege during the German offensive in the Battle of the Bulge just isn't significant enough to make the cut in a book designed to give the overview of the entire war in a single hour. I don't remember a single reference to people like Gen. Omar Bradley or Hermann Goering at all because the format allows for little identification beyond the major players Hitler, Stalin, Roosevelt, Eisenhower, Churchill, Montgomery, MacArthur, Rommel and Mussolini.
It's not that I don't recommend this book. It does what it is supposed to do. I just believe readers who want to learn more about WW2 are under-served by it. A far more helpful series (if it doesn't already exist) would be to break WW2 down into smaller sections. Far more interesting would be HIAH books on The Pacific War, The European War, D-Day, The Battle of the Bulge, etc.
As I look at the HIAH books already available, I'm sure those listed above are on their way and I look forward to them. The price is right and the format works when the content doesn't overwhelm the form. My recommendation would be to invest in those (if and when they exist) if you are looking for something more than an extremely basic overview of one of the most historically significant wars ever and you like the HIAH style of book. | 1 | neutral | [
"I've read and reviewed several \"History in an Hour\" books and this is the first one I felt did not work in this format.",
"The HIAH books are designed to give you a basic overview and understanding of various historical events in what, for most readers, would be one or two reading sessions.",
"The problem with this particular book is the subject matter, World War Two, is just too massive for the extremely limited scope of this series.",
"As with other books, there is nothing but facts presented in a chronological order with very little commentary.",
"The book begins with the Nazi invasion of Poland and ends with the Japanese surrender in Tokyo Bay; no introductions, no preludes, no forwards.",
"There are several helpful appendices which give you individual biographies of key players and timelines.",
"The problem is with the limitations of the HIAH format.",
"Events which had incredible significance like the D-Day invasion, The Battle of Britain, The siege of Stalingrad and the dropping of atomic bombs on Hiroshima and Nagasaki are discussed in an brief, almost clinical way.",
"This is not the fault of the writer, it is the fault of the format as the idea of a one sitting overview of something just doesn't allow that much detail when the subject matter is as overwhelming as WW2.",
"Exclusions abound.",
"For example, Gen.",
"George Patton is mentioned only once in the entire book and that reference incorrectly lists him as one of the primary Allied generals in D-Day.",
"It's not that Patton isn't important; the problem is an event like Patton's historic march to support Allied troops under siege during the German offensive in the Battle of the Bulge just isn't significant enough to make the cut in a book designed to give the overview of the entire war in a single hour.",
"I don't remember a single reference to people like Gen.",
"Omar Bradley or Hermann Goering at all because the format allows for little identification beyond the major players Hitler, Stalin, Roosevelt, Eisenhower, Churchill, Montgomery, MacArthur, Rommel and Mussolini.",
"It's not that I don't recommend this book.",
"It does what it is supposed to do.",
"I just believe readers who want to learn more about WW2 are under-served by it.",
"A far more helpful series (if it doesn't already exist) would be to break WW2 down into smaller sections.",
"Far more interesting would be HIAH books on The Pacific War, The European War, D-Day, The Battle of the Bulge, etc.",
"As I look at the HIAH books already available, I'm sure those listed above are on their way and I look forward to them.",
"The price is right and the format works when the content doesn't overwhelm the form.",
"My recommendation would be to invest in those (if and when they exist) if you are looking for something more than an extremely basic overview of one of the most historically significant wars ever and you like the HIAH style of book."
] |
I thought this would be a great set of cards to brush up on my language skills. I also like that it has multiple different languages on the same card so you can learn more things as you go. The pictures are bright and colorful and the reference point for the languages is easy to read on the template card.
What I don't like is the fact that there is no pronunciation guide for the words. It will give you the word in English, Spanish, French, etc. but does not give the sounded out pronunciation (like words in the dictionary). For example, the Spanish word for radio is "radio" but it is not pronounced "ray-dee-oh" like in English. If I had not taken years of high school Spanish, I would not know this.
My biggest complaint is that it has words listed in Greek, in the Greek alphabet, but has zero way to say the word. It looks like a bunch of symbols and that is it. It gives new meaning to the adage "It's all Greek to me."
While I appreciate the opportunity to brush up on my language skills, I find this product sorely lacking in important parts of learning and developing a better vocabulary. | 1 | neutral | [
"I thought this would be a great set of cards to brush up on my language skills.",
"I also like that it has multiple different languages on the same card so you can learn more things as you go.",
"The pictures are bright and colorful and the reference point for the languages is easy to read on the template card.",
"What I don't like is the fact that there is no pronunciation guide for the words.",
"It will give you the word in English, Spanish, French, etc.",
"but does not give the sounded out pronunciation (like words in the dictionary).",
"For example, the Spanish word for radio is \"radio\" but it is not pronounced \"ray-dee-oh\" like in English.",
"If I had not taken years of high school Spanish, I would not know this.",
"My biggest complaint is that it has words listed in Greek, in the Greek alphabet, but has zero way to say the word.",
"It looks like a bunch of symbols and that is it.",
"It gives new meaning to the adage \"It's all Greek to me.",
"\"\n\nWhile I appreciate the opportunity to brush up on my language skills, I find this product sorely lacking in important parts of learning and developing a better vocabulary."
] |
I've always worn the underwires; the push-ups; all the va-voom bras but the underwires started killing me and I gave up all the pretty, sexy bras three years ago and went for comfort.
However, I just can't seem to have my cake and eat it too when it comes to support, pretty, feminine look and also comfort.
I heard they've improved the wires and would love to try but I am not a mall-gal or even a shopper period - I'm an online shopper and always have been.
So, back to Amazon to see what I might find and this one seemed good. I got it the very next day! Wow. That's Prime at its best! Anyway..I can say that the underwire..so far anyway..doesn't poke me in the armpits..doesn't poke me between the breasts and so far doesn't constrict my breathing! Gee, those things are wonderful!
I can say it is a pretty bra and fits nicely (true to size since I ordered online!) and does really flatter. It is sexy and feminine and looks good under my clothes.
My only negative comments would be that I find it really itchy. There's a piece that is right above the cups that itches so much and rubs that it leaves red marks. Also, if I'm wearing a blouse and a blazer, it makes my straps slide down - the multi-layers seem to move the straps.
December 2012 Update:
I would actually rate this a 3.5 star and changed the review to reflect that. For the price, and the itchiness, it's really a little more than "ok".
I have since ordered this bra, below, and I find the design and fit about comparable, but more comfortable, and certainly not itchy for a third of the price:
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0012N4VOA/ref=oh_details_o04_s00_i00 | 1 | neutral | [
"I've always worn the underwires; the push-ups; all the va-voom bras but the underwires started killing me and I gave up all the pretty, sexy bras three years ago and went for comfort.",
"However, I just can't seem to have my cake and eat it too when it comes to support, pretty, feminine look and also comfort.",
"I heard they've improved the wires and would love to try but I am not a mall-gal or even a shopper period - I'm an online shopper and always have been.",
"So, back to Amazon to see what I might find and this one seemed good.",
"I got it the very next day!",
"Wow.",
"That's Prime at its best!",
"Anyway..",
"I can say that the underwire..",
"so far anyway..",
"doesn't poke me in the armpits..",
"doesn't poke me between the breasts and so far doesn't constrict my breathing!",
"Gee, those things are wonderful!",
"I can say it is a pretty bra and fits nicely (true to size since I ordered online!",
") and does really flatter.",
"It is sexy and feminine and looks good under my clothes.",
"My only negative comments would be that I find it really itchy.",
"There's a piece that is right above the cups that itches so much and rubs that it leaves red marks.",
"Also, if I'm wearing a blouse and a blazer, it makes my straps slide down - the multi-layers seem to move the straps.",
"December 2012 Update:\n\nI would actually rate this a 3.",
"5 star and changed the review to reflect that.",
"For the price, and the itchiness, it's really a little more than \"ok\".",
"I have since ordered this bra, below, and I find the design and fit about comparable, but more comfortable, and certainly not itchy for a third of the price:\nhttp://www.",
"amazon.",
"com/gp/product/B0012N4VOA/ref=oh_details_o04_s00_i00"
] |
I've used Jabra bluetooth headsets before and have never came away too impressed. That led to low expectations when it came to reviewing this new Jabra headset.
The Jabra Extreme 2 bluetooth headset is light weight and a breeze to setup. I tested this unit connected to my phone as well as my Playstation 3. The headset was simple to set up on both devices (you can connect a max of 2 devices to this headset). It supports A2DP, which allows you to listen to music and other stuff (besides phone calls) on the headset (great for PS3, GPS, or music player)
The announcements are very clear when someone is calling you (it will try to speak the name to you). It also lets you know that's powering on or powering off your Bluetooth headset and that you are `connected', features that my <a data-hook="product-link-linked" class="a-link-normal" href="/BlueAnt-Q2-Voice-Controlled-Pure-Conversation-Bluetooth-Headset-Black-in-BlueAnt-Retail-Packaging/dp/B0043AJD9M/ref=cm_cr_arp_d_rvw_txt?ie=UTF8">BlueAnt Q2 Voice-Controlled Pure Conversation Bluetooth Headset (Black, in BlueAnt Retail Packaging)</a> also has.
When using the device, though I can hear the audio clearly via phone or PS3, when on the phone, the other party indicates that the sound is muffled. Though devices in this price range tout their ability to cancel out noise, the person on the other side of the line also reported noise.
Feature wise, this headset has most everything one can want. However, if the person I'm talking to cannot hear me clearly (the primary purpose for me to get the headset), then most other features do not matter. | 1 | neutral | [
"I've used Jabra bluetooth headsets before and have never came away too impressed.",
"That led to low expectations when it came to reviewing this new Jabra headset.",
"The Jabra Extreme 2 bluetooth headset is light weight and a breeze to setup.",
"I tested this unit connected to my phone as well as my Playstation 3.",
"The headset was simple to set up on both devices (you can connect a max of 2 devices to this headset).",
"It supports A2DP, which allows you to listen to music and other stuff (besides phone calls) on the headset (great for PS3, GPS, or music player)\n\nThe announcements are very clear when someone is calling you (it will try to speak the name to you).",
"It also lets you know that's powering on or powering off your Bluetooth headset and that you are `connected', features that my <a data-hook=\"product-link-linked\" class=\"a-link-normal\" href=\"/BlueAnt-Q2-Voice-Controlled-Pure-Conversation-Bluetooth-Headset-Black-in-BlueAnt-Retail-Packaging/dp/B0043AJD9M/ref=cm_cr_arp_d_rvw_txt?",
"ie=UTF8\">BlueAnt Q2 Voice-Controlled Pure Conversation Bluetooth Headset (Black, in BlueAnt Retail Packaging)</a> also has.",
"When using the device, though I can hear the audio clearly via phone or PS3, when on the phone, the other party indicates that the sound is muffled.",
"Though devices in this price range tout their ability to cancel out noise, the person on the other side of the line also reported noise.",
"Feature wise, this headset has most everything one can want.",
"However, if the person I'm talking to cannot hear me clearly (the primary purpose for me to get the headset), then most other features do not matter."
] |
This is probably good for someone with very little experience who wants to clean up some very small cracks before they get worse. I tried using this on a moderate sized crack on one of my steps and it was a real pain. First, I cleaned the area that needed repair, making sure there is no debris, etc. I moistened the area with a wet sponge and was ready to go. The ziplock bag does not tear well and I had to cut the top with scissors. Next, following the directions (mistake number one) made it VERY difficult to get a good even mix (I would use 13-14 ounces of water, not 12). The bottom stayed dry and I actually opened that bag, mixed the entire thing by hand (with gloves, wear two layers folks if they are nitrile or thin latex). You should consider using dish washing type gloves that cover your forearms if you are not used to mixing, especially if you do not cut the bag to get everything out and want to reach in. I had my trowel (second mistake). You really can't trowel hard putty very easily. It is best to roll up what you want, place it over the crack, pack it in and then trowel over it to pack it in more and spread it to get a more uniform finish. Keep a plastic cup of water next to you so when you are done, you can skim a little water over it with a sponge and get a nice smooth finish. If you place too much, wait about 10 minutes, shave it down with your trowel and then use the wet sponge.
The main problem is that it is going to get expensive and time consuming if you are trying to fix larger sized cracks/holes. The working time isn't bad (you have to work fast), but your mix has to be pretty perfect, and still, if there is a lot to do, you will need to mix bit by bit. Even for small projects, a large bag of portland cement is much cheaper, and you can end up doing a lot more for a lot less. If you don't want to get a bag of cement, you can buy other concrete patches (some that are already pre-mixed) that come in a tub (some you add water, others you trowel right on) and are much easier to use. If you have every used hydraulic cement, you get a lot more working time, but like I said, it's still not much, especially if it is your first time. One bag allowed me to patch a 28 inch crack that was open about an inch in some places. I was able to pack it deep enough. For me, I don't think it is worth it. I'll stick with the old fashioned way. There are lots of options out there, folks. A little extra research for what is right for you may save you a lot of time and money. | 1 | neutral | [
"This is probably good for someone with very little experience who wants to clean up some very small cracks before they get worse.",
"I tried using this on a moderate sized crack on one of my steps and it was a real pain.",
"First, I cleaned the area that needed repair, making sure there is no debris, etc.",
"I moistened the area with a wet sponge and was ready to go.",
"The ziplock bag does not tear well and I had to cut the top with scissors.",
"Next, following the directions (mistake number one) made it VERY difficult to get a good even mix (I would use 13-14 ounces of water, not 12).",
"The bottom stayed dry and I actually opened that bag, mixed the entire thing by hand (with gloves, wear two layers folks if they are nitrile or thin latex).",
"You should consider using dish washing type gloves that cover your forearms if you are not used to mixing, especially if you do not cut the bag to get everything out and want to reach in.",
"I had my trowel (second mistake).",
"You really can't trowel hard putty very easily.",
"It is best to roll up what you want, place it over the crack, pack it in and then trowel over it to pack it in more and spread it to get a more uniform finish.",
"Keep a plastic cup of water next to you so when you are done, you can skim a little water over it with a sponge and get a nice smooth finish.",
"If you place too much, wait about 10 minutes, shave it down with your trowel and then use the wet sponge.",
"The main problem is that it is going to get expensive and time consuming if you are trying to fix larger sized cracks/holes.",
"The working time isn't bad (you have to work fast), but your mix has to be pretty perfect, and still, if there is a lot to do, you will need to mix bit by bit.",
"Even for small projects, a large bag of portland cement is much cheaper, and you can end up doing a lot more for a lot less.",
"If you don't want to get a bag of cement, you can buy other concrete patches (some that are already pre-mixed) that come in a tub (some you add water, others you trowel right on) and are much easier to use.",
"If you have every used hydraulic cement, you get a lot more working time, but like I said, it's still not much, especially if it is your first time.",
"One bag allowed me to patch a 28 inch crack that was open about an inch in some places.",
"I was able to pack it deep enough.",
"For me, I don't think it is worth it.",
"I'll stick with the old fashioned way.",
"There are lots of options out there, folks.",
"A little extra research for what is right for you may save you a lot of time and money."
] |
I've been using this cleanser in the shower for the past few weeks. Since I typically shower after exercise, I have to contend with sweat and oils, and this does a good job of removing both. (It does not remove waterproof makeup, however.) I find this to be a gentle cleanser and easy to rinse off (without leaving any residue). Although it does have a slight (artificial) fragrance, the fragrance doesn't linger for too long.
Here are the ingredients since it is difficult to read them in the zoomed-in product image:
Water**, Disodium Laureth Sulfosuccinate**, Glycerin**, Disodium Cocoyl Glutamate**, Decyl Glucoside**, PEG-6 Caprylic/Capric Glycerides**, Cocamidopropyl Betaine**, Gentiana Lutea Root Extract**, Helichrysum Italicum Extract**, Anthemis Nobilis Flower Extract**, Citrus Unshiu Peel Extract**, Parsley Extract**, Strawberry Fruit Juice**, Grapefruit Fruit Extract**, Raspberry Fruit Extract**, Sodium Cocoyl Glutamate**, Butylene Glycol, Glyceryl Laurate**, Citric Acid**, Fragrance, Sodium Benzoate, Sodium Chloride**, Ethylhexylglycerin, PPG-26,Buteth-26, PEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil**, Potassium Sorbate, Hexyl Cinnamal. (**Natural Origin Ingredients)
This is free of parabens and artificial dyes and it also doesn't contain any sulfates. You still get a reasonable lather, and I'm sure the foaming pump is helping with that. I like all the fruit extracts; those are going to contain antioxidants that should help a bit with free radical damage (but don't forget to use a good sunscreen, as well).
If you are looking for a cleanser that is gentle and sulfate free, this is definitely one to check out. However, if you are going to be wanting to remove makeup with your cleanser, this is probably not for you. | 1 | neutral | [
"I've been using this cleanser in the shower for the past few weeks.",
"Since I typically shower after exercise, I have to contend with sweat and oils, and this does a good job of removing both.",
"(It does not remove waterproof makeup, however.",
") I find this to be a gentle cleanser and easy to rinse off (without leaving any residue).",
"Although it does have a slight (artificial) fragrance, the fragrance doesn't linger for too long.",
"Here are the ingredients since it is difficult to read them in the zoomed-in product image:\n\nWater**, Disodium Laureth Sulfosuccinate**, Glycerin**, Disodium Cocoyl Glutamate**, Decyl Glucoside**, PEG-6 Caprylic/Capric Glycerides**, Cocamidopropyl Betaine**, Gentiana Lutea Root Extract**, Helichrysum Italicum Extract**, Anthemis Nobilis Flower Extract**, Citrus Unshiu Peel Extract**, Parsley Extract**, Strawberry Fruit Juice**, Grapefruit Fruit Extract**, Raspberry Fruit Extract**, Sodium Cocoyl Glutamate**, Butylene Glycol, Glyceryl Laurate**, Citric Acid**, Fragrance, Sodium Benzoate, Sodium Chloride**, Ethylhexylglycerin, PPG-26,Buteth-26, PEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil**, Potassium Sorbate, Hexyl Cinnamal.",
"(**Natural Origin Ingredients)\n\nThis is free of parabens and artificial dyes and it also doesn't contain any sulfates.",
"You still get a reasonable lather, and I'm sure the foaming pump is helping with that.",
"I like all the fruit extracts; those are going to contain antioxidants that should help a bit with free radical damage (but don't forget to use a good sunscreen, as well).",
"If you are looking for a cleanser that is gentle and sulfate free, this is definitely one to check out.",
"However, if you are going to be wanting to remove makeup with your cleanser, this is probably not for you."
] |
Ten years after they first become famous, the Spice Girls recently toured again. It's all over now until they start to run low again on funds, but with their tour came a re-release of Spice World, the movie. Now I can honestly say, this film is no classic. But hey, it's good classic fun, with lots of British celebrity cameos, and bad acting (from all the Spice Girls but especially from Victoria), but it provides a few laughs.
The story is quite complicated, cos it seems to jump around quite a bit, and is extremely jumbled. Basically every plot they could think about they threw in.
I was a Spice Girls fan. I wasn't broken hearted when they 'broke up', and followed Geri when she went solo, but they were still good poppy songs, and I had all their albums. I think I still do. This was done before Geri went skinny, blonder, and didn't want to be known as a former Spice Girl. Mel B was still loud & brash, Victoria was in the early beginnings of her romance with a certain footballer, before she would take over the world (it seems that way), and Emma & Mel C seemed to have stayed remarkably the same.
There's a whole host of famous British faces in this. Gary Glitter was supposed to have a cameo, but that was quickly cut from the film when he was arrested. (But they kept in the song "Do You Want To Be In My Gang?") Other famous faces are Michael Barrymore, Meatloaf, Elvis Costello, Alan Cumming, Neil Fox (in voice only thank God), Stephen Fry, Bob Geldof, Richard E Grant, Jools Holland, Bob Hoskins, Elton John, Hugh Laurie, Roger Moore, Naoko Mori (now in Torchwood), Richard O'Brien, Jonathan Ross, Jennifer Saunders ... Phew. I bet I've missed someone out.
Spice World is one of those films that you will be embarrassed to admit you own, but it's joined by many more in my DVD collection, so I'm not embarrassed in the slightest. It's harmless fun. | 1 | neutral | [
"Ten years after they first become famous, the Spice Girls recently toured again.",
"It's all over now until they start to run low again on funds, but with their tour came a re-release of Spice World, the movie.",
"Now I can honestly say, this film is no classic.",
"But hey, it's good classic fun, with lots of British celebrity cameos, and bad acting (from all the Spice Girls but especially from Victoria), but it provides a few laughs.",
"The story is quite complicated, cos it seems to jump around quite a bit, and is extremely jumbled.",
"Basically every plot they could think about they threw in.",
"I was a Spice Girls fan.",
"I wasn't broken hearted when they 'broke up', and followed Geri when she went solo, but they were still good poppy songs, and I had all their albums.",
"I think I still do.",
"This was done before Geri went skinny, blonder, and didn't want to be known as a former Spice Girl.",
"Mel B was still loud & brash, Victoria was in the early beginnings of her romance with a certain footballer, before she would take over the world (it seems that way), and Emma & Mel C seemed to have stayed remarkably the same.",
"There's a whole host of famous British faces in this.",
"Gary Glitter was supposed to have a cameo, but that was quickly cut from the film when he was arrested.",
"(But they kept in the song \"Do You Want To Be In My Gang?",
"\") Other famous faces are Michael Barrymore, Meatloaf, Elvis Costello, Alan Cumming, Neil Fox (in voice only thank God), Stephen Fry, Bob Geldof, Richard E Grant, Jools Holland, Bob Hoskins, Elton John, Hugh Laurie, Roger Moore, Naoko Mori (now in Torchwood), Richard O'Brien, Jonathan Ross, Jennifer Saunders...",
"Phew.",
"I bet I've missed someone out.",
"Spice World is one of those films that you will be embarrassed to admit you own, but it's joined by many more in my DVD collection, so I'm not embarrassed in the slightest.",
"It's harmless fun."
] |
Was this the best book Martin has written to date? No, definitely not. Was it worth a read? I think so. Was it as bad as a lot of people say? I don't think it was all that bad. I figured that the first books that Martin wrote were all setting the stage, so that this book would be more action packed - I was very disappointed in that aspect. There were a few shocking things that happened in this book (although you had to wait quite some time for them). Some people did think that the shocking things that did happen were kind of pulled out of thin air - flashes in the pan that had no set up prior to them. I can also see where they're coming from when they say that the POVs of Daenerys and Tyrion were a bit of a let down - Daenerys, who has thus far been a strong character is indecisive and Tyrion who has been charming and clever is crying, drunk mess. It's true this book has a lot of let downs, but I think it also has a few redeeming qualities. Well, I'm glad I read the book. I think it's worth the read as long as you aren't expecting a masterpiece. | 1 | neutral | [
"Was this the best book Martin has written to date?",
"No, definitely not.",
"Was it worth a read?",
"I think so.",
"Was it as bad as a lot of people say?",
"I don't think it was all that bad.",
"I figured that the first books that Martin wrote were all setting the stage, so that this book would be more action packed - I was very disappointed in that aspect.",
"There were a few shocking things that happened in this book (although you had to wait quite some time for them).",
"Some people did think that the shocking things that did happen were kind of pulled out of thin air - flashes in the pan that had no set up prior to them.",
"I can also see where they're coming from when they say that the POVs of Daenerys and Tyrion were a bit of a let down - Daenerys, who has thus far been a strong character is indecisive and Tyrion who has been charming and clever is crying, drunk mess.",
"It's true this book has a lot of let downs, but I think it also has a few redeeming qualities.",
"Well, I'm glad I read the book.",
"I think it's worth the read as long as you aren't expecting a masterpiece."
] |
My review is based on string size too. The strings sounded good but when I play in the higher notes they dropped off in guitar singing power. High notes just don't have as much volume? Also the strings are to slippery and my fingers slide off the strings when I try to hold them down. (more finger pain) These are custom lights. I recommend regular lights. You can apply more power and volume to them thus making the guitar sing better. I'd say for a quiet area the custom lights and experienced fingers would sound awesome. I like to be able to play hard and loud when I need to. If you want a softer touch. easier bend, custom light is for you. | 1 | neutral | [
"My review is based on string size too.",
"The strings sounded good but when I play in the higher notes they dropped off in guitar singing power.",
"High notes just don't have as much volume?",
"Also the strings are to slippery and my fingers slide off the strings when I try to hold them down.",
"(more finger pain) These are custom lights.",
"I recommend regular lights.",
"You can apply more power and volume to them thus making the guitar sing better.",
"I'd say for a quiet area the custom lights and experienced fingers would sound awesome.",
"I like to be able to play hard and loud when I need to.",
"If you want a softer touch.",
"easier bend, custom light is for you."
] |
This unit is clearly designed for a 1/2" tape despite what's written on it that it should use a 3/8" (9 mm) tape. When you use the 3/8" (9 mm) tape, the characters come out in an "up and down" fashion and look like a mess; very often two characters are bundled together too close and are hard to understand without a masters degree in decyphering and hyeroglyphics.
Now here's another big problem: 1/2" tape that I bought at a local office store has a weak adhesive and the 1/2" tape falls off anything within minutes. So I have to choose between using the messy looking 3/8" tape or the lightly sticky but not so adhesive 1/2" tape that no longer seems to be produced by DYMO.
When I call DYMO they always state that they discontinued these products, because there was no demand, yet they keep on producing the 3/8" tape that is not good for use in existing embossers. DYMO says the 3/8" tape is for use with different embossers, yet they could not offer me one embosser that can be efficiently used with the 3/8" tape!
The 1/2" tape, where available, is advertised as weather-proof, yet the reviews and my own experience states that the 1/2" tape (perhaps its been manufactured decades ago?) is not only NOT weather proof, but it falls off of a plastic pot within minutes!
On one hand, there is supply and demand rule and on another hand there is an issue of dignity, integrity, honesty and making one's sense...
Perhaps DYMO needs new, fresh management. | 1 | neutral | [
"This unit is clearly designed for a 1/2\" tape despite what's written on it that it should use a 3/8\" (9 mm) tape.",
"When you use the 3/8\" (9 mm) tape, the characters come out in an \"up and down\" fashion and look like a mess; very often two characters are bundled together too close and are hard to understand without a masters degree in decyphering and hyeroglyphics.",
"Now here's another big problem: 1/2\" tape that I bought at a local office store has a weak adhesive and the 1/2\" tape falls off anything within minutes.",
"So I have to choose between using the messy looking 3/8\" tape or the lightly sticky but not so adhesive 1/2\" tape that no longer seems to be produced by DYMO.",
"When I call DYMO they always state that they discontinued these products, because there was no demand, yet they keep on producing the 3/8\" tape that is not good for use in existing embossers.",
"DYMO says the 3/8\" tape is for use with different embossers, yet they could not offer me one embosser that can be efficiently used with the 3/8\" tape!",
"The 1/2\" tape, where available, is advertised as weather-proof, yet the reviews and my own experience states that the 1/2\" tape (perhaps its been manufactured decades ago?",
") is not only NOT weather proof, but it falls off of a plastic pot within minutes!",
"On one hand, there is supply and demand rule and on another hand there is an issue of dignity, integrity, honesty and making one's sense...",
"Perhaps DYMO needs new, fresh management."
] |
Not the best pants in the world but these are Dickies. If you want a pair of "office casual" pants that will last you and are cheap these are it. Wash them a few times before wearing to lessen the "swish" sound they make as you walk and loosen them up a bit.
Like the header says, standard. These pants are pants. You get 2 front pockets and 2 back packets that will fit keys, a wallet, a lighter. Hook snap at waist and zipper fly. Color. I never iron them. Standard wash and dry. If I leave them in the drier too long they come out wrinkled and I just hang them for a day and they come out fine.
I bought these to replace 2 other pairs I have in rotation that I have worn at the office for 3 years now.
Belt loops are a tad tight for thicker leather belt. | 1 | neutral | [
"Not the best pants in the world but these are Dickies.",
"If you want a pair of \"office casual\" pants that will last you and are cheap these are it.",
"Wash them a few times before wearing to lessen the \"swish\" sound they make as you walk and loosen them up a bit.",
"Like the header says, standard.",
"These pants are pants.",
"You get 2 front pockets and 2 back packets that will fit keys, a wallet, a lighter.",
"Hook snap at waist and zipper fly.",
"Color.",
"I never iron them.",
"Standard wash and dry.",
"If I leave them in the drier too long they come out wrinkled and I just hang them for a day and they come out fine.",
"I bought these to replace 2 other pairs I have in rotation that I have worn at the office for 3 years now.",
"Belt loops are a tad tight for thicker leather belt."
] |
Delta Force Black Hawk Down is a direct port of the PC game. The same graphics, missions, weapons, ect. This is still a great game in many ways, but the dated graphics would be easier to tolerate if the console ports had been released about a year earlier. Most of the missions are well done and involve very realistic combat situations. The training mission is another story. "Okey soldier, for your first day of basic training we will put you in a black hawk helicopter and set you down in front of a bunch of armed enemy troops and gun trucks. After that, you will be sent out into a live mine field to retrieve an envelope of no importance at all. THEN we will take you back to base and teach you how to use weapons." The mission menu lets you select from more than one mission at a time allowing you more choice than most other games. The AI is the biggest problem in the game. The enemy AI is not very good and your allies are even worse. Tons of times I've seen an enemy walk right up to one of my squadmates and execute him with a shot to the head while my squadmate didn't even turn around. As mentioned in another review, civilians cannot be killed detracting from the realism. They also act strange. I don't know about you, but I don't think I would run out into the middle of a firefight just so I could throw rocks at the foriegn troops. Your squadmates also show absolutely no personality. They never talk, warn you of enemy soldiers or complement on your aim. The sounds of battle are pretty good and the voice acting is great. If you already have the PC Delta Force Black Hawk Down, there isn't any reason to get this one. | 1 | neutral | [
"Delta Force Black Hawk Down is a direct port of the PC game.",
"The same graphics, missions, weapons, ect.",
"This is still a great game in many ways, but the dated graphics would be easier to tolerate if the console ports had been released about a year earlier.",
"Most of the missions are well done and involve very realistic combat situations.",
"The training mission is another story.",
"\"Okey soldier, for your first day of basic training we will put you in a black hawk helicopter and set you down in front of a bunch of armed enemy troops and gun trucks.",
"After that, you will be sent out into a live mine field to retrieve an envelope of no importance at all.",
"THEN we will take you back to base and teach you how to use weapons.",
"\" The mission menu lets you select from more than one mission at a time allowing you more choice than most other games.",
"The AI is the biggest problem in the game.",
"The enemy AI is not very good and your allies are even worse.",
"Tons of times I've seen an enemy walk right up to one of my squadmates and execute him with a shot to the head while my squadmate didn't even turn around.",
"As mentioned in another review, civilians cannot be killed detracting from the realism.",
"They also act strange.",
"I don't know about you, but I don't think I would run out into the middle of a firefight just so I could throw rocks at the foriegn troops.",
"Your squadmates also show absolutely no personality.",
"They never talk, warn you of enemy soldiers or complement on your aim.",
"The sounds of battle are pretty good and the voice acting is great.",
"If you already have the PC Delta Force Black Hawk Down, there isn't any reason to get this one."
] |
At first this was the best duvet cover we have used. The fabric is extremely comfortable. I don't like sleeping with a top sheet and this cover feels great. It holds the comforter in place inside it extremely well. Other covers we have had let the comforter slide around inside it leaving a big ball of comforter after a couple of days. This one almost clings to the comforter and works great. Now the bad. The zipper has split. We have been using the cover for about a month. A couple nights ago I noticed the zipper was wide open. When I tried to zip it shut I realized that the zipper was no longer together. I had to take away 2 stars for the durability. I plan on taking it to a dry cleaner to have the zipper repaired, just a shame that it didn't hold up longer. | 1 | neutral | [
"At first this was the best duvet cover we have used.",
"The fabric is extremely comfortable.",
"I don't like sleeping with a top sheet and this cover feels great.",
"It holds the comforter in place inside it extremely well.",
"Other covers we have had let the comforter slide around inside it leaving a big ball of comforter after a couple of days.",
"This one almost clings to the comforter and works great.",
"Now the bad.",
"The zipper has split.",
"We have been using the cover for about a month.",
"A couple nights ago I noticed the zipper was wide open.",
"When I tried to zip it shut I realized that the zipper was no longer together.",
"I had to take away 2 stars for the durability.",
"I plan on taking it to a dry cleaner to have the zipper repaired, just a shame that it didn't hold up longer."
] |
My son required a copy of "The Communist Manifesto" for a philosophy class. After he was done with it, I decided to read it since this was one of the founding documents for Communism.
I found it difficult to decide how to rate this book. The presentation of Manifesto by Penguin in this book is excellent. The central ideas of the Manifesto itself are disturbing.
Should you read the Communist Manifesto? Yes. Is this a good presentation? Yes. Was Communism envisioned by Karl Marx and Friedrich Engels a good idea? No. So I have compromised between the excellent presentation and the ideas espoused by the Manifesto in selecting an average rating.
Some reviewers feel that the Manifesto's critique of capitalism is right on; I have grave doubts. Marx and Engels were critiquing capitalism from an ivory tower. Their remedies for capitalism show that they had no real experience or contact with the workers in the trenches.
Some reviewers have mentioned the changing of labor laws due to the Manifesto, such as child labor laws (a generally agreed good thing). I believe those laws would have changed if the Manifesto had never been written. I believe those reviewers are seeing cause and effect relationships where there is none. I believe labor leaders in non-Communist states, pushing for change in labor laws, did not need belief in Communism behind them to push for change. Even without Communism, they would have done what they did anyways because the labor leaders came up from the laboring trenches. They knew first hand the abuses going on. The writers of the Manifesto did not; their ideas were theoretical. I know my ideas, in this area, are conjectures of what would have happened without the Manifesto, without Communism; there is no way they can be proven, history cannot be rewritten.
The remedy proposed by Marx and Engels is frightening. It foreshadows exactly how Communism gave birth to totalitarian states, to Communist dictatorships. Their remedy for capitalism requires a select group of leaders (Communist elitists) to force Communism onto the populace for the good of the people. We should all be suspicious of anyone who professes an idea that is for the good of the people because it invariably is not good for the people. To paraphase Lord Acton, "power corrupts; absolute power corrupts absolutely," and the states envisioned by the writers of the Manifesto set up perfect conditions of absolute power (for the good of the people) which in practice led to absolutely corrupt power. History has shown there has been extreme abuse by Communist leaders, who became power meglomanics, of the masses of workers in their states.
Indeed, history has repeatedly shown that the concentration of power in the hands of a select few led to abuse of power. The smaller the select, the greater the abuse. This has been true regardless of the political theories espoused by the leaders. Let this be a cautionary tale to all of us. | 1 | neutral | [
"My son required a copy of \"The Communist Manifesto\" for a philosophy class.",
"After he was done with it, I decided to read it since this was one of the founding documents for Communism.",
"I found it difficult to decide how to rate this book.",
"The presentation of Manifesto by Penguin in this book is excellent.",
"The central ideas of the Manifesto itself are disturbing.",
"Should you read the Communist Manifesto?",
"Yes.",
"Is this a good presentation?",
"Yes.",
"Was Communism envisioned by Karl Marx and Friedrich Engels a good idea?",
"No.",
"So I have compromised between the excellent presentation and the ideas espoused by the Manifesto in selecting an average rating.",
"Some reviewers feel that the Manifesto's critique of capitalism is right on; I have grave doubts.",
"Marx and Engels were critiquing capitalism from an ivory tower.",
"Their remedies for capitalism show that they had no real experience or contact with the workers in the trenches.",
"Some reviewers have mentioned the changing of labor laws due to the Manifesto, such as child labor laws (a generally agreed good thing).",
"I believe those laws would have changed if the Manifesto had never been written.",
"I believe those reviewers are seeing cause and effect relationships where there is none.",
"I believe labor leaders in non-Communist states, pushing for change in labor laws, did not need belief in Communism behind them to push for change.",
"Even without Communism, they would have done what they did anyways because the labor leaders came up from the laboring trenches.",
"They knew first hand the abuses going on.",
"The writers of the Manifesto did not; their ideas were theoretical.",
"I know my ideas, in this area, are conjectures of what would have happened without the Manifesto, without Communism; there is no way they can be proven, history cannot be rewritten.",
"The remedy proposed by Marx and Engels is frightening.",
"It foreshadows exactly how Communism gave birth to totalitarian states, to Communist dictatorships.",
"Their remedy for capitalism requires a select group of leaders (Communist elitists) to force Communism onto the populace for the good of the people.",
"We should all be suspicious of anyone who professes an idea that is for the good of the people because it invariably is not good for the people.",
"To paraphase Lord Acton, \"power corrupts; absolute power corrupts absolutely,\" and the states envisioned by the writers of the Manifesto set up perfect conditions of absolute power (for the good of the people) which in practice led to absolutely corrupt power.",
"History has shown there has been extreme abuse by Communist leaders, who became power meglomanics, of the masses of workers in their states.",
"Indeed, history has repeatedly shown that the concentration of power in the hands of a select few led to abuse of power.",
"The smaller the select, the greater the abuse.",
"This has been true regardless of the political theories espoused by the leaders.",
"Let this be a cautionary tale to all of us."
] |
OK, I would really like these jeans, except they are too long (not too large). The inseam is listed as 32 inches, but it is actually 33.25. Unfortunately, my inseam is 31", but I can work with jeans at 32". Those at 33.25" must be hemmed--extra expense. Otherwise, good look and fit.
Hmm, wonder if the 30" inseams are actually 31.25"?
Good Luck | 1 | neutral | [
"OK, I would really like these jeans, except they are too long (not too large).",
"The inseam is listed as 32 inches, but it is actually 33.",
"25.",
"Unfortunately, my inseam is 31\", but I can work with jeans at 32\".",
"Those at 33.",
"25\" must be hemmed--extra expense.",
"Otherwise, good look and fit.",
"Hmm, wonder if the 30\" inseams are actually 31.",
"25\"?",
"Good Luck"
] |
When Shania Twain and new husband Mutt Lange recorded 1995's "The Woman In Me", they had a hard time finding country stations that would play the new album. Twain was told that her music was not country enough, her image was too sexy, and her husband needed to go back to producing pop and rock records. Once the album was given a chance, it quickly became one of the best-selling country records ever, but while "The Woman In Me" is a favorite of Twain fans everywhere, it has never made it with me.
One of the things that made this album's follow-up, "Come on Over", so successful (and a favorite with me) was its unique blend of country and mainstream music. This one is definitely more country, and since I am not a huge fan of that genre, it has not been one of my top albums. Some of the songs are a little too raw and twangy for me, including 'Home Ain't Where His Heart Is (Anymore)' and 'Is There Life After Love?'. And, while Shania's vocals are incredible, Mutt Lange's voice stands out a bit too much on some tracks.
However, there are some great songs here. I've long been a fan of the fun anthem 'Any Man of Mine' (a precursor to "Come On Over" hit 'Man! I Feel Like A Woman'), and tunes like 'No One Needs to Know Right Now', 'Whose Bed Have Your Boots Been Under', and 'You Win My Love' are light-hearted and fun, combining a bit of rock with their country licks. Romantic ballad 'The Woman In Me' is gentle without being sappy, a true rarity in country music. And hymn 'God Bless the Child' is not only an autobiographic look at Twain's life, but a great statement to hear from anyone.
