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This third remake falls a bit flat compared to the previous ones. The first big problem is pace, which is kind of slow in the beginning, it does recover its pace around the middle but it's kind of late. The majority of the cast give a solid performance, especially Forrest Whitaker who gives a creepy scene choosing his fate of whether to join the pod people or killing himself. Anyhow without ruining the movie it has a lot of good moments, some of them are unpredictable and scary others are just okay. Ultimately it's an average flick with some great moments in it.
The film commences with a family arriving at a military base. It seems that the father of the family is scientist contracted by the army of the base, he is given orders to run test in the local waters to check any unfamiliar activity or chemicals that can be hazardous. Forest Whitaker who comes early in the story explains to the scientist that there is some recent strange activity going on; people who are afraid of going to sleep, fear of themselves and others, scientist tries all he can but it's completely out of his hands because with what he s dealing is not chemicals but alien life form which feeds of humans to create an emotionless duplicate. If you have seen the previous remakes than you are more than familiar with the story. Like the other adaptations the pod people make alarming screaming sounds when there are humans still alive, they also start of like cabbages that feed of the people who are sleeping etc. once again the movie has a lot of creepy moments and a somewhat satisfying conclusion. But there something about the movie that feels that it was sort of rushed. I recommend it to rent on a rainy night or to watch when it's on TV but not to buy.
MY PERSONAL RATING: 3 OUT OF 5 | 1 | neutral | [
"This third remake falls a bit flat compared to the previous ones.",
"The first big problem is pace, which is kind of slow in the beginning, it does recover its pace around the middle but it's kind of late.",
"The majority of the cast give a solid performance, especially Forrest Whitaker who gives a creepy scene choosing his fate of whether to join the pod people or killing himself.",
"Anyhow without ruining the movie it has a lot of good moments, some of them are unpredictable and scary others are just okay.",
"Ultimately it's an average flick with some great moments in it.",
"The film commences with a family arriving at a military base.",
"It seems that the father of the family is scientist contracted by the army of the base, he is given orders to run test in the local waters to check any unfamiliar activity or chemicals that can be hazardous.",
"Forest Whitaker who comes early in the story explains to the scientist that there is some recent strange activity going on; people who are afraid of going to sleep, fear of themselves and others, scientist tries all he can but it's completely out of his hands because with what he s dealing is not chemicals but alien life form which feeds of humans to create an emotionless duplicate.",
"If you have seen the previous remakes than you are more than familiar with the story.",
"Like the other adaptations the pod people make alarming screaming sounds when there are humans still alive, they also start of like cabbages that feed of the people who are sleeping etc.",
"once again the movie has a lot of creepy moments and a somewhat satisfying conclusion.",
"But there something about the movie that feels that it was sort of rushed.",
"I recommend it to rent on a rainy night or to watch when it's on TV but not to buy.",
"MY PERSONAL RATING: 3 OUT OF 5"
] |
"The Wall" is a prime example of what happens when one member of a band becomes very bitter and resentful of the world, and creates a narcissistic rock-opera that ends up just not clicking. ?The Wall? is more a Roger Waters album than a Pink Floyd one. Indeed, Waters is renowned for his cynical and sympathy-begging songwriting. The only problem is that he doesn?t go about it in the best way. John Lennon wrote songs like this, but he could get away with it because he still kept a strong musical sense about him. Here, Waters just lets his emotions take over entirely. The result is an eighty-minute rant that really goes nowhere, solves no issues, and only tells a story in the most basic sense of the phrase. There are some good songs here, the ?Another Brick in the Wall? series, ?Mother?, ?Young Lust?, ?Hey You?, ?Comfortably Numb?, ?In the Flesh??, and ?Run Like Hell? are all listenable, if not fantastic. Most of the rest is boring, unremarkable, or annoying. ?Is There Anybody Out There??, ?The Trial?, and ?Outside the Wall? are terrible, pretentious, and disgustingly indulgent piffle. Despite this, ?The Wall? has earned quite a following. Perhaps I am missing something, but all I can hear of ?The Wall? is a failed attempt at creating a meaningful and heart-felt statement that is no more than a relic of the times. It's not Pink Floyd's worst album, but it is nowhere near their best.
~ John Ballantyne | 1 | neutral | [
"\"The Wall\" is a prime example of what happens when one member of a band becomes very bitter and resentful of the world, and creates a narcissistic rock-opera that ends up just not clicking.",
"?",
"The Wall?",
"is more a Roger Waters album than a Pink Floyd one.",
"Indeed, Waters is renowned for his cynical and sympathy-begging songwriting.",
"The only problem is that he doesn?",
"t go about it in the best way.",
"John Lennon wrote songs like this, but he could get away with it because he still kept a strong musical sense about him.",
"Here, Waters just lets his emotions take over entirely.",
"The result is an eighty-minute rant that really goes nowhere, solves no issues, and only tells a story in the most basic sense of the phrase.",
"There are some good songs here, the?",
"Another Brick in the Wall?",
"series,?",
"Mother?",
",?",
"Young Lust?",
",?",
"Hey You?",
",?",
"Comfortably Numb?",
",?",
"In the Flesh??",
", and?",
"Run Like Hell?",
"are all listenable, if not fantastic.",
"Most of the rest is boring, unremarkable, or annoying.",
"?",
"Is There Anybody Out There??",
",?",
"The Trial?",
", and?",
"Outside the Wall?",
"are terrible, pretentious, and disgustingly indulgent piffle.",
"Despite this,?",
"The Wall?",
"has earned quite a following.",
"Perhaps I am missing something, but all I can hear of?",
"The Wall?",
"is a failed attempt at creating a meaningful and heart-felt statement that is no more than a relic of the times.",
"It's not Pink Floyd's worst album, but it is nowhere near their best.",
"~ John Ballantyne"
] |
....eight years after the original masterpiece in 1993, but it just didn't have enough to hold my interest for very long.
It starts out well, with the QuickTime integrated movies and beautiful artwork, compelling storyline, revolving around a man who's novels are actually mystic links to other "ages," just as the previous two games. But Myst III is nothing new, albeit probably an improvement over Riven...which isn't saying a whole lot. (Riven was too lengthy and cryptic regarding the puzzles to enjoy in my opinion).
Exile did a good job of adding to the Myst series, it actually is an enjoyable adventure game. Don't listen to the pretentious people out there who call themselves "gamers" and steer you away from it if you liked the original. It's just that the awe of Myst has worn off after so many new steps in technology
and newer 3D games that blow it away in terms of it's engineering and multimedia immersion since 1993.
But I commend UBI Soft for not putting out a complete piece of garbage just to make some money off of the franchise name, which they could've easily done. Instead they've made an enjoyable adventure game that's very fantastical and immersive. | 1 | neutral | [
"....",
"eight years after the original masterpiece in 1993, but it just didn't have enough to hold my interest for very long.",
"It starts out well, with the QuickTime integrated movies and beautiful artwork, compelling storyline, revolving around a man who's novels are actually mystic links to other \"ages,\" just as the previous two games.",
"But Myst III is nothing new, albeit probably an improvement over Riven...",
"which isn't saying a whole lot.",
"(Riven was too lengthy and cryptic regarding the puzzles to enjoy in my opinion).",
"Exile did a good job of adding to the Myst series, it actually is an enjoyable adventure game.",
"Don't listen to the pretentious people out there who call themselves \"gamers\" and steer you away from it if you liked the original.",
"It's just that the awe of Myst has worn off after so many new steps in technology\nand newer 3D games that blow it away in terms of it's engineering and multimedia immersion since 1993.",
"But I commend UBI Soft for not putting out a complete piece of garbage just to make some money off of the franchise name, which they could've easily done.",
"Instead they've made an enjoyable adventure game that's very fantastical and immersive."
] |
Like other reviewers for this product, my case arrived without a removable sleeve. The case still works and it's OK in quailty. Not improved, though. I also own several of the same item that I purchased years ago (before the brown stitching) and they are a heavier gauge Koskin material and padding.
I'm not surprised that the improvement was taking the good quality out of their product. Since the economy tanked, makers from foods to dryer sheets to coffee to T-shirts are all making their products as cheaply as possible to save money or raising their prices. Case Logic and this CD/DVD case is no different. Works OK, but don't expect the same good quality as before.
(I emailed Amazon about the missing sleeve and asked them to either change the product description or ship the correct item they described to future buyers.) | 1 | neutral | [
"Like other reviewers for this product, my case arrived without a removable sleeve.",
"The case still works and it's OK in quailty.",
"Not improved, though.",
"I also own several of the same item that I purchased years ago (before the brown stitching) and they are a heavier gauge Koskin material and padding.",
"I'm not surprised that the improvement was taking the good quality out of their product.",
"Since the economy tanked, makers from foods to dryer sheets to coffee to T-shirts are all making their products as cheaply as possible to save money or raising their prices.",
"Case Logic and this CD/DVD case is no different.",
"Works OK, but don't expect the same good quality as before.",
"(I emailed Amazon about the missing sleeve and asked them to either change the product description or ship the correct item they described to future buyers.",
")"
] |
I bought this latch hook kit for my granddaughter who has never done any latch hooking at all. This kit is a small size & it doesn't have the pattern printed on the canvas. I really liked that because the first time I tried to work a latch hook kit on a printed canvas I got all messed up with it. You would think that it would be easier to work on a printed canvas but I found that the un-printed canvas was so much easier. This canvas has the squares printed on it in blue so you just count the little squares to find where your yarn needs to go. It is simple & small, great for a first time latch hooker. I wish that each kit would also include the latch hook tool but none of them do so you have to buy your latch hook tool separate. I didn't like the fact that the yarn was not separated, that chore we had to do ourselves & that was time consuming which had to be done before the kit could be started. I would of given it 4 stars if the yarn had been separated & I would of given it 5 stars if the yarn was separated & it had included the latch hook tool. But although I only gave it 3 stars I still really liked this kit, I just didn't like the extras I had to deal with in order to work this kit. | 1 | neutral | [
"I bought this latch hook kit for my granddaughter who has never done any latch hooking at all.",
"This kit is a small size & it doesn't have the pattern printed on the canvas.",
"I really liked that because the first time I tried to work a latch hook kit on a printed canvas I got all messed up with it.",
"You would think that it would be easier to work on a printed canvas but I found that the un-printed canvas was so much easier.",
"This canvas has the squares printed on it in blue so you just count the little squares to find where your yarn needs to go.",
"It is simple & small, great for a first time latch hooker.",
"I wish that each kit would also include the latch hook tool but none of them do so you have to buy your latch hook tool separate.",
"I didn't like the fact that the yarn was not separated, that chore we had to do ourselves & that was time consuming which had to be done before the kit could be started.",
"I would of given it 4 stars if the yarn had been separated & I would of given it 5 stars if the yarn was separated & it had included the latch hook tool.",
"But although I only gave it 3 stars I still really liked this kit, I just didn't like the extras I had to deal with in order to work this kit."
] |
HELP, PLEASE!!! AMAZON PRODUCT REVIEWS ARE VERY HELPFUL TO ME, ESPECIALLY WITH PROBLEMATIC PRODUCTS THAT COULD ADVERSELY AFFECT ME OR MY PCs.****SEE QUESTIONS AT BOTTOM.**** I have given NIS a middle or neutral rating because NIS 2007 was so bad, but NIS 2008 appears to be much better. I just do not know enough about NIS 2008.
I purchased Norton Internet Sececurity 2007 shortly after it was released in August or September 2006. I installed it on 3 of our computers with Windows XP (Professional and Home) operating systems. Although I had had great experience for more than 10 years with Norton products, NIS 2007 was so bad that I vowed never to use or buy any Symantic product. NIS 2007's initial loading required that I delete my spyware software protection programs in order to install NIS 2007 (to sell Norton???), it slowed all 3 PCs to a snail's pace, it had unneccessary functions, I could not delete or turn-off those functions without a waring, ad nauseum.
HOWEVER, I downloaded Trialware of NIS 2008 on a laptop with VISTA. NIS 2008 was less disruptive to install and it works so well that I am considering istalling it on our other PCs, but I would like some more input from users of NIS 2008.