Hit country record? Definitely. Something for Shania's more mainstream fans to love? Maybe. If you are a follower of "Come On Over" and "Up!", you may want to pass on this one. | 1 | neutral | [
"When Shania Twain and new husband Mutt Lange recorded 1995's \"The Woman In Me\", they had a hard time finding country stations that would play the new album.",
"Twain was told that her music was not country enough, her image was too sexy, and her husband needed to go back to producing pop and rock records.",
"Once the album was given a chance, it quickly became one of the best-selling country records ever, but while \"The Woman In Me\" is a favorite of Twain fans everywhere, it has never made it with me.",
"One of the things that made this album's follow-up, \"Come on Over\", so successful (and a favorite with me) was its unique blend of country and mainstream music.",
"This one is definitely more country, and since I am not a huge fan of that genre, it has not been one of my top albums.",
"Some of the songs are a little too raw and twangy for me, including 'Home Ain't Where His Heart Is (Anymore)' and 'Is There Life After Love?",
"'.",
"And, while Shania's vocals are incredible, Mutt Lange's voice stands out a bit too much on some tracks.",
"However, there are some great songs here.",
"I've long been a fan of the fun anthem 'Any Man of Mine' (a precursor to \"Come On Over\" hit 'Man!",
"I Feel Like A Woman'), and tunes like 'No One Needs to Know Right Now', 'Whose Bed Have Your Boots Been Under', and 'You Win My Love' are light-hearted and fun, combining a bit of rock with their country licks.",
"Romantic ballad 'The Woman In Me' is gentle without being sappy, a true rarity in country music.",
"And hymn 'God Bless the Child' is not only an autobiographic look at Twain's life, but a great statement to hear from anyone.",
"Hit country record?",
"Definitely.",
"Something for Shania's more mainstream fans to love?",
"Maybe.",
"If you are a follower of \"Come On Over\" and \"Up!",
"\", you may want to pass on this one."
] |
The Euro-horror films of the 70's fell into two distinct categories: those that were campy and scary and those that were just campy. Carlos Aured's Horror Rises From the Tomb falls squarely into the latter grouping, but like the finest of its kind this Tomb was wisely filled with plenty of cheap scares, bloody thrills, and gratuitous nudity.
A narrator tells us of the powerful warlock Alaric du Marnac (Paul Naschy )and his faithful mistress Mabille Du Lancre (Helga Line) and we witness their gruesome deaths in 15th century France. Before they are executed the demonic duo places a curse on the land and vow to return and wreak vengeance on the descendants of their persecutors. Present day appears and four rich socialites decide to use a medium to attempt to resurrect the evil sorcerer just for fun. Hugo (again Paul Naschy) and Maurice (Victor Barrera) are skeptical of the superstitions surrounding du Marnac's burial grounds but their wide-eyed girlfriends find plenty to fear. Intent on exposing their supposedly silly assumptions, Hugo insists the four take a trip up to the monastery where the dreaded warlock supposedly met his demise. Once there the group realizes too late the power of Alaric's wizardry and the reincarnated sorcerer will finally have his revenge.
The similarities between Alaric du Marnac and Dracula are shockingly abundant and appear only slightly altered to mask the obviously stolen traits. Both dress in gothic black garb complete with flowing capes. Both can control their victims with hypnotic powers to carry out their bidding, and both lust after blood (one prefers still-beating hearts to flowing veins however). If that wasn't evidence enough of du Marnac's borrowed legacy, the wicked wizard is also affected by a cross of sorts (here a necklace adorned with crossed hammers) and his mistress can be destroyed by a silver stake (with the bizarre requirements that the wielder be a girl with a pure soul).
While the story itself may be lacking in the originality department it really only serves as a catalyst for bouts of bloodletting and nudity. Far too often unnaturally fortunate coincidences arise and significant discoveries are made with too little effort. Little to no explanation is given for events and the characters' reactions to such ludicrous happenings, but ultimately realism is not a priority in such films. Gore is, and there are several notably unique scenes of carnage, and while they aren't as graphic as much of the imagery created today, they remain effective.
Combining a ridiculous mix of superstitions and mythology with primarily stereotypical scares, Aured still manages to overcome the low budget with a decent body count and a view of a few decent bodies. Vampires, zombies, sorcerers, pure souls, silver needles, ritualistic heart-ripping, good transitions, bad camera tricks, and a couple beheadings all make an appearance in Horror Rises From the Tomb, while reality keeps its distance. Hugo sums up the film best in a frantic warning, "Anything can happen in this madness!"
- Joel Massie | 1 | neutral | [
"The Euro-horror films of the 70's fell into two distinct categories: those that were campy and scary and those that were just campy.",
"Carlos Aured's Horror Rises From the Tomb falls squarely into the latter grouping, but like the finest of its kind this Tomb was wisely filled with plenty of cheap scares, bloody thrills, and gratuitous nudity.",
"A narrator tells us of the powerful warlock Alaric du Marnac (Paul Naschy )and his faithful mistress Mabille Du Lancre (Helga Line) and we witness their gruesome deaths in 15th century France.",
"Before they are executed the demonic duo places a curse on the land and vow to return and wreak vengeance on the descendants of their persecutors.",
"Present day appears and four rich socialites decide to use a medium to attempt to resurrect the evil sorcerer just for fun.",
"Hugo (again Paul Naschy) and Maurice (Victor Barrera) are skeptical of the superstitions surrounding du Marnac's burial grounds but their wide-eyed girlfriends find plenty to fear.",
"Intent on exposing their supposedly silly assumptions, Hugo insists the four take a trip up to the monastery where the dreaded warlock supposedly met his demise.",
"Once there the group realizes too late the power of Alaric's wizardry and the reincarnated sorcerer will finally have his revenge.",
"The similarities between Alaric du Marnac and Dracula are shockingly abundant and appear only slightly altered to mask the obviously stolen traits.",
"Both dress in gothic black garb complete with flowing capes.",
"Both can control their victims with hypnotic powers to carry out their bidding, and both lust after blood (one prefers still-beating hearts to flowing veins however).",
"If that wasn't evidence enough of du Marnac's borrowed legacy, the wicked wizard is also affected by a cross of sorts (here a necklace adorned with crossed hammers) and his mistress can be destroyed by a silver stake (with the bizarre requirements that the wielder be a girl with a pure soul).",
"While the story itself may be lacking in the originality department it really only serves as a catalyst for bouts of bloodletting and nudity.",
"Far too often unnaturally fortunate coincidences arise and significant discoveries are made with too little effort.",
"Little to no explanation is given for events and the characters' reactions to such ludicrous happenings, but ultimately realism is not a priority in such films.",
"Gore is, and there are several notably unique scenes of carnage, and while they aren't as graphic as much of the imagery created today, they remain effective.",
"Combining a ridiculous mix of superstitions and mythology with primarily stereotypical scares, Aured still manages to overcome the low budget with a decent body count and a view of a few decent bodies.",
"Vampires, zombies, sorcerers, pure souls, silver needles, ritualistic heart-ripping, good transitions, bad camera tricks, and a couple beheadings all make an appearance in Horror Rises From the Tomb, while reality keeps its distance.",
"Hugo sums up the film best in a frantic warning, \"Anything can happen in this madness!",
"\"\n\n- Joel Massie"
] |
This book completes the trilogy and sets up the next part of the narrative. As such it is not as satisfying or riveting an adventure as the other books in the series. This is a bit of a shame really because it has the bones to be a much more tautly written and therefore more exciting adventure. To be honest the pace dragged and it felt like it had been padded out with filler. It was interesting to see the villain of the previous books turned into a hero of sorts. The way in which this occurred as a series of mild psychological insights was actually pretty bloody boring. There was no anguish, no revelation, no repentance. These are epic tales and as such are deserving of epic character arcs, epic emotions. These elements are sorely lacking in this book. I had expected more and thought when i finished the book that I would have to wait for the next in the series to be published. I was DELIGHTED to find this was not the case and am currently reading the next trilogy which is brilliant. ENJOY THIS BOOK FOR WHAT IT IS AND GET ON TO THE NEXT PART OF THE ADVENTURE. | 1 | neutral | [
"This book completes the trilogy and sets up the next part of the narrative.",
"As such it is not as satisfying or riveting an adventure as the other books in the series.",
"This is a bit of a shame really because it has the bones to be a much more tautly written and therefore more exciting adventure.",
"To be honest the pace dragged and it felt like it had been padded out with filler.",
"It was interesting to see the villain of the previous books turned into a hero of sorts.",
"The way in which this occurred as a series of mild psychological insights was actually pretty bloody boring.",
"There was no anguish, no revelation, no repentance.",
"These are epic tales and as such are deserving of epic character arcs, epic emotions.",
"These elements are sorely lacking in this book.",
"I had expected more and thought when i finished the book that I would have to wait for the next in the series to be published.",
"I was DELIGHTED to find this was not the case and am currently reading the next trilogy which is brilliant.",
"ENJOY THIS BOOK FOR WHAT IT IS AND GET ON TO THE NEXT PART OF THE ADVENTURE."
] |
When a group that's the real flavour of the moment decides to make a movie, it'll either be a total success or a total flop, depending upon how universally-loved the group is. The Beatles are hands down the most successful (Hard Day's Night, Help!) due to their immortalized status. Others have not been so, e.g. Herman's Hermits, Bill Haley. The Spice Girls kind of fall inbetween the two.
The primary influence is probably A Hard Day's Night. Spiceworld is, after all, a day in the life of the Girls, and includes musical numbers, an uptight manager, and a triumphant concert number. Needless to say, it will never stand side-by-side with the Beatles' groundbreaking classic.
One credit in their favour is the scene where they parody their own personalities. Victoria, for example, can't decide whether to wear the black Gucci dress, the black Gucci dress, or the black Gucci dress in her closet. To which Emma successfully suggests, "why don't you wear the black Gucci dress?" Emma's baby-like innocence is also parodied. And Geri's misquote on the Pope is a parody of what John Lennon said about Jesus.
They seem to have the most fun trying on different costumes in the "Saturday Night Divas" number. Geri as Marilyn Monroe in The Seven Year Itch and Wonder Woman shines out in particular, as do Mel C. and Geri as Danny and Sandy from Grease, and Victoria as Honey Rider in Dr. No. But the best is when some of them dress up as each other.
There are some subplots along the way, such as a documentary team following the Girls, the Girls' very pregnant friend Nicola who pops up every now and then, and a tabloid publisher who hates the girls so much, he hatches a plot to tarnish their image. The tensions between the girls and their uptight manager Clifford, and an American film producer (George Wendt of Cheers) who consults Clifford to discuss a movie deal involving the girls. Their Spice Force Five idea (think Spice Girls as Charlie's Angels) is actually a good segment.
There are amusing guest cameos from well-known British actors and singers, such as Richard Briers, Hugh Laurie (Wooster in Jeeves and Wooster), Stephen Fry (Jeeves in J and W), Bob Geldof, Elvis Costello, Elton John, and AbFab's Jennifer Saunders.
I doubt if Roger Moore would consider this movie as his best performance, but he seems to be enjoying himself as the Girls' behind-the-scenes handler, with some really hideous lines: "The drummer without sticks has no backbeat." Richard E. Grant though gets noteworthy mention as Clifford. The scene of him having a real fit at seeing tabloid headlines bashing the girls is funny, but the girls laugh it off and even make fun of him, which makes him even madder. Meat Loaf is Dennis, the Girls' loyal bus driver, and there's an in-joke when he's asked to add repairing the bus-toilet to his list of duties. "I love those girls. I'll do anything for them, but I won't do that." Hint: his last hit single.
The performances in this movie may depend upon which Spice Girl is your favourite. In my case, it's Geri, Emma, and Mel C. in that order, but love or hate the movie, all the Spice Girls are still very charming and lovable. Songs done in this movie in order: "Too Much", "Do It", "Say You Will Be There", "Mama", "Denying", "Saturday Night Divas", "Stop", "2 Become 1", "Leader Of The Gang", "Never Give Up On The Good Times", "My Boy Lollipop", "Wannabe", "Viva Forever", "Who Do You Think You Are", "Spice Up Your Life", and "The Lady Is A Vamp."
Had I reviewed this in the throes of my Spice-induced euphoria of 1998, I would have given this the max. Time though, has not been so generous, but at least the quintet left behind a movie showing them at their peak. | 1 | neutral | [
"When a group that's the real flavour of the moment decides to make a movie, it'll either be a total success or a total flop, depending upon how universally-loved the group is.",
"The Beatles are hands down the most successful (Hard Day's Night, Help!",
") due to their immortalized status.",
"Others have not been so, e.",
"g. Herman's Hermits, Bill Haley.",
"The Spice Girls kind of fall inbetween the two.",
"The primary influence is probably A Hard Day's Night.",
"Spiceworld is, after all, a day in the life of the Girls, and includes musical numbers, an uptight manager, and a triumphant concert number.",
"Needless to say, it will never stand side-by-side with the Beatles' groundbreaking classic.",
"One credit in their favour is the scene where they parody their own personalities.",
"Victoria, for example, can't decide whether to wear the black Gucci dress, the black Gucci dress, or the black Gucci dress in her closet.",
"To which Emma successfully suggests, \"why don't you wear the black Gucci dress?",
"\" Emma's baby-like innocence is also parodied.",
"And Geri's misquote on the Pope is a parody of what John Lennon said about Jesus.",
"They seem to have the most fun trying on different costumes in the \"Saturday Night Divas\" number.",
"Geri as Marilyn Monroe in The Seven Year Itch and Wonder Woman shines out in particular, as do Mel C.",
"and Geri as Danny and Sandy from Grease, and Victoria as Honey Rider in Dr.",
"No.",
"But the best is when some of them dress up as each other.",
"There are some subplots along the way, such as a documentary team following the Girls, the Girls' very pregnant friend Nicola who pops up every now and then, and a tabloid publisher who hates the girls so much, he hatches a plot to tarnish their image.",
"The tensions between the girls and their uptight manager Clifford, and an American film producer (George Wendt of Cheers) who consults Clifford to discuss a movie deal involving the girls.",
"Their Spice Force Five idea (think Spice Girls as Charlie's Angels) is actually a good segment.",
"There are amusing guest cameos from well-known British actors and singers, such as Richard Briers, Hugh Laurie (Wooster in Jeeves and Wooster), Stephen Fry (Jeeves in J and W), Bob Geldof, Elvis Costello, Elton John, and AbFab's Jennifer Saunders.",
"I doubt if Roger Moore would consider this movie as his best performance, but he seems to be enjoying himself as the Girls' behind-the-scenes handler, with some really hideous lines: \"The drummer without sticks has no backbeat.",
"\" Richard E.",
"Grant though gets noteworthy mention as Clifford.",
"The scene of him having a real fit at seeing tabloid headlines bashing the girls is funny, but the girls laugh it off and even make fun of him, which makes him even madder.",
"Meat Loaf is Dennis, the Girls' loyal bus driver, and there's an in-joke when he's asked to add repairing the bus-toilet to his list of duties.",
"\"I love those girls.",
"I'll do anything for them, but I won't do that.",
"\" Hint: his last hit single.",
"The performances in this movie may depend upon which Spice Girl is your favourite.",
"In my case, it's Geri, Emma, and Mel C.",
"in that order, but love or hate the movie, all the Spice Girls are still very charming and lovable.",
"Songs done in this movie in order: \"Too Much\", \"Do It\", \"Say You Will Be There\", \"Mama\", \"Denying\", \"Saturday Night Divas\", \"Stop\", \"2 Become 1\", \"Leader Of The Gang\", \"Never Give Up On The Good Times\", \"My Boy Lollipop\", \"Wannabe\", \"Viva Forever\", \"Who Do You Think You Are\", \"Spice Up Your Life\", and \"The Lady Is A Vamp.",
"\"\nHad I reviewed this in the throes of my Spice-induced euphoria of 1998, I would have given this the max.",
"Time though, has not been so generous, but at least the quintet left behind a movie showing them at their peak."
] |
I really trust the PURINA brands to deliver good quality food. But in this case, the Subscribe & Save pricing SUCKS!
I am a solid PURINA consumer. I've found over the years they have the best quality pet foods and are committed to animal nutrition. So spent an hour looking for a good prince on a value pack of Friskies canned cat food, in the traditional PATE style. and end up frustrated & perplexed. Take a look at the this comparison: Purina Friskies Variety Packs Wet Cat Food. Poulty Pack, 32 cans, FLAKES & SHREDS, is $14.72 or .45 each. - BUT - the Purina Friskies Classic Pate Variety Pack Wet Cat Food - Turkey, Salmon, Mixed (PATE STYLE) (24count) is $17.29 or .71 each.
So, Why is the PATE so much more expensive than the flaked or shreds? Why pay .72 each for Subscribe & Save, when they are .45 to .55 each OFF THE SHELF IN THE STORE!?) Why is there no well priced PATE selection inside the Amazon Subscribe & save store? | 1 | neutral | [
"I really trust the PURINA brands to deliver good quality food.",
"But in this case, the Subscribe & Save pricing SUCKS!",
"I am a solid PURINA consumer.",
"I've found over the years they have the best quality pet foods and are committed to animal nutrition.",
"So spent an hour looking for a good prince on a value pack of Friskies canned cat food, in the traditional PATE style.",
"and end up frustrated & perplexed.",
"Take a look at the this comparison: Purina Friskies Variety Packs Wet Cat Food.",
"Poulty Pack, 32 cans, FLAKES & SHREDS, is $14.",
"72 or.",
"45 each.",
"- BUT - the Purina Friskies Classic Pate Variety Pack Wet Cat Food - Turkey, Salmon, Mixed (PATE STYLE) (24count) is $17.",
"29 or.",
"71 each.",
"So, Why is the PATE so much more expensive than the flaked or shreds?",
"Why pay.",
"72 each for Subscribe & Save, when they are.",
"45 to.",
"55 each OFF THE SHELF IN THE STORE!?",
") Why is there no well priced PATE selection inside the Amazon Subscribe & save store?"
] |
Finally after years of not reading it, I finally finished Dracula. I feel slightly bad saying that despite it being heralded as one of the finest epistolary novels ever written and THE definitive vampire novel, I felt that this was only a three star experience for me.
This isn't the fault of the voice acting at all. No, they were top notch and if I could rate their performances separately, it would be five stars for the narrators. Audible truly worked hard to get the best in the business to narrate their book and it shows. They're the reason I ended up liking Dracula as much as I did.
At the same time, there were parts here where I just kind of lost interest. I think that this is probably partially because ultimately I'm from the wrong time period. When this was written Dracula was considered to be a particularly lurid and sensational book with how Stoker wrote the scenes and described things. I could listen to some of these scenes and try to approach it with the mindset of someone from this time period, but ultimately I'm not and this seriously handicapped me. I think that this is probably the most common handicap of any reader that picks up a book from a time period so different from their own. Some are more versed in the time period and/or are more capable of looking with the mindset of someone from this time period, but others aren't. This isn't a fault that I'd chastise anyone from, it's just something that happens to be. As a result, this kept me from enjoying this as much as I wanted to.
That said, I can see where this is a classic and where it inspired so many other derivative works and films. I have to say that I specifically loved that Dracula was not a sympathetic character for the most part. Towards the end there's a hint that he was someone caught up in the evil of vampirism, but he's not the soppy, open-shirted, lovelorn entity that later works have turned him and vampires as a whole into. It kind of makes me wish that more people would try writing vampires along this line. I love a good tortured vampire ala Jeaniene Frost, but Stoker's Dracula is good at actually inspiring some small part of anticipation in the reader. What makes his character more intriguing is the idea that he was a monster in development. He hadn't been alive for very long as far as vampires go, so his "monster brain" was still getting past the idea of just stalking his foes and feeding. (This is a plot point in the book, as despite Dracula's intellect he is still ruled by the baser instincts that ruled vampires and ultimately his downfall.) It makes you wonder what would have been if he'd been older and more crafty.
In any case, I'd still recommend this as a "book to read before you die" to most readers even if it's something that they'd likely get bored with or dislike. I'd probably suggest that they get one of the audiobooks, preferably the Audible version, as that would help sweep them up into the story's progression and pacing a little easier. | 1 | neutral | [
"Finally after years of not reading it, I finally finished Dracula.",
"I feel slightly bad saying that despite it being heralded as one of the finest epistolary novels ever written and THE definitive vampire novel, I felt that this was only a three star experience for me.",
"This isn't the fault of the voice acting at all.",
"No, they were top notch and if I could rate their performances separately, it would be five stars for the narrators.",
"Audible truly worked hard to get the best in the business to narrate their book and it shows.",
"They're the reason I ended up liking Dracula as much as I did.",
"At the same time, there were parts here where I just kind of lost interest.",
"I think that this is probably partially because ultimately I'm from the wrong time period.",
"When this was written Dracula was considered to be a particularly lurid and sensational book with how Stoker wrote the scenes and described things.",
"I could listen to some of these scenes and try to approach it with the mindset of someone from this time period, but ultimately I'm not and this seriously handicapped me.",
"I think that this is probably the most common handicap of any reader that picks up a book from a time period so different from their own.",
"Some are more versed in the time period and/or are more capable of looking with the mindset of someone from this time period, but others aren't.",
"This isn't a fault that I'd chastise anyone from, it's just something that happens to be.",
"As a result, this kept me from enjoying this as much as I wanted to.",
"That said, I can see where this is a classic and where it inspired so many other derivative works and films.",
"I have to say that I specifically loved that Dracula was not a sympathetic character for the most part.",
"Towards the end there's a hint that he was someone caught up in the evil of vampirism, but he's not the soppy, open-shirted, lovelorn entity that later works have turned him and vampires as a whole into.",
"It kind of makes me wish that more people would try writing vampires along this line.",
"I love a good tortured vampire ala Jeaniene Frost, but Stoker's Dracula is good at actually inspiring some small part of anticipation in the reader.",
"What makes his character more intriguing is the idea that he was a monster in development.",
"He hadn't been alive for very long as far as vampires go, so his \"monster brain\" was still getting past the idea of just stalking his foes and feeding.",
"(This is a plot point in the book, as despite Dracula's intellect he is still ruled by the baser instincts that ruled vampires and ultimately his downfall.",
") It makes you wonder what would have been if he'd been older and more crafty.",
"In any case, I'd still recommend this as a \"book to read before you die\" to most readers even if it's something that they'd likely get bored with or dislike.",
"I'd probably suggest that they get one of the audiobooks, preferably the Audible version, as that would help sweep them up into the story's progression and pacing a little easier."
] |
My review pretty much covers all the early Moody Blues albums that have been remastered into 5.1 Surround SACDs, up through Seventh Sojourn. I've purposely stated "5.1 Surround SACD" because that's what they all say on them. Not "4-channel" as some reviewers have stated. Yes, they were remastered from the original 4-channel masters, but every indication is that these CDs are "5.1 Surround SACDs". Having been a huge fan of their albums since the late 60's and early 70's, I couldn't wait for the 5.1 Surround SACD verions of the albums. First - the good: what you hear is absolutely beautiful. The end. The bad: and this only applies if you're familiar with the original albums - a lot of the obvious music (and vocals) are buried in the background. I can't comprehend it. A classic example is the lead guitar in "The Story In Your Eyes". If you weren't familiar with the original album version, I'm not sure you'd hear it at all on this version. You really have to carefully listen for it, carefully. Outrageous. What you do actually hear on these CDs is outstanding. Things that were in the background - or pretty much inaudible - on the stereo albums of that era are beautifully present here. I can't help but wonder if others - very familiar with the originals - notice this unnerving quirk. Frankly, I don't know if I'd recommend these CDs or not. There's a definite caveat to them. | 1 | neutral | [
"My review pretty much covers all the early Moody Blues albums that have been remastered into 5.",
"1 Surround SACDs, up through Seventh Sojourn.",
"I've purposely stated \"5.",
"1 Surround SACD\" because that's what they all say on them.",
"Not \"4-channel\" as some reviewers have stated.",
"Yes, they were remastered from the original 4-channel masters, but every indication is that these CDs are \"5.",
"1 Surround SACDs\".",
"Having been a huge fan of their albums since the late 60's and early 70's, I couldn't wait for the 5.",
"1 Surround SACD verions of the albums.",
"First - the good: what you hear is absolutely beautiful.",
"The end.",
"The bad: and this only applies if you're familiar with the original albums - a lot of the obvious music (and vocals) are buried in the background.",
"I can't comprehend it.",
"A classic example is the lead guitar in \"The Story In Your Eyes\".",
"If you weren't familiar with the original album version, I'm not sure you'd hear it at all on this version.",
"You really have to carefully listen for it, carefully.",
"Outrageous.",
"What you do actually hear on these CDs is outstanding.",
"Things that were in the background - or pretty much inaudible - on the stereo albums of that era are beautifully present here.",
"I can't help but wonder if others - very familiar with the originals - notice this unnerving quirk.",
"Frankly, I don't know if I'd recommend these CDs or not.",
"There's a definite caveat to them."
] |
Fans of the Twilight saga will find plenty of "loves" in this new addition to the paranormal romance genre. Entice is the third book in Carrie Jones's series. In this book, Zara, the daring heroine, is out to rescue the love-of-her-life werewolf boyfriend, Nick, from Valhalla. (Yes, the same Valhalla from Norse mythology!) During the second book in the series, Captivate, Zara decides to allow the young and gorgeous pixie king Ansley to turn her into a pixie so that she could start her journey to rescue Nick. Ansley seems to be very considerate and understanding of Zara's need to rescue Nick. He even vows to help her rescue "her wolf." Zara's previous experience with pixies has been far from kittens-and-roses innocence, but she willingly allies herself with the young pixie king. Then people close to her start dying. Suddenly, Zara and Ansley find themselves the target of treachery from the pixie world. Unfortunately, neither of them are able to figure out exactly who is responsible for trying to kill them. Ultimately, Zara makes it to Valhalla and has to battle the evil pixie king, Frank, who was responsible for sending Nick to the hall of fallen warriors in the second book. While battling Frank is difficult for the pacifist Zara, it is not her only problem. Zara has to constantly struggle with balancing her friends, family, and her new pixie king.
Jones includes plot twists and danger at every page turn in her third novel. Her writing style is simple and insightful, at least where the main characters are concerned. Capturing the zeal and intensity of teenage romances seems to be one of Jones's writing strengths. The passion between Nick and Zara is sizzling, and would make Edward and Bella envious. But Nick and Zara aren't the only characters with sparks. Readers can feel the embers between Zara and Ansley start to ignite, but Jones keeps us waiting to see what will happen between these two characters.
The ending of Entice leaves Zara with many decisions to make, and a secret that could expose Ansley for the type of pixie he really is--friend or foe. The door is wide open for a fourth novel. | 1 | neutral | [
"Fans of the Twilight saga will find plenty of \"loves\" in this new addition to the paranormal romance genre.",
"Entice is the third book in Carrie Jones's series.",
"In this book, Zara, the daring heroine, is out to rescue the love-of-her-life werewolf boyfriend, Nick, from Valhalla.",
"(Yes, the same Valhalla from Norse mythology!",
") During the second book in the series, Captivate, Zara decides to allow the young and gorgeous pixie king Ansley to turn her into a pixie so that she could start her journey to rescue Nick.",
"Ansley seems to be very considerate and understanding of Zara's need to rescue Nick.",
"He even vows to help her rescue \"her wolf.",
"\" Zara's previous experience with pixies has been far from kittens-and-roses innocence, but she willingly allies herself with the young pixie king.",
"Then people close to her start dying.",
"Suddenly, Zara and Ansley find themselves the target of treachery from the pixie world.",
"Unfortunately, neither of them are able to figure out exactly who is responsible for trying to kill them.",
"Ultimately, Zara makes it to Valhalla and has to battle the evil pixie king, Frank, who was responsible for sending Nick to the hall of fallen warriors in the second book.",
"While battling Frank is difficult for the pacifist Zara, it is not her only problem.",
"Zara has to constantly struggle with balancing her friends, family, and her new pixie king.",
"Jones includes plot twists and danger at every page turn in her third novel.",
"Her writing style is simple and insightful, at least where the main characters are concerned.",
"Capturing the zeal and intensity of teenage romances seems to be one of Jones's writing strengths.",
"The passion between Nick and Zara is sizzling, and would make Edward and Bella envious.",
"But Nick and Zara aren't the only characters with sparks.",
"Readers can feel the embers between Zara and Ansley start to ignite, but Jones keeps us waiting to see what will happen between these two characters.",
"The ending of Entice leaves Zara with many decisions to make, and a secret that could expose Ansley for the type of pixie he really is--friend or foe.",
"The door is wide open for a fourth novel."
] |
This software works. . . especially the newer version. . . but. . . I did not find it the easiest to use. Quite honestly, if you're wanting a VERY simple way to transfer from VHS to DVD, then purchase a DVD VCR combo. .. as long as you make sure that the DVD is a DVD burner. The second easiest way is to hook-up an old VCR to a DVD burner/player box. For the most part, you're not going to get all of the "options" and "control" that Roxio gives you. . . but it's SO much easier. | 1 | neutral | [
"This software works.",
".",
".",
"especially the newer version.",
".",
".",
"but.",
".",
".",
"I did not find it the easiest to use.",
"Quite honestly, if you're wanting a VERY simple way to transfer from VHS to DVD, then purchase a DVD VCR combo.",
"..",
"as long as you make sure that the DVD is a DVD burner.",
"The second easiest way is to hook-up an old VCR to a DVD burner/player box.",
"For the most part, you're not going to get all of the \"options\" and \"control\" that Roxio gives you.",
".",
".",
"but it's SO much easier."
] |
I bought this game for Christmas after reading great reviews and having it highly recommended to me, but overall I'm not as pleased with it as I'd hoped. It's not a bad game, just one that could use a few tweaks.
First, the pros: a grim, spooky sort of atmosphere lends considerable depth and realism to The Zone, the radioactive area around the Chernobyl nuclear power plant. Having seen pics of the area in real life, the game tends to borrow some from that, while also taking huge liberties to create an immersive, gloomy environment where survival involves stealth, firepower and fast thinking.
Enemies are varied, from human bandits to horrific mutants that can fry your brain; dogs are among the worst, as they attack in packs and can kill you very quickly (fortunately on their own they tend to avoid you). The anomalies that appear throughout the region can be deadly as well, though many leave behind valuable artifacts you and use or trade; radiation, however, doesn't and learning to deal with/avoid it is a must. "Treasure" is easy to find, for use or trading; nearly every (human) enemy will drop stuff you can use. Missions are plentiful, if somewhat generic. Weather effects are quite realistic as is the night/day.
Travel is nicely paced, with the option to run; however you do get tired, and if you're carrying too much, can wear out quickly. The selection of weapons is fairly good though kind of weak in the early game, though a clever player can make use of even the weakest handguns against dangerous enemies to get something with a bit more stopping power. The ability to "stash" items all over the various maps also means you aren't forced to haul a lot of junk around.
Additionally there are tactical/semi-puzzle elements (like figuring out how to bypass certain anomalies) add some cool elements.
Now, I should add here that this is NOT a run-and-gun style of FPS; rather it borrows elements of games like Far Cry or Thief in that much of the time stealth and tactics will win the day over firepower.
And then there are the cons. Enemies tend to be fairly quick and pretty good shots, even on Novice level. Forget it if you run into a pack of dogs; without headshots, you're dead in seconds. Aiming is a nightmare at best, at least in the early game, and even with a scope; the game uses a fairly realistic bullet drop model that can make sniping an enemy extremely difficult. As you can't go completely prone, you can never keep a weapon completely steady. Worst of all, unless you go for head shots (see above about aiming), most enemies can take quite a pounding before going down, even from things like the AK-74 assault rifle.
You're limited to carrying 60KG of weight and still be able to move; anything over 50KG makes it nearly impossible to run. If you're a collect of stuff to trade, this can be very frustrating.
The map system is abysmal; the zoom in/out buttons don't work (you have to click on the icon of your character to zoom) and while you can click and entry to mark a waypoint for some missions, you can't do it for all.
The immersive, gloomy environment unfortunately also makes it easy for enemies to blend in, especially when it gets dark. Forget about relying sounds as a cue to how close an enemy is; sound is all over the place and rarely matches how close an enemy is. The small HUD map you have does show friendlies, but rarely shows the position of enemies, meaning most times you go poking around hoping to see them, before they see you. Another thing that bothers me is how most of the buildings are little more than collapsed shells; it would be nice to have a bit more detail.
Last but not least, interaction is bland at best; nearly identical figures make up much of the populace and interaction consists of trades or asking questions, getting advice, etc., much of it not very useful. How well others react to you depend on how you've treated others of their faction in the past; the exceptions are people like military or mercenaries, who shoot on site. It's not very exciting.
Overall, if you're patient and willing to reload games a lot, STALKER is not bad; if you just want to get in, shoot people and explore, you're going to be disappointed. | 1 | neutral | [
"I bought this game for Christmas after reading great reviews and having it highly recommended to me, but overall I'm not as pleased with it as I'd hoped.",
"It's not a bad game, just one that could use a few tweaks.",
"First, the pros: a grim, spooky sort of atmosphere lends considerable depth and realism to The Zone, the radioactive area around the Chernobyl nuclear power plant.",
"Having seen pics of the area in real life, the game tends to borrow some from that, while also taking huge liberties to create an immersive, gloomy environment where survival involves stealth, firepower and fast thinking.",
"Enemies are varied, from human bandits to horrific mutants that can fry your brain; dogs are among the worst, as they attack in packs and can kill you very quickly (fortunately on their own they tend to avoid you).",
"The anomalies that appear throughout the region can be deadly as well, though many leave behind valuable artifacts you and use or trade; radiation, however, doesn't and learning to deal with/avoid it is a must.",
"\"Treasure\" is easy to find, for use or trading; nearly every (human) enemy will drop stuff you can use.",
"Missions are plentiful, if somewhat generic.",
"Weather effects are quite realistic as is the night/day.",
"Travel is nicely paced, with the option to run; however you do get tired, and if you're carrying too much, can wear out quickly.",
"The selection of weapons is fairly good though kind of weak in the early game, though a clever player can make use of even the weakest handguns against dangerous enemies to get something with a bit more stopping power.",
"The ability to \"stash\" items all over the various maps also means you aren't forced to haul a lot of junk around.",
"Additionally there are tactical/semi-puzzle elements (like figuring out how to bypass certain anomalies) add some cool elements.",
"Now, I should add here that this is NOT a run-and-gun style of FPS; rather it borrows elements of games like Far Cry or Thief in that much of the time stealth and tactics will win the day over firepower.",
"And then there are the cons.",
"Enemies tend to be fairly quick and pretty good shots, even on Novice level.",
"Forget it if you run into a pack of dogs; without headshots, you're dead in seconds.",
"Aiming is a nightmare at best, at least in the early game, and even with a scope; the game uses a fairly realistic bullet drop model that can make sniping an enemy extremely difficult.",
"As you can't go completely prone, you can never keep a weapon completely steady.",
"Worst of all, unless you go for head shots (see above about aiming), most enemies can take quite a pounding before going down, even from things like the AK-74 assault rifle.",
"You're limited to carrying 60KG of weight and still be able to move; anything over 50KG makes it nearly impossible to run.",
"If you're a collect of stuff to trade, this can be very frustrating.",
"The map system is abysmal; the zoom in/out buttons don't work (you have to click on the icon of your character to zoom) and while you can click and entry to mark a waypoint for some missions, you can't do it for all.",
"The immersive, gloomy environment unfortunately also makes it easy for enemies to blend in, especially when it gets dark.",
"Forget about relying sounds as a cue to how close an enemy is; sound is all over the place and rarely matches how close an enemy is.",
"The small HUD map you have does show friendlies, but rarely shows the position of enemies, meaning most times you go poking around hoping to see them, before they see you.",
"Another thing that bothers me is how most of the buildings are little more than collapsed shells; it would be nice to have a bit more detail.",
"Last but not least, interaction is bland at best; nearly identical figures make up much of the populace and interaction consists of trades or asking questions, getting advice, etc.",
", much of it not very useful.",
"How well others react to you depend on how you've treated others of their faction in the past; the exceptions are people like military or mercenaries, who shoot on site.",
"It's not very exciting.",
"Overall, if you're patient and willing to reload games a lot, STALKER is not bad; if you just want to get in, shoot people and explore, you're going to be disappointed."
] |
I just got my SP1 and I was a little surprised by its appareant lightweight construction. As I was tightening the regulator hose to the burner, the whole thing sorta flexed everytime I wrenched it. All of the metal parts look to be of thinner, cheaper quality. I noticed it was made in China. Does anyone have a "pre China" model that might be a little more substantial? I have 2 of the SP2 double jet models (also made in China) that are very well made, featuring sturdy, thicker, metal parts. I fired the SP1 up to test it prior to an upcoming crawfish boil and it seemed to do alright, although it only has a 10 psi regulator (even though the box says 20 psi). I ordered an adjustable 30 psi Bayou Classic hose and regulator (5HPR - 30) to get the BTUs up a little. I'll be using it with 100 quart pots. I'm curious to see how a single jet burner with a 30 psi regulator will perform side by side to a double jet burner with a 20 psi regulator.
PS
I have an older model King Kooker burner that was made in Louisiana USA (Metal Fusion). It is very well made and very heavy. These are now made in China and are very light weight, using much thinner metal. | 1 | neutral | [
"I just got my SP1 and I was a little surprised by its appareant lightweight construction.",
"As I was tightening the regulator hose to the burner, the whole thing sorta flexed everytime I wrenched it.",
"All of the metal parts look to be of thinner, cheaper quality.",
"I noticed it was made in China.",
"Does anyone have a \"pre China\" model that might be a little more substantial?",
"I have 2 of the SP2 double jet models (also made in China) that are very well made, featuring sturdy, thicker, metal parts.",
"I fired the SP1 up to test it prior to an upcoming crawfish boil and it seemed to do alright, although it only has a 10 psi regulator (even though the box says 20 psi).",
"I ordered an adjustable 30 psi Bayou Classic hose and regulator (5HPR - 30) to get the BTUs up a little.",
"I'll be using it with 100 quart pots.",
"I'm curious to see how a single jet burner with a 30 psi regulator will perform side by side to a double jet burner with a 20 psi regulator.",
"PS\nI have an older model King Kooker burner that was made in Louisiana USA (Metal Fusion).",
"It is very well made and very heavy.",
"These are now made in China and are very light weight, using much thinner metal."
] |
IMO: When a sequel is launched, there are a few important criteria that must be met for it to be successful.
1. Does the gameplay improve?
2. Does the story continue into new and interesting territory?
3. Do the graphics improve?
4. Are the throwbacks from the first game improved by a large amount?
5. Do I feel continuity from the old game and a desire to replay it?
My answers to these questions:
1. Slightly... fable 1 had a very odd interface about casting "Will" spells and it required a high degree of human dexterity to successfully quickly cast spells intermingled with other attacks. Fable2 solves some of these problems by allowing users to bind a spell to the "B" button so that you don't need to hit the right trigger at the same time to cast, however, they introduced casting time for higher level spells so holding B becomes an annoyance.
2. Fable2's story is actually pretty funny. They start by pointing out that the "old heroes" (from fable1) became arrogant and ran amuck. Much like I did after beating fable1 and getting bored with no quests to completed... so this is funny... but outside that one joke, pretty much all previous story lines are erased (not that fable1 had much of a story).
3. Yes, xbox360 graphics for Fable2 are very pretty and I've actually caught myself enjoying a sunrise / sunset or two. Character / weapon graphics are good and the "finishing" moves are fun. However the fights (while graphically are fun) are pretty generic and bland, with only two types: you vs. boss, you vs. hoardes. I would have liked to be required to outsmart someone, or do something more interesting than just mush X until the people die.
4. Fable 2 could easily be Fable 1. The existing things are there, and the new additions? Well there aren't many... Your dog is kinda fun, but you can only do a few things with him. Jobs are a good easy way to get gold, but are completely monotonous (like real life i guess), dying your clothes colors... whee... for 5 minutes... The weapons / behavior quests are all pretty darn similar / same... There just wasn't anything drastically new / exciting. I enjoy playing, but there's no real wow factor bringing me back.
5. As I wrote earlier, one of the first things they tell you in Fable2 is that the Fable 1 world is not around anymore. So.. uh.. no. and I have pretty much no interest in playing fable 1 cuz it's pretty much the same :(
All in all, as a stand-alone new game... it's ok, nothing special and nothing that's terribly memorable since all the cool things you can do in fable 2 (like git-busy) were there in fable 1... meh... but as a sequel it's bad... it's not halo-2 pick up a second gun... it's halo-3... not much new, not enough exciting changes to live up to it's own reputation. | 1 | neutral | [
"IMO: When a sequel is launched, there are a few important criteria that must be met for it to be successful.",
"1.",
"Does the gameplay improve?",
"2.",
"Does the story continue into new and interesting territory?",
"3.",
"Do the graphics improve?",
"4.",
"Are the throwbacks from the first game improved by a large amount?",
"5.",
"Do I feel continuity from the old game and a desire to replay it?",
"My answers to these questions:\n1.",
"Slightly...",
"fable 1 had a very odd interface about casting \"Will\" spells and it required a high degree of human dexterity to successfully quickly cast spells intermingled with other attacks.",
"Fable2 solves some of these problems by allowing users to bind a spell to the \"B\" button so that you don't need to hit the right trigger at the same time to cast, however, they introduced casting time for higher level spells so holding B becomes an annoyance.",
"2.",
"Fable2's story is actually pretty funny.",
"They start by pointing out that the \"old heroes\" (from fable1) became arrogant and ran amuck.",
"Much like I did after beating fable1 and getting bored with no quests to completed...",
"so this is funny...",
"but outside that one joke, pretty much all previous story lines are erased (not that fable1 had much of a story).",
"3.",
"Yes, xbox360 graphics for Fable2 are very pretty and I've actually caught myself enjoying a sunrise / sunset or two.",
"Character / weapon graphics are good and the \"finishing\" moves are fun.",
"However the fights (while graphically are fun) are pretty generic and bland, with only two types: you vs.",
"boss, you vs.",
"hoardes.",
"I would have liked to be required to outsmart someone, or do something more interesting than just mush X until the people die.",
"4.",
"Fable 2 could easily be Fable 1.",
"The existing things are there, and the new additions?",
"Well there aren't many...",
"Your dog is kinda fun, but you can only do a few things with him.",
"Jobs are a good easy way to get gold, but are completely monotonous (like real life i guess), dying your clothes colors...",
"whee...",
"for 5 minutes...",
"The weapons / behavior quests are all pretty darn similar / same...",
"There just wasn't anything drastically new / exciting.",
"I enjoy playing, but there's no real wow factor bringing me back.",
"5.",
"As I wrote earlier, one of the first things they tell you in Fable2 is that the Fable 1 world is not around anymore.",
"So..",
"uh..",
"no.",
"and I have pretty much no interest in playing fable 1 cuz it's pretty much the same :(\n\nAll in all, as a stand-alone new game...",
"it's ok, nothing special and nothing that's terribly memorable since all the cool things you can do in fable 2 (like git-busy) were there in fable 1...",
"meh...",
"but as a sequel it's bad...",
"it's not halo-2 pick up a second gun...",
"it's halo-3...",
"not much new, not enough exciting changes to live up to it's own reputation."
] |
The narrator Veronica Hegarty's brother walks into the sea and she tries to link it to something unspeakable that happened in her grandmother's house some 30 years ago. With such a tasty morsel anchoring the story, there promises to be plenty of scope for an epic family drama, with 12 siblings each boasting various degrees of damage growing up in the Hegarty household and exhibiting them in flawed adult personalities.
However this premise does not quite follow through. Perhaps the problem lay in the fact that Enright chose to tell the story solely through Veronica's perspective, without any room for counter perspectives. It might also have worked if Veronica wasn't such a self-involved sex-obsessed/frustrated whiner who can't resist turning the focus on herself even as she tries to come to terms with her brother's suicide and the secret she thinks she holds which is responsible in some way for his untimely demise, and not just drink as was popularly believed.
Through it all, she shows her worst trying to deal with it, turning nasty to her loving husband and various other family members. One can't help but think of her as that irritating friend who loves an audience to her private drama, who relishes doling out unsavory morsels of her failings, and more importantly, how others' failings inevitably shaped hers. Even though she promises to tell her brother's story, she is more interested in how it affects her, in a case of 'enough about me, let's talk about ME!'
This continues in frustrating fashion so much so that by the time Veronica gets to the point some two-thirds of the novel, no one is particularly shocked or interested anyway, even as she edits and correct her version of what her saw to show how traumatised she is by the event.
Perhaps Enright intended for her protagonist to be unreliable and detestable, in order to drive home the point that family histories are rarely simple and never reliable, and that it is always being rewritten and always changeable.
To Enright's credit, her prose is exacting and she does delve into Veronica's psyche with some precision, and one inevitably walks away from the book feeling moved in some way | 1 | neutral | [
"The narrator Veronica Hegarty's brother walks into the sea and she tries to link it to something unspeakable that happened in her grandmother's house some 30 years ago.",
"With such a tasty morsel anchoring the story, there promises to be plenty of scope for an epic family drama, with 12 siblings each boasting various degrees of damage growing up in the Hegarty household and exhibiting them in flawed adult personalities.",
"However this premise does not quite follow through.",
"Perhaps the problem lay in the fact that Enright chose to tell the story solely through Veronica's perspective, without any room for counter perspectives.",
"It might also have worked if Veronica wasn't such a self-involved sex-obsessed/frustrated whiner who can't resist turning the focus on herself even as she tries to come to terms with her brother's suicide and the secret she thinks she holds which is responsible in some way for his untimely demise, and not just drink as was popularly believed.",
"Through it all, she shows her worst trying to deal with it, turning nasty to her loving husband and various other family members.",
"One can't help but think of her as that irritating friend who loves an audience to her private drama, who relishes doling out unsavory morsels of her failings, and more importantly, how others' failings inevitably shaped hers.",
"Even though she promises to tell her brother's story, she is more interested in how it affects her, in a case of 'enough about me, let's talk about ME!",
"'\n\nThis continues in frustrating fashion so much so that by the time Veronica gets to the point some two-thirds of the novel, no one is particularly shocked or interested anyway, even as she edits and correct her version of what her saw to show how traumatised she is by the event.",
"Perhaps Enright intended for her protagonist to be unreliable and detestable, in order to drive home the point that family histories are rarely simple and never reliable, and that it is always being rewritten and always changeable.",
"To Enright's credit, her prose is exacting and she does delve into Veronica's psyche with some precision, and one inevitably walks away from the book feeling moved in some way"
] |
I found many of the climactic passages in this performance bombastic, vulgar and flashy -- not to my taste at all. This is a sonically sumptuous recording of Mahler... without it sounding idiomatic of the Mahler I particularly happen to love. I like intensity but not outright desperation, and Karajan seemingly has Mahler fighting for his life and on the ropes during much of this recording, perhaps not necessarily true to Mahler's intentions. I have trouble even getting through the 1st movement with Karajan having Mahler flailing away, seemingly in emotional terror. Makes Mahler seem like a frightened child and a weakling who's being overpowered by the forces of destiny. I'm not convinced that Mahler was anything of the kind in that regard, at least not in the M5. Nevertheless, there are sensitive passages that are well played.
Karajan strikes my ears as more Teutonic rather than Viennese in flavor. There's little of the coy and flirting Mahler that I feel is appropriate in this symphony. The M5 versions I like have more air and space and not as many oppressive walls of sound washing over me and creating a sense of dark and tragic overwhelm. Nevertheless, I appreciate Karajan's performance as being well intentioned and committed in what it reveals of Karajan's taste in Mahler. Sorry if this sounds like a knock of this masterful conductor.
Karajan the complex man meeting Mahler the complex composer is not the most ideal combination of ingredients for this listener. While one can take Mahler out of Vienna, I've never felt that one could take the lilting and flirtatious, coy Vienna flavor out of the man, ala Karajan here.
I appreciate hearing this performance, but of the 40+ recordings of Mahler I've collected over the years, this is my least favorite (so far). The M5 is the composer at the peak of his powers, and I feel that the air of too much darkly lit desperation and lack of spacious air that Karajan subjects Mahler to, leads me to ultimately leave it behind. I like my Mahler more buoyant in this great work and not powered up with all the volcanic fury of the Berlin Phil unleashed. Too much turbulence! It's repugnant. The 4th movement is triumphant, yes, but bombastic... and too... gawdawful... bloody... LOUD. I feel like I've just been bludgeoned by Karajan and Berlin Phil trying to proclaim their greatness as interpreters of Mahler. At a 3, I believe that I've rated it way too high. I was listening to it again as I was writing this review and I once more had to turn the bloody damn thing off in the middle.
Of what I've heard of the M5, I much prefer Walter's or Barbarolli's version, as they sound far more idiomatic to my ears of Mahler in general. (Other highly idiomatic performances of Mahler that I consider wonderful reference recordings include Szell's colorfully dancing and nuanced M4, the M6, and Walter's M1 and M2, just for starters... Walter a man who knew Mahler personally.)
I also much prefer Barbarolli's Adagio over Karajan's for my desert island play list. I've played B's version countless times and have always found it patient, beautifully serene and emotionally convincing. With Karajan, in the symphony as a whole, I feel that he may be trying too hard or that he ends up overselling the menacing parts of the 1st and 2nd movements. He just can't seem to keep the orchestra properly restrained where necessary. Perhaps this is a good example of how not to play Mahler and that the combination of a famous conductor and orchestra doesn't always work. But it did help me refine my taste in what I do like and listen for in great Mahler performances by other conductors, and in that sense it was illuminating. | 1 | neutral | [
"I found many of the climactic passages in this performance bombastic, vulgar and flashy -- not to my taste at all.",
"This is a sonically sumptuous recording of Mahler...",
"without it sounding idiomatic of the Mahler I particularly happen to love.",
"I like intensity but not outright desperation, and Karajan seemingly has Mahler fighting for his life and on the ropes during much of this recording, perhaps not necessarily true to Mahler's intentions.",
"I have trouble even getting through the 1st movement with Karajan having Mahler flailing away, seemingly in emotional terror.",
"Makes Mahler seem like a frightened child and a weakling who's being overpowered by the forces of destiny.",
"I'm not convinced that Mahler was anything of the kind in that regard, at least not in the M5.",
"Nevertheless, there are sensitive passages that are well played.",
"Karajan strikes my ears as more Teutonic rather than Viennese in flavor.",
"There's little of the coy and flirting Mahler that I feel is appropriate in this symphony.",
"The M5 versions I like have more air and space and not as many oppressive walls of sound washing over me and creating a sense of dark and tragic overwhelm.",
"Nevertheless, I appreciate Karajan's performance as being well intentioned and committed in what it reveals of Karajan's taste in Mahler.",
"Sorry if this sounds like a knock of this masterful conductor.",
"Karajan the complex man meeting Mahler the complex composer is not the most ideal combination of ingredients for this listener.",
"While one can take Mahler out of Vienna, I've never felt that one could take the lilting and flirtatious, coy Vienna flavor out of the man, ala Karajan here.",
"I appreciate hearing this performance, but of the 40+ recordings of Mahler I've collected over the years, this is my least favorite (so far).",
"The M5 is the composer at the peak of his powers, and I feel that the air of too much darkly lit desperation and lack of spacious air that Karajan subjects Mahler to, leads me to ultimately leave it behind.",
"I like my Mahler more buoyant in this great work and not powered up with all the volcanic fury of the Berlin Phil unleashed.",
"Too much turbulence!",
"It's repugnant.",
"The 4th movement is triumphant, yes, but bombastic...",
"and too...",
"gawdawful...",
"bloody...",
"LOUD.",
"I feel like I've just been bludgeoned by Karajan and Berlin Phil trying to proclaim their greatness as interpreters of Mahler.",
"At a 3, I believe that I've rated it way too high.",
"I was listening to it again as I was writing this review and I once more had to turn the bloody damn thing off in the middle.",
"Of what I've heard of the M5, I much prefer Walter's or Barbarolli's version, as they sound far more idiomatic to my ears of Mahler in general.",
"(Other highly idiomatic performances of Mahler that I consider wonderful reference recordings include Szell's colorfully dancing and nuanced M4, the M6, and Walter's M1 and M2, just for starters...",
"Walter a man who knew Mahler personally.",
")\n\nI also much prefer Barbarolli's Adagio over Karajan's for my desert island play list.",
"I've played B's version countless times and have always found it patient, beautifully serene and emotionally convincing.",
"With Karajan, in the symphony as a whole, I feel that he may be trying too hard or that he ends up overselling the menacing parts of the 1st and 2nd movements.",
"He just can't seem to keep the orchestra properly restrained where necessary.",
"Perhaps this is a good example of how not to play Mahler and that the combination of a famous conductor and orchestra doesn't always work.",
"But it did help me refine my taste in what I do like and listen for in great Mahler performances by other conductors, and in that sense it was illuminating."
] |
Las Vegas gunman's girlfriend says no advance knowledge of massacre
Marilou Danley who returned late on Tuesday from a family visit to the Philippines and is regarded by investigators as a “person of interest ” said through a lawyer that the carnage Stephen Paddock unleashed while she was abroad caught her completely unaware.
“ He never said anything to me or took any action that I was aware of that I understood in any way to be a warning that something horrible like this was going to happen ” Danley 62 said in a written statement read to reporters by her attorney in Los Angeles where the FBI was questioning her.
FILE PHOTO - Marilou Danley whose live-in boyfriend carried out a shooting rampage at a Las Vegas concert Sunday night is seen in this Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department photo released in Las Vegas Nevada U.S. October 2 2017. Courtesy Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department/Handout via REUTERS
In her statement after being questioned in Los Angeles Paddock’s girlfriend Danley insisted she knew Paddock as “a kind caring quiet man.”
“It never occurred to me in any way whatsoever that he was planning violence against anyone.” Her lawyer Matt Lombard said Danley was “fully cooperating” with the investigation.
Danley an Australian citizen of Filipino heritage said she flew back to the United States voluntarily “because I know that the FBI and Las Vegas Police Department wanted to talk to me and I wanted to talk to them.”
Danley who was twice married before her relationship with Paddock became a focus of the investigation for having shared his retirement community condo in Mesquite Nevada northeast of Las Vegas before leaving the United States for the Philippines in mid-September.
Danley said Paddock had bought her an airline ticket to visit her family and wired her money to purchase property there leading her to worry he might be planning to break up with her.
Paddock’s brother Eric told reporters the $100 000 transfer was evidence that “Steve took care of the people he loved ” and that he likely wanted to protect Danley by sending her overseas before the attack. | 1 | neutral | [
"Las Vegas gunman's girlfriend says no advance knowledge of massacre\nMarilou Danley who returned late on Tuesday from a family visit to the Philippines and is regarded by investigators as a “person of interest ” said through a lawyer that the carnage Stephen Paddock unleashed while she was abroad caught her completely unaware.",
"“ He never said anything to me or took any action that I was aware of that I understood in any way to be a warning that something horrible like this was going to happen ” Danley 62 said in a written statement read to reporters by her attorney in Los Angeles where the FBI was questioning her.",
"FILE PHOTO - Marilou Danley whose live-in boyfriend carried out a shooting rampage at a Las Vegas concert Sunday night is seen in this Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department photo released in Las Vegas Nevada U.",
"S. October 2 2017.",
"Courtesy Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department/Handout via REUTERS\nIn her statement after being questioned in Los Angeles Paddock’s girlfriend Danley insisted she knew Paddock as “a kind caring quiet man.",
"”\n“It never occurred to me in any way whatsoever that he was planning violence against anyone.",
"” Her lawyer Matt Lombard said Danley was “fully cooperating” with the investigation.",
"Danley an Australian citizen of Filipino heritage said she flew back to the United States voluntarily “because I know that the FBI and Las Vegas Police Department wanted to talk to me and I wanted to talk to them.",
"”\nDanley who was twice married before her relationship with Paddock became a focus of the investigation for having shared his retirement community condo in Mesquite Nevada northeast of Las Vegas before leaving the United States for the Philippines in mid-September.",
"Danley said Paddock had bought her an airline ticket to visit her family and wired her money to purchase property there leading her to worry he might be planning to break up with her.",
"Paddock’s brother Eric told reporters the $100 000 transfer was evidence that “Steve took care of the people he loved ” and that he likely wanted to protect Danley by sending her overseas before the attack."
] |
When Lord Bernard meets Lady Joanna, he is immediately entranced by & curious about her. He soon discovers that she is trapped in a horrible marriage & vows that he will not only rescue her, but he will also wed & protect her. Of course, he doesn't know how, short of outright murder. What's a lord to do?
This novella made for a nice little read on a slow night. I like books with a medieval setting, which is what first caught my eye with this. I also really liked the story, which was a little different than the norm. However, though I liked the characters, I didn't think they were developed enough. The resolution of the conflict was too quick & easy, too. Though I wouldn't have wanted Joanna to have been trapped by her husband too long (& who would?), the ending still seemed too easy. Obviously, b/c this is a novella, many things had to be glossed over, but I think Gleason would have done better to go for a full-length novel with this.
The dialogue was ok, although some word choices didn't click for me. The prose was also ok, but it was stronger in some areas than others. I enjoyed reading about the jousting tournament. Gleason had a good idea here, but I think she short-changed herself by limiting it to a novella. I don't know that I'll read the rest of the books in the series, but I'm not opposed to the idea.
Bottom line is that this is an ok novella at an ok price. It was nice, but I think Gleason could do better. | 1 | neutral | [
"When Lord Bernard meets Lady Joanna, he is immediately entranced by & curious about her.",
"He soon discovers that she is trapped in a horrible marriage & vows that he will not only rescue her, but he will also wed & protect her.",
"Of course, he doesn't know how, short of outright murder.",
"What's a lord to do?",
"This novella made for a nice little read on a slow night.",
"I like books with a medieval setting, which is what first caught my eye with this.",
"I also really liked the story, which was a little different than the norm.",
"However, though I liked the characters, I didn't think they were developed enough.",
"The resolution of the conflict was too quick & easy, too.",
"Though I wouldn't have wanted Joanna to have been trapped by her husband too long (& who would?",
"), the ending still seemed too easy.",
"Obviously, b/c this is a novella, many things had to be glossed over, but I think Gleason would have done better to go for a full-length novel with this.",
"The dialogue was ok, although some word choices didn't click for me.",
"The prose was also ok, but it was stronger in some areas than others.",
"I enjoyed reading about the jousting tournament.",
"Gleason had a good idea here, but I think she short-changed herself by limiting it to a novella.",
"I don't know that I'll read the rest of the books in the series, but I'm not opposed to the idea.",
"Bottom line is that this is an ok novella at an ok price.",
"It was nice, but I think Gleason could do better."
] |
Well, I give this three stars because it really wouldn't be fair to give it the two stars that my instincts say it deserves. It is afterall a very inexpensive little light, and within the price point that it competes it is probably a four star light...maybe five. But within the scope of me being confident that I might see the winding path in front of me on a moonless night...one star...two stars max.
I find myself really unwilling to go out to ride with this light in truly dark areas because it just doesn't cut it, though it certainly helps to be seen over no light at all. I just ordered a rather lavish lithium-ion Arc Ultra by Light and Motion so that I will actually feel safe riding in the dark. Though my new light will cost me nearly $500, so there really is no fair comparison to be drawn between the two.
If you can only afford a few dollars on a light, this one is probably as good as any. Don't expect to light up the night however, and for your sake wear reflectors and don't rely solely on this light to get you home alive (get a tail light and some blinking leds).
If you can afford a bit more, look into the rechargeable high lumen LEDs or halogens, if you really want to invest in safety consider an HID (high intensity discharge) such as the light and motion models...some of of these various options being far cheaper than the one I am buying, yet all far more effective than the light being reviewed here.
This may be one area where spending a bit more up front can save your life. I am not sure this light (meaning this class of light) should be anyones best choice...but it is better than nothing at all.
All of this notwithstanding, One great thing about Planet Bike as a company is that they donate a full 25% of their profit to bicycle promoting causes. That is well deserving of respect.
Ride safely. | 1 | neutral | [
"Well, I give this three stars because it really wouldn't be fair to give it the two stars that my instincts say it deserves.",
"It is afterall a very inexpensive little light, and within the price point that it competes it is probably a four star light...",
"maybe five.",
"But within the scope of me being confident that I might see the winding path in front of me on a moonless night...",
"one star...",
"two stars max.",
"I find myself really unwilling to go out to ride with this light in truly dark areas because it just doesn't cut it, though it certainly helps to be seen over no light at all.",
"I just ordered a rather lavish lithium-ion Arc Ultra by Light and Motion so that I will actually feel safe riding in the dark.",
"Though my new light will cost me nearly $500, so there really is no fair comparison to be drawn between the two.",
"If you can only afford a few dollars on a light, this one is probably as good as any.",
"Don't expect to light up the night however, and for your sake wear reflectors and don't rely solely on this light to get you home alive (get a tail light and some blinking leds).",
"If you can afford a bit more, look into the rechargeable high lumen LEDs or halogens, if you really want to invest in safety consider an HID (high intensity discharge) such as the light and motion models...",
"some of of these various options being far cheaper than the one I am buying, yet all far more effective than the light being reviewed here.",
"This may be one area where spending a bit more up front can save your life.",
"I am not sure this light (meaning this class of light) should be anyones best choice...",
"but it is better than nothing at all.",
"All of this notwithstanding, One great thing about Planet Bike as a company is that they donate a full 25% of their profit to bicycle promoting causes.",
"That is well deserving of respect.",
"Ride safely."
] |
So first of all I would like to let you all know that the seller here on amazon is WAY overpriced. I just bought the same kit at O'Rielly's auto parts yesterday morning for $69.99 on sale. Basically they are $30.00 higher here.
Second I will tell you that the kit comes with 2 rollers, 1 paint brush, 1 gallon of herculiner and a scotch rite pad that you can use to wash you fingernails when you finish painting get cause it sure as hell ain't no good for scuffing the paint.
Third point, I read several reviews and forums that said herculiner will dry after about an hour or two, now I know the environment has a lot to do with that and that it can dry slower in colder temperatures. We just had a small cold front and the daytime temp yesterday was around the mid 60's F, now it is 3:08 the next morning after buying it and the cold front is getting slightly stronger at 50F. I applied the first coat of herculiner yesterday at 3:15PM which means it has been 12 full hours by now and the herculiner is still not cured enough to dare getting in the bed for a second coat and touch ups. I expected it to be a little longer, maybe 4 hours or 5 but 12?!?!
Now that the cons are out of the way I will tell you what I have observed so far, I just so happened to have some 180 grit sandpaper around from a prior painting job I did and if it hadn't been for that I would have never scuffed the bed the way it needed so buy sandpaper. On all of the forums and reviews of the product and even right on the packaging it says that prep is the key to happiness with your new DAY bedliner, even though I am very A.D.D. because of that I took the time and did everything properly. I washed the bed out with dawn dish soap and plenty of water and let it dry. Next step was the sanding of my entire truck bed which took me around 4 hours after which I again washed the bed out with dawn and water then wiped the entire bed out with acetone and allowed it to completely dry. Once the bed was dry I taped everything off where I wanted the edges of the liner to be and began painting. At first the herculiner seemed to be very flat and not texturing the way I had hoped like most other spray in bed liners look but I decided to paint small sections at a time, let them somewhat dry and then roll the roller back over the area without adding more of the paint and it created the nice texture appearance I was looking for. By the time I finished the entire process it was 3:15PM and the sun set around 6 so I had 2:45 hours before the sun set for it to start drying. I was shocked after 2 hours that not only did the liner not seem to be dry but it was still runny like it hadn't even tried to dry at all. I have now been just over 12 hours 9 of which the sun was down so I'm sure it dries a lot slower without the sun on it but still, 12 hours and it still feels sticky, at least it doesn't come off on my finger but it is sticky so I don't dare climb in the bed for the second coat and touch ups.
All of that for this, honestly I'm happy with the appearance of the herculiner, I'm happy with the sale price at my local auto parts store and not being screwed by these people and I'm glad I have an entire gallon cause I'm sure I'll still have about 2 quarts left even, after a second heavy coat, that I can use on other projects. I'm very unhappy with the dish pad that it comes with, the amount of time it has taken to dry, and the cost of the kit on amazon. | 1 | neutral | [
"So first of all I would like to let you all know that the seller here on amazon is WAY overpriced.",
"I just bought the same kit at O'Rielly's auto parts yesterday morning for $69.",
"99 on sale.",
"Basically they are $30.",
"00 higher here.",
"Second I will tell you that the kit comes with 2 rollers, 1 paint brush, 1 gallon of herculiner and a scotch rite pad that you can use to wash you fingernails when you finish painting get cause it sure as hell ain't no good for scuffing the paint.",
"Third point, I read several reviews and forums that said herculiner will dry after about an hour or two, now I know the environment has a lot to do with that and that it can dry slower in colder temperatures.",
"We just had a small cold front and the daytime temp yesterday was around the mid 60's F, now it is 3:08 the next morning after buying it and the cold front is getting slightly stronger at 50F.",
"I applied the first coat of herculiner yesterday at 3:15PM which means it has been 12 full hours by now and the herculiner is still not cured enough to dare getting in the bed for a second coat and touch ups.",
"I expected it to be a little longer, maybe 4 hours or 5 but 12?!",
"?!",
"Now that the cons are out of the way I will tell you what I have observed so far, I just so happened to have some 180 grit sandpaper around from a prior painting job I did and if it hadn't been for that I would have never scuffed the bed the way it needed so buy sandpaper.",
"On all of the forums and reviews of the product and even right on the packaging it says that prep is the key to happiness with your new DAY bedliner, even though I am very A.",
"D.D. because of that I took the time and did everything properly.",
"I washed the bed out with dawn dish soap and plenty of water and let it dry.",
"Next step was the sanding of my entire truck bed which took me around 4 hours after which I again washed the bed out with dawn and water then wiped the entire bed out with acetone and allowed it to completely dry.",
"Once the bed was dry I taped everything off where I wanted the edges of the liner to be and began painting.",
"At first the herculiner seemed to be very flat and not texturing the way I had hoped like most other spray in bed liners look but I decided to paint small sections at a time, let them somewhat dry and then roll the roller back over the area without adding more of the paint and it created the nice texture appearance I was looking for.",
"By the time I finished the entire process it was 3:15PM and the sun set around 6 so I had 2:45 hours before the sun set for it to start drying.",
"I was shocked after 2 hours that not only did the liner not seem to be dry but it was still runny like it hadn't even tried to dry at all.",
"I have now been just over 12 hours 9 of which the sun was down so I'm sure it dries a lot slower without the sun on it but still, 12 hours and it still feels sticky, at least it doesn't come off on my finger but it is sticky so I don't dare climb in the bed for the second coat and touch ups.",
"All of that for this, honestly I'm happy with the appearance of the herculiner, I'm happy with the sale price at my local auto parts store and not being screwed by these people and I'm glad I have an entire gallon cause I'm sure I'll still have about 2 quarts left even, after a second heavy coat, that I can use on other projects.",
"I'm very unhappy with the dish pad that it comes with, the amount of time it has taken to dry, and the cost of the kit on amazon."
] |
I am not one for energy drinks, such as Monster, Red Bull, etc., for, I cannot handle much caffeine in one drink. Soto see a product that is a natural energy drink with organic ingredients, (always a plus).I was ready to give this product a try. Though, I always wonder how organic the ingredients are, or rather, how MANY of the ingredients are organic.
In any case, I was drawn in by the natural/organicbasically, the healthy aspects to this drink. I decided Id give it a try, since, I don't like heavily caffeinated beverages and would prefer an energy boost from nature/natural ingredients, or even, ingredients that aren't manufactured and that I can pronounce.
*I cant find a can on hand, however, I remember reading the ingredients, and I could pronounce every oneexcept one of the berry/fruit extracts, or something.but it was a natural ingredient, for which, I was very grateful.
The drink is REALLY fizzy. I was not expecting that much carbonation well, I wasn't expecting ANY carbonation. So, that is the only real negative facet about this drink. Aside form this, the taste is fine. It isn't bland (like the kind of flavour where one can barely taste it, though it claims to have flavour,) yet, the berry/fruit flavour is not overpowering, but it is enjoyable.
Effective? Not "fully"/totally.
I think it helped some if nothing but the carbonation tended to wake me up. :p I mean, while I cannot handle a lot of caffeine and caffeine can sometimes affects me opposite (relax, not stimulate,) and while this drink doesnt have a lot of caffeine (the green tea, where the most, if not all, of the caffeine lays, appears in the middle-ish of the ingredients list), it was more likea kind of Russian roulette as to whether it would affect me or notand how much it would.
I appreciate how this is a natural energy drink, and I appreciate, too, that this pack can last almost a month. Granted, I only drank one can a morning maybe some would want/need/choose multiple but I wouldnt suggest more than twoand even then, Im not sure even that is the greatest/best idea. :/
In any caseoverall:
- its okay
- taste is fine
- effectiveness. TBD varies from person to person, but as for meit just didn't make a black and white difference. Does it have potential to be effective? Yes. How effective? varies.
- price/cost: well, I think it is okay price, but it really is up to each to determine if it is worth it based on its effectiveness | 1 | neutral | [
"I am not one for energy drinks, such as Monster, Red Bull, etc.",
", for, I cannot handle much caffeine in one drink.",
"Soto see a product that is a natural energy drink with organic ingredients, (always a plus).",
"I was ready to give this product a try.",
"Though, I always wonder how organic the ingredients are, or rather, how MANY of the ingredients are organic.",
"In any case, I was drawn in by the natural/organicbasically, the healthy aspects to this drink.",
"I decided Id give it a try, since, I don't like heavily caffeinated beverages and would prefer an energy boost from nature/natural ingredients, or even, ingredients that aren't manufactured and that I can pronounce.",
"*I cant find a can on hand, however, I remember reading the ingredients, and I could pronounce every oneexcept one of the berry/fruit extracts, or something.",
"but it was a natural ingredient, for which, I was very grateful.",
"The drink is REALLY fizzy.",
"I was not expecting that much carbonation well, I wasn't expecting ANY carbonation.",
"So, that is the only real negative facet about this drink.",
"Aside form this, the taste is fine.",
"It isn't bland (like the kind of flavour where one can barely taste it, though it claims to have flavour,) yet, the berry/fruit flavour is not overpowering, but it is enjoyable.",
"Effective?",
"Not \"fully\"/totally.",
"I think it helped some if nothing but the carbonation tended to wake me up.",
":p I mean, while I cannot handle a lot of caffeine and caffeine can sometimes affects me opposite (relax, not stimulate,) and while this drink doesnt have a lot of caffeine (the green tea, where the most, if not all, of the caffeine lays, appears in the middle-ish of the ingredients list), it was more likea kind of Russian roulette as to whether it would affect me or notand how much it would.",
"I appreciate how this is a natural energy drink, and I appreciate, too, that this pack can last almost a month.",
"Granted, I only drank one can a morning maybe some would want/need/choose multiple but I wouldnt suggest more than twoand even then, Im not sure even that is the greatest/best idea.",
":/\n\nIn any caseoverall:\n - its okay\n - taste is fine\n - effectiveness.",
"TBD varies from person to person, but as for meit just didn't make a black and white difference.",
"Does it have potential to be effective?",
"Yes.",
"How effective?",
"varies.",
"- price/cost: well, I think it is okay price, but it really is up to each to determine if it is worth it based on its effectiveness"
] |
I picked up this title, a good ways back. It was a Final Fantasy I had played when it was new and then lost access to. So, being somewhat of a game collector (my series of choice to collect is Final Fantasy and Armored Core) I picked up this one pretty cheap on amazon. The gameplay itself is pretty much standard fair, of when JRPGs or Final Fantasy's were still you know. Good. I'm sorry, I can't stand in any way shape or form the horrible ATB system that Square seems to have such a hard on for in their semi turn based gameplay. I couldn't stand it in X, was even worse in X-2. (I can't call it "10, 2" It's degrading) and guess what horrible thing they are including in 13? Yep you guessed it.
Twelve gets a reprieve from this sentence because of the Gambit System and the fact that unlike 7, 10, and X-2 it actually has a plot worth mentioning. But I will get back on target now.
My biggest problem with Eight, is it has a large slew of Happy coincidence that would make even Charles Dickens cry. I mean seriously, damn. Squall being well...Squall... ugh. Why couldn't this game be about Laguna instead? *head desk.. head goes through desk* Squall continues the paradigm set by Cloud, in that they have to stick the worst or one of the worst characters in the game, as the main character. Because the guy that makes the 7+ (Tactics, IX and XII aside) can't write good characters up as protagonists to save his life. I hate, squall. Really hate Squall. Almost as much as Selphie.. No scratch that.. more than Selfie.
Unfortunately as Squall is a core component of the game he drags down what could have been a good story down to mediocre. Every other character in this game is far better than he is in terms of character development. The plot itself is standard fanfare of a group of mercs, end up fighting some evil big bad thing bent on world domination/destroying the world (I'm trying not to spoil things here), and discover their significance in the greater scheme of things as the story progresses.
So they have a solid working core for the story, and the secondary characters stories are fairly well constructed.... but Squall... again rears up his head and smites the story down from any high heights this solid foundation can achieve. Just like Cloud.
The battle system can be turned into turn based combat (which given that there are no AI scripts for Allies, is a very good thing), thankfully. But there are hints of cracks in the franchise's integrity that appear in this game.
I think personally these cracks were evident in 7 in abundance but the majority of gamers were too busy doing naughty things to themselves over 3-D graphics to notice. 8's coming out did not receive the fan fare because by the time it came out Gamers were used to 3-D. These cracks become larger as the series progresses. At first of course it's the little things _like those Dickens Coincidences) and a poor main character... Later it becomes things like basic premise and story. All in the trade off for shinier and shinier graphics. And of course stupid gamers buy more and more into this.
My biggest beef with 8 is that reviewing it Four Games Down Later, that honestly you can see the start of Square's fall with it. And that fall started when they let go of the original Final Fantasy creator.
Eight should however be cherished though, as it in my mind is one of a dying breed. Good JRPGS. JRPGS in general need to smack themselves silly and ditch the TROPES they have been running with for umpteen years, Japan is quickly losing relevance on the stage of the gaming world, because quite frankly American and European Rpgs decided "you know what? let's make a good story, rock solid characters, and an enjoyable non turn based experience" And you know what? You can't argue with the results. I doubt anyone would disagree with me when I say this. Mass Effect and KOTOR are some of the best rps ever. Fable II easily blows the post 6 FF series out of the water.
So don't hate on Eight. Hate on it's maker. There is alot of gold left in 8 to be enjoyed all of these years later. There's still rock solid gameplay, a good enough to get the job done story (Damn you Squall damn you), and even better it's cheaper than the modern JRPGS to pick up. | 1 | neutral | [
"I picked up this title, a good ways back.",
"It was a Final Fantasy I had played when it was new and then lost access to.",
"So, being somewhat of a game collector (my series of choice to collect is Final Fantasy and Armored Core) I picked up this one pretty cheap on amazon.",
"The gameplay itself is pretty much standard fair, of when JRPGs or Final Fantasy's were still you know.",
"Good.",
"I'm sorry, I can't stand in any way shape or form the horrible ATB system that Square seems to have such a hard on for in their semi turn based gameplay.",
"I couldn't stand it in X, was even worse in X-2.",
"(I can't call it \"10, 2\" It's degrading) and guess what horrible thing they are including in 13?",
"Yep you guessed it.",
"Twelve gets a reprieve from this sentence because of the Gambit System and the fact that unlike 7, 10, and X-2 it actually has a plot worth mentioning.",
"But I will get back on target now.",
"My biggest problem with Eight, is it has a large slew of Happy coincidence that would make even Charles Dickens cry.",
"I mean seriously, damn.",
"Squall being well...",
"Squall...",
"ugh.",
"Why couldn't this game be about Laguna instead?",
"*head desk..",
"head goes through desk* Squall continues the paradigm set by Cloud, in that they have to stick the worst or one of the worst characters in the game, as the main character.",
"Because the guy that makes the 7+ (Tactics, IX and XII aside) can't write good characters up as protagonists to save his life.",
"I hate, squall.",
"Really hate Squall.",
"Almost as much as Selphie..",
"No scratch that..",
"more than Selfie.",
"Unfortunately as Squall is a core component of the game he drags down what could have been a good story down to mediocre.",
"Every other character in this game is far better than he is in terms of character development.",
"The plot itself is standard fanfare of a group of mercs, end up fighting some evil big bad thing bent on world domination/destroying the world (I'm trying not to spoil things here), and discover their significance in the greater scheme of things as the story progresses.",
"So they have a solid working core for the story, and the secondary characters stories are fairly well constructed....",
"but Squall...",
"again rears up his head and smites the story down from any high heights this solid foundation can achieve.",
"Just like Cloud.",
"The battle system can be turned into turn based combat (which given that there are no AI scripts for Allies, is a very good thing), thankfully.",
"But there are hints of cracks in the franchise's integrity that appear in this game.",
"I think personally these cracks were evident in 7 in abundance but the majority of gamers were too busy doing naughty things to themselves over 3-D graphics to notice.",
"8's coming out did not receive the fan fare because by the time it came out Gamers were used to 3-D.",
"These cracks become larger as the series progresses.",
"At first of course it's the little things _like those Dickens Coincidences) and a poor main character...",
"Later it becomes things like basic premise and story.",
"All in the trade off for shinier and shinier graphics.",
"And of course stupid gamers buy more and more into this.",
"My biggest beef with 8 is that reviewing it Four Games Down Later, that honestly you can see the start of Square's fall with it.",
"And that fall started when they let go of the original Final Fantasy creator.",
"Eight should however be cherished though, as it in my mind is one of a dying breed.",
"Good JRPGS.",
"JRPGS in general need to smack themselves silly and ditch the TROPES they have been running with for umpteen years, Japan is quickly losing relevance on the stage of the gaming world, because quite frankly American and European Rpgs decided \"you know what?",
"let's make a good story, rock solid characters, and an enjoyable non turn based experience\" And you know what?",
"You can't argue with the results.",
"I doubt anyone would disagree with me when I say this.",
"Mass Effect and KOTOR are some of the best rps ever.",
"Fable II easily blows the post 6 FF series out of the water.",
"So don't hate on Eight.",
"Hate on it's maker.",
"There is alot of gold left in 8 to be enjoyed all of these years later.",
"There's still rock solid gameplay, a good enough to get the job done story (Damn you Squall damn you), and even better it's cheaper than the modern JRPGS to pick up."