1. WHAT IS YOUR EXPERIENCE WITH NIS 2008 ON PCs WITH WINDOWS XP?
2. ON XP, DOES NIS 2008 WORK BETTER THAN NIS 2007?
3. WHAT IS YOUR EXPERIENCE WITH NIS 2008 ON PCs WITH WINDOWS VISTA?
4. ON VISTA, DOES NIS 2008 WORK BETTER THAN NIS 2007? | 1 | neutral | [
"HELP, PLEASE!!!",
"AMAZON PRODUCT REVIEWS ARE VERY HELPFUL TO ME, ESPECIALLY WITH PROBLEMATIC PRODUCTS THAT COULD ADVERSELY AFFECT ME OR MY PCs.",
"****SEE QUESTIONS AT BOTTOM.",
"**** I have given NIS a middle or neutral rating because NIS 2007 was so bad, but NIS 2008 appears to be much better.",
"I just do not know enough about NIS 2008.",
"I purchased Norton Internet Sececurity 2007 shortly after it was released in August or September 2006.",
"I installed it on 3 of our computers with Windows XP (Professional and Home) operating systems.",
"Although I had had great experience for more than 10 years with Norton products, NIS 2007 was so bad that I vowed never to use or buy any Symantic product.",
"NIS 2007's initial loading required that I delete my spyware software protection programs in order to install NIS 2007 (to sell Norton???",
"), it slowed all 3 PCs to a snail's pace, it had unneccessary functions, I could not delete or turn-off those functions without a waring, ad nauseum.",
"HOWEVER, I downloaded Trialware of NIS 2008 on a laptop with VISTA.",
"NIS 2008 was less disruptive to install and it works so well that I am considering istalling it on our other PCs, but I would like some more input from users of NIS 2008.",
"1.",
"WHAT IS YOUR EXPERIENCE WITH NIS 2008 ON PCs WITH WINDOWS XP?",
"2.",
"ON XP, DOES NIS 2008 WORK BETTER THAN NIS 2007?",
"3.",
"WHAT IS YOUR EXPERIENCE WITH NIS 2008 ON PCs WITH WINDOWS VISTA?",
"4.",
"ON VISTA, DOES NIS 2008 WORK BETTER THAN NIS 2007?"
] |
This was a quick read. Not what I had in mind, but it was ok.
Justin just moved from Nebraska, and trying to experience life in California.
Never having left Nebraska, He is learning that things are VERY different.
Just sitting in his room and listening to his neighbor with a different voice every day shocked him.
It totally turned him on, a lot.. but it still shocked him.
When Justin decided it was time he did something about his own arousal, the noises traveled though the wall in unison.
As the guy next door left his room to get a bucket of ice, Justin ran out with some quarters to get a coke in the machine next to him.
He just wanted to see the guy. And the young looking guy got a good look at Justin too.
When his neighbor decides to pay Justin a visit in his room, Justin is thrown back and becomes really nervous.
Rex invited Justin to go out, but when Justin admitted he didn't have any money, Rex decided to take things in his own hands
And invite Justin into Rex's business.
At the Club, Rex ignites' the interested of another man. When Rex asks Justin if he's interested in a threesome, Justin says he doesn't think
He's ready for that just yet. So Rex invites Justin over to watch and the guy will pay him $100.
$100 to watch Rex have sex with another man, Justin knew it was wrong to do, but his curiosity got the better hand. Of things.
After watching Rex and this strange man going at it. The surprise of the force Rex used shocked Justin. But the strange man wasn't going to go unless
Justin got off himself. So he calls Justin over to him. Since Justin had never been with anyone before (other than himself) it was a bit awkward for everyone in the room.
When Rex realized that Justin was pure and innocent, things started to change ....
Cute story - I wasn't too impressed with the abrupt ending, but it works | 1 | neutral | [
"This was a quick read.",
"Not what I had in mind, but it was ok.",
"Justin just moved from Nebraska, and trying to experience life in California.",
"Never having left Nebraska, He is learning that things are VERY different.",
"Just sitting in his room and listening to his neighbor with a different voice every day shocked him.",
"It totally turned him on, a lot..",
"but it still shocked him.",
"When Justin decided it was time he did something about his own arousal, the noises traveled though the wall in unison.",
"As the guy next door left his room to get a bucket of ice, Justin ran out with some quarters to get a coke in the machine next to him.",
"He just wanted to see the guy.",
"And the young looking guy got a good look at Justin too.",
"When his neighbor decides to pay Justin a visit in his room, Justin is thrown back and becomes really nervous.",
"Rex invited Justin to go out, but when Justin admitted he didn't have any money, Rex decided to take things in his own hands\nAnd invite Justin into Rex's business.",
"At the Club, Rex ignites' the interested of another man.",
"When Rex asks Justin if he's interested in a threesome, Justin says he doesn't think\nHe's ready for that just yet.",
"So Rex invites Justin over to watch and the guy will pay him $100.",
"$100 to watch Rex have sex with another man, Justin knew it was wrong to do, but his curiosity got the better hand.",
"Of things.",
"After watching Rex and this strange man going at it.",
"The surprise of the force Rex used shocked Justin.",
"But the strange man wasn't going to go unless\nJustin got off himself.",
"So he calls Justin over to him.",
"Since Justin had never been with anyone before (other than himself) it was a bit awkward for everyone in the room.",
"When Rex realized that Justin was pure and innocent, things started to change....",
"Cute story - I wasn't too impressed with the abrupt ending, but it works"
] |
It's a nice product if you're just interested in having a wireless mouse and keyboard, and the iTouch buttons on the keyboard work really well.
The problem is that sometimes when you're playing games, the keyboard sends the keystroke signals in the wrong order. I know that sounds strange, and it is. For example, if I quickly type: <enter> hello <enter>, sometimes the game responds as if the letter "o" was typed after you pressed enter. Pressing "o" while in chat mode, and pressing "o" while in gaming/movement mode can mean very different things. Very annoying.
Also, the mouse just isn't that accurate. Granted, this could be because I've been using a Razer Boomslang mouse (which is about as accurate as a surgical instrument), so perhaps I'm hypersensitive. As a gamer, I think the mouse just feels...nerfed. It's fine for desktop and web application use, but it's just not smooth enough for a serious gamer.