] |
First I will say I really liked the technical info and military saavy of this author. Next I will say the editing is excellent. This is a futuristic sci-fi story of a man's rise (Kelly Blake) into the ranks while protecting Humans from the feline-like K'Rang aliens. Its engaging and intersting. Mister Kelly Blake (main character) gets all the girls all the time and they don't mind sharing and partying together; Their ship always wins. The only downfall is that the aliens don't have anything imaginative - they speak like we do when giving military orders, they have similar ships and tech etc despite paws. I would have given this book more stars had the author developed the aliens abit more and had at least one lady who was hard to get. This was a "feel good" read. But it stayed interesting enough that I was okay with the fluff :o) I went ahead and purchased Book 2: "First Command". THANK YOU Amazon for writing in the story description the book number - its very frustrating when there is no order noted when reading a series. | 1 | neutral | [
"First I will say I really liked the technical info and military saavy of this author.",
"Next I will say the editing is excellent.",
"This is a futuristic sci-fi story of a man's rise (Kelly Blake) into the ranks while protecting Humans from the feline-like K'Rang aliens.",
"Its engaging and intersting.",
"Mister Kelly Blake (main character) gets all the girls all the time and they don't mind sharing and partying together; Their ship always wins.",
"The only downfall is that the aliens don't have anything imaginative - they speak like we do when giving military orders, they have similar ships and tech etc despite paws.",
"I would have given this book more stars had the author developed the aliens abit more and had at least one lady who was hard to get.",
"This was a \"feel good\" read.",
"But it stayed interesting enough that I was okay with the fluff :o) I went ahead and purchased Book 2: \"First Command\".",
"THANK YOU Amazon for writing in the story description the book number - its very frustrating when there is no order noted when reading a series."
] |
Christopher Lee's Dracula comes back again, this time in Swingin' London of the early 70s. It is a misguided idea of Hammer still trying to cash in on the name of the Count. Considering Hammer's "Dracula" saga started back in 1958, it is obvious that they should have stopped by the late 60s when things changed drastically in pop culture. But they did make this one, which turned out an unintentional comedy (sort of) with blood-sucking vampires and "funky" rock music.
Once again Dracula returns. The man responsible for his resurrection is named "Johnny Alucard" (Christopher Neame) - yes, "Alucard" - and there is a young beautiful woman named Jessica Van Helsing (Stephanie Beacham), niece of Peter Cushing's Professor Van Helsing. So now you know the rest of the story. In short, Dracula seeks the blood of her.
Though the film is not scary and its plot is very thin, "Dracula 72" is full of overacting and silly dialogues that are not boring to see. Christopher Lee and Peter Cushing do their best, and their performances surely raise the level of this film one notch higher. Lee's screen time is limited, but it is amazing to see dead serious Peter Cushing doing a great job (as he always does) in this otherwise delightfully messy film. Oh, and don't forget Caroline Munro and her character "Laura" screaming. | 1 | neutral | [
"Christopher Lee's Dracula comes back again, this time in Swingin' London of the early 70s.",
"It is a misguided idea of Hammer still trying to cash in on the name of the Count.",
"Considering Hammer's \"Dracula\" saga started back in 1958, it is obvious that they should have stopped by the late 60s when things changed drastically in pop culture.",
"But they did make this one, which turned out an unintentional comedy (sort of) with blood-sucking vampires and \"funky\" rock music.",
"Once again Dracula returns.",
"The man responsible for his resurrection is named \"Johnny Alucard\" (Christopher Neame) - yes, \"Alucard\" - and there is a young beautiful woman named Jessica Van Helsing (Stephanie Beacham), niece of Peter Cushing's Professor Van Helsing.",
"So now you know the rest of the story.",
"In short, Dracula seeks the blood of her.",
"Though the film is not scary and its plot is very thin, \"Dracula 72\" is full of overacting and silly dialogues that are not boring to see.",
"Christopher Lee and Peter Cushing do their best, and their performances surely raise the level of this film one notch higher.",
"Lee's screen time is limited, but it is amazing to see dead serious Peter Cushing doing a great job (as he always does) in this otherwise delightfully messy film.",
"Oh, and don't forget Caroline Munro and her character \"Laura\" screaming."
] |
I don't use these for grooming, I use these for bathing. Dogs, not people. This is a dog-grooming thing.
-
I've used this on a number of dogs at the shelter. It doesn't do much on dry fur. But - for bathing, it's awesome. It helps massage the dogs skin and work up some good suds without having to dig your fingers into every nook and crannie of the poor pooch being bathed.
-
These things have an ergonomic grip on the back, easy to handle when wet. I like them a lot.
-
Like I said, I don't get much use out of these when dry, but for bathing they are awesome. | 1 | neutral | [
"I don't use these for grooming, I use these for bathing.",
"Dogs, not people.",
"This is a dog-grooming thing.",
"-\nI've used this on a number of dogs at the shelter.",
"It doesn't do much on dry fur.",
"But - for bathing, it's awesome.",
"It helps massage the dogs skin and work up some good suds without having to dig your fingers into every nook and crannie of the poor pooch being bathed.",
"-\nThese things have an ergonomic grip on the back, easy to handle when wet.",
"I like them a lot.",
"-\nLike I said, I don't get much use out of these when dry, but for bathing they are awesome."
] |
If this expansion were ... cheaper I would go up a star. The fixes to the original engine were outstanding. If you haven't already played Icewind Dale and are playing it for the first time with the expansion, you'll get a lot more for your money. For those who already completed I.D. and are hungry for more, I don't think this will calm your hunger. It's more like a snack than a meal. The bonus missions were a lot of fun, but were brief and simple. At least one extra long term quest would have been appreciated after shelling out "my money". My advice: wait for the price to go down. | 1 | neutral | [
"If this expansion were...",
"cheaper I would go up a star.",
"The fixes to the original engine were outstanding.",
"If you haven't already played Icewind Dale and are playing it for the first time with the expansion, you'll get a lot more for your money.",
"For those who already completed I.",
"D. and are hungry for more, I don't think this will calm your hunger.",
"It's more like a snack than a meal.",
"The bonus missions were a lot of fun, but were brief and simple.",
"At least one extra long term quest would have been appreciated after shelling out \"my money\".",
"My advice: wait for the price to go down."
] |
First of all, this game has great graphics. Some of the creatures and units in the game look real cool. Also, this game has the longest title I have ever seen for any game in gaming history. Try to say "The Lord of the Rings, The Battle for Middle Earth II, Rise of the Witch King" over and over ten times has fast you can and see what happens.
This game had the potential to be a great game. But something is definitely missing in this game. I played this game and than I played the the first "Lord of the Rings, The Battle for Middle Earth" game which is still my favorite Lord the Rings game.
The first thing I noticed when comparing this game to the first Lord of the Rings game is the speed of the units. The units in this game move way too fast and a lot of the units just slide around rather than walk or run around on the terrain. When the units slide around on the terrain, it just doesn't look very real. Also, with all the units moving super fast, it doesn't really give you time to set up some kind of defense like you could in the first game. I wish you could slow the units down to a more manageable speed. I'm a little bit disappointed that this game didn't have some kind of speed control on the units in the game. In the first Lord of the Rings, all the units moved perfect in the game. In this game, they don't. The developers are definitely going to have to make a few patches for this game.
Second, I don't like the Living World map in the game. The first Lord of the Rings game had a Living World Map with very detailed terrain and living creatures. This map just shows very basic, bland colors for the territories and that's it.
Also, how come units cannot fight from the top of the walls you build for castles and fortresses? In the first game, units could fight on top of the walls and walls were a lot harder to destroy. The walls in this game get destroy way too easy and the walls are too costly to rebuild.
I feel the game developers made some changes for the better and some changes were made for the worse for this game. Hopefully, for the next Lord of the Rings game the developers will learn from their mistakes and make a lot better game. | 1 | neutral | [
"First of all, this game has great graphics.",
"Some of the creatures and units in the game look real cool.",
"Also, this game has the longest title I have ever seen for any game in gaming history.",
"Try to say \"The Lord of the Rings, The Battle for Middle Earth II, Rise of the Witch King\" over and over ten times has fast you can and see what happens.",
"This game had the potential to be a great game.",
"But something is definitely missing in this game.",
"I played this game and than I played the the first \"Lord of the Rings, The Battle for Middle Earth\" game which is still my favorite Lord the Rings game.",
"The first thing I noticed when comparing this game to the first Lord of the Rings game is the speed of the units.",
"The units in this game move way too fast and a lot of the units just slide around rather than walk or run around on the terrain.",
"When the units slide around on the terrain, it just doesn't look very real.",
"Also, with all the units moving super fast, it doesn't really give you time to set up some kind of defense like you could in the first game.",
"I wish you could slow the units down to a more manageable speed.",
"I'm a little bit disappointed that this game didn't have some kind of speed control on the units in the game.",
"In the first Lord of the Rings, all the units moved perfect in the game.",
"In this game, they don't.",
"The developers are definitely going to have to make a few patches for this game.",
"Second, I don't like the Living World map in the game.",
"The first Lord of the Rings game had a Living World Map with very detailed terrain and living creatures.",
"This map just shows very basic, bland colors for the territories and that's it.",
"Also, how come units cannot fight from the top of the walls you build for castles and fortresses?",
"In the first game, units could fight on top of the walls and walls were a lot harder to destroy.",
"The walls in this game get destroy way too easy and the walls are too costly to rebuild.",
"I feel the game developers made some changes for the better and some changes were made for the worse for this game.",
"Hopefully, for the next Lord of the Rings game the developers will learn from their mistakes and make a lot better game."
] |
This short story/novella was well written, the characters were believable, and the story moved at a good pace. Technically speaking, I don't have any problems with this book.
Story-wise, though, I had some of the same problems with this work as I did with "Drawing Free," in that I just didn't care for one of the characters very much, and some of the actions of the characters disappointed me. I won't go into specific details about what, where, and why because I don't want to spoil this for anyone else. My negative reactions to the story outweighed the positives of the writing.
I think the author definitely has some talent as a writer. Her characterization is vivid and realistic enough to create "people" whom I don't particularly care for. She writes situations that I can empathize with to some extent and actions that are realistic, even though I don't particularly agree with some of them.
I am not the kind of person who says "This (item) is bad because I didn't like it." The author does not write "bad" books; she writes books that I don't particularly enjoy. De gustibus non est disputandum. | 1 | neutral | [
"This short story/novella was well written, the characters were believable, and the story moved at a good pace.",
"Technically speaking, I don't have any problems with this book.",
"Story-wise, though, I had some of the same problems with this work as I did with \"Drawing Free,\" in that I just didn't care for one of the characters very much, and some of the actions of the characters disappointed me.",
"I won't go into specific details about what, where, and why because I don't want to spoil this for anyone else.",
"My negative reactions to the story outweighed the positives of the writing.",
"I think the author definitely has some talent as a writer.",
"Her characterization is vivid and realistic enough to create \"people\" whom I don't particularly care for.",
"She writes situations that I can empathize with to some extent and actions that are realistic, even though I don't particularly agree with some of them.",
"I am not the kind of person who says \"This (item) is bad because I didn't like it.",
"\" The author does not write \"bad\" books; she writes books that I don't particularly enjoy.",
"De gustibus non est disputandum."
] |
Two ways that are comparable in principle to this game and FF7. Both are easy games to complete and feature nice lengthy quests (well, this is decent for its time -- 15-25 hours), but it's the maturity level that makes them different.
Being a college film student who isn't one trying to get into film to make more "Dude, Where's My Car?" type movies, I'm one for the cinematic and dramatic flairs. FF7 is a great game to introduce people into the world of RPG's with, but like the ESRB knew, it isn't a game to play when young. It's heartbreaking, and full of killing; both good and bad. This game here is more of the innocent story with very simplistic locations, interface, story and dialogue.
However, if you're a seasoned RPG veteran who's used to FFX and such, don't expect much from this game. It'll just be a shallow set of battles and treasure chests where you'll gain little more than just saying that you beat another RPG in the world. The graphics were no better than FF4 in most respects, the battle system and interfaces as simplistic as one can comprehend (apart from the jumping, which helps you with some really complex mazes), and there is vurtiously no character development.
However, keeping with the Final Fantasy tradition (until FFIX, or maybe VIII), the music is phenomenal in almost every way, which is something that to me alone adds tons of replay. Play 15 hours of monster-killing with a cool soundtrack every year or two; sounds cool, huh? Also, if you're interested in every buying RPG Maker or one of those professional RPG makers, this is a good style of game to make as a first entry.
This game has charm as it's more simplistic than even the most imaginative person can imagine. Weak entry to the series? You'd better believe it!! However, my rating more reflects when this was one of the only games I had to play, and with it being so, I came to appreciate it. -- Besides, it has a plot at all, unlike some of Square's slightly more recent titles like Legend of Mana and Chrono Cross; just don't expect anything remotely that of Kingdom Hearts, Front Mission 3 or the more professionally made Final Fantasy's. | 1 | neutral | [
"Two ways that are comparable in principle to this game and FF7.",
"Both are easy games to complete and feature nice lengthy quests (well, this is decent for its time -- 15-25 hours), but it's the maturity level that makes them different.",
"Being a college film student who isn't one trying to get into film to make more \"Dude, Where's My Car?",
"\" type movies, I'm one for the cinematic and dramatic flairs.",
"FF7 is a great game to introduce people into the world of RPG's with, but like the ESRB knew, it isn't a game to play when young.",
"It's heartbreaking, and full of killing; both good and bad.",
"This game here is more of the innocent story with very simplistic locations, interface, story and dialogue.",
"However, if you're a seasoned RPG veteran who's used to FFX and such, don't expect much from this game.",
"It'll just be a shallow set of battles and treasure chests where you'll gain little more than just saying that you beat another RPG in the world.",
"The graphics were no better than FF4 in most respects, the battle system and interfaces as simplistic as one can comprehend (apart from the jumping, which helps you with some really complex mazes), and there is vurtiously no character development.",
"However, keeping with the Final Fantasy tradition (until FFIX, or maybe VIII), the music is phenomenal in almost every way, which is something that to me alone adds tons of replay.",
"Play 15 hours of monster-killing with a cool soundtrack every year or two; sounds cool, huh?",
"Also, if you're interested in every buying RPG Maker or one of those professional RPG makers, this is a good style of game to make as a first entry.",
"This game has charm as it's more simplistic than even the most imaginative person can imagine.",
"Weak entry to the series?",
"You'd better believe it!!",
"However, my rating more reflects when this was one of the only games I had to play, and with it being so, I came to appreciate it.",
"-- Besides, it has a plot at all, unlike some of Square's slightly more recent titles like Legend of Mana and Chrono Cross; just don't expect anything remotely that of Kingdom Hearts, Front Mission 3 or the more professionally made Final Fantasy's."
] |
First. I agree with those who feel that this abreviated version of the album isn't as good as the original vinyl release. Part of the appeal of the original recording was that it faithfully captured REO's set at that time which is why it was considered by fans as being a good release. They played well and there did not appear to be lots of overdubs or added studio trickery. On the other hand I cannot say that the omission of Gary's guitar solo was a bad thing since his solo tone wasn't exactly my favorite sound. Having seen REO during their heyday I've always felt that they were a solid act who knew their set well but they lacked the necessary charisma to command the rock arenas they found themselves playing as their career progressed.
This isn't to say that they were bad just that they appeared to be more comfortable in the clubs and I don't think they themselves would be uncomfortable with that characterization. In any case for me the highlight of this record is "Golden Country". Obviously "Riding The Storm Out" is their closer (it always was) and it has alot of energy. As you know they eventually went on to significant popular success and mutated into something of a ballad machine. I wasn't totally surprised by this direction since it was clear to me that they were lacking a strong,obvious identity and looked out of place say next to bands like Rush or Blue Oyster Cult (bands they were supporting at the time) . I suppose there was only so much mileage they could get out of being a midwestern band with a middle of the road approach. So becoming a pop band was probably a very good move for them and it certainly put some money in their pockets though it rapidly became the Kevin Cronin show.
The bottom line here is that its a solid live album which was released at a time when everbody was releasing live albums though many were of inferior quality. In my mind were I to recommend a REO record to someone this would be it because it documents a solid music set at a time in their career when they were on the rise. | 1 | neutral | [
"First.",
"I agree with those who feel that this abreviated version of the album isn't as good as the original vinyl release.",
"Part of the appeal of the original recording was that it faithfully captured REO's set at that time which is why it was considered by fans as being a good release.",
"They played well and there did not appear to be lots of overdubs or added studio trickery.",
"On the other hand I cannot say that the omission of Gary's guitar solo was a bad thing since his solo tone wasn't exactly my favorite sound.",
"Having seen REO during their heyday I've always felt that they were a solid act who knew their set well but they lacked the necessary charisma to command the rock arenas they found themselves playing as their career progressed.",
"This isn't to say that they were bad just that they appeared to be more comfortable in the clubs and I don't think they themselves would be uncomfortable with that characterization.",
"In any case for me the highlight of this record is \"Golden Country\".",
"Obviously \"Riding The Storm Out\" is their closer (it always was) and it has alot of energy.",
"As you know they eventually went on to significant popular success and mutated into something of a ballad machine.",
"I wasn't totally surprised by this direction since it was clear to me that they were lacking a strong,obvious identity and looked out of place say next to bands like Rush or Blue Oyster Cult (bands they were supporting at the time).",
"I suppose there was only so much mileage they could get out of being a midwestern band with a middle of the road approach.",
"So becoming a pop band was probably a very good move for them and it certainly put some money in their pockets though it rapidly became the Kevin Cronin show.",
"The bottom line here is that its a solid live album which was released at a time when everbody was releasing live albums though many were of inferior quality.",
"In my mind were I to recommend a REO record to someone this would be it because it documents a solid music set at a time in their career when they were on the rise."
] |
I generally use software like this for digital artwork. I've always gravitated to Photoshop because it was really the only software available when I started. Like many have stated, the price of the software is a bit ridiculous so I'm always on the lookout for cheaper software that I can use to get the same results.
Unfortunately, even though this is called PaintShop, it's really photo editing software through and through. I knew that when I got it, I'm not saying that Corel falsely represented their software. In terms of photo editing it's very nice. The price is unbeatable. The interface is well laid out and professional looking. It's easy to use for the novice and there are a lot of features for the professional.
I would definitely recommend this for the novice photographer just starting out. It's cheap so you're not breaking the bank on something you may not stick with, but it's robust so you won't have to keep spending money on progressively better software. It has the easy auto adjustment features, but then as you get more skilled, it has all the features available for you to white balance and correct contrast and add your own artistic flare.
Digital painters, stick with PS or Painter. | 1 | neutral | [
"I generally use software like this for digital artwork.",
"I've always gravitated to Photoshop because it was really the only software available when I started.",
"Like many have stated, the price of the software is a bit ridiculous so I'm always on the lookout for cheaper software that I can use to get the same results.",
"Unfortunately, even though this is called PaintShop, it's really photo editing software through and through.",
"I knew that when I got it, I'm not saying that Corel falsely represented their software.",
"In terms of photo editing it's very nice.",
"The price is unbeatable.",
"The interface is well laid out and professional looking.",
"It's easy to use for the novice and there are a lot of features for the professional.",
"I would definitely recommend this for the novice photographer just starting out.",
"It's cheap so you're not breaking the bank on something you may not stick with, but it's robust so you won't have to keep spending money on progressively better software.",
"It has the easy auto adjustment features, but then as you get more skilled, it has all the features available for you to white balance and correct contrast and add your own artistic flare.",
"Digital painters, stick with PS or Painter."
] |
First
Alabama defensive lineman Raekwon Davis (99) sacks Clemson quarterback Kelly Bryant (2) in the first half of the Sugar Bowl semi-final playoff game for the NCAA college football national championship in New Orleans Monday Jan. 1 2018. (AP Photo/Butch Dill) (Photo: The Associated Press)
NEW ORLEANS (AP) — For Clemson quarterback Kelly Bryant replacing Deshaun Watson was never going to be easy.
Bryant played well enough to get Clemson to a third straight College Football Playoff meeting with Alabama — and then it all went wrong.
He was intercepted twice — with both turnovers leading to Alabama touchdowns — and was sacked a season-high five times in a 24-6 loss in the Sugar Bowl on Monday night.
This season they met in a CFP semifinal with Bryant hoping to lead the ACC champs past an Alabama squad that made it this far despite finishing second to Auburn in the Southeastern Conference's West Division.
Coming in Bryant had accounted for 3 504 yards and 24 touchdowns from scrimmage this season: 2 678 yards and 13 TDs through the air and 826 yards and 11 TDs on the ground.
"Kelly Bryant I think he is actually a little more athletic than Deshaun Watson. He 's definitely faster and he likes to run " Alabama defensive back Anthony Averett said. "We disguised very well and confused him a little bit and I think that made a difference."
Bryant finished with 18 completions on 36 passes for 124 yards. He also was held to 19 yards rushing against Alabama whose swarming defense unsettled him much of the night.
"It was just us making critical errors and shooting ourselves in the foot " Bryant said. "We had great play calls but everybody wasn't on the same page. We'll learn from it."
Both of Bryant 's interceptions occurred on altered or tipped passes.
The first came when Jennings hit Bryant 's arm as he released the ball. The errant pass fluttered to Payne who returned his interception 21 yards — 2 yards more than Bryant 's longest completion of the game.
Later Bryant 's pass intended for Deon Cain was tipped by Levi Wallace and intercepted by middle linebacker Mack Wilson who ran it back 18 yards to make it 24-6 in the third quarter.
Bryant was nearly intercepted again one play after Jennings had taken the QB down for the fifth time in the game. Bryant 's pass under duress almost looked as if it were intended for Alabama's Wilson who saw a chance for his second interception of the game bounce off his hands.
Bryant 's New Orleans nightmare ended with a fourth-down incompletion from the Alabama 5-yard line with 1:43 to go. But even if he had finally gotten the Tigers in the end zone it would have been far too late. | 1 | neutral | [
"First\nAlabama defensive lineman Raekwon Davis (99) sacks Clemson quarterback Kelly Bryant (2) in the first half of the Sugar Bowl semi-final playoff game for the NCAA college football national championship in New Orleans Monday Jan.",
"1 2018.",
"(AP Photo/Butch Dill) (Photo: The Associated Press)\nNEW ORLEANS (AP) — For Clemson quarterback Kelly Bryant replacing Deshaun Watson was never going to be easy.",
"Bryant played well enough to get Clemson to a third straight College Football Playoff meeting with Alabama — and then it all went wrong.",
"He was intercepted twice — with both turnovers leading to Alabama touchdowns — and was sacked a season-high five times in a 24-6 loss in the Sugar Bowl on Monday night.",
"This season they met in a CFP semifinal with Bryant hoping to lead the ACC champs past an Alabama squad that made it this far despite finishing second to Auburn in the Southeastern Conference's West Division.",
"Coming in Bryant had accounted for 3 504 yards and 24 touchdowns from scrimmage this season: 2 678 yards and 13 TDs through the air and 826 yards and 11 TDs on the ground.",
"\"Kelly Bryant I think he is actually a little more athletic than Deshaun Watson.",
"He 's definitely faster and he likes to run \" Alabama defensive back Anthony Averett said.",
"\"We disguised very well and confused him a little bit and I think that made a difference.",
"\"\n Bryant finished with 18 completions on 36 passes for 124 yards.",
"He also was held to 19 yards rushing against Alabama whose swarming defense unsettled him much of the night.",
"\"It was just us making critical errors and shooting ourselves in the foot \" Bryant said.",
"\"We had great play calls but everybody wasn't on the same page.",
"We'll learn from it.",
"\"\nBoth of Bryant 's interceptions occurred on altered or tipped passes.",
"The first came when Jennings hit Bryant 's arm as he released the ball.",
"The errant pass fluttered to Payne who returned his interception 21 yards — 2 yards more than Bryant 's longest completion of the game.",
"Later Bryant 's pass intended for Deon Cain was tipped by Levi Wallace and intercepted by middle linebacker Mack Wilson who ran it back 18 yards to make it 24-6 in the third quarter.",
"Bryant was nearly intercepted again one play after Jennings had taken the QB down for the fifth time in the game.",
"Bryant 's pass under duress almost looked as if it were intended for Alabama's Wilson who saw a chance for his second interception of the game bounce off his hands.",
"Bryant 's New Orleans nightmare ended with a fourth-down incompletion from the Alabama 5-yard line with 1:43 to go.",
"But even if he had finally gotten the Tigers in the end zone it would have been far too late."
] |
I liked this book. The author wastes no time in making us familiar with the universe in which this book is set. This could have spelt disaster but it is surprisingly refreshing. The author expects the reader to figure things out and I respect the author's decision.
The story is predictable and that is the only reason that this book got 3.5 stars instead of 5.
We know that *Spoiler alert* The guy and the girl are going to live happily ever after .
The story was well written but I would have liked it better if it had ended differently. Also,the story seems a little rushed as it gets over in 199 pages. It was almost as if the author didn't have room to even explain some important things in detail.
Overall,the story is predictable but the book is a fun read.
GO for it! | 1 | neutral | [
"I liked this book.",
"The author wastes no time in making us familiar with the universe in which this book is set.",
"This could have spelt disaster but it is surprisingly refreshing.",
"The author expects the reader to figure things out and I respect the author's decision.",
"The story is predictable and that is the only reason that this book got 3.",
"5 stars instead of 5.",
"We know that *Spoiler alert* The guy and the girl are going to live happily ever after.",
"The story was well written but I would have liked it better if it had ended differently.",
"Also,the story seems a little rushed as it gets over in 199 pages.",
"It was almost as if the author didn't have room to even explain some important things in detail.",
"Overall,the story is predictable but the book is a fun read.",
"GO for it!"
] |
I've always had very mixed feelings about Blue Thunder. On the plus side it features it features one of the last big budget Hollywood leading roles for the perennially under-appreciated Roy Scheider plus wonderful supporting turns by Warren Oats as his exasperated boss and Candy Clark as his flaky but brave girlfriend and a hissable villain in Malcolm MdDowell. The movie is fast paced and sometimes exciting and is slickly directed by the underrated John Badham.
So what's the problem?
Blue Thunder just has so many things in it that don't ring true it can be frustrating to watch unless you are dumb or willing to turn your brain completely off. First of all the plot involves a conspiracy by shady government officials and firearms manufacturers to create phony crime to justify the police buying the helicopter of the title--but it's pretty hard to imagine any scenario where a city would allow a heavily armed military chopper that can take out whole city blocks at a time to be used by the police. Then there's the question of how the very British Malcolm McDowell who never attempts an American accent became a colonel in the US military. Or how the US military is getting involved with domestic policing even though that is illegal. Or why the chief assassin for the arms merchants drives around in a beater without any plates that makes him look extremely out of place in all of the upscale areas where he happens to be plying his trade in the movie.
The sequence where Roy Scheider outsmarts two F-16's and their heat seeking missiles is fun but, realistically, a lot of innocent people likely died as a result of Roy Scheider's evasive maneuvers since this is all happening in the middle of the day when the buildings would be full of people. The script is co-written by the normally reliable Dan O'Bannon (Alien; Dead and Buried; Return of the Living Dead; Total Recall) so it's hard to understand why Blue Thunder is frequently so dumb.
In the end Blue Thunder isn't a 1980's action classic in the same league as Die Hard or Robocop or Predator or The Terminator because there are way too many obvious and fixable problems with the script--but on balance it's probably more good than bad and qualifies as reasonably good mindless entertainment, basically a slicker and much more expensive version of the entertaining but dopey schlock that Cannon was churning out. The frustrating thing is that Blue Thunder could have been excellent if someone had bothered to rewrite the script. | 1 | neutral | [
"I've always had very mixed feelings about Blue Thunder.",
"On the plus side it features it features one of the last big budget Hollywood leading roles for the perennially under-appreciated Roy Scheider plus wonderful supporting turns by Warren Oats as his exasperated boss and Candy Clark as his flaky but brave girlfriend and a hissable villain in Malcolm MdDowell.",
"The movie is fast paced and sometimes exciting and is slickly directed by the underrated John Badham.",
"So what's the problem?",
"Blue Thunder just has so many things in it that don't ring true it can be frustrating to watch unless you are dumb or willing to turn your brain completely off.",
"First of all the plot involves a conspiracy by shady government officials and firearms manufacturers to create phony crime to justify the police buying the helicopter of the title--but it's pretty hard to imagine any scenario where a city would allow a heavily armed military chopper that can take out whole city blocks at a time to be used by the police.",
"Then there's the question of how the very British Malcolm McDowell who never attempts an American accent became a colonel in the US military.",
"Or how the US military is getting involved with domestic policing even though that is illegal.",
"Or why the chief assassin for the arms merchants drives around in a beater without any plates that makes him look extremely out of place in all of the upscale areas where he happens to be plying his trade in the movie.",
"The sequence where Roy Scheider outsmarts two F-16's and their heat seeking missiles is fun but, realistically, a lot of innocent people likely died as a result of Roy Scheider's evasive maneuvers since this is all happening in the middle of the day when the buildings would be full of people.",
"The script is co-written by the normally reliable Dan O'Bannon (Alien; Dead and Buried; Return of the Living Dead; Total Recall) so it's hard to understand why Blue Thunder is frequently so dumb.",
"In the end Blue Thunder isn't a 1980's action classic in the same league as Die Hard or Robocop or Predator or The Terminator because there are way too many obvious and fixable problems with the script--but on balance it's probably more good than bad and qualifies as reasonably good mindless entertainment, basically a slicker and much more expensive version of the entertaining but dopey schlock that Cannon was churning out.",
"The frustrating thing is that Blue Thunder could have been excellent if someone had bothered to rewrite the script."
] |
I am a huge GTA fan and I, too, purchased this game on release night. After 6 months, I totally regret the experienced as well as the anticipation for this game.
Here is the pros;
1. Graphics are the best in video games period.
2. Music is stellar, but pop or more popular tracks are rare.
3. Loading time is excellent with the exception of the installation and beginning of the game.
CONS;
1. Cover system is weak. When trying to cover from enemies, occasionally you end up lean towards the wrong cover.
2. Driving is laughable in a bad way. I understand the realizism their trying to create, but driving 7 mph doesn't NOT cause a vehicle to fishtail or achieve a reverse 180 degree turn. What? Is this Liberty City's streets covered in butter.
(Rockstar won't fix that is a problem)
1. The whole loading/saving procedure is annoying and tiresome. I'm playing and I don't need to spend 7 minutes to get to a saving/loading area.
2. Respawning vehicles was annoying in GTA: San Andreas and it's very annoying here. Mercenaries(Glitch-o-mania) and Far Cry 2 have fix this problem, but Rockstar seem to think that it's fun for players to have cop cars and others to magically appear when, at first glance, looked like a clear road.
3. Driving.
This game is worth renting. Wait until the price gets closer to $40 dollars than its worth purchasing. | 1 | neutral | [
"I am a huge GTA fan and I, too, purchased this game on release night.",
"After 6 months, I totally regret the experienced as well as the anticipation for this game.",
"Here is the pros;\n1.",
"Graphics are the best in video games period.",
"2.",
"Music is stellar, but pop or more popular tracks are rare.",
"3.",
"Loading time is excellent with the exception of the installation and beginning of the game.",
"CONS;\n1.",
"Cover system is weak.",
"When trying to cover from enemies, occasionally you end up lean towards the wrong cover.",
"2.",
"Driving is laughable in a bad way.",
"I understand the realizism their trying to create, but driving 7 mph doesn't NOT cause a vehicle to fishtail or achieve a reverse 180 degree turn.",
"What?",
"Is this Liberty City's streets covered in butter.",
"(Rockstar won't fix that is a problem)\n1.",
"The whole loading/saving procedure is annoying and tiresome.",
"I'm playing and I don't need to spend 7 minutes to get to a saving/loading area.",
"2.",
"Respawning vehicles was annoying in GTA: San Andreas and it's very annoying here.",
"Mercenaries(Glitch-o-mania) and Far Cry 2 have fix this problem, but Rockstar seem to think that it's fun for players to have cop cars and others to magically appear when, at first glance, looked like a clear road.",
"3.",
"Driving.",
"This game is worth renting.",
"Wait until the price gets closer to $40 dollars than its worth purchasing."
] |
I purchased the 180 gram Vinyl and was expecting a "wow" . This was a little disappointing. Now I'm not saying I wasted my money or anything but other than the remix and the original solo on sweet pain, there is nothing else. I thought there was a additional verse in Beth that was found, and I thought there was some other goodies. Nope. What I will tell you is the remix is good but not what I expected. On most of the tracks the vocals were put up front more with more echo and such which sounds ok. On god of thunder the kids were more up front and the general mix is ok. But I expected more. The original album to me always sounded a little "thin" and I thought the bass and drums were gonna be boosted. Maybe they weren't there to begin with. I will tell you that do you love me is different from all the other tracks. Like it was recorded in a different studio or with different equipment. It sounds awesome and thunderous like the whole album should but doesn't. This album is one of kiss's best and should have been done a little better. FInal thought. If you are a die hard kiss fan get the album and burn it on disk, it's not money wasted. But as far as a die hard fan. All I have to say is Come on Bob Ezrin, I think I could have done better. Seriously. Let me at the tapes. | 1 | neutral | [
"I purchased the 180 gram Vinyl and was expecting a \"wow\".",
"This was a little disappointing.",
"Now I'm not saying I wasted my money or anything but other than the remix and the original solo on sweet pain, there is nothing else.",
"I thought there was a additional verse in Beth that was found, and I thought there was some other goodies.",
"Nope.",
"What I will tell you is the remix is good but not what I expected.",
"On most of the tracks the vocals were put up front more with more echo and such which sounds ok.",
"On god of thunder the kids were more up front and the general mix is ok.",
"But I expected more.",
"The original album to me always sounded a little \"thin\" and I thought the bass and drums were gonna be boosted.",
"Maybe they weren't there to begin with.",
"I will tell you that do you love me is different from all the other tracks.",
"Like it was recorded in a different studio or with different equipment.",
"It sounds awesome and thunderous like the whole album should but doesn't.",
"This album is one of kiss's best and should have been done a little better.",
"FInal thought.",
"If you are a die hard kiss fan get the album and burn it on disk, it's not money wasted.",
"But as far as a die hard fan.",
"All I have to say is Come on Bob Ezrin, I think I could have done better.",
"Seriously.",
"Let me at the tapes."
] |
This may be the most accessible of the four tales in this series. A young man named Erik is growing up in a village, unacknowledged son of the noble. After an incident he and a friend Roo are sent to be hanged and instead told they will be spared if they train as special soldiers to fight an unknown menace approaching from another continent. Not much of a choice but they accept.
An evil magic-using force on another continent is pushing an army to take over cities along a major river. When the force reaches the river estuary it will besiege and occupy the shipbuilding city. At this point it will be able to make an armada to sail across the ocean and conquer Midkemia where Erik lives. He and the squad of trained soldiers are hoping to delay that event and give the continent time to prepare for war.
If we just stayed on those lines all would be well, but the author insists on bringing in several different scattered characters who, we suppose, are from previous books. There is a dozy young man with a magic sword, who does nothing at all for most of the books. There is a magic user who can't be bothered doing anything as he is waiting in an alternate dimension with a charming woman until it's time for war. So on. These people are largely irrelevant and just give the impression of padding out the books and the story.
I liked the other books less but they were readable and it is possible that fans of this author will want to read everything about this world and enjoy the adventures more than I did. | 1 | neutral | [
"This may be the most accessible of the four tales in this series.",
"A young man named Erik is growing up in a village, unacknowledged son of the noble.",
"After an incident he and a friend Roo are sent to be hanged and instead told they will be spared if they train as special soldiers to fight an unknown menace approaching from another continent.",
"Not much of a choice but they accept.",
"An evil magic-using force on another continent is pushing an army to take over cities along a major river.",
"When the force reaches the river estuary it will besiege and occupy the shipbuilding city.",
"At this point it will be able to make an armada to sail across the ocean and conquer Midkemia where Erik lives.",
"He and the squad of trained soldiers are hoping to delay that event and give the continent time to prepare for war.",
"If we just stayed on those lines all would be well, but the author insists on bringing in several different scattered characters who, we suppose, are from previous books.",
"There is a dozy young man with a magic sword, who does nothing at all for most of the books.",
"There is a magic user who can't be bothered doing anything as he is waiting in an alternate dimension with a charming woman until it's time for war.",
"So on.",
"These people are largely irrelevant and just give the impression of padding out the books and the story.",
"I liked the other books less but they were readable and it is possible that fans of this author will want to read everything about this world and enjoy the adventures more than I did."
] |
This book should be a thriller, but it doesn't deliver. It's hard to tell what he's trying to say because his phrasing is so clumsy, even incoherent at times. This is full of incorrectly used words, sentence fragments, misused commas, verb tense errors, spelling errors; and an instance where he notated a word with a trademark (TM) once, on the third or fourth mention of the word. The writing is very repetitive and annoying. The over-explaining of everything is distracting. This story does not flow. It's choppy. It was a good concept but not well executed. I liked the tech explanations. I enjoyed the references to Homer's Odyssey, and the Book of Job, because they fit in well and enhanced the story. The part about "what's meant to be" went in a good direction, but it needed smoothing out. I wish the main character's self-talk could have been more rational and more insightful. The author starts out with some kind of end-of-the-economy threat, but then focuses the plot around one man. The threat could have been more incorporated into what was happening to the people around him. I give it 2.5 stars. | 1 | neutral | [
"This book should be a thriller, but it doesn't deliver.",
"It's hard to tell what he's trying to say because his phrasing is so clumsy, even incoherent at times.",
"This is full of incorrectly used words, sentence fragments, misused commas, verb tense errors, spelling errors; and an instance where he notated a word with a trademark (TM) once, on the third or fourth mention of the word.",
"The writing is very repetitive and annoying.",
"The over-explaining of everything is distracting.",
"This story does not flow.",
"It's choppy.",
"It was a good concept but not well executed.",
"I liked the tech explanations.",
"I enjoyed the references to Homer's Odyssey, and the Book of Job, because they fit in well and enhanced the story.",
"The part about \"what's meant to be\" went in a good direction, but it needed smoothing out.",
"I wish the main character's self-talk could have been more rational and more insightful.",
"The author starts out with some kind of end-of-the-economy threat, but then focuses the plot around one man.",
"The threat could have been more incorporated into what was happening to the people around him.",
"I give it 2.",
"5 stars."
] |
It's pretty funny that a developer can record a "making of" segment on its game disc that chronicles its own screw-ups without even realizing them. Mr Edmonson brags that many years were spent just photographing and building the game's three cities, apparently oblivious that this waste of time was a primary reason for the game's failure. Had the team spent more time on gameplay and mission structure, and spent less time on architecture and idiotic neo-cool music videos, Driv3r could have been a smash.