I don't want to say, "Don't buy this product," because it's not a bad little setup. It's great for someone who just uses the computer for internet and desktop applications. For the serious gamer, however, this cordless deal just doesn't cut it. I'm returning mine to the Bestbuy where I got it and getting the corded versions of both products. | 1 | neutral | [
"It's a nice product if you're just interested in having a wireless mouse and keyboard, and the iTouch buttons on the keyboard work really well.",
"The problem is that sometimes when you're playing games, the keyboard sends the keystroke signals in the wrong order.",
"I know that sounds strange, and it is.",
"For example, if I quickly type: <enter> hello <enter>, sometimes the game responds as if the letter \"o\" was typed after you pressed enter.",
"Pressing \"o\" while in chat mode, and pressing \"o\" while in gaming/movement mode can mean very different things.",
"Very annoying.",
"Also, the mouse just isn't that accurate.",
"Granted, this could be because I've been using a Razer Boomslang mouse (which is about as accurate as a surgical instrument), so perhaps I'm hypersensitive.",
"As a gamer, I think the mouse just feels...",
"nerfed.",
"It's fine for desktop and web application use, but it's just not smooth enough for a serious gamer.",
"I don't want to say, \"Don't buy this product,\" because it's not a bad little setup.",
"It's great for someone who just uses the computer for internet and desktop applications.",
"For the serious gamer, however, this cordless deal just doesn't cut it.",
"I'm returning mine to the Bestbuy where I got it and getting the corded versions of both products."
] |
My Rating: 3.5 stars: Liked it - recommend (B+)
Originally Posted at That's What I'm Talking About.
Francesca Stewart enjoys her position on staff with California's governor. She has an impeccable work ethic, and her support of green initiatives makes those she stands with very successful. But Frankie is lonely, and after suffering a bad relationship in her youth, she is reluctant to make any type of romantic connection in her adult life. However, Frankie lusts after Jake Rios, head of the governor's nighttime security and considers what it would be like to go out with him.
Jake recognized Frankie as his mate within moments of joining the governor's team. Realizing he needs gain Frankie's friendship and trust, vampire Jake reigns in his alpha-nature and takes things slow. However, when he realizes Frankie's life is in danger, he can no longer sit on the sidelines.
A Vampire's Salvation is an entertaining novella that kicks off Ms. DePaul's Beyond Human series which involves a group of vampires hoping to "come out" from hiding and join society. Jake Rios is optimistic that by working with a progressive governor with ambitions for the White House, he can reveal himself and his kind to the public someday. Although this novella doesn't touch much on this storyline, I liked the idea and hope that there will be future titles that progress the story forward.
The heart of the novella revolves around the quickly developing love between Frankie and Jake. Due to the short nature of a novella, their relationship goes from zero to happily-ever-after in sixty seconds flat. Their initial encounters are fierce, filled with a hunger that is hot. I liked learning up front that Jake genuinely cares for Frankie and wants to take it slow. I adored reading Jake's POV as he headed to Frankie's door for their second date. It was sweet and romantic to learn how much he wants Frankie but is willing to let her call the shots. But what made the scene was his reaction about seeing Frankie all dressed up, subsequently losing all sense of control. Her reaction:
"I've unleashed something wild, was Frankie's first thought when Jake moved toward her.
Thank God, was her next one."
Again, due to the shortness of the story, things progressed quickly, which left me feeling a bit cheated on the development of their relationship. After only two days together, they profess love, which rubbed me the wrong way a bit. In addition, Frankie adjusts rather quickly to the idea Jake is a vampire, and forgiveness came a bit too easily for my tastes. Unfortunately, when the author only has so many pages, things will move along rapidly at times.
In the end, A Vampire's Salvation is a delightful novella. The story is sexy and fast paced, with a touch of suspense. The concept of the series is enjoyable and entertaining. I do think the story would have been a bit better with more length and development, and I'm not a fan of the immediate "I love you," so that brought it down a little for me. However, I am looking forward to reading a second story, knowing that there is much more to this political game than what was presented in this novella. The epilogue has me hooked for round two! | 1 | neutral | [
"My Rating: 3.",
"5 stars: Liked it - recommend (B+)\nOriginally Posted at That's What I'm Talking About.",
"Francesca Stewart enjoys her position on staff with California's governor.",
"She has an impeccable work ethic, and her support of green initiatives makes those she stands with very successful.",
"But Frankie is lonely, and after suffering a bad relationship in her youth, she is reluctant to make any type of romantic connection in her adult life.",
"However, Frankie lusts after Jake Rios, head of the governor's nighttime security and considers what it would be like to go out with him.",
"Jake recognized Frankie as his mate within moments of joining the governor's team.",
"Realizing he needs gain Frankie's friendship and trust, vampire Jake reigns in his alpha-nature and takes things slow.",
"However, when he realizes Frankie's life is in danger, he can no longer sit on the sidelines.",
"A Vampire's Salvation is an entertaining novella that kicks off Ms.",
"DePaul's Beyond Human series which involves a group of vampires hoping to \"come out\" from hiding and join society.",
"Jake Rios is optimistic that by working with a progressive governor with ambitions for the White House, he can reveal himself and his kind to the public someday.",
"Although this novella doesn't touch much on this storyline, I liked the idea and hope that there will be future titles that progress the story forward.",
"The heart of the novella revolves around the quickly developing love between Frankie and Jake.",
"Due to the short nature of a novella, their relationship goes from zero to happily-ever-after in sixty seconds flat.",
"Their initial encounters are fierce, filled with a hunger that is hot.",
"I liked learning up front that Jake genuinely cares for Frankie and wants to take it slow.",
"I adored reading Jake's POV as he headed to Frankie's door for their second date.",
"It was sweet and romantic to learn how much he wants Frankie but is willing to let her call the shots.",
"But what made the scene was his reaction about seeing Frankie all dressed up, subsequently losing all sense of control.",
"Her reaction:\n\n\"I've unleashed something wild, was Frankie's first thought when Jake moved toward her.",
"Thank God, was her next one.",
"\"\n\nAgain, due to the shortness of the story, things progressed quickly, which left me feeling a bit cheated on the development of their relationship.",
"After only two days together, they profess love, which rubbed me the wrong way a bit.",
"In addition, Frankie adjusts rather quickly to the idea Jake is a vampire, and forgiveness came a bit too easily for my tastes.",
"Unfortunately, when the author only has so many pages, things will move along rapidly at times.",
"In the end, A Vampire's Salvation is a delightful novella.",
"The story is sexy and fast paced, with a touch of suspense.",
"The concept of the series is enjoyable and entertaining.",
"I do think the story would have been a bit better with more length and development, and I'm not a fan of the immediate \"I love you,\" so that brought it down a little for me.",
"However, I am looking forward to reading a second story, knowing that there is much more to this political game than what was presented in this novella.",
"The epilogue has me hooked for round two!"