Alarms begin to ring as soon as the game is fired up. The amazingly awkward main menu interface flummoxed me as I tried to simply go back and forth between settings menus. (And why cant I modify sound settings in game? And why in the world do I have to choose between English and BRAZILIAN languages at each startup, even after saving my profile?) It unfortunately gets worse the further you proceed through the game. As mentioned in other reviews, the amazingly awful default control scheme can be fixed with an analogue gamepad and some remapping. While the turning analogue sensitivity is perfect, there is strangely-or appropriately, considering the rest of the game-no analogue input for acceleration, making steady driving difficult.
The architecture of each city is pretty stunning. It's easy to see how the team spent years building the virtual landscapes, yet amazing how they could put such a weak game into them. Miami, while not the pink neon paradise of Vice City, is more realistic with a lot of white stucco structures and fantastic water effects. The only serious graphical criticism I can levy is the bizarre and unfixable lighting problem that causes many surfaces to flicker on and off. Brightness levels on certain objects are wrong, and there is a ridiculous bug in all car brakelights, which only illuminate when an outside light source shines on them. The exact opposite of course of how they should be (brighter in darker surroundings).
Lots of hidden stunt points and vertically explorable architecture are built into, but sadly unused by, the game. Tragically only one Miami mission is conducted at night, when the city really comes to life visually. Nice and Istanbul are similarly underused. The game had so much potential for great chase sequences going far beyond the very limited and frustratingly stifling scope of those built in to the story.
Based on the review so far, you've probably concluded that all copies of the game should be assembled for a giant burning ceremony. Well, yes, but not until you've played the two or three great driving sequences in each city. If you have even the slightest affection for the wonderful Driver: You Are the Wheelman, then Driv3r is worth the trouble. The detail, physics, engine sounds, etc of each vehicle are fantastic. Every car has a distinct rumble, and appropriately tears apart bit by bit with each crash. While a bit too floaty, the screeching powersliding nature of the vehicle physics fits a wild chase game like Driv3r perfectly. It's a shame the people who made the game have no clue how to balance difficulty, or maintain suspense through a sequence lasting longer than 30 seconds. The most difficult part of every chase mission is the first five seconds, when the player is allowed barely enough milliseconds to turn the vehicle around to begin the chase. And the pursuant can be inexcplicably lost while still in plain view. (And why is a green GPS-style dot provided on the map when the mission fail distance is unrelated?) The on-foot missions are as bad as mentioned everywhere; I won't bother ripping into them because no amount of expletives can do them justice.
Worst of all, or perhaps mercifully, the game is short. I was amazed at how quickly I finished the story mode, even with the number of controller-tossing restarts due to bugs and random illogical mission failures. And the story itself, while intriguing, is disastrously told through the "flashback" convention. Only, the game mixes present and past tense in its presentation and cant decide whether to unfold events naturally or through Ving Rhames's voiceovers. I giggled at the asinine cutscenes, which reminded me of the two guys from SNL's "Roxbury" dance club sketch: trying too hard to be Euro-cool with too much cologne on their purple zoot suits. Worse, in their attempt to be so stylized with the storytelling, the developers did a poor job of conveying the relations of any of the characters with their connection to the mission. I generally spent my time rolling eyes during a cutscene, only to have it end with instructions to chase a green dot with no relevance to the cinema. And the hipster-doofus London techno punk bands used for the soundtrack can all stay underground as far as I care.
So while it would be easiest to throw away Driv3r as a complete failure, it does have great redeeming qualities in its arhitecture and fun 70s-style cop movie driving. It stands at least as a blueprint for sadistic game development: work extremely hard for five years, spend a truckload of your publisher's money, and make one of the most un-fun big budget games to hit the shelves this generation. | 1 | neutral | [
"It's pretty funny that a developer can record a \"making of\" segment on its game disc that chronicles its own screw-ups without even realizing them.",
"Mr Edmonson brags that many years were spent just photographing and building the game's three cities, apparently oblivious that this waste of time was a primary reason for the game's failure.",
"Had the team spent more time on gameplay and mission structure, and spent less time on architecture and idiotic neo-cool music videos, Driv3r could have been a smash.",
"Alarms begin to ring as soon as the game is fired up.",
"The amazingly awkward main menu interface flummoxed me as I tried to simply go back and forth between settings menus.",
"(And why cant I modify sound settings in game?",
"And why in the world do I have to choose between English and BRAZILIAN languages at each startup, even after saving my profile?",
") It unfortunately gets worse the further you proceed through the game.",
"As mentioned in other reviews, the amazingly awful default control scheme can be fixed with an analogue gamepad and some remapping.",
"While the turning analogue sensitivity is perfect, there is strangely-or appropriately, considering the rest of the game-no analogue input for acceleration, making steady driving difficult.",
"The architecture of each city is pretty stunning.",
"It's easy to see how the team spent years building the virtual landscapes, yet amazing how they could put such a weak game into them.",
"Miami, while not the pink neon paradise of Vice City, is more realistic with a lot of white stucco structures and fantastic water effects.",
"The only serious graphical criticism I can levy is the bizarre and unfixable lighting problem that causes many surfaces to flicker on and off.",
"Brightness levels on certain objects are wrong, and there is a ridiculous bug in all car brakelights, which only illuminate when an outside light source shines on them.",
"The exact opposite of course of how they should be (brighter in darker surroundings).",
"Lots of hidden stunt points and vertically explorable architecture are built into, but sadly unused by, the game.",
"Tragically only one Miami mission is conducted at night, when the city really comes to life visually.",
"Nice and Istanbul are similarly underused.",
"The game had so much potential for great chase sequences going far beyond the very limited and frustratingly stifling scope of those built in to the story.",
"Based on the review so far, you've probably concluded that all copies of the game should be assembled for a giant burning ceremony.",
"Well, yes, but not until you've played the two or three great driving sequences in each city.",
"If you have even the slightest affection for the wonderful Driver: You Are the Wheelman, then Driv3r is worth the trouble.",
"The detail, physics, engine sounds, etc of each vehicle are fantastic.",
"Every car has a distinct rumble, and appropriately tears apart bit by bit with each crash.",
"While a bit too floaty, the screeching powersliding nature of the vehicle physics fits a wild chase game like Driv3r perfectly.",
"It's a shame the people who made the game have no clue how to balance difficulty, or maintain suspense through a sequence lasting longer than 30 seconds.",
"The most difficult part of every chase mission is the first five seconds, when the player is allowed barely enough milliseconds to turn the vehicle around to begin the chase.",
"And the pursuant can be inexcplicably lost while still in plain view.",
"(And why is a green GPS-style dot provided on the map when the mission fail distance is unrelated?",
") The on-foot missions are as bad as mentioned everywhere; I won't bother ripping into them because no amount of expletives can do them justice.",
"Worst of all, or perhaps mercifully, the game is short.",
"I was amazed at how quickly I finished the story mode, even with the number of controller-tossing restarts due to bugs and random illogical mission failures.",
"And the story itself, while intriguing, is disastrously told through the \"flashback\" convention.",
"Only, the game mixes present and past tense in its presentation and cant decide whether to unfold events naturally or through Ving Rhames's voiceovers.",
"I giggled at the asinine cutscenes, which reminded me of the two guys from SNL's \"Roxbury\" dance club sketch: trying too hard to be Euro-cool with too much cologne on their purple zoot suits.",
"Worse, in their attempt to be so stylized with the storytelling, the developers did a poor job of conveying the relations of any of the characters with their connection to the mission.",
"I generally spent my time rolling eyes during a cutscene, only to have it end with instructions to chase a green dot with no relevance to the cinema.",
"And the hipster-doofus London techno punk bands used for the soundtrack can all stay underground as far as I care.",
"So while it would be easiest to throw away Driv3r as a complete failure, it does have great redeeming qualities in its arhitecture and fun 70s-style cop movie driving.",
"It stands at least as a blueprint for sadistic game development: work extremely hard for five years, spend a truckload of your publisher's money, and make one of the most un-fun big budget games to hit the shelves this generation."
] |
The 'Tales' series has built a notable fan base through its story, and while this was my first of the series I can say it's reputation is well earned. All of the main characters grow over the course of the game, the antagonist has reason and redeeming qualities rather than just being obligatorily evil, and there are some surprising plot twists. While a couple of the characters (Anise) remain largely comic relief, everybody's got good points of progression and solid motivations.
Story: 8.6/10
People who don't like cell-shading won't like it, but those who can look past the unique art style will find a vibrantly-colored world. Magic, skills and Overlimits look suitably flashy, it's not as sharp and beautiful as <a data-hook="product-link-linked" class="a-link-normal" href="/hack-G-U-Vol-1-Rebirth/dp/B000G7X5OK/ref=cm_cr_arp_d_rvw_txt?ie=UTF8">.hack: G.U., Vol. 1: Rebirth</a>, but it's good. Sometimes the scene is brighter and more vivid than the darker story would lend itself to, but remains pretty well done. The only irritating things are optional conversations that, instead of being rendered with the game engine like other videos, have poor talking portraits and text.
Graphics: 6.8/10
The sound effects all seem appropriate, doing a good enough job of putting you in the setting without annoying you. Music, sound effects, and voicing can all be independently altered at will. The dialog is fair in times when it does show (some 'skit' or conversations have no audio voicing), and characters banter wittily after battle which will have you chuckling after the sometimes-frequent battles.
Sound: 7.6/10
The music you'll hear in the game has a deep and epic feel to it, always fitting with the emotional tones of the scene it goes to whether exposure of a threat to the world or two characters goofing off and chasing each other around to blow off steam. Strangely, I thought the peppy pop music in the introductory title was the worst in the game (it seemed so contrary to the depth of the game). The overworld theme is one of my favourite, with a darker tone matching the looming burden the characters bear while also portraying their determination to see their conflict through and their people to safety.
Music: 8.4/10
Movement across the overworld is passable, though the camera moves far too slowly for my taste. While it's virtually impossible to run from fights, you also gain 'TP' just by attacking and winning battles, so you're encouraged (nay, required) to level grind. Combat itself is neither turn-based like <a data-hook="product-link-linked" class="a-link-normal" href="/Atelier-Iris-Eternal-Mana/dp/B000784XEE/ref=cm_cr_arp_d_rvw_txt?ie=UTF8">Atelier Iris Eternal Mana</a>, nor real-time like <a data-hook="product-link-linked" class="a-link-normal" href="/Final-Fantasy-XII/dp/B000F5IH2I/ref=cm_cr_arp_d_rvw_txt?ie=UTF8">Final Fantasy XII</a>; it's real-time and using skills can take valuable charge time which adds a tactical element, it starts off like a side-scroller until you learn the 'skill' to use the L2 to freely move. Fortunately, allies and enemies don't typically act so constrained so the battles don't have the pinched sort of flow that earlier games like Dragon Quest did.
Gameplay: 7.6/10
You gain no special rewards for beating the game besides the end credits, and while there is a sort of New Game Plus, you have to buy elements (like pointless 'titles'), gold and experience multipliers for next play-through, and you can't even keep useful items like weapons or Artes. With such woefully poor 'rewards', I can't even call it a real option. While the rest of the game was good, the promise of being able to re-play was pretty much burned by what you actually got.
Replayability: 3/10
While I was annoyed at the lack of a true New Game Plus, others may be more used to only playing through their games once. For that, this is a good game that, while with its flaws (missing voicing, sluggish camera), will still probably prove a rewarding experience with a few laughs for people who have any interest in either the series or the broader JRPG genre.
Overall: 7.0/10 | 1 | neutral | [
"The 'Tales' series has built a notable fan base through its story, and while this was my first of the series I can say it's reputation is well earned.",
"All of the main characters grow over the course of the game, the antagonist has reason and redeeming qualities rather than just being obligatorily evil, and there are some surprising plot twists.",
"While a couple of the characters (Anise) remain largely comic relief, everybody's got good points of progression and solid motivations.",
"Story: 8.",
"6/10\n\nPeople who don't like cell-shading won't like it, but those who can look past the unique art style will find a vibrantly-colored world.",
"Magic, skills and Overlimits look suitably flashy, it's not as sharp and beautiful as <a data-hook=\"product-link-linked\" class=\"a-link-normal\" href=\"/hack-G-U-Vol-1-Rebirth/dp/B000G7X5OK/ref=cm_cr_arp_d_rvw_txt?",
"ie=UTF8\">.",
"hack: G.",
"U., Vol.",
"1: Rebirth</a>, but it's good.",
"Sometimes the scene is brighter and more vivid than the darker story would lend itself to, but remains pretty well done.",
"The only irritating things are optional conversations that, instead of being rendered with the game engine like other videos, have poor talking portraits and text.",
"Graphics: 6.",
"8/10\n\nThe sound effects all seem appropriate, doing a good enough job of putting you in the setting without annoying you.",
"Music, sound effects, and voicing can all be independently altered at will.",
"The dialog is fair in times when it does show (some 'skit' or conversations have no audio voicing), and characters banter wittily after battle which will have you chuckling after the sometimes-frequent battles.",
"Sound: 7.",
"6/10\n\nThe music you'll hear in the game has a deep and epic feel to it, always fitting with the emotional tones of the scene it goes to whether exposure of a threat to the world or two characters goofing off and chasing each other around to blow off steam.",
"Strangely, I thought the peppy pop music in the introductory title was the worst in the game (it seemed so contrary to the depth of the game).",
"The overworld theme is one of my favourite, with a darker tone matching the looming burden the characters bear while also portraying their determination to see their conflict through and their people to safety.",
"Music: 8.",
"4/10\n\nMovement across the overworld is passable, though the camera moves far too slowly for my taste.",
"While it's virtually impossible to run from fights, you also gain 'TP' just by attacking and winning battles, so you're encouraged (nay, required) to level grind.",
"Combat itself is neither turn-based like <a data-hook=\"product-link-linked\" class=\"a-link-normal\" href=\"/Atelier-Iris-Eternal-Mana/dp/B000784XEE/ref=cm_cr_arp_d_rvw_txt?",
"ie=UTF8\">Atelier Iris Eternal Mana</a>, nor real-time like <a data-hook=\"product-link-linked\" class=\"a-link-normal\" href=\"/Final-Fantasy-XII/dp/B000F5IH2I/ref=cm_cr_arp_d_rvw_txt?",
"ie=UTF8\">Final Fantasy XII</a>; it's real-time and using skills can take valuable charge time which adds a tactical element, it starts off like a side-scroller until you learn the 'skill' to use the L2 to freely move.",
"Fortunately, allies and enemies don't typically act so constrained so the battles don't have the pinched sort of flow that earlier games like Dragon Quest did.",
"Gameplay: 7.",
"6/10\n\nYou gain no special rewards for beating the game besides the end credits, and while there is a sort of New Game Plus, you have to buy elements (like pointless 'titles'), gold and experience multipliers for next play-through, and you can't even keep useful items like weapons or Artes.",
"With such woefully poor 'rewards', I can't even call it a real option.",
"While the rest of the game was good, the promise of being able to re-play was pretty much burned by what you actually got.",
"Replayability: 3/10\n\nWhile I was annoyed at the lack of a true New Game Plus, others may be more used to only playing through their games once.",
"For that, this is a good game that, while with its flaws (missing voicing, sluggish camera), will still probably prove a rewarding experience with a few laughs for people who have any interest in either the series or the broader JRPG genre.",
"Overall: 7.",
"0/10"
] |
Dakota is on vacation with her friend, Carrie and Carrie's fiance. On this trip, Dakota is feeling like a third wheel. Since, she still has quite a bit of her vacation left, she books a rustic five-day get away with a local outfitter. Axel and Gunnar (a.k.a. Falke in his cougar form) act as her guides in the wilderness. Both men are outstandingly sexy. When the trip begins, Dakota thinks she is on a trip with a man (Axel) and a tame mountain cougar (Falke). As time passes, Gunnar and Axel realize Dakota is their mate. They try to hold their attraction to her at bay since she is a client. But, as time passes one of the brothers gives into temptation. The fun truly begins from this point on in the book.
Falke's Peak is a true love story in an exciting, unconventional way. The story provides a great escape for the reader. Anna Leigh Keaton's current tale is cute and fun, yet poignantly emotional! She provides superb escapism for the paranormal reader!
3.5 stars out of 5
Happy Reading from Bona Fide Reflections! | 1 | neutral | [
"Dakota is on vacation with her friend, Carrie and Carrie's fiance.",
"On this trip, Dakota is feeling like a third wheel.",
"Since, she still has quite a bit of her vacation left, she books a rustic five-day get away with a local outfitter.",
"Axel and Gunnar (a.",
"k.a. Falke in his cougar form) act as her guides in the wilderness.",
"Both men are outstandingly sexy.",
"When the trip begins, Dakota thinks she is on a trip with a man (Axel) and a tame mountain cougar (Falke).",
"As time passes, Gunnar and Axel realize Dakota is their mate.",
"They try to hold their attraction to her at bay since she is a client.",
"But, as time passes one of the brothers gives into temptation.",
"The fun truly begins from this point on in the book.",
"Falke's Peak is a true love story in an exciting, unconventional way.",
"The story provides a great escape for the reader.",
"Anna Leigh Keaton's current tale is cute and fun, yet poignantly emotional!",
"She provides superb escapism for the paranormal reader!",
"3.",
"5 stars out of 5\n\nHappy Reading from Bona Fide Reflections!"
] |
I needed this cable for my Mio GPS. I think Mio should have included it as an accessory in the box but I guess they didn't feel it was necessary. So anyway, I ordered two of these cables from the seller ClearAV. Delivery was OK, I received the cables a week after placing my order. But the cable is not 6ft long, despite what it says on the package. The actual length is 40.5 inches. I don't know if you'll get the same cables if you order from a different seller. Nevertheless, I used the cable to hook up my GPS to my computer and it worked fine. My GPS charged up nicely and transferred files with no problems. So I guess I'm OK with them. | 1 | neutral | [
"I needed this cable for my Mio GPS.",
"I think Mio should have included it as an accessory in the box but I guess they didn't feel it was necessary.",
"So anyway, I ordered two of these cables from the seller ClearAV.",
"Delivery was OK, I received the cables a week after placing my order.",
"But the cable is not 6ft long, despite what it says on the package.",
"The actual length is 40.",
"5 inches.",
"I don't know if you'll get the same cables if you order from a different seller.",
"Nevertheless, I used the cable to hook up my GPS to my computer and it worked fine.",
"My GPS charged up nicely and transferred files with no problems.",
"So I guess I'm OK with them."
] |
So...I have nothing bad to say about this that has been substantiated. Good food at a value price for the quality since it comes in such a large can. My cat ate it with gusto, though he is not picky so I'm not sure whether that is a good endorsement. However, shortly after switching to this food (from Merrick), suddenly his litter box was un-fixably smelly. I scooped my heart out, and tried commercial deodorizer, fresh litter, and lighting candles all over the room to no avail. I live in a small apartment, so the smell basically hit you in the face when you walked in the front door...it was pretty epic. It took almost 2 weeks, but I finally realized what the culprit was...and as soon as I fed him something else the smell situation vastly improve. I don't know if this is a thing that will happen to all cats who eat this stuff, but it certainly did to mine. :/ Bummer because it was a big savings over the 5.5 oz cans. | 1 | neutral | [
"So...",
"I have nothing bad to say about this that has been substantiated.",
"Good food at a value price for the quality since it comes in such a large can.",
"My cat ate it with gusto, though he is not picky so I'm not sure whether that is a good endorsement.",
"However, shortly after switching to this food (from Merrick), suddenly his litter box was un-fixably smelly.",
"I scooped my heart out, and tried commercial deodorizer, fresh litter, and lighting candles all over the room to no avail.",
"I live in a small apartment, so the smell basically hit you in the face when you walked in the front door...",
"it was pretty epic.",
"It took almost 2 weeks, but I finally realized what the culprit was...",
"and as soon as I fed him something else the smell situation vastly improve.",
"I don't know if this is a thing that will happen to all cats who eat this stuff, but it certainly did to mine.",
":/ Bummer because it was a big savings over the 5.",
"5 oz cans."
] |
Playing Madden in the palm of your hand is a nice feeling, but if you're like me, it doesn't feel totally right. The controller setup for the PSP simply does not fare well with Madden PSP, or probably with any football game for that matter that would ever come out. The lack of a true analog stick hurts the control as football requires precision. But for what we get, it gets the job done. Due to the lack of buttons, they did away with the hit stick and truck stick on both offense and defense. There is also no longer any "play maker control" for your defense as you can't change their direction before the play. The the rest seems to be there, spin, head down, sprint, dive, etc.
The game suffers from a plethora of "stuttering" throughout the game and it took me nearly 5 minutes to simulate through the "pre-season" games on the franchise mode. Simming games should take maybe a minute, but 5 minutes? At the beginning of a matchup, you'll think the game is crashed, but it's actually still loading, well after it's done loading. The game seems to hicup between different transitions of the game. For example, when my defender intercepted a pass, about a "2" second delay initiated, it somewhat takes the flow away from the game, and it happens more than it should. It also occurs on dropped passes, fumbles, turnovers, sacks, etc. It should have been fixed before leaving the doors of E.A., but they wanted their money fast. When it's not stuttering, it seems to play basically pretty smooth. It looks better than a PSOne game and probably not as good as PS2 title. It's somewhat in between, but the player models actually look very good. The passing game is pretty smooth and the running game works well too. But once again that controller might give you fits, especially on defense. I just can't used to the control scheme.
The sound is pretty basic and the crowd noise is actually quite bad and reminded me of the old days of cartridge football. Fan reaction is basically non-existent as they don't seem to react after a big play or touchdown, E.A. defintely skimpped here. Al Michaels and John Madden say their still infamous, allbeit annoying commentary.
As a whole, it still plays and feels like Madden in the palm of your hand, and fans of the series will like the ability to take this on the road. I actually liked playing the coach mode through a franchise that lets you choose the plays, line formations and let the computer make the play itself. It's kind of like being a coach, and I had fun with it.
The controls are not feeling right at home with me though and most will want to stick with the console version. Some will divulge into the "Franchise" and mini-camp modes to keep themselves entertained, but me, I'm stickin with my console to get my Madden fix, at least this year anyway. I give it a 3, out of out 5. | 1 | neutral | [
"Playing Madden in the palm of your hand is a nice feeling, but if you're like me, it doesn't feel totally right.",
"The controller setup for the PSP simply does not fare well with Madden PSP, or probably with any football game for that matter that would ever come out.",
"The lack of a true analog stick hurts the control as football requires precision.",
"But for what we get, it gets the job done.",
"Due to the lack of buttons, they did away with the hit stick and truck stick on both offense and defense.",
"There is also no longer any \"play maker control\" for your defense as you can't change their direction before the play.",
"The the rest seems to be there, spin, head down, sprint, dive, etc.",
"The game suffers from a plethora of \"stuttering\" throughout the game and it took me nearly 5 minutes to simulate through the \"pre-season\" games on the franchise mode.",
"Simming games should take maybe a minute, but 5 minutes?",
"At the beginning of a matchup, you'll think the game is crashed, but it's actually still loading, well after it's done loading.",
"The game seems to hicup between different transitions of the game.",
"For example, when my defender intercepted a pass, about a \"2\" second delay initiated, it somewhat takes the flow away from the game, and it happens more than it should.",
"It also occurs on dropped passes, fumbles, turnovers, sacks, etc.",
"It should have been fixed before leaving the doors of E.",
"A., but they wanted their money fast.",
"When it's not stuttering, it seems to play basically pretty smooth.",
"It looks better than a PSOne game and probably not as good as PS2 title.",
"It's somewhat in between, but the player models actually look very good.",
"The passing game is pretty smooth and the running game works well too.",
"But once again that controller might give you fits, especially on defense.",
"I just can't used to the control scheme.",
"The sound is pretty basic and the crowd noise is actually quite bad and reminded me of the old days of cartridge football.",
"Fan reaction is basically non-existent as they don't seem to react after a big play or touchdown, E.",
"A. defintely skimpped here.",
"Al Michaels and John Madden say their still infamous, allbeit annoying commentary.",
"As a whole, it still plays and feels like Madden in the palm of your hand, and fans of the series will like the ability to take this on the road.",
"I actually liked playing the coach mode through a franchise that lets you choose the plays, line formations and let the computer make the play itself.",
"It's kind of like being a coach, and I had fun with it.",
"The controls are not feeling right at home with me though and most will want to stick with the console version.",
"Some will divulge into the \"Franchise\" and mini-camp modes to keep themselves entertained, but me, I'm stickin with my console to get my Madden fix, at least this year anyway.",
"I give it a 3, out of out 5."
] |
This works o.k. for a fake tan, and does look like you've gotten some time in the sun, but it's a lot of work and time to apply. Mine came with a mitt for review purposes, but I understand that a mitt is not included when you buy the Xen-Tan. However, it wasn't all that easy to use and I think just using a plastic glove and a soft washcloth will do just as well.
I applied this thoroughly over my freshly showered bod using small circular motions as instructed in the directions. That took a while and I was working up a sweat just doing that, which caused me to have to re-apply in some spots. I couldn't do my back but I was able to smear enough on it so it was actually a good indicator of how much Xen-Tan stayed on after showering later on. I noticed I did look noticeably darker after applying the Xen-Tan. I wore loose clothing for the rest of the day and actually did not shower again until the next morning so I certainly left it on for the minimum 3 hours before showering.
When I got into the shower I saw the water run dark-ish down the drain and it had to be the Xen-Tan. I checked my back in the mirror and saw where some of the Xen-Tan had not washed off, but it was a lot lighter than when I initially applied it. I'm not really sure I'd want to spend $65.00 to work that hard, and not get much to show for it. I want to mention, that yesterday when I first applied the Xen-Tan, it felt sticky and I felt sticky for about an hour until it began to dry. Also, when I washed my hands any water that dribbled down my arms erased the Xen-Tan and I had to re-apply it. It doesn't tell you that water will erase the tan shortly after applying. And be real careful with it on your feet because it will look like you just walked through red clay mud if you don't smear it around well. | 1 | neutral | [
"This works o.",
"k. for a fake tan, and does look like you've gotten some time in the sun, but it's a lot of work and time to apply.",
"Mine came with a mitt for review purposes, but I understand that a mitt is not included when you buy the Xen-Tan.",
"However, it wasn't all that easy to use and I think just using a plastic glove and a soft washcloth will do just as well.",
"I applied this thoroughly over my freshly showered bod using small circular motions as instructed in the directions.",
"That took a while and I was working up a sweat just doing that, which caused me to have to re-apply in some spots.",
"I couldn't do my back but I was able to smear enough on it so it was actually a good indicator of how much Xen-Tan stayed on after showering later on.",
"I noticed I did look noticeably darker after applying the Xen-Tan.",
"I wore loose clothing for the rest of the day and actually did not shower again until the next morning so I certainly left it on for the minimum 3 hours before showering.",
"When I got into the shower I saw the water run dark-ish down the drain and it had to be the Xen-Tan.",
"I checked my back in the mirror and saw where some of the Xen-Tan had not washed off, but it was a lot lighter than when I initially applied it.",
"I'm not really sure I'd want to spend $65.",
"00 to work that hard, and not get much to show for it.",
"I want to mention, that yesterday when I first applied the Xen-Tan, it felt sticky and I felt sticky for about an hour until it began to dry.",
"Also, when I washed my hands any water that dribbled down my arms erased the Xen-Tan and I had to re-apply it.",
"It doesn't tell you that water will erase the tan shortly after applying.",
"And be real careful with it on your feet because it will look like you just walked through red clay mud if you don't smear it around well."
] |
This is the second Cuisinart coffee maker I have owned. The first one (with a 'brewed coffee reservoir') just stopped working one day. But I had liked it, and my sister gave me one of these for Christmas, 2010. Yesterday it just stopped working. The clock on the front still works. The "I'm brewing" light still lights up when I flip the switch. Nothing happens.
I was very happy with it as a working coffee maker. I'm not so happy with the aesthetics that I want it on my counter if it won't yield coffee. We'll see if Cuisinart makes good on the 3 year warranty. | 1 | neutral | [
"This is the second Cuisinart coffee maker I have owned.",
"The first one (with a 'brewed coffee reservoir') just stopped working one day.",
"But I had liked it, and my sister gave me one of these for Christmas, 2010.",
"Yesterday it just stopped working.",
"The clock on the front still works.",
"The \"I'm brewing\" light still lights up when I flip the switch.",
"Nothing happens.",
"I was very happy with it as a working coffee maker.",
"I'm not so happy with the aesthetics that I want it on my counter if it won't yield coffee.",
"We'll see if Cuisinart makes good on the 3 year warranty."
] |
Gahhhhhhh! What the what?!?!?! So this is book # 6... Was she planning to quit after this book? The epilogue that is with this book (by the way, first one in this series) ruins the last two books! I don't want to know what happens five years from now without reading the last two books. It's VERY detailed! I hate knowing who is getting together....especially for the last book!!! Ugh!! I enjoyed the character of Mace. Of all the bad boy alphas so far, I can visualize him in my mind the most. I would have liked to have known the background beforehand (in a previous book) of the past between Stella & Mace. That way I would have a feel of their relationship. I didn't get it much in this book. | 1 | neutral | [
"Gahhhhhhh!",
"What the what?!",
"?!",
"?!",
"So this is book # 6...",
"Was she planning to quit after this book?",
"The epilogue that is with this book (by the way, first one in this series) ruins the last two books!",
"I don't want to know what happens five years from now without reading the last two books.",
"It's VERY detailed!",
"I hate knowing who is getting together....",
"especially for the last book!!!",
"Ugh!!",
"I enjoyed the character of Mace.",
"Of all the bad boy alphas so far, I can visualize him in my mind the most.",
"I would have liked to have known the background beforehand (in a previous book) of the past between Stella & Mace.",
"That way I would have a feel of their relationship.",
"I didn't get it much in this book."
] |
I got this for my bachelorette party because I wanted an overtly sexy white dress but on short notice. I am 5’2, a decently fit 130 lbs, and usually wear a size 2 so I ordered the small. I was very worried about the white being see-through because fitted white clothes typically are. I wanted to be sexy but not vulgar! I put it on and it was tight! It stretches a lot so I was able to fit it comfortably but the more it stretches the more you can see through it. I have a 34C bust and the top fit fine and was not tight. If you get white, I recommend pasties. The midsection and bottom however were pretty constricting. No way I could wear underwear in it and you could see my butt pretty clearly through the dress if I bent over. I feel like the medium would’ve been a better fit and a bigger size would’ve helped with the transparency. A dark color would probably work though. The material itself is pretty decent. It’s very soft and is thick enough to be opaque if it’s not stretched too thin. I ended up getting Spanx shorts to wear underneath and it looked much better! (I’m wearing them under the dress in the photos) I couldn’t have worn the dress otherwise...just too tight and too sheer. Size up and get black! | 1 | neutral | [
"I got this for my bachelorette party because I wanted an overtly sexy white dress but on short notice.",
"I am 5’2, a decently fit 130 lbs, and usually wear a size 2 so I ordered the small.",
"I was very worried about the white being see-through because fitted white clothes typically are.",
"I wanted to be sexy but not vulgar!",
"I put it on and it was tight!",
"It stretches a lot so I was able to fit it comfortably but the more it stretches the more you can see through it.",
"I have a 34C bust and the top fit fine and was not tight.",
"If you get white, I recommend pasties.",
"The midsection and bottom however were pretty constricting.",
"No way I could wear underwear in it and you could see my butt pretty clearly through the dress if I bent over.",
"I feel like the medium would’ve been a better fit and a bigger size would’ve helped with the transparency.",
"A dark color would probably work though.",
"The material itself is pretty decent.",
"It’s very soft and is thick enough to be opaque if it’s not stretched too thin.",
"I ended up getting Spanx shorts to wear underneath and it looked much better!",
"(I’m wearing them under the dress in the photos) I couldn’t have worn the dress otherwise...",
"just too tight and too sheer.",
"Size up and get black!"
] |
I gave these a 3 star rating but only because of the low price, otherwise a 1 or 2.
Pros:
Lightweight (but what headphones in this class aren't?)
Cheap ( but what " ... )
Top band and slider rails appear to be made of HDPE plastic which is more flexible, won't become as brittle over time to reduce # of areas likely to break, and yet the top band would be even more durable made of spring metal and then it could hold an adjustment for optimal tension to suit your head size
Fair amount of bass for the cup size and price, not especially boomy, not out of control bass trying to make up for the shortcomings of a small driver and thin/light low volume plastic cups
Fair cord length for portable use, ought to be 1' shorter for that but the extra 1' might help if your source is in a bag rather than a pocket nearer your head.
90' plug doesn't stick up as far on portable players so they seem less bulky and there's less stress to the headphone jack
Fairly conservative design, no silly colors or shapes for niche artistic styling that not everyone would like, rather than the purpose of headphones. They don't look "as" cheap as some in the same price class.
Foam cushions are a little higher density than some, letting them sit closer to your ears.
You won't care much if you break them or if they are stolen, except then you have no cans till you find a replacement.
Cons:
Lightweight - They have that empty tin can sound accentuating upper midrange, and they could have put a bit more plastic into the pieces that hold the cups only the adjustment sliders for more durability
No strain relief on the wires where they exit the cups. If you coil your cord up for storage during portable use, you will find this to be one of the early failure modes.
Clunky size adjustment, the notches in the HDPE rails are large and HDPE doesn't mold into distinct notches as well as other plastics
Pre-molded angle on cups seems a little large compared to many cans, if your ears don't stick out a lot you may find they don't sit as flush against your ears as many cans despite the slight amount of swivel present, which results in loss of hearing much of the lower midrange and bass
While the bass is fairly controlled for this price, their marketing dept. fails with the feature "XBS port" because the bass is fairly poor relative to almost any (even slightly) larger cupped cans. Small, light and portable is good but if you can accept an ounce of weight and a few millimeters size increase there are huge bass improvements to be had on cans with only slightly larger cups, and yet the price on those goes up some too.
Although they are inexpensive, it would only cost a few cents more to make them more durable and improve the sound quality. This seems like a false economy to me, my body and gear weigh dozens of pounds so why is shaving fractions of an ounce off their weight so important? It isn't, this is just about saving a few cents in manufacturing cost at the expense of the aforementioned details.
Overall:
It's tempting to pick a product based on the lower price, but often you only get what you pay for. Yes you could pay the same for inferior cans but don't let some of the more positive reviews fool you, these don't sound good at all relative to cans costly only a few dollar more. They sound only slightly better than any $2 generic cans you can find anywhere.
Despite all the pros I listed, they just don't meet the core purpose of providing good audio. It is distracting how terrible they sound. To be fair I would write the same about any $5 cans I've ever heard but on most I didn't see so many positive reviews that misled me into hoping these were different when they aren't.
For a reference point, many consider me an audiophile. My standards seem to be higher than average, but I'm not an elite snob about certain makes and models. I've owned many a pair of cans and build some of my own audio gear and modify the rest. Even so I am not trying to compare these against $40 cans, let alone more costly pairs. They just don't sound good enough to use even if they were free, unless you're only listening to audible books or similar voice. I would have returned them except that they are so inexpensive that it wasn't worth the bother. | 1 | neutral | [
"I gave these a 3 star rating but only because of the low price, otherwise a 1 or 2.",
"Pros:\n\nLightweight (but what headphones in this class aren't?",
")\n\nCheap ( but what \"...",
")\n\nTop band and slider rails appear to be made of HDPE plastic which is more flexible, won't become as brittle over time to reduce # of areas likely to break, and yet the top band would be even more durable made of spring metal and then it could hold an adjustment for optimal tension to suit your head size\n\nFair amount of bass for the cup size and price, not especially boomy, not out of control bass trying to make up for the shortcomings of a small driver and thin/light low volume plastic cups\n\nFair cord length for portable use, ought to be 1' shorter for that but the extra 1' might help if your source is in a bag rather than a pocket nearer your head.",
"90' plug doesn't stick up as far on portable players so they seem less bulky and there's less stress to the headphone jack\n\nFairly conservative design, no silly colors or shapes for niche artistic styling that not everyone would like, rather than the purpose of headphones.",
"They don't look \"as\" cheap as some in the same price class.",
"Foam cushions are a little higher density than some, letting them sit closer to your ears.",
"You won't care much if you break them or if they are stolen, except then you have no cans till you find a replacement.",
"Cons:\n\nLightweight - They have that empty tin can sound accentuating upper midrange, and they could have put a bit more plastic into the pieces that hold the cups only the adjustment sliders for more durability\n\nNo strain relief on the wires where they exit the cups.",
"If you coil your cord up for storage during portable use, you will find this to be one of the early failure modes.",
"Clunky size adjustment, the notches in the HDPE rails are large and HDPE doesn't mold into distinct notches as well as other plastics\n\nPre-molded angle on cups seems a little large compared to many cans, if your ears don't stick out a lot you may find they don't sit as flush against your ears as many cans despite the slight amount of swivel present, which results in loss of hearing much of the lower midrange and bass\n\nWhile the bass is fairly controlled for this price, their marketing dept.",
"fails with the feature \"XBS port\" because the bass is fairly poor relative to almost any (even slightly) larger cupped cans.",
"Small, light and portable is good but if you can accept an ounce of weight and a few millimeters size increase there are huge bass improvements to be had on cans with only slightly larger cups, and yet the price on those goes up some too.",
"Although they are inexpensive, it would only cost a few cents more to make them more durable and improve the sound quality.",
"This seems like a false economy to me, my body and gear weigh dozens of pounds so why is shaving fractions of an ounce off their weight so important?",
"It isn't, this is just about saving a few cents in manufacturing cost at the expense of the aforementioned details.",
"Overall:\n\nIt's tempting to pick a product based on the lower price, but often you only get what you pay for.",
"Yes you could pay the same for inferior cans but don't let some of the more positive reviews fool you, these don't sound good at all relative to cans costly only a few dollar more.",
"They sound only slightly better than any $2 generic cans you can find anywhere.",
"Despite all the pros I listed, they just don't meet the core purpose of providing good audio.",
"It is distracting how terrible they sound.",
"To be fair I would write the same about any $5 cans I've ever heard but on most I didn't see so many positive reviews that misled me into hoping these were different when they aren't.",
"For a reference point, many consider me an audiophile.",
"My standards seem to be higher than average, but I'm not an elite snob about certain makes and models.",
"I've owned many a pair of cans and build some of my own audio gear and modify the rest.",
"Even so I am not trying to compare these against $40 cans, let alone more costly pairs.",
"They just don't sound good enough to use even if they were free, unless you're only listening to audible books or similar voice.",
"I would have returned them except that they are so inexpensive that it wasn't worth the bother."
] |
The looks of this device is pleasing to the eye, but one shouldn't judge a book by its cover. I've had problems from day one. Installation, connectivity and more. To put this long story short, the hard drive on these babies almost always has problems. A drawback is that the Archos 800 number tech support is disconnected! What's bothersome is that they never respond to emails. I guess they're going out of business soon. I would not recommend this device no matter how tempting. Creative has a Nomad Jukebox, I would go for that.
I give this device a 2.5 stars (which rounds up to 3) | 1 | neutral | [
"The looks of this device is pleasing to the eye, but one shouldn't judge a book by its cover.",
"I've had problems from day one.",
"Installation, connectivity and more.",
"To put this long story short, the hard drive on these babies almost always has problems.",
"A drawback is that the Archos 800 number tech support is disconnected!",
"What's bothersome is that they never respond to emails.",
"I guess they're going out of business soon.",
"I would not recommend this device no matter how tempting.",
"Creative has a Nomad Jukebox, I would go for that.",
"I give this device a 2.",
"5 stars (which rounds up to 3)"
] |
I was pretty happy with these at first. I followed the instructions which emphasize not to leave the lid off for any amount of time. Well, on a rainy day, I took one out and replaced the lid right away. The next day, all the strips were pink. My house has no leaks or anything; the ambient humidity was just higher. It was not even especially humid. And I was quick about opening the bottle, getting the strip, and replacing the lid. Apparently my house is in mild ketosis! Here's the thing. All 150 strips are in the same bottle. If the bottle fails, all 150 strips are gone. I wish I could get 150 strips, only groups would be packaged in cellophane, much as crunchy seaweed snacks are. That way, if one pack is exposed to moisture, you still have the remaining wrapped strips. I don't know if there is such a thing. These might work if you live in a dry climate. Waste of time if you live with rain or humidity. | 1 | neutral | [
"I was pretty happy with these at first.",
"I followed the instructions which emphasize not to leave the lid off for any amount of time.",
"Well, on a rainy day, I took one out and replaced the lid right away.",
"The next day, all the strips were pink.",
"My house has no leaks or anything; the ambient humidity was just higher.",
"It was not even especially humid.",
"And I was quick about opening the bottle, getting the strip, and replacing the lid.",
"Apparently my house is in mild ketosis!",
"Here's the thing.",
"All 150 strips are in the same bottle.",
"If the bottle fails, all 150 strips are gone.",
"I wish I could get 150 strips, only groups would be packaged in cellophane, much as crunchy seaweed snacks are.",
"That way, if one pack is exposed to moisture, you still have the remaining wrapped strips.",
"I don't know if there is such a thing.",
"These might work if you live in a dry climate.",
"Waste of time if you live with rain or humidity."
] |
this figure looks great in package and well worth the money.when my son opened it there was some issues however.for one the figure feels light and cheap.the hand that should come off to be replaced by the gauntlet would not come off..you obviously have to be a super hero to remove it..the worst part is while my son tried to pose him on his shelf the leg broke off..no, he was not bouncing him off the wall..just posing him.the pins that hold the the limbs of the figure are much too small..this figure is recommended for display in package only.... | 1 | neutral | [
"this figure looks great in package and well worth the money.",
"when my son opened it there was some issues however.",
"for one the figure feels light and cheap.",
"the hand that should come off to be replaced by the gauntlet would not come off..",
"you obviously have to be a super hero to remove it..",
"the worst part is while my son tried to pose him on his shelf the leg broke off..",
"no, he was not bouncing him off the wall..",
"just posing him.",
"the pins that hold the the limbs of the figure are much too small..",
"this figure is recommended for display in package only...."
] |
Love-great food comes out of this thing. Easy to use, almost too easy. plug and play simple, load it up and leave it alone.
Hate-Ok, now the bad news. This thing is about the quality of a happy meal toy, seriously. I take really good care of my stuff and this thing has been falling apart since day one. It is the worst piece of junk I have ever seen as far as quality of construction. Mine is about three years old and the door is about to fall off, and its never been hit or anything. I had to replace the bottom cover because I barley bumped it with my foot. Didn't even feel it, but it shattered. When I ordered a replacement it did arrive very quick, they were nice, and it was cheap. Problem arose when I went to install it. Now keep in mind I used to work on restaurant equipment for a living, so I am not new at this stuff. When I took the push on terminals off it pulled the terminal off the circuit board! I soldered it back on and all worked well, but should have never happened. I thought it odd when I ordered the the cover the lady wanted to know if I needed the circuit board and I said no and she seemed surprised. Also the cable that goes between the puck feeder and unit is very hard to keep plugged in, it looks plugged in but will come undone very easy. | 1 | neutral | [
"Love-great food comes out of this thing.",
"Easy to use, almost too easy.",
"plug and play simple, load it up and leave it alone.",
"Hate-Ok, now the bad news.",
"This thing is about the quality of a happy meal toy, seriously.",
"I take really good care of my stuff and this thing has been falling apart since day one.",
"It is the worst piece of junk I have ever seen as far as quality of construction.",
"Mine is about three years old and the door is about to fall off, and its never been hit or anything.",
"I had to replace the bottom cover because I barley bumped it with my foot.",
"Didn't even feel it, but it shattered.",
"When I ordered a replacement it did arrive very quick, they were nice, and it was cheap.",
"Problem arose when I went to install it.",
"Now keep in mind I used to work on restaurant equipment for a living, so I am not new at this stuff.",
"When I took the push on terminals off it pulled the terminal off the circuit board!",
"I soldered it back on and all worked well, but should have never happened.",
"I thought it odd when I ordered the the cover the lady wanted to know if I needed the circuit board and I said no and she seemed surprised.",
"Also the cable that goes between the puck feeder and unit is very hard to keep plugged in, it looks plugged in but will come undone very easy."
] |
Really don't know whether to like or dislike this cleaning filament!
1. When I first used it and extruded it as instructed, I didn't see any dirt or old filament strings or whatever coming out of the nozzle as I thought it would like really cleaning stuff. I extruded 300mm of the cleaning filament at various temps (from 210 to 190) followed by a standard PLA filament, the latter being a disaster as explained below.
2. For couple of days later, all of my prints were failing, because the cleaning filament stuff was mixed with my standard filament. Like a PLA filament that used to extrude like butter at 195 degree, now only extrudes at 215! Still couldn't print however, as once I start printing, filament jams.
3. The black stuff, dirt I guess, started to come out of the nozzle after 3 days of trying to extrude my standard filament at very high temp, flushing basically the cleaning filament. (attached photo)
4. After all that hassle, didn't notice any change in extruded filament, except that it was working against the law of gravity, i.e, extruded filament started to go up towards the heatblock not down!
Well, I ended up changing my nozzles, that is 3 nozzles as I have 3 extruders all messed up, and yes all of them challenged the law of gravity.
Perhaps seeing that black stuff eventually coming out of the nozzle was worth giving it 3 stars despite what it caused to my printer, my nozzles, and me emotionally :)
Would I buy it again? NEVER
Would I recommend it to a friend? NEVER
Concept is great, just keep on improving it eSun... love your other filaments though. | 1 | neutral | [
"Really don't know whether to like or dislike this cleaning filament!",
"1.",
"When I first used it and extruded it as instructed, I didn't see any dirt or old filament strings or whatever coming out of the nozzle as I thought it would like really cleaning stuff.",
"I extruded 300mm of the cleaning filament at various temps (from 210 to 190) followed by a standard PLA filament, the latter being a disaster as explained below.",
"2.",
"For couple of days later, all of my prints were failing, because the cleaning filament stuff was mixed with my standard filament.",
"Like a PLA filament that used to extrude like butter at 195 degree, now only extrudes at 215!",
"Still couldn't print however, as once I start printing, filament jams.",
"3.",
"The black stuff, dirt I guess, started to come out of the nozzle after 3 days of trying to extrude my standard filament at very high temp, flushing basically the cleaning filament.",
"(attached photo)\n\n4.",
"After all that hassle, didn't notice any change in extruded filament, except that it was working against the law of gravity, i.",
"e, extruded filament started to go up towards the heatblock not down!",
"Well, I ended up changing my nozzles, that is 3 nozzles as I have 3 extruders all messed up, and yes all of them challenged the law of gravity.",
"Perhaps seeing that black stuff eventually coming out of the nozzle was worth giving it 3 stars despite what it caused to my printer, my nozzles, and me emotionally :)\n\nWould I buy it again?",
"NEVER\nWould I recommend it to a friend?",
"NEVER\n\nConcept is great, just keep on improving it eSun...",
"love your other filaments though."
] |
You should definitely rent this movie for two major reasons: the glorious scenery and ambiance of Italy during the 50s. And for the star-making role of Dickie, performed unforgettably by Jude Law. As Anthony Minghella says in an interview on the DVD disc, Law is so incredibly charismatic and ravishing that only he could have played the fickle, mesmerizing,sensuous Dickie. The story is so far-fetched as to be completely unbelievable. Without giving away the plot, how was the Matt Damon character able to continue playing another character that long without being found out? Damon is completely miscast. He's too narrow and nerdy and withdrawn to ever attract the attention of some of the male characters. Gwynyth Paltrow has a throw-away role of the naive American girlfriend of Dicky's. At the end of the movie, everyone's upset with Dicky because he's a suspect in the murder of a close friend. Yet, no one, including the police, think it strange that he's not around to answer any questions. Didn't they have newspaper photographers back then to snap pictures of murder suspects. Does anyone think that even in that more innocent time, Ripley could have gotten away with murder so long and not been found out? Still, entertaining eye candy and one prays that Jude Law will be starred now in a big, glamorous Hollywood flick. Because when he vanishes halfway through this movie, the major interest for watching it vanishes, too. | 1 | neutral | [
"You should definitely rent this movie for two major reasons: the glorious scenery and ambiance of Italy during the 50s.",
"And for the star-making role of Dickie, performed unforgettably by Jude Law.",
"As Anthony Minghella says in an interview on the DVD disc, Law is so incredibly charismatic and ravishing that only he could have played the fickle, mesmerizing,sensuous Dickie.",
"The story is so far-fetched as to be completely unbelievable.",
"Without giving away the plot, how was the Matt Damon character able to continue playing another character that long without being found out?",
"Damon is completely miscast.",
"He's too narrow and nerdy and withdrawn to ever attract the attention of some of the male characters.",
"Gwynyth Paltrow has a throw-away role of the naive American girlfriend of Dicky's.",
"At the end of the movie, everyone's upset with Dicky because he's a suspect in the murder of a close friend.",
"Yet, no one, including the police, think it strange that he's not around to answer any questions.",
"Didn't they have newspaper photographers back then to snap pictures of murder suspects.",
"Does anyone think that even in that more innocent time, Ripley could have gotten away with murder so long and not been found out?",
"Still, entertaining eye candy and one prays that Jude Law will be starred now in a big, glamorous Hollywood flick.",
"Because when he vanishes halfway through this movie, the major interest for watching it vanishes, too."
] |
This is one of the games I still play on Dreamcast. In an effort to keep the fewest amount of equipment around my tv, I decided to get the playstation version of this game. I must say that I was disappointed in the graphics and how grainy it is. You can't see to far in the distance. I thought it was going to be the same. Oh well. If you've never played this game before, it's still the same fun. I can give it that. I don't want to draw any comparisons to Twisted Metal. I like both. For the price, it's worth a shot but if you still play Dreamcast, get that version instead. | 1 | neutral | [
"This is one of the games I still play on Dreamcast.",
"In an effort to keep the fewest amount of equipment around my tv, I decided to get the playstation version of this game.",
"I must say that I was disappointed in the graphics and how grainy it is.",
"You can't see to far in the distance.",
"I thought it was going to be the same.",
"Oh well.",
"If you've never played this game before, it's still the same fun.",
"I can give it that.",
"I don't want to draw any comparisons to Twisted Metal.",
"I like both.",
"For the price, it's worth a shot but if you still play Dreamcast, get that version instead."
] |
...the spring rusts. I own both the 12' (for normal indoor cooking) and the 16" (for grilling). I have used both countless times. They grip food well and you feel as though you have a firm hold of the hood too. In all the times I have used them, I have discovered two main flaws. The first flaw is the flexibility (bend-ibility)of the "hands", the part of the tongs that actually touches the food. If you grasp the food too tight, they bend. This means the they will not close tight without bending them back into shape. The second is the metal used in the spring. This metal is prone to rust and when it rusts the tongs no longer have their normal spring and often get stuck. My advice would be to spend a little more money and get a hight quality. | 1 | neutral | [
"...",
"the spring rusts.",
"I own both the 12' (for normal indoor cooking) and the 16\" (for grilling).",
"I have used both countless times.",
"They grip food well and you feel as though you have a firm hold of the hood too.",
"In all the times I have used them, I have discovered two main flaws.",
"The first flaw is the flexibility (bend-ibility)of the \"hands\", the part of the tongs that actually touches the food.",
"If you grasp the food too tight, they bend.",
"This means the they will not close tight without bending them back into shape.",
"The second is the metal used in the spring.",
"This metal is prone to rust and when it rusts the tongs no longer have their normal spring and often get stuck.",
"My advice would be to spend a little more money and get a hight quality."
] |
the pants are not bad. The material is a bit rougher that I had expected. I have other pants by Dickies and they are a little more comfortable. I typically wear a size 40, but being winter I'm getting a bit rounder so I plumped up a bit so I rounded up on the size and it's still to snug. I still fit into my size 40 of other brands. The front pockets are too small to be of any use. but the back pockets are nice. While the material may be a bit rough for my liking it seems to be strong. The length is good. I'm trying to say nice things about the pants, but they're pants. They cover my legs. They are as long as my legs. The khaki is the correct shade of whatever khaki is. Big fan of Dickies. | 1 | neutral | [
"the pants are not bad.",
"The material is a bit rougher that I had expected.",
"I have other pants by Dickies and they are a little more comfortable.",
"I typically wear a size 40, but being winter I'm getting a bit rounder so I plumped up a bit so I rounded up on the size and it's still to snug.",
"I still fit into my size 40 of other brands.",
"The front pockets are too small to be of any use.",
"but the back pockets are nice.",
"While the material may be a bit rough for my liking it seems to be strong.",
"The length is good.",
"I'm trying to say nice things about the pants, but they're pants.",
"They cover my legs.",
"They are as long as my legs.",
"The khaki is the correct shade of whatever khaki is.",
"Big fan of Dickies."
] |
...if it wasn't for the shoddy A.I. i only wish that the computer would give the same advantages to my computer controlled players as it deems necessary for its players. too often i have watched my players while chasing after a pass just stop and let the other team take the ball...then proceed to run around in circles as the computer controlled player struts on by.
another flaw with the A.I is that no matter which piece setup i use or what strategy, my players shy away from the box(on either end) if i am making a break for the goal i have to fight off two to three computer players (that are already waiting in the box) just to get near the goal,yet on my defence end, my back defenders are nowhere near the box....so the computer just needs to get past one defender and they are prepped for a shot...You might be thinking to yourself "well why don't you just take control of your player" well the problem being is that when you take control of a player that is already running away from the ball you have to try and play catch up and it seems that all your players are the slowest people in the world....even at a full sprint i have yet to catch up to a computer controlled player...which probably explains why they can come from half a field away when i'm making a break for the box and tackle me.it is a shame because EA finally almost got soccer right... gone is the running up the side and crossing for a goal... now each pass means something, each interception counts every time you get near the box you get excited that you made it this far ......and then.... whats that no one to pass it to?, five defenders on me like white on rice!?, nowhere to go? and boom balls back on the opposite side of the pitch and all my players are running around like an A.Y.S.O peewee league.the game never strikes a balance between frustrating and fun it is about 30% fun and 70% frustrating.
by the way this refers to playing it on PRO level don't even bother with semi-pro or lower as you will undoubtedly win by minimum of 5-0 every time. | 1 | neutral | [
"...",
"if it wasn't for the shoddy A.",
"I. i only wish that the computer would give the same advantages to my computer controlled players as it deems necessary for its players.",
"too often i have watched my players while chasing after a pass just stop and let the other team take the ball...",
"then proceed to run around in circles as the computer controlled player struts on by.",
"another flaw with the A.",
"I is that no matter which piece setup i use or what strategy, my players shy away from the box(on either end) if i am making a break for the goal i have to fight off two to three computer players (that are already waiting in the box) just to get near the goal,yet on my defence end, my back defenders are nowhere near the box....",
"so the computer just needs to get past one defender and they are prepped for a shot...",
"You might be thinking to yourself \"well why don't you just take control of your player\" well the problem being is that when you take control of a player that is already running away from the ball you have to try and play catch up and it seems that all your players are the slowest people in the world....",
"even at a full sprint i have yet to catch up to a computer controlled player...",
"which probably explains why they can come from half a field away when i'm making a break for the box and tackle me.",
"it is a shame because EA finally almost got soccer right...",
"gone is the running up the side and crossing for a goal...",
"now each pass means something, each interception counts every time you get near the box you get excited that you made it this far....",
"..",
"and then....",
"whats that no one to pass it to?",
", five defenders on me like white on rice!?",
", nowhere to go?",
"and boom balls back on the opposite side of the pitch and all my players are running around like an A.",
"Y.S.O peewee league.",
"the game never strikes a balance between frustrating and fun it is about 30% fun and 70% frustrating.",
"by the way this refers to playing it on PRO level don't even bother with semi-pro or lower as you will undoubtedly win by minimum of 5-0 every time."
] |
I wanted to love this game, I really did. The N64 original still stands as one of my favorite games for the system so i was looking forward to this update. The biggest flaw with this game is the newly added power shots. Each character has an offensive one that hits the ball in such a way its more dificult to return and a defensive one that you use to hit a ball you would've otherwise missed. Both kinds are accompanied by an animation such as Mario pulling out his hammer to hit the ball or Peach blowing a kiss at the ball to strike it back. These animations are fun the first few times, but they get annoying very quickly. They also distract from the actual tennis and they cause matches to drag on way too long especially the defensive ones. An example of a distraction I constantly encountered is Yoshi's offensive shot. He hits the ball and it is followed by a rainbow trail until the second bounce. The problem is the trail with all its bright colors and sparkly doodads immediatly catches the eye and your distracted. Many of the other character offense shots are the same. Worst of all you cant turn them off in the one player which is majorly frustrating. Thankfully the option is there for multiplayer so these aren't really a problem there. In both modes though character balance is a problem. To put it bluntly Bowser Junior is a cheap bastard. There are a few other characters who just seem better than others all around but he's the worst. The game does look gorgeous however and there is alot to unlock. The multiplayer is still a blast and its definately better then the firsts if you turn those dang power shots off. Unfourtunately the single player despite having more to offer falls way behind the first. Overall if you really like tennis games and all you have is a gamecube then yeah youll want to buy this mainly because there are no other good options on the system. If you can gurantee you're going to have people over to have matches with alot then go ahead and buy this also. Just know that when no one else is around it will probably be gathering dust. Definately rent this one before buying if you intend to play by yourself. Maybe some of you will be better able to handle the "improvements" these power shots supposedly add to the game than I. | 1 | neutral | [
"I wanted to love this game, I really did.",
"The N64 original still stands as one of my favorite games for the system so i was looking forward to this update.",
"The biggest flaw with this game is the newly added power shots.",
"Each character has an offensive one that hits the ball in such a way its more dificult to return and a defensive one that you use to hit a ball you would've otherwise missed.",
"Both kinds are accompanied by an animation such as Mario pulling out his hammer to hit the ball or Peach blowing a kiss at the ball to strike it back.",
"These animations are fun the first few times, but they get annoying very quickly.",
"They also distract from the actual tennis and they cause matches to drag on way too long especially the defensive ones.",
"An example of a distraction I constantly encountered is Yoshi's offensive shot.",
"He hits the ball and it is followed by a rainbow trail until the second bounce.",
"The problem is the trail with all its bright colors and sparkly doodads immediatly catches the eye and your distracted.",
"Many of the other character offense shots are the same.",
"Worst of all you cant turn them off in the one player which is majorly frustrating.",
"Thankfully the option is there for multiplayer so these aren't really a problem there.",
"In both modes though character balance is a problem.",
"To put it bluntly Bowser Junior is a cheap bastard.",
"There are a few other characters who just seem better than others all around but he's the worst.",
"The game does look gorgeous however and there is alot to unlock.",
"The multiplayer is still a blast and its definately better then the firsts if you turn those dang power shots off.",
"Unfourtunately the single player despite having more to offer falls way behind the first.",
"Overall if you really like tennis games and all you have is a gamecube then yeah youll want to buy this mainly because there are no other good options on the system.",
"If you can gurantee you're going to have people over to have matches with alot then go ahead and buy this also.",
"Just know that when no one else is around it will probably be gathering dust.",
"Definately rent this one before buying if you intend to play by yourself.",
"Maybe some of you will be better able to handle the \"improvements\" these power shots supposedly add to the game than I."
] |
I bought this beach shade to...of course...use on the beach. I have an 8 month old and he needed shade. I thought this looked super cool...and it was...after fighting with it in the 90 degree heat on a sandy beach as the baby screamed and cried. It took 15+ minutes to set up which doesn't seem like a long time but trust me when I say it was an eternity under the circumstances. So...15min to put up woudn't really prevent me from using it again because it was pretty near perfect once assembled.
The teardown on the other hand was a trainwreck. Sure, it came down in like 5 minutes but the bag it comes in is much too small for the shade to EVER fit back into! The poles alone take up about half the space and unless you have serious origami skills, infinite patience, no wind, no sand, no water, no crying infant, you have no hope. I'm not sure why they'd make a carrying case that's about the size of a handbag, but they sure did.
Overall, it's just OK in my book. | 1 | neutral | [
"I bought this beach shade to...",
"of course...",
"use on the beach.",
"I have an 8 month old and he needed shade.",
"I thought this looked super cool...",
"and it was...",
"after fighting with it in the 90 degree heat on a sandy beach as the baby screamed and cried.",
"It took 15+ minutes to set up which doesn't seem like a long time but trust me when I say it was an eternity under the circumstances.",
"So...",
"15min to put up woudn't really prevent me from using it again because it was pretty near perfect once assembled.",
"The teardown on the other hand was a trainwreck.",
"Sure, it came down in like 5 minutes but the bag it comes in is much too small for the shade to EVER fit back into!",
"The poles alone take up about half the space and unless you have serious origami skills, infinite patience, no wind, no sand, no water, no crying infant, you have no hope.",
"I'm not sure why they'd make a carrying case that's about the size of a handbag, but they sure did.",
"Overall, it's just OK in my book."
] |
"Pop" was the third album in U2's reinvention trilogy (following "Acthung Baby" and "Zooropa"), before they finally came to the realization that being U2 was just fine without all the bending and twisting. Coming also at the lowest point in Bono's exasperating "I'm just a plastic pop star" phase, it means that moment-identifying production completely buries some amazing songs here.
Like David Bowie's "Earthling," released roughly the same period as "Pop," U2 drenched their album with the current drum'n'bass dance electronica that was sweeping England at the time. Not like U2 hadn't already dabbled in electronics (think "Zooropa"), but this time they took songs that would probably have stood better without the computerized bleeping and forced a date stamp that screams "1997!" Case in Point; "If God Will Send His Angels." In the kind of lost lover lament and religious intertwine that spans U2's best songs, "If God Will Send His Angels" begs for an acoustic treatment (and got one on the soundtrack to "City Of Angels"), but instead burbles along on "Pop's" machine generated drone.
Needless to say, if it weren't for the fact that "Pop" contains such brilliant work as "Last Night On Earth," "Staring At The Sun" "Wake Up Dead Man" and "Angels," the overbearing production would have crushed a lesser band. In fact, even the silly "Discotheque" (again with the wink-wink nudge-nudge video that accompanied it) proved that the band could loosen up and show a sense of humor.
So while I would not call this essential U2, I'll probably never dismiss it from my Cd rack. And since they redeemed themselves as rockers with the next album, it's easy to forgive U2 their desire to push at their "Pop"-velope. | 1 | neutral | [
"\"Pop\" was the third album in U2's reinvention trilogy (following \"Acthung Baby\" and \"Zooropa\"), before they finally came to the realization that being U2 was just fine without all the bending and twisting.",
"Coming also at the lowest point in Bono's exasperating \"I'm just a plastic pop star\" phase, it means that moment-identifying production completely buries some amazing songs here.",
"Like David Bowie's \"Earthling,\" released roughly the same period as \"Pop,\" U2 drenched their album with the current drum'n'bass dance electronica that was sweeping England at the time.",
"Not like U2 hadn't already dabbled in electronics (think \"Zooropa\"), but this time they took songs that would probably have stood better without the computerized bleeping and forced a date stamp that screams \"1997!",
"\" Case in Point; \"If God Will Send His Angels.",
"\" In the kind of lost lover lament and religious intertwine that spans U2's best songs, \"If God Will Send His Angels\" begs for an acoustic treatment (and got one on the soundtrack to \"City Of Angels\"), but instead burbles along on \"Pop's\" machine generated drone.",
"Needless to say, if it weren't for the fact that \"Pop\" contains such brilliant work as \"Last Night On Earth,\" \"Staring At The Sun\" \"Wake Up Dead Man\" and \"Angels,\" the overbearing production would have crushed a lesser band.",
"In fact, even the silly \"Discotheque\" (again with the wink-wink nudge-nudge video that accompanied it) proved that the band could loosen up and show a sense of humor.",
"So while I would not call this essential U2, I'll probably never dismiss it from my Cd rack.",
"And since they redeemed themselves as rockers with the next album, it's easy to forgive U2 their desire to push at their \"Pop\"-velope."
] |
RECEIVED FROM: The Author For Review
***NOTE MY REVIEWS OFTEN CONTAIN SPOILERS***
Marina is about to start her senior year of high school in a new school, the first she's ever actually attended, and for the first time without her Dad there to support her. Marina's father is a agronomist who's spending the year in Afghanistan to help them develops ways to feed their country, while Marina is going to Aptos, California to live with her Aunt Abby and her cousin Cruz in their little seaside town. She believes her life is over until she encounters a sexy boy named Ethan and an ethereal mermaid name Lorelei. Soon she's drawn into the little seaside town and the mysteries of the ocean it borders, embarking on a dangerous quest to find out who she is and where she comes from. Will she survive to discover the answers she seeks?
The summary isn't the best description of the book, but lately I seem to find myself staring at a blank screen forever just to try to find the right words to both summarize and review the books I've read. I don't know if it's having a blog that's creating this loss for words in my writing or just some temporary mental block, but hopefully it goes away soon. Anyway back to the review.
This book is really more of a 3.5 stars than 3 but I don't do half ratings since I copy my reviews to my different profiles it's easier to stay with solid stars since that's what the other sites use. I actually only found two things that I think detracted from what is an otherwise well written and interesting story, however one of them was just so big that it dropped my rating considerably.
The first thing that bothered me, and this is actually the smaller one was that the characters seemed to have this inside joke that was never explained to the reader. There's multiple scenes with giggling characters where I didn't really understand what was so funny. To the characters in this novel there's apparently something hilarious about the statement "That's what she said." I didn't get it and there's nothing worse than being on the outside of a joke. Okay well there is, but it still sucks when you're left out.
The thing that I thought was the major flaw with this book was the Mary Sue tendencies of the characters and their lifestyles. They weren't quite perfect but they were darn close, at first I wasn't going to ding this book so hard for this, but it was her father winning the Nobel prize that kind of put it over the top for me. Marina has traveled extensively attending online school because her father is not only a brilliant agronomist (a job that to be honest I'd never heard of before reading this book.) but also holds a faculty position at a prestigious university. Apparently he's powerful enough that Marina can get her own way on all her classes just by mentioning his name to the school guidance counselor.
She herself is brilliant and is only attending high school because her father feels she's too independent and needs to learn to be around her peers. It's pretty apparent that no one really expects her to learn anything new academically there. Let's not forget that's she's beautiful and mystical as well.
Her neighbor, who's pretty much adopted her to the point she's referred to as Aunt Evie, is a retired fashion model who dresses Marina is Prada and other top of the line designers just because she enjoys doing it. If that weren't enough with this flamboyant character she has a basement full of expensive cars that she lets Marina learn to drive on and oh she's the original fashion "it" girl. Not to mention the fabulous Evie spends her time searching out hidden talents in fashion and music and helping them succeed in the business. (I seriously need an Aunt Evie.)
Her cousin Cruz, though a social outcast is a brilliant but as of yet undiscovered fashion designer. His best friend Meghan is a song writer with the most amazing voice. And we can't forget that Evan the boy who falls for Marina is the hottest and most respect guy in school. He's the best surfer on the beach, works all the time to achieve his future and adores the perfect Marina.
I had planned to mention this from about the introduction of Aunt Evie, but I hadn't planned to make as big of a deal of it in my review until Dad won the Nobel prize. That's just what put it over the top for me. The only negative things really in the character's lives is that Ethan doesn't have a lot of money and his mother ran off when he was only a kid. Cruz is a social outcast, and believe his father died in a car crash when he was a baby only to learn later that his father was a married man who tried paying his mother to abort him. Meghan is overweight and also a social outcast. And finishing out the social outcast crew is Marina who's mother died in child birth. It's as if the writer has found a couple flaws she likes and just attributed them to every character.
The book however is extremely well written, fast paced and a quick and enjoyable read. The plot has some interesting twists and turns that keep readers turning the page. The only thing I think the writer needs to learn is that perfect characters may lead wonderful lives, but it's harder for a reader to relate to characters whose lives they envy than a characters who has just as many issues as they do. Overall though I really did enjoy reading this book and I would recommend it to others who enjoy young adult urban fantasy novels. It's an excellent debut novel from a writer I look forward to reading more of. There's an obvious talent in the writing and the ability to weave a page turning story. I only hope that the characters become a little more believable in future works. | 1 | neutral | [
"RECEIVED FROM: The Author For Review\n\n***NOTE MY REVIEWS OFTEN CONTAIN SPOILERS***\n\nMarina is about to start her senior year of high school in a new school, the first she's ever actually attended, and for the first time without her Dad there to support her.",
"Marina's father is a agronomist who's spending the year in Afghanistan to help them develops ways to feed their country, while Marina is going to Aptos, California to live with her Aunt Abby and her cousin Cruz in their little seaside town.",
"She believes her life is over until she encounters a sexy boy named Ethan and an ethereal mermaid name Lorelei.",
"Soon she's drawn into the little seaside town and the mysteries of the ocean it borders, embarking on a dangerous quest to find out who she is and where she comes from.",
"Will she survive to discover the answers she seeks?",
"The summary isn't the best description of the book, but lately I seem to find myself staring at a blank screen forever just to try to find the right words to both summarize and review the books I've read.",
"I don't know if it's having a blog that's creating this loss for words in my writing or just some temporary mental block, but hopefully it goes away soon.",
"Anyway back to the review.",
"This book is really more of a 3.",
"5 stars than 3 but I don't do half ratings since I copy my reviews to my different profiles it's easier to stay with solid stars since that's what the other sites use.",
"I actually only found two things that I think detracted from what is an otherwise well written and interesting story, however one of them was just so big that it dropped my rating considerably.",
"The first thing that bothered me, and this is actually the smaller one was that the characters seemed to have this inside joke that was never explained to the reader.",
"There's multiple scenes with giggling characters where I didn't really understand what was so funny.",
"To the characters in this novel there's apparently something hilarious about the statement \"That's what she said.",
"\" I didn't get it and there's nothing worse than being on the outside of a joke.",
"Okay well there is, but it still sucks when you're left out.",
"The thing that I thought was the major flaw with this book was the Mary Sue tendencies of the characters and their lifestyles.",
"They weren't quite perfect but they were darn close, at first I wasn't going to ding this book so hard for this, but it was her father winning the Nobel prize that kind of put it over the top for me.",
"Marina has traveled extensively attending online school because her father is not only a brilliant agronomist (a job that to be honest I'd never heard of before reading this book.",
") but also holds a faculty position at a prestigious university.",
"Apparently he's powerful enough that Marina can get her own way on all her classes just by mentioning his name to the school guidance counselor.",
"She herself is brilliant and is only attending high school because her father feels she's too independent and needs to learn to be around her peers.",
"It's pretty apparent that no one really expects her to learn anything new academically there.",
"Let's not forget that's she's beautiful and mystical as well.",
"Her neighbor, who's pretty much adopted her to the point she's referred to as Aunt Evie, is a retired fashion model who dresses Marina is Prada and other top of the line designers just because she enjoys doing it.",
"If that weren't enough with this flamboyant character she has a basement full of expensive cars that she lets Marina learn to drive on and oh she's the original fashion \"it\" girl.",
"Not to mention the fabulous Evie spends her time searching out hidden talents in fashion and music and helping them succeed in the business.",
"(I seriously need an Aunt Evie.",
")\n\nHer cousin Cruz, though a social outcast is a brilliant but as of yet undiscovered fashion designer.",
"His best friend Meghan is a song writer with the most amazing voice.",
"And we can't forget that Evan the boy who falls for Marina is the hottest and most respect guy in school.",
"He's the best surfer on the beach, works all the time to achieve his future and adores the perfect Marina.",
"I had planned to mention this from about the introduction of Aunt Evie, but I hadn't planned to make as big of a deal of it in my review until Dad won the Nobel prize.",
"That's just what put it over the top for me.",
"The only negative things really in the character's lives is that Ethan doesn't have a lot of money and his mother ran off when he was only a kid.",
"Cruz is a social outcast, and believe his father died in a car crash when he was a baby only to learn later that his father was a married man who tried paying his mother to abort him.",
"Meghan is overweight and also a social outcast.",
"And finishing out the social outcast crew is Marina who's mother died in child birth.",
"It's as if the writer has found a couple flaws she likes and just attributed them to every character.",
"The book however is extremely well written, fast paced and a quick and enjoyable read.",
"The plot has some interesting twists and turns that keep readers turning the page.",
"The only thing I think the writer needs to learn is that perfect characters may lead wonderful lives, but it's harder for a reader to relate to characters whose lives they envy than a characters who has just as many issues as they do.",
"Overall though I really did enjoy reading this book and I would recommend it to others who enjoy young adult urban fantasy novels.",
"It's an excellent debut novel from a writer I look forward to reading more of.",
"There's an obvious talent in the writing and the ability to weave a page turning story.",
"I only hope that the characters become a little more believable in future works."
] |
Plugged in and it worked. After it operated for just a weekend, the light stopped working. It did have a grounded wire but that shouldn't burn out the indicator light. Contacted the company and had to supply proof of purchase. Proof Proof. I had to photo copy the receipt and email to them. That didn't take long but to get it fixed I have to send it off. Shouldn't have to do this with a new product. Three stars is because the customer service was there on the phone and I can get it fixed.
This unit has a lot of power and takes little amperage. The company won't say how much but under 1 amp. If it is important to you to know just how much buy from someone else. They didn't know or refused to tell me. All the company's units they say take under 1 amp. This isn't much power but I have limited availability. | 1 | neutral | [
"Plugged in and it worked.",
"After it operated for just a weekend, the light stopped working.",
"It did have a grounded wire but that shouldn't burn out the indicator light.",
"Contacted the company and had to supply proof of purchase.",
"Proof Proof.",
"I had to photo copy the receipt and email to them.",
"That didn't take long but to get it fixed I have to send it off.",
"Shouldn't have to do this with a new product.",
"Three stars is because the customer service was there on the phone and I can get it fixed.",
"This unit has a lot of power and takes little amperage.",
"The company won't say how much but under 1 amp.",
"If it is important to you to know just how much buy from someone else.",
"They didn't know or refused to tell me.",
"All the company's units they say take under 1 amp.",
"This isn't much power but I have limited availability."
] |
I got the xbox 360 core bundle last Friday. I was suprised to see they had 2 left at Target and I emmidiatley bought it. I got a game to go along with it Amped 3. I got home tore open the seal and plugged it all up. I was suprised how big the wire on the wired controller was! You could easily sit on the comfort of your couch and play. The system is awesome! I cant believe how good the graphics were! Its like real life. Even better it was on on a NON-HDtv! Trust me your gonna need a harddrive to save your games and play origional xbox games on it. I cant wait until the new games come out like HALO 3!! | 1 | neutral | [
"I got the xbox 360 core bundle last Friday.",
"I was suprised to see they had 2 left at Target and I emmidiatley bought it.",
"I got a game to go along with it Amped 3.",
"I got home tore open the seal and plugged it all up.",
"I was suprised how big the wire on the wired controller was!",
"You could easily sit on the comfort of your couch and play.",
"The system is awesome!",
"I cant believe how good the graphics were!",
"Its like real life.",
"Even better it was on on a NON-HDtv!",
"Trust me your gonna need a harddrive to save your games and play origional xbox games on it.",
"I cant wait until the new games come out like HALO 3!!"
] |
I like this trimmer. But the owner is orphaned by the Poulan after the sale. Read on.
THE GOOD
The starter pull is pleasantly light; they say it is spring assisted. Very nice. It starts easily and doesn't take long to warm up. The bump-to-advance string spool works fine.
THE BAD
It is rather heavy. I got a universal shoulder strap to keep my arms from cramping during long sessions.
The choke would benefit from three positions: full, half, run. I start it in full then manually hold it in half for a bit while it warms up.
THE UGLY
One of the flanges on my line reel housing was distorted/deformed the very first time I took it off to reload trimmer line. I do not believe this is a user-caused problem as it was that way when I first opened it.
1. Call the poulan "support" line. Routes you to a local service site.
2. Go to service site. Tech looks at it, says "wear and tear" and offers to sell an entire new head for $22 as he says the housing is not available separately.
3. Get an email from Poulan sending users to their AnswerArmy website/forum.
4. Post in the appropriate forum with details and pics
5. <crickets>
6. <crickets>
7. <crickets>
So what should have been a simple "Let me mail you this part, or you can pick it up locally" becomes an unpleasant experience for their customer. And a review on Amazon.
I have both a Poulan chainsaw and this weed eater. I like them both. I think I hate the company.
You can see pics and full writeup of the scenario by googling "Is spool housing/case warrantable on new PP125?" (with quotes). | 1 | neutral | [
"I like this trimmer.",
"But the owner is orphaned by the Poulan after the sale.",
"Read on.",
"THE GOOD\nThe starter pull is pleasantly light; they say it is spring assisted.",
"Very nice.",
"It starts easily and doesn't take long to warm up.",
"The bump-to-advance string spool works fine.",
"THE BAD\nIt is rather heavy.",
"I got a universal shoulder strap to keep my arms from cramping during long sessions.",
"The choke would benefit from three positions: full, half, run.",
"I start it in full then manually hold it in half for a bit while it warms up.",
"THE UGLY\nOne of the flanges on my line reel housing was distorted/deformed the very first time I took it off to reload trimmer line.",
"I do not believe this is a user-caused problem as it was that way when I first opened it.",
"1.",
"Call the poulan \"support\" line.",
"Routes you to a local service site.",
"2.",
"Go to service site.",
"Tech looks at it, says \"wear and tear\" and offers to sell an entire new head for $22 as he says the housing is not available separately.",
"3.",
"Get an email from Poulan sending users to their AnswerArmy website/forum.",
"4.",
"Post in the appropriate forum with details and pics\n5.",
"<crickets>\n6.",
"<crickets>\n7.",
"<crickets>\n\nSo what should have been a simple \"Let me mail you this part, or you can pick it up locally\" becomes an unpleasant experience for their customer.",
"And a review on Amazon.",
"I have both a Poulan chainsaw and this weed eater.",
"I like them both.",
"I think I hate the company.",
"You can see pics and full writeup of the scenario by googling \"Is spool housing/case warrantable on new PP125?",
"\" (with quotes)."