] |
A tremendously long story of constant tragedy, earth-shattering love and soul-wrenching loss. It was also a seriously invasive dark look at the ugliness of war and how it affected family, friends and their loved ones. It's "in your face" real and shocking revelations never ceased...they just kept coming...and coming...and coming - which was exhausting.
I did, however, enjoy Alexander and Tatiana. Their relationship, (which was steamy once you finally got there), was selfless and organic, but I was continually wishing Ms. Simons had given the reader (or at least, me) longer breaks between the heaviness of it's contents.
The writing was good, but not great, and I could easily tell English was the author's second language. It was choppy at times and confusing at others.
I would recommend this book, but only if you like long, depressing, very descriptive, reads which take a while to get into.
I will say, the book cover is really nice... | 1 | neutral | [
"A tremendously long story of constant tragedy, earth-shattering love and soul-wrenching loss.",
"It was also a seriously invasive dark look at the ugliness of war and how it affected family, friends and their loved ones.",
"It's \"in your face\" real and shocking revelations never ceased...",
"they just kept coming...",
"and coming...",
"and coming - which was exhausting.",
"I did, however, enjoy Alexander and Tatiana.",
"Their relationship, (which was steamy once you finally got there), was selfless and organic, but I was continually wishing Ms.",
"Simons had given the reader (or at least, me) longer breaks between the heaviness of it's contents.",
"The writing was good, but not great, and I could easily tell English was the author's second language.",
"It was choppy at times and confusing at others.",
"I would recommend this book, but only if you like long, depressing, very descriptive, reads which take a while to get into.",
"I will say, the book cover is really nice..."
] |
The good news is that I owned a PC352VS for 14 years and it served me well. I bought another one last week after the bearings on the front pulley failed on old faithful...not bad after 14 years. The bad news is that the new model DOES NOT provide a connection to a shop vacuum as did the old model. The dust collection bag is absolutely worthless. My shop and lungs were rife with dust after 10 minutes of use. The port happens to be exactly the same size 1 3/8" OD as your typical shop vac...1 3/8" OD. This is, in my opinion, a terrible design flaw by PC. I did find a solution however that I will share with you. I bought a 1 1/2" PVC pipe coupling which has an inside diameter just shy of the 1 3/8" OD of the PC and my 1 1/2" shop Fein shop vac. I used a Forstner 1 3/8" bit on my drill press and bored the ID a bit bigger on the PVC coupling. Voila, a nice connection which cost about 73 cents. I gave the new model only three stars for two reasons...first, this real design flaw and second because my PC Customer Service email asking for a recommended solution or adaptor went unanswered...never have heard back from Porter Cable. | 1 | neutral | [
"The good news is that I owned a PC352VS for 14 years and it served me well.",
"I bought another one last week after the bearings on the front pulley failed on old faithful...",
"not bad after 14 years.",
"The bad news is that the new model DOES NOT provide a connection to a shop vacuum as did the old model.",
"The dust collection bag is absolutely worthless.",
"My shop and lungs were rife with dust after 10 minutes of use.",
"The port happens to be exactly the same size 1 3/8\" OD as your typical shop vac...",
"1 3/8\" OD.",
"This is, in my opinion, a terrible design flaw by PC.",
"I did find a solution however that I will share with you.",
"I bought a 1 1/2\" PVC pipe coupling which has an inside diameter just shy of the 1 3/8\" OD of the PC and my 1 1/2\" shop Fein shop vac.",
"I used a Forstner 1 3/8\" bit on my drill press and bored the ID a bit bigger on the PVC coupling.",
"Voila, a nice connection which cost about 73 cents.",
"I gave the new model only three stars for two reasons...",
"first, this real design flaw and second because my PC Customer Service email asking for a recommended solution or adaptor went unanswered...",
"never have heard back from Porter Cable."
] |
Got this along with a few other toys a few weeks ago. This was clearly my dog's last choice. In fact, I didn't think he'd play with it at all. Eventually he started messing with it, so I was pretty thrilled. Of course, after a few days, he'd ripped some of the limbs open and stuffing was coming out. Overall, not one of his favorite toys, and doesn't seem very durable. The only squeaker in this thing is right in his stomach and it's hard to get to. I'm not even sure my dog even figured out it was in there, heck, I had trouble getting it. Get something else. Nothing special about sock monkey. | 1 | neutral | [
"Got this along with a few other toys a few weeks ago.",
"This was clearly my dog's last choice.",
"In fact, I didn't think he'd play with it at all.",
"Eventually he started messing with it, so I was pretty thrilled.",
"Of course, after a few days, he'd ripped some of the limbs open and stuffing was coming out.",
"Overall, not one of his favorite toys, and doesn't seem very durable.",
"The only squeaker in this thing is right in his stomach and it's hard to get to.",
"I'm not even sure my dog even figured out it was in there, heck, I had trouble getting it.",
"Get something else.",
"Nothing special about sock monkey."
] |
Max Fergus has lived a privileged life. He's the quarterback of his school's football team, and is an exemplary student. He's also the head cheerleader's boyfriend. In his mind, his life is going just the way he wants it to, and there's nothing else he could ask for. Until the moment Anna Lissa Felidae steps into his life.
Within the blink of an eye, she turns his life topsy-turvy. He's not quite sure as to why he now finds himself drawn to her, but the thought of leaving her in someone else's hands is something he can't fathom. She's all he can think about from the moment he sets his eyes on her, a fact Jennifer refuses to take lying down, so to speak. Max knows he'll need to set things straight between Jennifer and himself if he's to have some sort of future with Anna. Unfortunately, that task is much more difficult than it seems.
When it becomes apparent that Anna is more than what she seems, Max soon realizes that the world as he knew it is nothing but a lie. Secrets have been kept from him in hopes of shielding him from the dangers that are surely coming his way. While he understands that things were kept mum in order to protect him from the supernatural, part of him can't help but to wish that he'd known about the extraordinary world he now finds himself in a long time ago. Still, his family had very good reasons for keeping him in the dark, and he'll need to accept things as they are if he's to succeed in fulfilling his destiny.