] |
Very modern and very French comedy about filmmaking, art and everyone else involved in the process. Maggie Cheung arrives to Paris from Hong Kong in order to create her first "art" movie. Her past acting experiences featured her athletic abilities in martial arts movies. Her casting in the French director's remake of the silent movie about vampires is her chance to break the mold and casting stereotype.
Just observing the fuss and lack of organization of the film's crew is funny in itself. What adds to the comedic feel is the cultural and language divide. But the best part is watching Maggie in her black latex catsuit that makes the funniest little noises one can expect from the action figure "cat woman" bomb shell. The obsession with Maggie's beauty is shared between the director and her costume designer. When the original director goes through a nervous breakdown there is a change of guard and the enthusiasm for Maggie seems to disappear overnight.
This is definitely not a movie for everyone. One must enjoy european cinema to get through this film. But what I really liked about the movie is the soundtrack. Some very, very French music and singing is what makes this film easier to tolerate. | 1 | neutral | [
"Very modern and very French comedy about filmmaking, art and everyone else involved in the process.",
"Maggie Cheung arrives to Paris from Hong Kong in order to create her first \"art\" movie.",
"Her past acting experiences featured her athletic abilities in martial arts movies.",
"Her casting in the French director's remake of the silent movie about vampires is her chance to break the mold and casting stereotype.",
"Just observing the fuss and lack of organization of the film's crew is funny in itself.",
"What adds to the comedic feel is the cultural and language divide.",
"But the best part is watching Maggie in her black latex catsuit that makes the funniest little noises one can expect from the action figure \"cat woman\" bomb shell.",
"The obsession with Maggie's beauty is shared between the director and her costume designer.",
"When the original director goes through a nervous breakdown there is a change of guard and the enthusiasm for Maggie seems to disappear overnight.",
"This is definitely not a movie for everyone.",
"One must enjoy european cinema to get through this film.",
"But what I really liked about the movie is the soundtrack.",
"Some very, very French music and singing is what makes this film easier to tolerate."
] |
IN FLORIDA TEA PARTY FAVORITE TEMPERS HIS TONE
The Florida primary Tuesday was once going to be Rubio's chance to dispatch his main Republican opponent Gov. Charlie Crist. But Crist bolted the party four months ago rather than face Rubio in the primary and is running as an independent in a three-way race.
Now facing intense competition for the moderate Republicans and independents who could be the keys to victory in one of the nation's most closely divided states Rubio is trying to show that he is more than just an insurgent protest candidate -- and he is breaking with some Tea Party orthodoxy in the process.
Rubio spends less and less time trying to tap into the discontent that has been at the forefront of the midterm elections. A wiser course for Republicans he said is offering an alternative not simply being the angry opposition.
His course bears little resemblance to those of other insurgent candidates many of whom hope to ride a combative streak -- and little else -- to Washington. Rubio is increasingly trying to turn his candidacy into one built more on ideas than outrage which is why he delivered three detailed speeches in the past week alone on education veterans' affairs and retiree issues.
In an expansive interview as he rode in a white minivan from Pensacola to Fort Walton Beach Rubio did not agree with flashpoints Republican candidates elsewhere have seized on.
Does he support changing the 14th Amendment as some Republicans have suggested which grants the right to citizenship to anyone born in the United States?
"You're taking energy and focus away from that fundamental debate and spending time on something that quite frankly is not the highest and best use of our political attention " Rubio said. "I don't think that's where the problem is."
"Yeah there's a lot " Rubio said. "Obviously his personal story of someone who didn't come from wealth is a testament not just to his tenacity but to America. I just strongly disagree with him on public policy." | 1 | neutral | [
"IN FLORIDA TEA PARTY FAVORITE TEMPERS HIS TONE\nThe Florida primary Tuesday was once going to be Rubio's chance to dispatch his main Republican opponent Gov.",
"Charlie Crist.",
"But Crist bolted the party four months ago rather than face Rubio in the primary and is running as an independent in a three-way race.",
"Now facing intense competition for the moderate Republicans and independents who could be the keys to victory in one of the nation's most closely divided states Rubio is trying to show that he is more than just an insurgent protest candidate -- and he is breaking with some Tea Party orthodoxy in the process.",
"Rubio spends less and less time trying to tap into the discontent that has been at the forefront of the midterm elections.",
"A wiser course for Republicans he said is offering an alternative not simply being the angry opposition.",
"His course bears little resemblance to those of other insurgent candidates many of whom hope to ride a combative streak -- and little else -- to Washington.",
"Rubio is increasingly trying to turn his candidacy into one built more on ideas than outrage which is why he delivered three detailed speeches in the past week alone on education veterans' affairs and retiree issues.",
"In an expansive interview as he rode in a white minivan from Pensacola to Fort Walton Beach Rubio did not agree with flashpoints Republican candidates elsewhere have seized on.",
"Does he support changing the 14th Amendment as some Republicans have suggested which grants the right to citizenship to anyone born in the United States?",
"\"You're taking energy and focus away from that fundamental debate and spending time on something that quite frankly is not the highest and best use of our political attention \" Rubio said.",
"\"I don't think that's where the problem is.",
"\"\n \"Yeah there's a lot \" Rubio said.",
"\"Obviously his personal story of someone who didn't come from wealth is a testament not just to his tenacity but to America.",
"I just strongly disagree with him on public policy.",
"\""
] |
Ruth and her husband Patrick's life change drastically after Ruth loses her job and Patrick is offered an offer he can't refuse. One of the changes is that Patrick's overbearing parents have bought them the little house at the end of their road. Patrick thinks it would be great to live so close to his parents and since they have an (unplanned) baby on the way, Patrick finds it to be an ideal situation. Ruth does not feel that way. Ruth and Patrick's mother Elizabeth do not get along. In Elizabeth's eyes, Ruth can't do anything right. As the story progresses, Elizabeth's emotional abuse takes its toll on Ruth until Ruth can't figure out what is real and what is not. Of course, Patrick thinks his mother walks on water and believes everything that she says.
This is my first book that I have read of Gregory that isn't historical fiction and I wasn't disappointed but I wasn't blown away. Throughout reading The Little House my forehead was in a permanent frown because I was just frustrated at times with Ruth and her lack of backbone, Patrick and his bratty ways, Elizabeth with her holier-than-thou attitude and Frederick and his oh-well approach. Gregory does well to make the reader emotionally involved with the characters. The dysfunction of the family itself is intriguing and you figure out really quick that Patrick had no chance at a normal life being raised the way he was and Ruth was just perfect prey for him. How Ruth handles her "problem" is a bit of a shocker.
If you are looking for an acceptable psychological thriller to read I would suggest The Little House. The beginning is a bit slow but it lays the groundwork for the rest of the story and the ending will surprise you. | 1 | neutral | [
"Ruth and her husband Patrick's life change drastically after Ruth loses her job and Patrick is offered an offer he can't refuse.",
"One of the changes is that Patrick's overbearing parents have bought them the little house at the end of their road.",
"Patrick thinks it would be great to live so close to his parents and since they have an (unplanned) baby on the way, Patrick finds it to be an ideal situation.",
"Ruth does not feel that way.",
"Ruth and Patrick's mother Elizabeth do not get along.",
"In Elizabeth's eyes, Ruth can't do anything right.",
"As the story progresses, Elizabeth's emotional abuse takes its toll on Ruth until Ruth can't figure out what is real and what is not.",
"Of course, Patrick thinks his mother walks on water and believes everything that she says.",
"This is my first book that I have read of Gregory that isn't historical fiction and I wasn't disappointed but I wasn't blown away.",
"Throughout reading The Little House my forehead was in a permanent frown because I was just frustrated at times with Ruth and her lack of backbone, Patrick and his bratty ways, Elizabeth with her holier-than-thou attitude and Frederick and his oh-well approach.",
"Gregory does well to make the reader emotionally involved with the characters.",
"The dysfunction of the family itself is intriguing and you figure out really quick that Patrick had no chance at a normal life being raised the way he was and Ruth was just perfect prey for him.",
"How Ruth handles her \"problem\" is a bit of a shocker.",
"If you are looking for an acceptable psychological thriller to read I would suggest The Little House.",
"The beginning is a bit slow but it lays the groundwork for the rest of the story and the ending will surprise you."
] |
I was horrified when I first learned that Hollywood was attempting to cash in by remaking yet another film classic that had been done perfectly the first time. Was it only to make more money, and to sneak their own imprint on to the original filmmakers' success?
Ironically, this is typical of the kind of human behavior that the original Planet Of The Apes railed against. Yet, if you watch the documentary Behind The Planet Of The Apes, you'll marvel at just how oblivious some Hollywood executives were to the philosophical messages in the original film. One of them claimed that the filmmakers might have quietly slipped a few messages into the film, but overall it was intended as nothing more than a simple action/adventure. This goes a long way to explain why Hollywood fails so often, despite so much money and so much talent at its disposal.
And as if to drive home the point that thinkers are the powerless minority in Hollywood, director Tim Burton's commentary for this "re-imaging" of the original seems to show that Burton was only marginally more aware that "hidden" messages existed in the original film--messages that cried out like a banshee to anyone who actually bothered to THINK about that film. Even worse, I like Tim Burton's work, but the commentary reveals that Burton, though possessing a degree of thoughtfulness, may not be as articulate as one would hope. And this may best explain why this remake of Planet Of The Apes can best be described as an entertaining misfire.
I borrowed this film from the library, so I wouldn't lend any financial support to Hollywood's remake-for-profit schemes. I also watched it with my thumb resting on the remote-control's stop button. My goal was to see what this remake was all about, without allowing it to ruin the original's real impact on me.
So no one was more surprised than me, when I had no trouble seeing Burton's Planet Of The Apes through to the end. As a matter of fact, I quite enjoyed this film. The reason is because the story is entirely different than the original, so there's little risk of Burton stepping on the original's toes. Even better, this film did not succumb to Hollywood's obscene tendency to tack a happy ending onto every story about rape, murder, holocaust, or homo sapiens being overthrown by "lesser" species. In that regard, it seems more like a continuation of the original series, rather than a remake of the original.
Even so, apart from the ending, this your typical Hollywood action film--the kind of film that Richard Zanuck apparently originally envisioned back the late 1960's. There's a studly leading man with mediocre acting skills (no offense--I like Mark Wahlberg), a deliciously beautiful woman (actually two of them, if you find apes attractive), an easily recognizable evil villain who is blindly followed by hoards of unrecognizable and expendable henchmen, and a story line that relies heavily on deus ex machina to tie the screenplay's many loose ends together. This is the kind of film that Arnold Schwartzenneger would feel perfectly at home in. And there's nothing wrong with that, since it doesn't water down the power and force of the original film's message. Indeed, to Burton's credit, this remake does make a few humble attempts to insert social and political commentary.
However, in terms of filmmaking, I do not believe that this was Tim Burton's finest hour. For example, in the original film, the important "hunt" scene takes place in an expansive locale, with lots of motion and wide shots. You feel that a lot of effort was put into that scene, and this makes thoughtful people wonder why the filmmakers placed so much emphasis on the hunt.
However, the "hunt" scene in Burton's remake takes place in a clausterphobic jungle, and the only thoughtful question that results is, "why did a film with this kind of budget do an entire hunt scene on a sound stage the size of my living room?".
Films with real messages usually employ devices like foreshadowing, which often make the second viewing even more satisfying than the first. But here, again, Burton and Zanuck show no interest in making the audience THINK. For example, there were abundant opportunities to foreshadow Simos' future significance in the opening scenes that are surrounded by chimps in cages, yet no attempt was even made. Not even a nameplate for Simos on one of the cages--even though the screenplay called out for "METALLIC SQUARES stamped with SERIAL NUMBER and NICKNAME". The only real foreshadowing was Alexander's insistence that Pericles had been taught to return to the mother ship, which later helps to explain the silliness of his "miraculous" return at just the right moment.
Likewise, the brief montage of Earth transmissions contained only typical, iconic scenes from history--the kind of montage that a hungover high-school film student might throw together a few minutes before their 15-second film project is due: Hitler speaking, Iwo-jima flag raising, Castro speaking, a frame from The Day The Earth Stood Still, and Bill Clinton confessing that he stained Monica Lewinsky's dress. (The screenplay called for different, but equally irrelevant clips). There were no clips of Koko the gorilla using sign language. No clips of Jane Goodall living among the chimpanzees of Western Africa. No clips of pack animals serving humans. No clips of the Ku Klux Klan or George W. Bush behaving like animals that settle disagreements with violence. There were also no clips of any events that would have occurred between today and the future time in which the film is set. So many opportunities lost here!
I was also dumbfounded by the lack of sheer horror on Mark Wahlberg's face in the final scene--as well as director Tim Burton's apparent lack of direction that Wahlberg should exhibit horror in a horrifying situation. I think Burton has been working with puppets too long to adequately direct live actors anymore.
Where the film really shines is--as expected--with special effects. The opening shot of the cross-shaped Oberon nestled below Saturn's rings was awe-inspiring. And of course the ape makeup itself was inspired--Helena Bohnam Carter never looked so good. Burton also did a great job of capturing the way that apes move and behave, in obvious contrast to the original film's insistence that apes move and behave much like humans. The human actors playing apes hung, swung, and used their toes, much like real simeans would. Unfortunately, they also jumped and threw aggressors into the air with an unrealistic amount of power. I also wasn't entirely satisfied with the ape voices, which too often sounded like a cross between James Earl Jones and Barry White. It was also annoying to see a 100% survival rate every time one of those egg-shaped space pods crashed into a planet. I've suffered more damage with fender-benders in parking lots.
Overall, this is an entertaining film, spoiled mainly by the unavoidable comparison to the original, and Tim Burton's lack of attention to detail. As an action/adventure that is meant to make obtuse Hollywood executives even richer, this film succeeds. As a thoughtful statement on the human condition, it mostly fails. Somewhere in between lies a film that is more or less worth watching--as long as you don't expect too much from it. | 1 | neutral | [
"I was horrified when I first learned that Hollywood was attempting to cash in by remaking yet another film classic that had been done perfectly the first time.",
"Was it only to make more money, and to sneak their own imprint on to the original filmmakers' success?",
"Ironically, this is typical of the kind of human behavior that the original Planet Of The Apes railed against.",
"Yet, if you watch the documentary Behind The Planet Of The Apes, you'll marvel at just how oblivious some Hollywood executives were to the philosophical messages in the original film.",
"One of them claimed that the filmmakers might have quietly slipped a few messages into the film, but overall it was intended as nothing more than a simple action/adventure.",
"This goes a long way to explain why Hollywood fails so often, despite so much money and so much talent at its disposal.",
"And as if to drive home the point that thinkers are the powerless minority in Hollywood, director Tim Burton's commentary for this \"re-imaging\" of the original seems to show that Burton was only marginally more aware that \"hidden\" messages existed in the original film--messages that cried out like a banshee to anyone who actually bothered to THINK about that film.",
"Even worse, I like Tim Burton's work, but the commentary reveals that Burton, though possessing a degree of thoughtfulness, may not be as articulate as one would hope.",
"And this may best explain why this remake of Planet Of The Apes can best be described as an entertaining misfire.",
"I borrowed this film from the library, so I wouldn't lend any financial support to Hollywood's remake-for-profit schemes.",
"I also watched it with my thumb resting on the remote-control's stop button.",
"My goal was to see what this remake was all about, without allowing it to ruin the original's real impact on me.",
"So no one was more surprised than me, when I had no trouble seeing Burton's Planet Of The Apes through to the end.",
"As a matter of fact, I quite enjoyed this film.",
"The reason is because the story is entirely different than the original, so there's little risk of Burton stepping on the original's toes.",
"Even better, this film did not succumb to Hollywood's obscene tendency to tack a happy ending onto every story about rape, murder, holocaust, or homo sapiens being overthrown by \"lesser\" species.",
"In that regard, it seems more like a continuation of the original series, rather than a remake of the original.",
"Even so, apart from the ending, this your typical Hollywood action film--the kind of film that Richard Zanuck apparently originally envisioned back the late 1960's.",
"There's a studly leading man with mediocre acting skills (no offense--I like Mark Wahlberg), a deliciously beautiful woman (actually two of them, if you find apes attractive), an easily recognizable evil villain who is blindly followed by hoards of unrecognizable and expendable henchmen, and a story line that relies heavily on deus ex machina to tie the screenplay's many loose ends together.",
"This is the kind of film that Arnold Schwartzenneger would feel perfectly at home in.",
"And there's nothing wrong with that, since it doesn't water down the power and force of the original film's message.",
"Indeed, to Burton's credit, this remake does make a few humble attempts to insert social and political commentary.",
"However, in terms of filmmaking, I do not believe that this was Tim Burton's finest hour.",
"For example, in the original film, the important \"hunt\" scene takes place in an expansive locale, with lots of motion and wide shots.",
"You feel that a lot of effort was put into that scene, and this makes thoughtful people wonder why the filmmakers placed so much emphasis on the hunt.",
"However, the \"hunt\" scene in Burton's remake takes place in a clausterphobic jungle, and the only thoughtful question that results is, \"why did a film with this kind of budget do an entire hunt scene on a sound stage the size of my living room?",
"\".",
"Films with real messages usually employ devices like foreshadowing, which often make the second viewing even more satisfying than the first.",
"But here, again, Burton and Zanuck show no interest in making the audience THINK.",
"For example, there were abundant opportunities to foreshadow Simos' future significance in the opening scenes that are surrounded by chimps in cages, yet no attempt was even made.",
"Not even a nameplate for Simos on one of the cages--even though the screenplay called out for \"METALLIC SQUARES stamped with SERIAL NUMBER and NICKNAME\".",
"The only real foreshadowing was Alexander's insistence that Pericles had been taught to return to the mother ship, which later helps to explain the silliness of his \"miraculous\" return at just the right moment.",
"Likewise, the brief montage of Earth transmissions contained only typical, iconic scenes from history--the kind of montage that a hungover high-school film student might throw together a few minutes before their 15-second film project is due: Hitler speaking, Iwo-jima flag raising, Castro speaking, a frame from The Day The Earth Stood Still, and Bill Clinton confessing that he stained Monica Lewinsky's dress.",
"(The screenplay called for different, but equally irrelevant clips).",
"There were no clips of Koko the gorilla using sign language.",
"No clips of Jane Goodall living among the chimpanzees of Western Africa.",
"No clips of pack animals serving humans.",
"No clips of the Ku Klux Klan or George W.",
"Bush behaving like animals that settle disagreements with violence.",
"There were also no clips of any events that would have occurred between today and the future time in which the film is set.",
"So many opportunities lost here!",
"I was also dumbfounded by the lack of sheer horror on Mark Wahlberg's face in the final scene--as well as director Tim Burton's apparent lack of direction that Wahlberg should exhibit horror in a horrifying situation.",
"I think Burton has been working with puppets too long to adequately direct live actors anymore.",
"Where the film really shines is--as expected--with special effects.",
"The opening shot of the cross-shaped Oberon nestled below Saturn's rings was awe-inspiring.",
"And of course the ape makeup itself was inspired--Helena Bohnam Carter never looked so good.",
"Burton also did a great job of capturing the way that apes move and behave, in obvious contrast to the original film's insistence that apes move and behave much like humans.",
"The human actors playing apes hung, swung, and used their toes, much like real simeans would.",
"Unfortunately, they also jumped and threw aggressors into the air with an unrealistic amount of power.",
"I also wasn't entirely satisfied with the ape voices, which too often sounded like a cross between James Earl Jones and Barry White.",
"It was also annoying to see a 100% survival rate every time one of those egg-shaped space pods crashed into a planet.",
"I've suffered more damage with fender-benders in parking lots.",
"Overall, this is an entertaining film, spoiled mainly by the unavoidable comparison to the original, and Tim Burton's lack of attention to detail.",
"As an action/adventure that is meant to make obtuse Hollywood executives even richer, this film succeeds.",
"As a thoughtful statement on the human condition, it mostly fails.",
"Somewhere in between lies a film that is more or less worth watching--as long as you don't expect too much from it."
] |
While I enjoy stories on the racey side, I do prefer that the couple have some sort of history. The concept of immediate bonding/love is not that enjoyable to me. What I liked about the first in this series <a data-hook="product-link-linked" class="a-link-normal" href="/Taming-the-Vampire-A-Paranormal-Romance-Novella-Blood-and-Absinthe-Book-1/dp/B005G7ZFXY/ref=cm_cr_arp_d_rvw_txt?ie=UTF8">Taming the Vampire: A Paranormal Romance Novella (Blood and Absinthe, Book 1)</a>, was that Liz and Jack had a history. The story that we saw was just the denouement or them coming together.
In this book, which I do believe was very well written, the lust is immediate. Even though Celia is nothing like what Grant is used to he immediately wants to take care of her, going against his personality. She is in the beginning of a new relationship with a human, which, in my opinion, was a writing tool that only existed to elicit a possession response from Grant. These issues are probably only irksome to me.
As for the rest of the story, we get to see a bit more of the politics in the Fae, although not as much as I would have wanted. Jack and Liz are off fighting demons when Celia needs help. She remembers Jack speaking of his vicious down and dirty friend, Grant, the kind of vampire she needs at the moment to protect her from those who would like to do her harm.
We learn a bit more about the Dark Fae and discover more of the downside of the absinthe. As this is described as a novella, I understand that the romance is the primary purpose of the story. However, as a fantasy fan, I wish the author would enlarge upon her universe so that we can see how it works, the interactions between the Fae and the Vampire were in my opinion a better portion of the story than the romance.
To give credit the sex scene was done very well. The attraction between Celia and Grant pulsated throughout the story. It is only the "instant" part of the bonding I had an issue with.
Even with the above issues I did enjoy the story and am looking forward to reading <a data-hook="product-link-linked" class="a-link-normal" href="/Claiming-the-Vampire-Blood-and-Absinthe-Book-3/dp/B007SNU13S/ref=cm_cr_arp_d_rvw_txt?ie=UTF8">Claiming the Vampire (Blood and Absinthe, Book 3)</a>.
I recommend this story. | 1 | neutral | [
"While I enjoy stories on the racey side, I do prefer that the couple have some sort of history.",
"The concept of immediate bonding/love is not that enjoyable to me.",
"What I liked about the first in this series <a data-hook=\"product-link-linked\" class=\"a-link-normal\" href=\"/Taming-the-Vampire-A-Paranormal-Romance-Novella-Blood-and-Absinthe-Book-1/dp/B005G7ZFXY/ref=cm_cr_arp_d_rvw_txt?",
"ie=UTF8\">Taming the Vampire: A Paranormal Romance Novella (Blood and Absinthe, Book 1)</a>, was that Liz and Jack had a history.",
"The story that we saw was just the denouement or them coming together.",
"In this book, which I do believe was very well written, the lust is immediate.",
"Even though Celia is nothing like what Grant is used to he immediately wants to take care of her, going against his personality.",
"She is in the beginning of a new relationship with a human, which, in my opinion, was a writing tool that only existed to elicit a possession response from Grant.",
"These issues are probably only irksome to me.",
"As for the rest of the story, we get to see a bit more of the politics in the Fae, although not as much as I would have wanted.",
"Jack and Liz are off fighting demons when Celia needs help.",
"She remembers Jack speaking of his vicious down and dirty friend, Grant, the kind of vampire she needs at the moment to protect her from those who would like to do her harm.",
"We learn a bit more about the Dark Fae and discover more of the downside of the absinthe.",
"As this is described as a novella, I understand that the romance is the primary purpose of the story.",
"However, as a fantasy fan, I wish the author would enlarge upon her universe so that we can see how it works, the interactions between the Fae and the Vampire were in my opinion a better portion of the story than the romance.",
"To give credit the sex scene was done very well.",
"The attraction between Celia and Grant pulsated throughout the story.",
"It is only the \"instant\" part of the bonding I had an issue with.",
"Even with the above issues I did enjoy the story and am looking forward to reading <a data-hook=\"product-link-linked\" class=\"a-link-normal\" href=\"/Claiming-the-Vampire-Blood-and-Absinthe-Book-3/dp/B007SNU13S/ref=cm_cr_arp_d_rvw_txt?",
"ie=UTF8\">Claiming the Vampire (Blood and Absinthe, Book 3)</a>.",
"I recommend this story."
] |
MY THOUGHTS
This book was very different than the first book! I didn't like this as much as the first book, but this is still a very great read!
Charlie is now Queen of Ludania, after defeating Sabara, but Sabara isn't dead. Sabara is living inside Charlie's mind and Charlie has to fight her for control. Not only is it hard for her to fight Sabara and kept it a secret. Apparently, some of her people are very unhappy with her erasing the class system. A resistance has appeared and they want Charlie dead and they don't care who goes down with her.
The first book in this series had a dystopian feel to it, but this book was more fantasy oriented. Of course, this book takes place in an entirely different world and it has a few magical elements, but the fact that Charlie is Queen now and there's no longer a tyrant rule only brings the fantasy aspect up. What I liked about this book was that Charlie's new status allowed us to see more of her kingdom and the other kingdoms. Also, it slowed realistically that when you erase laws that people have grown up with, there will be anger. Yeah, the laws were extremely controlling and cruel, but these people were used to this life. Not that I agree with their methods at all.
Also, I was fully expecting Sabara to still be alive, but I did like how the battle between them in Charlie's mind was incorporated. It was very interesting. Though, Charlie really upset me. She wouldn't tell anyone this and it was really important! Yeah, I kind of understand where she was coming from, but she should have at least told her friends or Max.
Now, I hate saying this, but there were a lot of things that I bothered me about this book. The plot was a mess for one, I felt like a lot of things were happening at once, but by the end of the book I was really questing what the point of all these ways. There was Sabara, the resistance, assassins, and a bunch of other side plots, but they felt so scattered that I really didn't see the point.
As for romance, there wasn't much. Charlie and Max love each other, obviously, but they are separated for half the book and the other half is focused on the numerous plots. If it weren't for the plots being so scattered, I would probably like that, but it was just okay. There was a random romance side-plot with some of Charlie's friends, though, that I could deal without.
IN CONCLUSION
I had issues with this sequel, but it wasn't a bad sequel. It was a bit of a mess of a middle-book with it's scattered plots, but the fantasy elements were interesting and I loved seeing more about this world. I did like this book, though not as much as the first, but I plan on reading the next book. | 1 | neutral | [
"MY THOUGHTS\nThis book was very different than the first book!",
"I didn't like this as much as the first book, but this is still a very great read!",
"Charlie is now Queen of Ludania, after defeating Sabara, but Sabara isn't dead.",
"Sabara is living inside Charlie's mind and Charlie has to fight her for control.",
"Not only is it hard for her to fight Sabara and kept it a secret.",
"Apparently, some of her people are very unhappy with her erasing the class system.",
"A resistance has appeared and they want Charlie dead and they don't care who goes down with her.",
"The first book in this series had a dystopian feel to it, but this book was more fantasy oriented.",
"Of course, this book takes place in an entirely different world and it has a few magical elements, but the fact that Charlie is Queen now and there's no longer a tyrant rule only brings the fantasy aspect up.",
"What I liked about this book was that Charlie's new status allowed us to see more of her kingdom and the other kingdoms.",
"Also, it slowed realistically that when you erase laws that people have grown up with, there will be anger.",
"Yeah, the laws were extremely controlling and cruel, but these people were used to this life.",
"Not that I agree with their methods at all.",
"Also, I was fully expecting Sabara to still be alive, but I did like how the battle between them in Charlie's mind was incorporated.",
"It was very interesting.",
"Though, Charlie really upset me.",
"She wouldn't tell anyone this and it was really important!",
"Yeah, I kind of understand where she was coming from, but she should have at least told her friends or Max.",
"Now, I hate saying this, but there were a lot of things that I bothered me about this book.",
"The plot was a mess for one, I felt like a lot of things were happening at once, but by the end of the book I was really questing what the point of all these ways.",
"There was Sabara, the resistance, assassins, and a bunch of other side plots, but they felt so scattered that I really didn't see the point.",
"As for romance, there wasn't much.",
"Charlie and Max love each other, obviously, but they are separated for half the book and the other half is focused on the numerous plots.",
"If it weren't for the plots being so scattered, I would probably like that, but it was just okay.",
"There was a random romance side-plot with some of Charlie's friends, though, that I could deal without.",
"IN CONCLUSION\nI had issues with this sequel, but it wasn't a bad sequel.",
"It was a bit of a mess of a middle-book with it's scattered plots, but the fantasy elements were interesting and I loved seeing more about this world.",
"I did like this book, though not as much as the first, but I plan on reading the next book."
] |
Released in 1996, The Glimmer Man is a cop thriller starring Steven Seagal and Keenen Ivory Wayans as a detective team in Los Angeles, the former recently transferring from New York City. As they get to know each other they're simultaneously tracking a serial killer called the family man who kills whole families and crucifies his (or her) victims on the walls. Will they catch the killer and who is it?
This is a competent buddy cop thriller in the mold of the Dirty Harry flicks, the Lethal Weapon films and even Se7en, but with Seagal and Wayans. If you like those films and Seagal or Wayans you might want to check this out. The movies decent with a few quality Seagal fight sequences, but something holds it back from greatness, like the Dirty Harry flicks. The serial killer who crucifies his victims on the walls seriously stretches realism. How exactly does he lift the victims up on the wall to stake their hands into it? Wouldnt that take a lot of extra time after murdering a family? What about the noise? Would a killer seriously stick around to do this? I just didn't like the complexities and contrivances of the serial killer subplot, particularly as it developed in the final act. Moreover, the constantly raining weather of dead-of-Winter Los Angeles makes for a gloomy cinematic palate. However, everything else clicks for a quality cop thriller, except that there are no prominent female roles.
The movie runs 91 minutes and was shot in Los Angeles.
GRADE: C+ | 1 | neutral | [
"Released in 1996, The Glimmer Man is a cop thriller starring Steven Seagal and Keenen Ivory Wayans as a detective team in Los Angeles, the former recently transferring from New York City.",
"As they get to know each other they're simultaneously tracking a serial killer called the family man who kills whole families and crucifies his (or her) victims on the walls.",
"Will they catch the killer and who is it?",
"This is a competent buddy cop thriller in the mold of the Dirty Harry flicks, the Lethal Weapon films and even Se7en, but with Seagal and Wayans.",
"If you like those films and Seagal or Wayans you might want to check this out.",
"The movies decent with a few quality Seagal fight sequences, but something holds it back from greatness, like the Dirty Harry flicks.",
"The serial killer who crucifies his victims on the walls seriously stretches realism.",
"How exactly does he lift the victims up on the wall to stake their hands into it?",
"Wouldnt that take a lot of extra time after murdering a family?",
"What about the noise?",
"Would a killer seriously stick around to do this?",
"I just didn't like the complexities and contrivances of the serial killer subplot, particularly as it developed in the final act.",
"Moreover, the constantly raining weather of dead-of-Winter Los Angeles makes for a gloomy cinematic palate.",
"However, everything else clicks for a quality cop thriller, except that there are no prominent female roles.",
"The movie runs 91 minutes and was shot in Los Angeles.",
"GRADE: C+"
] |
"Florida Roadkill" is Tim Dorsey's first novel, and it shows. The Dorsey formula is pretty routine, and usually enjoyable. This novel is no exception, but the formula is still in the making in this debut, and Dorsey is not able to competently keep all his many subplots together, or always interesting. In his later novels he does a much better job.
We are introduced to Serge A. Storms (serial killer) in this novel, and in later books I really enjoyed his character. In this first one Dorsey is still figuring his creation out, and he lacks the spark that animates him in later works. As a result Serge, and his best bud Coleman, are more aggravating then likable.
Unless you sit down and devour this book in a few days you will be lost at times as Dorsey populates it with too many minor characters who play pivotal roles in key moments at awkward times. The inconsistency is annoying for the reader.
Still, I enjoyed this text and will continue my adventures with Serge and company.
I would be bored if this type of fiction was all I read, but it serves as a nice diversion from time to time. Approaching it in that manner, I believe, will allow one to make allowances for the text, and thus you will be able to enjoy it more. | 1 | neutral | [
"\"Florida Roadkill\" is Tim Dorsey's first novel, and it shows.",
"The Dorsey formula is pretty routine, and usually enjoyable.",
"This novel is no exception, but the formula is still in the making in this debut, and Dorsey is not able to competently keep all his many subplots together, or always interesting.",
"In his later novels he does a much better job.",
"We are introduced to Serge A.",
"Storms (serial killer) in this novel, and in later books I really enjoyed his character.",
"In this first one Dorsey is still figuring his creation out, and he lacks the spark that animates him in later works.",
"As a result Serge, and his best bud Coleman, are more aggravating then likable.",
"Unless you sit down and devour this book in a few days you will be lost at times as Dorsey populates it with too many minor characters who play pivotal roles in key moments at awkward times.",
"The inconsistency is annoying for the reader.",
"Still, I enjoyed this text and will continue my adventures with Serge and company.",
"I would be bored if this type of fiction was all I read, but it serves as a nice diversion from time to time.",
"Approaching it in that manner, I believe, will allow one to make allowances for the text, and thus you will be able to enjoy it more."
] |
In an age of director's cuts and extended additions, the irony is that the films that need restoration the most are the very ones that never get it. Thus the Weinsteins chose not to restore The Fall of the Roman Empire, MGM/UA chose not only to ignore the existing four-hour rough-cut version of Tony Richardson's The Charge of the Light Brigade but actually put out a cut version of the theatrical version and the much-troubled 1998 movie version of The Avengers will never be seen as it was originally intended. It's not the catastrophe its often portrayed, but the studio only had themselves to blame for the over-reaction by violating the quid-pro-quo relationship with the press by not screening it for the critics, a public relations disaster that lead to many publications imposing a blacklist on articles about their films for months after and picking it as their turkey of the year.
Warner Bros. 75th anniversary year was certainly not good one, with flop after flop turning their planned celebrations into commiserations. Perhaps in any other year there would have been less pressure on trying to turn an always optimistically surreal cult item into a blockbuster despite increasingly bad word of mouth, but by the time it emerged from lengthy post-production, the film was covered from head to toe in self-inflicted wounds. What had started out with a two-hour plus running time went to a 101-minute compromise cut to a released version that ran only 81 minutes without credits with Michael Kamen's original score replaced by a quickie effort from Joel McNeely as they tried to unsuccessfully make it more conventional to an audience unfamiliar with the series while alienating the original fans. It's just a surprise they didn't try to edit it down further to the length of a TV episode - even the troubled movie version of The Saint only lost its last 20 minutes. In the process they simply turned an interesting misfire into a much shorter, more confusing misfire and ended up with something too surreal for mainstream audiences, and too mainstream for Avengers fans. (The BFI was offered the chance to screen and preserve the original cut in 1999, but all too typically blew it by not bothering to return the studio's calls!)
The loss of the original (and heavily trailered) opening was certainly a huge mistake. Instead of seeing Mrs Peel (or is it?) breaking into and destroying a weather station, something that triggers the plot (a variation on both the original show's A Surfeit of H20 and Our Man Flint with a weather-controlling eccentric millionaire holding the world to ransom), the film now opens with Steed taking on policemen, milkmen and machine-gun toting nannies with only his bowler and brolly - an enjoyable enough introductory scene but not as essential to understanding what's going on. That's just the first of many plot holes the film is left with, but they're still the least of the film's problems.
On the plus side, Ralph Fiennes wisely doesn't attempt a Patrick McNee impersonation as Steed, opting for a more formal, slightly reserved approach that lacks Macnee's effortless bonhomie but works well enough on its own terms. Jim Broadbent makes a good `Mother' and Eileen Atkins (in a cameo originally intended for Diana Rigg) effortlessly steals her few scenes. But if they're all on good form, just about everyone else isn't. Indeed, there's miscasting on an epic scale here - Fiona Shaw overacting for England yet again as `Father,' Eddie Izzard exuding all the menace of a fluffy kitten and Uma Thurman delivering a turn bad enough to make you sorry they didn't cast Elizabeth Hurley as Mrs Peel instead. You feel almost sorry for her and wonder how she ever got another job after this - she can't do comedy, she can't do the accent, she can't do sophisticated, she can't do the banter and most of her action scenes hit the cutting room floor, which reduces her to not much more than a clotheshorse. That there's absolutely no chemistry between her and Fiennes is just another nail in the coffin.
Sadly it's a performance more than matched by what originally seemed the film's great casting coup. Sean Connery, once again showing the keen commercial instinct that led him to turn down X-Men, Lord of the Rings and The Mask of Zorro, gives a career-worst performance in his first role as a villain since 1959's Tarzan's Greatest Adventure and 1984's Sword of the Valiant. Looking like Windsor Davies playing a dirty old man but without the restraint, his introductory single-entendre scene with Thurman is painful to watch as she flounders and he mistimes every line - it's the kind of thing you'd expect in a Robbie Moffat film where amateur actors only get one take and it goes in the picture whether they fluff it or not. It cannot be stressed enough just how absolutely awful he is for much of the film, and considering how often Connery's double stood in for him Peter Sellers-style even on non-action scenes because of the star's feuds with the director and producer (shades of LXG) you find yourself wondering if his better moments may not even be him.
There's a lot about it that's good - the teddy bear scene is spot on and worthy of the original show while Patrick McNee's cameo non-appearance is fun - and a lot that isn't - Roger Pratt's dour photography overcompensates for the primary colors of Stuart Craig's production design and Anthony Powell's costumes. Yet while it's a mess that often stops making sense thanks to the unsubtle re-editing, it's still surprisingly watchable, with just enough moments that do work and give a hint of what could have been to keep you soldiering on through the patches that fall flat. It's just a shame we'll probably never see the film the way it was originally intended to judge it on its own merits rather than the studio's second-guessing.
Not much in the way of extras here - just a trailer and som e text notes - though the disc does have an acceptable widescreen transfer. | 1 | neutral | [
"In an age of director's cuts and extended additions, the irony is that the films that need restoration the most are the very ones that never get it.",
"Thus the Weinsteins chose not to restore The Fall of the Roman Empire, MGM/UA chose not only to ignore the existing four-hour rough-cut version of Tony Richardson's The Charge of the Light Brigade but actually put out a cut version of the theatrical version and the much-troubled 1998 movie version of The Avengers will never be seen as it was originally intended.",
"It's not the catastrophe its often portrayed, but the studio only had themselves to blame for the over-reaction by violating the quid-pro-quo relationship with the press by not screening it for the critics, a public relations disaster that lead to many publications imposing a blacklist on articles about their films for months after and picking it as their turkey of the year.",
"Warner Bros.",
"75th anniversary year was certainly not good one, with flop after flop turning their planned celebrations into commiserations.",
"Perhaps in any other year there would have been less pressure on trying to turn an always optimistically surreal cult item into a blockbuster despite increasingly bad word of mouth, but by the time it emerged from lengthy post-production, the film was covered from head to toe in self-inflicted wounds.",
"What had started out with a two-hour plus running time went to a 101-minute compromise cut to a released version that ran only 81 minutes without credits with Michael Kamen's original score replaced by a quickie effort from Joel McNeely as they tried to unsuccessfully make it more conventional to an audience unfamiliar with the series while alienating the original fans.",
"It's just a surprise they didn't try to edit it down further to the length of a TV episode - even the troubled movie version of The Saint only lost its last 20 minutes.",
"In the process they simply turned an interesting misfire into a much shorter, more confusing misfire and ended up with something too surreal for mainstream audiences, and too mainstream for Avengers fans.",
"(The BFI was offered the chance to screen and preserve the original cut in 1999, but all too typically blew it by not bothering to return the studio's calls!",
")\n\nThe loss of the original (and heavily trailered) opening was certainly a huge mistake.",
"Instead of seeing Mrs Peel (or is it?",
") breaking into and destroying a weather station, something that triggers the plot (a variation on both the original show's A Surfeit of H20 and Our Man Flint with a weather-controlling eccentric millionaire holding the world to ransom), the film now opens with Steed taking on policemen, milkmen and machine-gun toting nannies with only his bowler and brolly - an enjoyable enough introductory scene but not as essential to understanding what's going on.",
"That's just the first of many plot holes the film is left with, but they're still the least of the film's problems.",
"On the plus side, Ralph Fiennes wisely doesn't attempt a Patrick McNee impersonation as Steed, opting for a more formal, slightly reserved approach that lacks Macnee's effortless bonhomie but works well enough on its own terms.",
"Jim Broadbent makes a good `Mother' and Eileen Atkins (in a cameo originally intended for Diana Rigg) effortlessly steals her few scenes.",
"But if they're all on good form, just about everyone else isn't.",
"Indeed, there's miscasting on an epic scale here - Fiona Shaw overacting for England yet again as `Father,' Eddie Izzard exuding all the menace of a fluffy kitten and Uma Thurman delivering a turn bad enough to make you sorry they didn't cast Elizabeth Hurley as Mrs Peel instead.",
"You feel almost sorry for her and wonder how she ever got another job after this - she can't do comedy, she can't do the accent, she can't do sophisticated, she can't do the banter and most of her action scenes hit the cutting room floor, which reduces her to not much more than a clotheshorse.",
"That there's absolutely no chemistry between her and Fiennes is just another nail in the coffin.",
"Sadly it's a performance more than matched by what originally seemed the film's great casting coup.",
"Sean Connery, once again showing the keen commercial instinct that led him to turn down X-Men, Lord of the Rings and The Mask of Zorro, gives a career-worst performance in his first role as a villain since 1959's Tarzan's Greatest Adventure and 1984's Sword of the Valiant.",
"Looking like Windsor Davies playing a dirty old man but without the restraint, his introductory single-entendre scene with Thurman is painful to watch as she flounders and he mistimes every line - it's the kind of thing you'd expect in a Robbie Moffat film where amateur actors only get one take and it goes in the picture whether they fluff it or not.",
"It cannot be stressed enough just how absolutely awful he is for much of the film, and considering how often Connery's double stood in for him Peter Sellers-style even on non-action scenes because of the star's feuds with the director and producer (shades of LXG) you find yourself wondering if his better moments may not even be him.",
"There's a lot about it that's good - the teddy bear scene is spot on and worthy of the original show while Patrick McNee's cameo non-appearance is fun - and a lot that isn't - Roger Pratt's dour photography overcompensates for the primary colors of Stuart Craig's production design and Anthony Powell's costumes.",
"Yet while it's a mess that often stops making sense thanks to the unsubtle re-editing, it's still surprisingly watchable, with just enough moments that do work and give a hint of what could have been to keep you soldiering on through the patches that fall flat.",
"It's just a shame we'll probably never see the film the way it was originally intended to judge it on its own merits rather than the studio's second-guessing.",
"Not much in the way of extras here - just a trailer and som e text notes - though the disc does have an acceptable widescreen transfer."
] |
First GTA to play and own. The graphics are good and there's plenty of missions to accomplish. However there are TWO major draw-backs.
The loading time. Each time you exit a building, the screen loads. A cutscene? Loading. How about a mission? That has to load too. This is one of the major draw-backs of vice city and since you will be doing MANY missions, the loading time added up all together can be pretty wasteful. Something that just shouldn't be on a psp.
Another nuisance is the camera-angle. Vice City's camera control is funny. If you want to use it you'll have to awkwardly stretch a finger to press down on that L-button which can be tedious especially in the middle of a mission or being chased by the cops. Secondly the camera angle depends on the joystick(which you also have to use for running around), so if you driving in a car you can accidentally shift the camera upwards when you don't want to!!! It can feel uncomfortable and weird trying to hold the L-button and rotate the joystick at the same time.
This is fun to play but the loading and camera issue is a nuisance. | 1 | neutral | [
"First GTA to play and own.",
"The graphics are good and there's plenty of missions to accomplish.",
"However there are TWO major draw-backs.",
"The loading time.",
"Each time you exit a building, the screen loads.",
"A cutscene?",
"Loading.",
"How about a mission?",
"That has to load too.",
"This is one of the major draw-backs of vice city and since you will be doing MANY missions, the loading time added up all together can be pretty wasteful.",
"Something that just shouldn't be on a psp.",
"Another nuisance is the camera-angle.",
"Vice City's camera control is funny.",
"If you want to use it you'll have to awkwardly stretch a finger to press down on that L-button which can be tedious especially in the middle of a mission or being chased by the cops.",
"Secondly the camera angle depends on the joystick(which you also have to use for running around), so if you driving in a car you can accidentally shift the camera upwards when you don't want to!!!",
"It can feel uncomfortable and weird trying to hold the L-button and rotate the joystick at the same time.",
"This is fun to play but the loading and camera issue is a nuisance."
] |
I don't know why Nintendo made this game, especially considering most poeple would love to beat ol' Mike Tyson up now more than ever! It's essentially Mike Tyson's Punch-Out!! without Mike Tyson -you fight some pasty blonde guy named Mister Dream instead. I guess Nintendo's contract ran out (or something) when Nintendo still wasn't ready to stop selling the game. Also, Great Tiger is now Glass Tiger. The controls are simple enough: A & B are punch buttons (holding Up while pressing either one results in a face-punch), Left and Right are for dodging, Down is for blocking (double-tap Down to duck), and Start is for a Super Punch provided you have at least one star. Unfortunately, you cannot pause the game so bathroom breaks must be taken between fights or rounds. As stated in my review of MTPO* (which Amazon.com may not have posted since I used a contraversial word), you play as Little Mac and your opponents are...
* Mike Tyson's Punch-Out!!
In order of appearance: Glass Joe, a wuss who gives the French a bad name; Von Kaiser, a former boxing instructor from Germany; Piston Honda, an angry Japanese boxer; Don Flaminco, a flamboyant Spaniard who loves a woman named Carmen (San Diego perhapse?); King Hippo, a human tub of lard who wears size XXXL shorts and cannot get up once he is knocked down; Glass Tiger, an East-Indian with magic powers and a jewel (possibly The Eye of the Tiger) encrested into his turban; Bald Bull, an oddly familiar-looking fighter from Turkey; Soda Popinski, a soft-drink fanatic who loves soda and looks somewhat like Bald Bull except he's thinner and wears a speedo instead of shorts; Mr. Sandman, a classic 50's-looking African American with mean uppercuts; Super Macho Man, a self-absorbed champion with a thornado punch; and finally Mr. Dream, a Kurt-Angle look-alike reject who can knock you down with just one uppercut. | 1 | neutral | [
"I don't know why Nintendo made this game, especially considering most poeple would love to beat ol' Mike Tyson up now more than ever!",
"It's essentially Mike Tyson's Punch-Out!!",
"without Mike Tyson -you fight some pasty blonde guy named Mister Dream instead.",
"I guess Nintendo's contract ran out (or something) when Nintendo still wasn't ready to stop selling the game.",
"Also, Great Tiger is now Glass Tiger.",
"The controls are simple enough: A & B are punch buttons (holding Up while pressing either one results in a face-punch), Left and Right are for dodging, Down is for blocking (double-tap Down to duck), and Start is for a Super Punch provided you have at least one star.",
"Unfortunately, you cannot pause the game so bathroom breaks must be taken between fights or rounds.",
"As stated in my review of MTPO* (which Amazon.",
"com may not have posted since I used a contraversial word), you play as Little Mac and your opponents are...",
"* Mike Tyson's Punch-Out!!",
"In order of appearance: Glass Joe, a wuss who gives the French a bad name; Von Kaiser, a former boxing instructor from Germany; Piston Honda, an angry Japanese boxer; Don Flaminco, a flamboyant Spaniard who loves a woman named Carmen (San Diego perhapse?",
"); King Hippo, a human tub of lard who wears size XXXL shorts and cannot get up once he is knocked down; Glass Tiger, an East-Indian with magic powers and a jewel (possibly The Eye of the Tiger) encrested into his turban; Bald Bull, an oddly familiar-looking fighter from Turkey; Soda Popinski, a soft-drink fanatic who loves soda and looks somewhat like Bald Bull except he's thinner and wears a speedo instead of shorts; Mr.",
"Sandman, a classic 50's-looking African American with mean uppercuts; Super Macho Man, a self-absorbed champion with a thornado punch; and finally Mr.",
"Dream, a Kurt-Angle look-alike reject who can knock you down with just one uppercut."
] |
Updated 3 star:. After thinking about this thing for awhile... I decided to try plugging in my laptop and streaming something with it. It works perfectly. My thoughts... The device cannot handle the heat from the Roku stick. It does get crazy hot. I am going to try to use our other Roku (box) and see if it works ok. Original 1 star review: This thing is a pain. Constantly losing the video until you get the cables (both ends) wiggled to a position it likes. We have successfully used our Roku in multiple TVs and locations without this device.... so not our Roku or the TVs. I even purchased new cables thinking that was the problem... nope. The box feels very lightweight and cheap. | 1 | neutral | [
"Updated 3 star:.",
"After thinking about this thing for awhile...",
"I decided to try plugging in my laptop and streaming something with it.",
"It works perfectly.",
"My thoughts...",
"The device cannot handle the heat from the Roku stick.",
"It does get crazy hot.",
"I am going to try to use our other Roku (box) and see if it works ok.",
"Original 1 star review: This thing is a pain.",
"Constantly losing the video until you get the cables (both ends) wiggled to a position it likes.",
"We have successfully used our Roku in multiple TVs and locations without this device....",
"so not our Roku or the TVs.",
"I even purchased new cables thinking that was the problem...",
"nope.",
"The box feels very lightweight and cheap."
] |
I had high hopes for J.L. Merrow's Pricks and Pragmatism since it's been in the Top 10 on Kindle in Gay Fiction for some time now. Interesting title. Hot cover. Unfortunately, that's about all it has going for it. The story is told only from the point of view of Luke, a young lad who is trying to finish his degree and needs a place to stay.
He's hopped from flat to flat, usually ending up as his roomie's plaything along the way to pay the rent, until he finally ends up staying with Russell. Russell is shy, introverted, scruffy, and a virgin, and Luke just can't seem to get through to him. It's the classic tale of the outsider looking in or the protagonist falling for the last person he expected - trite and predictable, yes. Each has their own flaws, and thinks poorly of the other, but neither confess the truth to one another.
Unfortunately, the only characters we meet besides Russell are all gay stereotypes. They are snobs with nice bodies, lots of money, and huge sexual appetites. Even Luke is good looking and horny all the time, although he isn't getting any from Russell. But the cast of characters are extremely minor, and we only get a taste of them coming or going.
Most of our attention is focused through Luke's mind as he studies hard to graduate, does push ups naked to try to get Russell's attention, or cooks for them. Luke is one of those twenty-something gay males who thinks he knows everything about life - full of confidence - who dances with his shirt off and hooks up with random guys in public bathrooms. In fact, the first sex scene which doesn't take place until half way through the story is Luke and an Asian having a tepid encounter in a bathroom stall. Even the sex, which could have saved this story, is mediocre at best!
The story and its characters are extremely flat. "We went here. I was thinking about this. I did this. Russell did that." The reader is left to put the pieces of the emotional puzzle together by themselves. We never get the intensity we want from Russell and Luke - despite a few small arguments - although we know it is there. It's like building two beautiful sand castles on the beach and then just walking away from them because we already know what's going to happen. We never get to see the imagery or dramas taking place on the inside.
The author teases the reader with other little dramas such as Luke's estranged relationship with his father, Luke trying to become a journalist, and some of Luke's previous love interests, but Merrow just barely scratches the surface in an attempt to get back to Russell and Luke being together, but the reader is left driveling through the dry narratives to get to the good stuff. And sadly, there's isn't much of the good stuff.
Merrow can write narrative and dialogue, that's a given, but can't seem to get through to the characters or the readers with the emotion and drama that could really connect everything in the end. It's as boring as a bad song on a juke box in a gay bar on a Tuesday night. No one is there. No one is listening. And for those who are, it's a sad situation. The only thing Merrow stays true to is the stereotypes - bland, boring, and conceited homosexuals - we all know the types and I think that's why this story is so frustrating. Real readers just don't connect with those characters. With a bit more feeling, and possibly even the point of view changed to Russell, this story would have worked out nicely. | 1 | neutral | [
"I had high hopes for J.",
"L. Merrow's Pricks and Pragmatism since it's been in the Top 10 on Kindle in Gay Fiction for some time now.",
"Interesting title.",
"Hot cover.",
"Unfortunately, that's about all it has going for it.",
"The story is told only from the point of view of Luke, a young lad who is trying to finish his degree and needs a place to stay.",
"He's hopped from flat to flat, usually ending up as his roomie's plaything along the way to pay the rent, until he finally ends up staying with Russell.",
"Russell is shy, introverted, scruffy, and a virgin, and Luke just can't seem to get through to him.",
"It's the classic tale of the outsider looking in or the protagonist falling for the last person he expected - trite and predictable, yes.",
"Each has their own flaws, and thinks poorly of the other, but neither confess the truth to one another.",
"Unfortunately, the only characters we meet besides Russell are all gay stereotypes.",
"They are snobs with nice bodies, lots of money, and huge sexual appetites.",
"Even Luke is good looking and horny all the time, although he isn't getting any from Russell.",
"But the cast of characters are extremely minor, and we only get a taste of them coming or going.",
"Most of our attention is focused through Luke's mind as he studies hard to graduate, does push ups naked to try to get Russell's attention, or cooks for them.",
"Luke is one of those twenty-something gay males who thinks he knows everything about life - full of confidence - who dances with his shirt off and hooks up with random guys in public bathrooms.",
"In fact, the first sex scene which doesn't take place until half way through the story is Luke and an Asian having a tepid encounter in a bathroom stall.",
"Even the sex, which could have saved this story, is mediocre at best!",
"The story and its characters are extremely flat.",
"\"We went here.",
"I was thinking about this.",
"I did this.",
"Russell did that.",
"\" The reader is left to put the pieces of the emotional puzzle together by themselves.",
"We never get the intensity we want from Russell and Luke - despite a few small arguments - although we know it is there.",
"It's like building two beautiful sand castles on the beach and then just walking away from them because we already know what's going to happen.",
"We never get to see the imagery or dramas taking place on the inside.",
"The author teases the reader with other little dramas such as Luke's estranged relationship with his father, Luke trying to become a journalist, and some of Luke's previous love interests, but Merrow just barely scratches the surface in an attempt to get back to Russell and Luke being together, but the reader is left driveling through the dry narratives to get to the good stuff.",
"And sadly, there's isn't much of the good stuff.",
"Merrow can write narrative and dialogue, that's a given, but can't seem to get through to the characters or the readers with the emotion and drama that could really connect everything in the end.",
"It's as boring as a bad song on a juke box in a gay bar on a Tuesday night.",
"No one is there.",
"No one is listening.",
"And for those who are, it's a sad situation.",
"The only thing Merrow stays true to is the stereotypes - bland, boring, and conceited homosexuals - we all know the types and I think that's why this story is so frustrating.",
"Real readers just don't connect with those characters.",
"With a bit more feeling, and possibly even the point of view changed to Russell, this story would have worked out nicely."
] |
Hacker Informant and Party Boy of the Projects
Hackers concealed behind fanciful aliases on the Internet often appropriate larger-than-life dimensions. In reality other than in physical proportions Sabu seemed considerably smaller than life. A defensive-lineman-size man known as Booby he was raising the two young children of his imprisoned aunt in a public housing project. Court documents showed that Mr. Monsegur 28 paid bills with stolen credit cards and dabbled in drug sales.
Mr. Monsegur’s whereabouts are unknown and his lawyers declined to comment. His background remains gauzy but court records and interviews with relatives and neighbors offer an outline.
He was born in 1983. His father also named Hector Monsegur was arrested in 1997 along with his sister Iris for selling heroin. Both went to prison for seven years.
While his father was locked up Mr. Monsegur apparently moved in with his grandmother Irma who lived in a sixth-floor apartment in the Jacob Riis Houses a Lower East Side housing project.
School officials said Mr. Monsegur attended Washington Irving High School but left in 2001 without finishing ninth grade. In the transcript of his guilty plea Mr. Monsegur said that he went to college though it is unclear if he actually did.
After his release from prison in early 2003 Mr. Monsegur’s father found work with a sanitation company. The aunt Iris ran a credit repair company from her Staten Island home. Her involvement with drugs however continued. She was arrested again and returned to prison in 2010. By that point she had had two girls. They were entrusted to the care of the younger Mr. Monsegur and he gained legal custody of them.
Even after his aunt left prison last August her children remained with Mr. Monsegur .
He worked sporadically including for a few months at OpenPlans a nonprofit group that tries to improve government through technology. His profile on the networking site LinkedIn which listed him as a senior systems administrator there disappeared on Thursday. A former co-worker described him as friendly and competent.
Mr. Monsegur was active in computer and hacking circles as far back as the late 1990s and started a group for local programmers in 2002. “My name is Xavier ” he announced inviting others to join and “integrate their knowledge into one big mass of hairy information.”
He soon came to embrace strong antigovernment and anticapitalist ideologies that steered him into the hacking world.
In what was identified as a question-and-answer interview with Sabu published in New Scientist magazine last year he said that he became a hacktivist when he was 16. He said he became disturbed that the Navy was using Vieques Island in Puerto Rico as a bombing range for exercises and that he helped disrupt communications. In 2010 he said in the interview he was drawn to Anonymous a leaderless antiauthoritarian movement that has taken up a variety of political causes. The catalyst he said was his outrage over the arrest of Julian Assange founder of WikiLeaks the whistle-blower site.
In particular he became a leader of a splinter group Lulz Security or LulzSec which claimed to attack computer security companies for laughs or lulz rather than for financial gain.
Describing himself he said in the interview “I’m not some cape-wearing hero nor am I some supervillain trying to bring down the good guys. I’m just doing what I know how to do and that is counter abuse.” For his online handle he chose Sabu adopted from a former professional wrestler.
In 2010 and 2011 according to court documents Mr. Monsegur participated in a relentless string of online attacks against companies and governments. Targets included Visa MasterCard PayPal and Sony . He also played a role in attacks on computers belonging to the governments of Tunisia Yemen Algeria and Zimbabwe as well as those of the United States Senate .
Though he was self-taught Mr. Monsegur was probably among the most skilled technologists in the bunch. As the “rooter ” federal authorities say he was in charge of identifying vulnerabilities of LulzSec targets and creating the attack strategy.
Copies of LulzSec chat logs posted online show that he was sometimes wary of getting caught. In one discussion he is irate at his fellow hackers for revealing the name of a site used in an attack because it could expose his computer’s location. Another participant is deferential: “Mm okay ill not say anything further without conferring with you.” | 1 | neutral | [
"Hacker Informant and Party Boy of the Projects\nHackers concealed behind fanciful aliases on the Internet often appropriate larger-than-life dimensions.",
"In reality other than in physical proportions Sabu seemed considerably smaller than life.",
"A defensive-lineman-size man known as Booby he was raising the two young children of his imprisoned aunt in a public housing project.",
"Court documents showed that Mr.",
"Monsegur 28 paid bills with stolen credit cards and dabbled in drug sales.",
"Mr.",
"Monsegur’s whereabouts are unknown and his lawyers declined to comment.",
"His background remains gauzy but court records and interviews with relatives and neighbors offer an outline.",
"He was born in 1983.",
"His father also named Hector Monsegur was arrested in 1997 along with his sister Iris for selling heroin.",
"Both went to prison for seven years.",
"While his father was locked up Mr.",
"Monsegur apparently moved in with his grandmother Irma who lived in a sixth-floor apartment in the Jacob Riis Houses a Lower East Side housing project.",
"School officials said Mr.",
"Monsegur attended Washington Irving High School but left in 2001 without finishing ninth grade.",
"In the transcript of his guilty plea Mr.",
"Monsegur said that he went to college though it is unclear if he actually did.",
"After his release from prison in early 2003 Mr.",
"Monsegur’s father found work with a sanitation company.",
"The aunt Iris ran a credit repair company from her Staten Island home.",
"Her involvement with drugs however continued.",
"She was arrested again and returned to prison in 2010.",
"By that point she had had two girls.",
"They were entrusted to the care of the younger Mr.",
"Monsegur and he gained legal custody of them.",
"Even after his aunt left prison last August her children remained with Mr.",
"Monsegur.",
"He worked sporadically including for a few months at OpenPlans a nonprofit group that tries to improve government through technology.",
"His profile on the networking site LinkedIn which listed him as a senior systems administrator there disappeared on Thursday.",
"A former co-worker described him as friendly and competent.",
"Mr.",
"Monsegur was active in computer and hacking circles as far back as the late 1990s and started a group for local programmers in 2002.",
"“My name is Xavier ” he announced inviting others to join and “integrate their knowledge into one big mass of hairy information.",
"”\n He soon came to embrace strong antigovernment and anticapitalist ideologies that steered him into the hacking world.",
"In what was identified as a question-and-answer interview with Sabu published in New Scientist magazine last year he said that he became a hacktivist when he was 16.",
"He said he became disturbed that the Navy was using Vieques Island in Puerto Rico as a bombing range for exercises and that he helped disrupt communications.",
"In 2010 he said in the interview he was drawn to Anonymous a leaderless antiauthoritarian movement that has taken up a variety of political causes.",
"The catalyst he said was his outrage over the arrest of Julian Assange founder of WikiLeaks the whistle-blower site.",
"In particular he became a leader of a splinter group Lulz Security or LulzSec which claimed to attack computer security companies for laughs or lulz rather than for financial gain.",
"Describing himself he said in the interview “I’m not some cape-wearing hero nor am I some supervillain trying to bring down the good guys.",
"I’m just doing what I know how to do and that is counter abuse.",
"” For his online handle he chose Sabu adopted from a former professional wrestler.",
"In 2010 and 2011 according to court documents Mr.",
"Monsegur participated in a relentless string of online attacks against companies and governments.",
"Targets included Visa MasterCard PayPal and Sony.",
"He also played a role in attacks on computers belonging to the governments of Tunisia Yemen Algeria and Zimbabwe as well as those of the United States Senate.",
"Though he was self-taught Mr.",
"Monsegur was probably among the most skilled technologists in the bunch.",
"As the “rooter ” federal authorities say he was in charge of identifying vulnerabilities of LulzSec targets and creating the attack strategy.",
"Copies of LulzSec chat logs posted online show that he was sometimes wary of getting caught.",
"In one discussion he is irate at his fellow hackers for revealing the name of a site used in an attack because it could expose his computer’s location.",
"Another participant is deferential: “Mm okay ill not say anything further without conferring with you.",
"”"
] |
Fired FBI director Comey slams GOP memo: 'That's it?'
WASHINGTON (AP) â Former FBI Director James Comey scorned the memo that was released by House Republicans after being declassified Friday by President Donald Trump saying it doesn't add up to much. "That's it?" Comey said on Twitter.
"Dishonest and misleading memo wrecked the House intel committee destroyed trust with Intelligence Community damaged relationship with FISA court and inexcusably exposed classified investigation of an American citizen. For what?" Comey wrote adding: "DOJ & FBI must keep doing their jobs."
The tweet was the latest in a series from Comey this week as Trump clashed with the FBI over the release of the GOP-written memo. On Thursday Comey stood up for the bureau's position against the document's disclosure and took aim at unnamed people he calls "weasels and liars."
"All should appreciate the FBI speaking up. I wish more of our leaders would " Comey tweeted Thursday night amid news that the FBI had lobbied the White House to block the release of a partisan memo on the Russia investigation.
On Friday morning the president continued his verbal attacks against the FBI writing on Twitter "The top Leadership and Investigators of the FBI and the Justice Department have politicized the sacred investigative process in favor of Democrats and against Republicans â something which would have been unthinkable just a short time ago. Rank & File are great people!"
On Twitter Comey urged his former colleagues to "take heart: American history shows that in the long run weasels and liars never hold the field so long as good people stand up."
He concluded "Not a lot of schools or streets named for Joe McCarthy" â a reference to the senator who in the 1950s conducted hearings aimed at rooting out Communists in the U.S. government.
Since his firing last May Comey has made his personal feelings about Trump known testifying in detail about personal interactions he says troubled him .
He also authorized a close friend to share with reporters details from a memo he produced documenting one such encounter â a February conversation in the Oval Office in which he said Trump encouraged him to drop an FBI investigation into former national security adviser Michael Flynn. That revelation prompted the Justice Department's appointment of a special counsel to run the Russia investigation.
Comey has also used language about "weasels" before most notably in a September 2016 congressional hearing when he defended the FBI's handling of the Hillary Clinton email investigation.
"You can call us wrong but don't call us weasels " Comey said. "We are not weasels. We are honest people and we did this in that way." | 1 | neutral | [
"Fired FBI director Comey slams GOP memo: 'That's it?",
"'\nWASHINGTON (AP) â Former FBI Director James Comey scorned the memo that was released by House Republicans after being declassified Friday by President Donald Trump saying it doesn't add up to much.",
"\"That's it?",
"\" Comey said on Twitter.",
"\"Dishonest and misleading memo wrecked the House intel committee destroyed trust with Intelligence Community damaged relationship with FISA court and inexcusably exposed classified investigation of an American citizen.",
"For what?",
"\" Comey wrote adding: \"DOJ & FBI must keep doing their jobs.",
"\"\nThe tweet was the latest in a series from Comey this week as Trump clashed with the FBI over the release of the GOP-written memo.",
"On Thursday Comey stood up for the bureau's position against the document's disclosure and took aim at unnamed people he calls \"weasels and liars.",
"\"\n\"All should appreciate the FBI speaking up.",
"I wish more of our leaders would \" Comey tweeted Thursday night amid news that the FBI had lobbied the White House to block the release of a partisan memo on the Russia investigation.",
"On Friday morning the president continued his verbal attacks against the FBI writing on Twitter \"The top Leadership and Investigators of the FBI and the Justice Department have politicized the sacred investigative process in favor of Democrats and against Republicans â something which would have been unthinkable just a short time ago.",
"Rank & File are great people!",
"\"\nOn Twitter Comey urged his former colleagues to \"take heart: American history shows that in the long run weasels and liars never hold the field so long as good people stand up.",
"\"\n He concluded \"Not a lot of schools or streets named for Joe McCarthy\" â a reference to the senator who in the 1950s conducted hearings aimed at rooting out Communists in the U.",
"S. government.",
"Since his firing last May Comey has made his personal feelings about Trump known testifying in detail about personal interactions he says troubled him.",
"He also authorized a close friend to share with reporters details from a memo he produced documenting one such encounter â a February conversation in the Oval Office in which he said Trump encouraged him to drop an FBI investigation into former national security adviser Michael Flynn.",
"That revelation prompted the Justice Department's appointment of a special counsel to run the Russia investigation.",
"Comey has also used language about \"weasels\" before most notably in a September 2016 congressional hearing when he defended the FBI's handling of the Hillary Clinton email investigation.",
"\"You can call us wrong but don't call us weasels \" Comey said.",
"\"We are not weasels.",
"We are honest people and we did this in that way.",
"\""
] |
NOTE: If I could I give it 3.5 stars.
I got this for mainly for left hand strength to play the guitar and honestly to keep my hand busy while on the net and not absently twisting and twirling my beard (mini bad habit). The construction is fine so far but the materials are lacking in 2 areas in my opinion.
1. The areas where your fingertips go is minimally textured (and I mean minimally) and just hard plastic. Result: If you haven't JUST washed your hand and they are not completely dry/free of ANY residue they are slippery! By slippery I mean I have popped the device completely out of my hand and pinched me a few times! They should have some grippy type materiel or rubber or at least more texture to grip.
2. The rubber type stuff that is where your palm goes is kind of slippery to be honest and the same grippy type stuff would help here as well.
3. The thumb pinch exercise in the instructions is a joke unless you do about a million of them or are incredibly weak (possible though)!
4. Not faulting the product for this but I think I should have got a higher tension unit because I don't feel it is enough resistance for me personally and no, I don't have a "supergrip".
So, if recovering from surgery or something this (if carefully used) would be fine. Not going to return it but for the $ they could have made it a touch nicer. Thanks for reading, Mako. | 1 | neutral | [
"NOTE: If I could I give it 3.",
"5 stars.",
"I got this for mainly for left hand strength to play the guitar and honestly to keep my hand busy while on the net and not absently twisting and twirling my beard (mini bad habit).",
"The construction is fine so far but the materials are lacking in 2 areas in my opinion.",
"1.",
"The areas where your fingertips go is minimally textured (and I mean minimally) and just hard plastic.",
"Result: If you haven't JUST washed your hand and they are not completely dry/free of ANY residue they are slippery!",
"By slippery I mean I have popped the device completely out of my hand and pinched me a few times!",
"They should have some grippy type materiel or rubber or at least more texture to grip.",
"2.",
"The rubber type stuff that is where your palm goes is kind of slippery to be honest and the same grippy type stuff would help here as well.",
"3.",
"The thumb pinch exercise in the instructions is a joke unless you do about a million of them or are incredibly weak (possible though)!",
"4.",
"Not faulting the product for this but I think I should have got a higher tension unit because I don't feel it is enough resistance for me personally and no, I don't have a \"supergrip\".",
"So, if recovering from surgery or something this (if carefully used) would be fine.",
"Not going to return it but for the $ they could have made it a touch nicer.",
"Thanks for reading, Mako."
] |
Chessmaster 9000 has a lot of things going for it. To start with, the chess engine itself ("The King") is very strong, and on its highest setting, it will beat all but the very best players. It is quite flexible, and comes with hundreds of pre-set personalities that range from the lowliest novice to the juggernaut grandmaster. It also allows you to create custom personalities with a fair amount of detail, including their overall strength, preference for material or positional play, how they value the pieces with respect to one another, and so on. Your options for controlling the games are also quite sufficient, with plenty of different time controls available, and the ability to make the controls different for white and black.
The best part of CM9000, though, is the wealth of tutorials and practice drills that are built into it, which cover an array of chess topics and will teach the beginning player a great deal. I especially enjoyed the material contributed by IM Josh Waitzkin, including a dozen of his games that he gives a full running commentary for, an endgame course illustrating strategies for how to use the different pieces to full advantage in the endgame, and a course on the psychology of competition which was very interesting even for someone like me, who's never played chess competitively. I have already learned a lot about chess theory from going through these tutorials, and I've not even been through half of them yet.
CM9000's first weak point is the interface. Run the game at a low to medium resolution and the various windows will soon be taking up way too much valuable real estate on the screen. If you use a fixed view or 3D chess board, the Captured Pieces window is particularly offensive, taking a ludicrous amount of space to show the large piece graphics with plenty of space between them. There are so many improvements that could be made to the interface, and most of them would be extremely simple to implement.
The graphics are not particularly good. There are numerous chess sets available, but many of the options are custom sets that take more time to get used to than they're worth, and even some of the more straightforward designs tend to blend into one another and wrench your eye when they're actually placed on the chessboard. The piece designs and textures could have been much better. Furthermore, the 3D view doesn't run very smoothly on older machines, even with 3D acceleration. This would be acceptable for a graphically complex game, but even a novice programmer should be able to display a 3D chessboard efficiently on a Pentium III-500. In the tutorial mode, using the fixed view boards, I've noticed the pieces sometimes scale strangely, getting smaller and then larger as they move. There are all kinds of little quirks like this. The bottom line is that while the game seems to have lots of graphical options, most of them are worthless. Stick with the simple 2D boards.
Finally, the program has crashed on me way too often for comfort. It crashes sometimes when I switch from one room to another, particularly if I hadn't been to that room before. It crashes occasionally when I try to switch from 2D to 3D. Once in awhile it will crash at the end of a game analysis. This is very irritating. I am not using an unsupported OS or hardware, and I've installed the latest patch, so I don't know what the problem is. And that brings me to another point: non-support of Windows 2000. Other reviews say it does run on Win2K, but the fact that UbiSoft won't support it is absurd. Speaking from a game programmer's perspective, this should not be a big issue with a program like this one.
It would have been nice to have some other modes of play available, since there are a ton of chess variants out there that are fun to play, but CM9000 doesn't support any of them. (You can play blindfold chess, but I have enough trouble memorizing a position, much less a whole bloody game!) I realize that this might introduce some difficulty in getting the chess engine to play the variants well, but I'd be happy just having the options there, even if the computer doesn't play them to full grandmaster standard. At least throw some of them in for online play against other humans.
So, the bottom line: Chessmaster 9000 is a decent program, worth the price of admission for its tutorials alone, much less its strength of play, but it does have a number of flaws that stand in the way of it being a much better program. | 1 | neutral | [
"Chessmaster 9000 has a lot of things going for it.",
"To start with, the chess engine itself (\"The King\") is very strong, and on its highest setting, it will beat all but the very best players.",
"It is quite flexible, and comes with hundreds of pre-set personalities that range from the lowliest novice to the juggernaut grandmaster.",
"It also allows you to create custom personalities with a fair amount of detail, including their overall strength, preference for material or positional play, how they value the pieces with respect to one another, and so on.",
"Your options for controlling the games are also quite sufficient, with plenty of different time controls available, and the ability to make the controls different for white and black.",
"The best part of CM9000, though, is the wealth of tutorials and practice drills that are built into it, which cover an array of chess topics and will teach the beginning player a great deal.",
"I especially enjoyed the material contributed by IM Josh Waitzkin, including a dozen of his games that he gives a full running commentary for, an endgame course illustrating strategies for how to use the different pieces to full advantage in the endgame, and a course on the psychology of competition which was very interesting even for someone like me, who's never played chess competitively.",
"I have already learned a lot about chess theory from going through these tutorials, and I've not even been through half of them yet.",
"CM9000's first weak point is the interface.",
"Run the game at a low to medium resolution and the various windows will soon be taking up way too much valuable real estate on the screen.",
"If you use a fixed view or 3D chess board, the Captured Pieces window is particularly offensive, taking a ludicrous amount of space to show the large piece graphics with plenty of space between them.",
"There are so many improvements that could be made to the interface, and most of them would be extremely simple to implement.",
"The graphics are not particularly good.",
"There are numerous chess sets available, but many of the options are custom sets that take more time to get used to than they're worth, and even some of the more straightforward designs tend to blend into one another and wrench your eye when they're actually placed on the chessboard.",
"The piece designs and textures could have been much better.",
"Furthermore, the 3D view doesn't run very smoothly on older machines, even with 3D acceleration.",
"This would be acceptable for a graphically complex game, but even a novice programmer should be able to display a 3D chessboard efficiently on a Pentium III-500.",
"In the tutorial mode, using the fixed view boards, I've noticed the pieces sometimes scale strangely, getting smaller and then larger as they move.",
"There are all kinds of little quirks like this.",
"The bottom line is that while the game seems to have lots of graphical options, most of them are worthless.",
"Stick with the simple 2D boards.",
"Finally, the program has crashed on me way too often for comfort.",
"It crashes sometimes when I switch from one room to another, particularly if I hadn't been to that room before.",
"It crashes occasionally when I try to switch from 2D to 3D.",
"Once in awhile it will crash at the end of a game analysis.",
"This is very irritating.",
"I am not using an unsupported OS or hardware, and I've installed the latest patch, so I don't know what the problem is.",
"And that brings me to another point: non-support of Windows 2000.",
"Other reviews say it does run on Win2K, but the fact that UbiSoft won't support it is absurd.",
"Speaking from a game programmer's perspective, this should not be a big issue with a program like this one.",
"It would have been nice to have some other modes of play available, since there are a ton of chess variants out there that are fun to play, but CM9000 doesn't support any of them.",
"(You can play blindfold chess, but I have enough trouble memorizing a position, much less a whole bloody game!",
") I realize that this might introduce some difficulty in getting the chess engine to play the variants well, but I'd be happy just having the options there, even if the computer doesn't play them to full grandmaster standard.",
"At least throw some of them in for online play against other humans.",
"So, the bottom line: Chessmaster 9000 is a decent program, worth the price of admission for its tutorials alone, much less its strength of play, but it does have a number of flaws that stand in the way of it being a much better program."
] |
Had this model for the past 7 years.
Overall, it works well once you get your dogs trained (which, for us, was fairly easy). My only gripe is with the batteries.
When we bought this, the collar receivers were slightly different. You used to be able to buy the batteries in the watch department -- they were the batteries only -- size 2010 (I think). It was great because the batteries were dirt cheap. After a couple of years, the receiver stopped working. Contacted the company and they sent out a replacement collar for free. Another couple of years and the receiver stopped working. Contacted company and the new replacement cost was $20 (or something nominal). Another of couple of years and had to replace the receiver again, but the replacement cost went up again -- I think to a wholesaler price, cheaper than retail, AND the collar now uses the special PetSafe batteries that you have to pay $10 a pop for a pair at the local pet store. That was a downer. And what's worse is that the batteries never seem to last that long. Sometimes I don't see the low battery indicator, or it's just completely out and the dogs seem to know that it's a free-for-all when they don't hear the beeping, and then I see them wandering the hood. I feel like I have to replace them every month or less, where the old style used to last at about 6 months or so.
Anyway, this works well, when you have a good set of batteries in place. I wish they would make the old style receivers or make their batteries cheaper though.
Thought about upgrading to the new stay and play, but the reviews don't sound good, between noisy, overheating transmitters and really short battery life, so for now I'll bite the bullet and buy batteries every month. | 1 | neutral | [
"Had this model for the past 7 years.",
"Overall, it works well once you get your dogs trained (which, for us, was fairly easy).",
"My only gripe is with the batteries.",
"When we bought this, the collar receivers were slightly different.",
"You used to be able to buy the batteries in the watch department -- they were the batteries only -- size 2010 (I think).",
"It was great because the batteries were dirt cheap.",
"After a couple of years, the receiver stopped working.",
"Contacted the company and they sent out a replacement collar for free.",
"Another couple of years and the receiver stopped working.",
"Contacted company and the new replacement cost was $20 (or something nominal).",
"Another of couple of years and had to replace the receiver again, but the replacement cost went up again -- I think to a wholesaler price, cheaper than retail, AND the collar now uses the special PetSafe batteries that you have to pay $10 a pop for a pair at the local pet store.",
"That was a downer.",
"And what's worse is that the batteries never seem to last that long.",
"Sometimes I don't see the low battery indicator, or it's just completely out and the dogs seem to know that it's a free-for-all when they don't hear the beeping, and then I see them wandering the hood.",
"I feel like I have to replace them every month or less, where the old style used to last at about 6 months or so.",
"Anyway, this works well, when you have a good set of batteries in place.",
"I wish they would make the old style receivers or make their batteries cheaper though.",
"Thought about upgrading to the new stay and play, but the reviews don't sound good, between noisy, overheating transmitters and really short battery life, so for now I'll bite the bullet and buy batteries every month."
] |
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