Danger lurks in the distance as Max comes to understand the fact that he's now a Shifter, among other things. The fate of the supernatural world lies in his hands. The threat to his existence and that of the Shifter world draws ever closer. There are those intent on unseating the throne of power, once and for all. There's a lot he'll need to learn in such a short time if he's to succeed in putting all wrongs to right. Unfortunately, time isn't that forthcoming.
Elizabeth did a very nice job in putting together a very unique world surrounding both the supernatural, the lore behind some of the Olympian gods, as well as utilizing the history behind the Irish gods and goddesses. The amount of research put forth to craft such an intriguing universe is greatly apparent. The characters also lend their own voices to the story itself, and bring forth the vision the author wished to convey throughout every page.
This was honestly the start of a good series. The book does need a little tightening on the punctuation/grammar front, though. Aside from that, Soul Mates: Scent is a very engrossing story. One, I enjoyed very much while reading. | 1 | neutral | [
"Max Fergus has lived a privileged life.",
"He's the quarterback of his school's football team, and is an exemplary student.",
"He's also the head cheerleader's boyfriend.",
"In his mind, his life is going just the way he wants it to, and there's nothing else he could ask for.",
"Until the moment Anna Lissa Felidae steps into his life.",
"Within the blink of an eye, she turns his life topsy-turvy.",
"He's not quite sure as to why he now finds himself drawn to her, but the thought of leaving her in someone else's hands is something he can't fathom.",
"She's all he can think about from the moment he sets his eyes on her, a fact Jennifer refuses to take lying down, so to speak.",
"Max knows he'll need to set things straight between Jennifer and himself if he's to have some sort of future with Anna.",
"Unfortunately, that task is much more difficult than it seems.",
"When it becomes apparent that Anna is more than what she seems, Max soon realizes that the world as he knew it is nothing but a lie.",
"Secrets have been kept from him in hopes of shielding him from the dangers that are surely coming his way.",
"While he understands that things were kept mum in order to protect him from the supernatural, part of him can't help but to wish that he'd known about the extraordinary world he now finds himself in a long time ago.",
"Still, his family had very good reasons for keeping him in the dark, and he'll need to accept things as they are if he's to succeed in fulfilling his destiny.",
"Danger lurks in the distance as Max comes to understand the fact that he's now a Shifter, among other things.",
"The fate of the supernatural world lies in his hands.",
"The threat to his existence and that of the Shifter world draws ever closer.",
"There are those intent on unseating the throne of power, once and for all.",
"There's a lot he'll need to learn in such a short time if he's to succeed in putting all wrongs to right.",
"Unfortunately, time isn't that forthcoming.",
"Elizabeth did a very nice job in putting together a very unique world surrounding both the supernatural, the lore behind some of the Olympian gods, as well as utilizing the history behind the Irish gods and goddesses.",
"The amount of research put forth to craft such an intriguing universe is greatly apparent.",
"The characters also lend their own voices to the story itself, and bring forth the vision the author wished to convey throughout every page.",
"This was honestly the start of a good series.",
"The book does need a little tightening on the punctuation/grammar front, though.",
"Aside from that, Soul Mates: Scent is a very engrossing story.",
"One, I enjoyed very much while reading."
] |
These cups are nice for our office--we can have teas on hand for guest who don't drink coffee. I like the "Sleepytime" which despite the name, is a good after-lunch tea. The linden flowers and spearmint are very soothing. But there is only ONE herbal in this selection (leaving out the Mandarin Orange, which is very popular) and well, you can throw a black tea bag, even a premium tea bag, into a cup of water drawn off the Keurig and it's a lot less expensive.
To do this, you simply set the machine for 10 oz and don't put a K-cup in the holder (you do have to open it and shut it to tell the machine "ready!") Then push the brew button and you get a cup of hot water. Throw in a bag. Cost? Maybe 10 pennies, depending on what you had to spend on the tea bags.
The nice thing about Keurig brewed tea is no bag and the strength is usually perfect. But unless you worry about mess or have a public serve-yourself-area where you want to limit cleanup to throwing away K-cups and sugar packets, then these are kind of an unnecessary luxury. I had a set, but I won't rebuy them. | 1 | neutral | [
"These cups are nice for our office--we can have teas on hand for guest who don't drink coffee.",
"I like the \"Sleepytime\" which despite the name, is a good after-lunch tea.",
"The linden flowers and spearmint are very soothing.",
"But there is only ONE herbal in this selection (leaving out the Mandarin Orange, which is very popular) and well, you can throw a black tea bag, even a premium tea bag, into a cup of water drawn off the Keurig and it's a lot less expensive.",
"To do this, you simply set the machine for 10 oz and don't put a K-cup in the holder (you do have to open it and shut it to tell the machine \"ready!",
"\") Then push the brew button and you get a cup of hot water.",
"Throw in a bag.",
"Cost?",
"Maybe 10 pennies, depending on what you had to spend on the tea bags.",
"The nice thing about Keurig brewed tea is no bag and the strength is usually perfect.",
"But unless you worry about mess or have a public serve-yourself-area where you want to limit cleanup to throwing away K-cups and sugar packets, then these are kind of an unnecessary luxury.",
"I had a set, but I won't rebuy them."
] |
The success of Don't Fear the Reaper in 1976 would send the Oyster Boys down a dark path in search of further popular acclaim. That search would lead them to the depths ironically known as Mirrors, an album that would make the band look in the mirror and realize that they were not being true to themselves or their fans.
Cultosaurus Erectus took the band in a decidedly different direction and, like their own Disco Demolition Night, obliterated the notion that it would follow in the same vein as Mirrors. Perhaps in an overreaction to the disdain heaped upon Mirrors, Cultosaurus may be the darkest (Tyranny and Mutation is hard to top) and possibly the heaviest album (again, Tyranny and Mutation is pretty hard stuff) in their catalog, only letting the listener up for a brief gasp of air during the Marshall Plan.
Black Blade kicks off the album with a bang. The second of several collaborations with Sci-fi writer Michael Moorcock (see The Great Sun Jester and Veteran of the Psychic Wars), Black Blade offers a glimpse into the cursed life of anti-hero Elric The Eternal Champion. Its a great song marred only by an eternally long bridge (I was able to seamlessly edit out about half of it) and cheesy synth at the end.
Monsters is a funky rocker about space adventurers with an ironic ending. The song includes some funky jazz sax, ala the Mos Eisley cantina.
Divine Wind, while plodding in tempo, is a decent song about the Ayatollah Khomeini and his western intolerance. The ending is worth the wait.
Deadline is one of the lighter songs musically but has a dark lyrical tone, inspired by the murder of an acquaintance.
The Marshall Plan is a tongue in cheek rocker laced with irony. The title is a play on words, borrowing the name of the US plan to rebuild Europe after WWII, but actually refers to the "big amps" that guitar hero Johnny will use to win back his Suzy dear. This song predated Foreigner's Juke Box Hero and Bryan Adams' Summer of '69 and in hindsight, could have been a hit if not deliberately made so cheesy.
Hungry Boys is a fast paced rocker about cocaine addiction.
Fallen Angel is a lighter rocker and another collaboration between Joe Bouchard and Helen Wheels about...who else but Lucifer.
Lips In The Hills is a heavy enigmatic rocker that is occasionally trotted out on the road. What is it about? I haven't a clue.
Unknown Tongue is one of many dark collaborations with one-time band member and friend David Roter. The song is a dark tale that just when you think you know where it is going knocks you out of your shoes with its twisted ending.
All in all, Cultosaurus is a fairly solid album that bears listening to in its entirety, and a welcome return to BOC's roots. | 1 | neutral | [
"The success of Don't Fear the Reaper in 1976 would send the Oyster Boys down a dark path in search of further popular acclaim.",
"That search would lead them to the depths ironically known as Mirrors, an album that would make the band look in the mirror and realize that they were not being true to themselves or their fans.",
"Cultosaurus Erectus took the band in a decidedly different direction and, like their own Disco Demolition Night, obliterated the notion that it would follow in the same vein as Mirrors.",
"Perhaps in an overreaction to the disdain heaped upon Mirrors, Cultosaurus may be the darkest (Tyranny and Mutation is hard to top) and possibly the heaviest album (again, Tyranny and Mutation is pretty hard stuff) in their catalog, only letting the listener up for a brief gasp of air during the Marshall Plan.",
"Black Blade kicks off the album with a bang.",
"The second of several collaborations with Sci-fi writer Michael Moorcock (see The Great Sun Jester and Veteran of the Psychic Wars), Black Blade offers a glimpse into the cursed life of anti-hero Elric The Eternal Champion.",
"Its a great song marred only by an eternally long bridge (I was able to seamlessly edit out about half of it) and cheesy synth at the end.",
"Monsters is a funky rocker about space adventurers with an ironic ending.",
"The song includes some funky jazz sax, ala the Mos Eisley cantina.",
"Divine Wind, while plodding in tempo, is a decent song about the Ayatollah Khomeini and his western intolerance.",
"The ending is worth the wait.",
"Deadline is one of the lighter songs musically but has a dark lyrical tone, inspired by the murder of an acquaintance.",
"The Marshall Plan is a tongue in cheek rocker laced with irony.",
"The title is a play on words, borrowing the name of the US plan to rebuild Europe after WWII, but actually refers to the \"big amps\" that guitar hero Johnny will use to win back his Suzy dear.",
"This song predated Foreigner's Juke Box Hero and Bryan Adams' Summer of '69 and in hindsight, could have been a hit if not deliberately made so cheesy.",
"Hungry Boys is a fast paced rocker about cocaine addiction.",
"Fallen Angel is a lighter rocker and another collaboration between Joe Bouchard and Helen Wheels about...",
"who else but Lucifer.",
"Lips In The Hills is a heavy enigmatic rocker that is occasionally trotted out on the road.",
"What is it about?",
"I haven't a clue.",
"Unknown Tongue is one of many dark collaborations with one-time band member and friend David Roter.",
"The song is a dark tale that just when you think you know where it is going knocks you out of your shoes with its twisted ending.",
"All in all, Cultosaurus is a fairly solid album that bears listening to in its entirety, and a welcome return to BOC's roots."
] |
The cool thing about this game is that it revolves around the movie. If your a fan of the movie, then you'll probably enjoy the game because it gives you a look at what the movie didn't show you. The controls are clunky, but I got used to them after changing a few around. Graphics are acceptable, better than GTA at least. This is a GTA clone though, with 100 hidden "Film Reels" (unlocks actual clips of the movie) and all. Gameplay gets boring. After the storyline is finished, it's take over a shop here, take over a front there, blow up a rivals headquarters and so on. AND NOT WORTH IT. I beat the game 100% hoping that something cool would happen. I was dissapointed to get nothing but a lame short video and infinte ammo. Car selection sucks. I couldn't believe it. You'll probably end up driving the same 3 cars over and over again. Only 1 that acually gets some sort of speed. And it's lame when your getting chased by the cops, the computer practically throws them at you. You could be looking behind you with nobody there, then the second you look ahead a cop rams you, setting you car on fire and you to stop and ditch before it explodes. But watching cars explode is awesome, the fire was well done. Music is classic, with the soundtrack laced on it.
Overall, average game for the times. | 1 | neutral | [
"The cool thing about this game is that it revolves around the movie.",
"If your a fan of the movie, then you'll probably enjoy the game because it gives you a look at what the movie didn't show you.",
"The controls are clunky, but I got used to them after changing a few around.",
"Graphics are acceptable, better than GTA at least.",
"This is a GTA clone though, with 100 hidden \"Film Reels\" (unlocks actual clips of the movie) and all.",
"Gameplay gets boring.",
"After the storyline is finished, it's take over a shop here, take over a front there, blow up a rivals headquarters and so on.",
"AND NOT WORTH IT.",
"I beat the game 100% hoping that something cool would happen.",
"I was dissapointed to get nothing but a lame short video and infinte ammo.",
"Car selection sucks.",
"I couldn't believe it.",
"You'll probably end up driving the same 3 cars over and over again.",
"Only 1 that acually gets some sort of speed.",
"And it's lame when your getting chased by the cops, the computer practically throws them at you.",
"You could be looking behind you with nobody there, then the second you look ahead a cop rams you, setting you car on fire and you to stop and ditch before it explodes.",
"But watching cars explode is awesome, the fire was well done.",
"Music is classic, with the soundtrack laced on it.",
"Overall, average game for the times."
] |
Set during World War 2, Prisoner of War drops you into the role of an Allied fighter pilot. Shot down over Germany, you are captured and placed into a P.O.W. camp. Using only your wits and a little bit of stealth, you must escape from the camp. Easily the biggest problem with the game is the lack of interaction with the game's enviroment. Out of necessity you can explore the camp, yet everything you find is mere window dressing. The only items you can touch aer those apsolutely necessary to the plot. As a result the game is forced down a straight path. Another bad thing is if you pick up an item you can only use it at a certain time. In the end, Prisoner of War is a great concept that never quite delivers on its immense promise. | 1 | neutral | [
"Set during World War 2, Prisoner of War drops you into the role of an Allied fighter pilot.",
"Shot down over Germany, you are captured and placed into a P.",
"O.W. camp.",
"Using only your wits and a little bit of stealth, you must escape from the camp.",
"Easily the biggest problem with the game is the lack of interaction with the game's enviroment.",
"Out of necessity you can explore the camp, yet everything you find is mere window dressing.",
"The only items you can touch aer those apsolutely necessary to the plot.",
"As a result the game is forced down a straight path.",
"Another bad thing is if you pick up an item you can only use it at a certain time.",
"In the end, Prisoner of War is a great concept that never quite delivers on its immense promise."
] |
I appreciate the quality and the cap looks just like it did in the pictures. The only thing I'm not completely thrilled with is the shape and stiffness of the front panels. They are reinforced with a very thick and stiff material to make them stand up and away from the head. Most of my other ball caps have more flexible panels that are exactly like the rest of the cap without the stiff reinforcement and therefore can sit flatly and closer to my head so as to appear rounded and match the shape of my head. This cap makes it appear that my head is squared off and that my forehead is longer. I much prefer the rounded and fitted look instead. For the price I am pleased, but I'll probably not wear it often because the stiff panels make it look less casual than caps I normally wear. I'm sure some will like it because of that very reason. It will not wrinkle and looks as if it has been pressed and starched. It just boils down to personal preference. | 1 | neutral | [
"I appreciate the quality and the cap looks just like it did in the pictures.",
"The only thing I'm not completely thrilled with is the shape and stiffness of the front panels.",
"They are reinforced with a very thick and stiff material to make them stand up and away from the head.",
"Most of my other ball caps have more flexible panels that are exactly like the rest of the cap without the stiff reinforcement and therefore can sit flatly and closer to my head so as to appear rounded and match the shape of my head.",
"This cap makes it appear that my head is squared off and that my forehead is longer.",
"I much prefer the rounded and fitted look instead.",
"For the price I am pleased, but I'll probably not wear it often because the stiff panels make it look less casual than caps I normally wear.",
"I'm sure some will like it because of that very reason.",
"It will not wrinkle and looks as if it has been pressed and starched.",
"It just boils down to personal preference."
] |
Doctor on shackled malnourished siblings' recovery: 'It's not going to be achieved overnight'
Dr. Fari Kamalpour the hospital's director of internal medicine told ABC News that her "first impression" when she saw the siblings was that she was in the pediatric unit.
The malnourishment that the siblings endured was "systematic" and occurred over a long period of time Kamalpour said.
The malnutrition "absolutely" impacted the children's cognitive and physical development and the staggering development tends to progressively get worse over time Kamalpour said.
Kamalpour said the "main sign" that someone is malnourished or mistreated is "pale skin that you can see from a normal distance."
"Basically you don't see much muscle mass on the face or the arms " or other extremities that are exposed when they venture outside Kamalpour said.
People who are malnourished do not walk steadily and have poor posture Kamalpour said.
"As a parent if you know what is normal in a child you can easily find out what is abnormal in a child " Kamalpour said. "You don't need a medical degree."
Kamalpour said it is the "responsibility" of members of the community to watch out for each other.
"If you see a child that doesn't go to school and is putting sod on the ground at midnight or looks pale and doesn't walk appropriately that kid probably has some issues that need to be paid attention to " Kamalpour said. | 1 | neutral | [
"Doctor on shackled malnourished siblings' recovery: 'It's not going to be achieved overnight'\nDr.",
"Fari Kamalpour the hospital's director of internal medicine told ABC News that her \"first impression\" when she saw the siblings was that she was in the pediatric unit.",
"The malnourishment that the siblings endured was \"systematic\" and occurred over a long period of time Kamalpour said.",
"The malnutrition \"absolutely\" impacted the children's cognitive and physical development and the staggering development tends to progressively get worse over time Kamalpour said.",
"Kamalpour said the \"main sign\" that someone is malnourished or mistreated is \"pale skin that you can see from a normal distance.",
"\"\n\"Basically you don't see much muscle mass on the face or the arms \" or other extremities that are exposed when they venture outside Kamalpour said.",
"People who are malnourished do not walk steadily and have poor posture Kamalpour said.",
"\"As a parent if you know what is normal in a child you can easily find out what is abnormal in a child \" Kamalpour said.",
"\"You don't need a medical degree.",
"\"\n Kamalpour said it is the \"responsibility\" of members of the community to watch out for each other.",
"\"If you see a child that doesn't go to school and is putting sod on the ground at midnight or looks pale and doesn't walk appropriately that kid probably has some issues that need to be paid attention to \" Kamalpour said."
] |
The games OK. Flying at night is cool and it's that virtual world, but the multiplayer is lame, guns aren't very pronounced, shooting and driving aren't perfect in any way, it's not streamlined. It's like one big demolistion derby. A week or two to rent it and that's being nice. The lead character is a Bosnian refugee, why? No way this game is a 10. With all the things you can do in the game a 9 for some people for others a 8. Graphics aren't in the least Next Gen or is the gameplay. People thought San Andreas was great. I thought that was just OK. I guess these GTA honks don't get tired of punching anyone for no reaason or killing them without a thought. It's fun for about a day to do that. Seems like a rent to me. Going to a strip club to get a lap dance, maybe the little pimply kids buy it for that. I prefer the real McCoy. COD4 is a 10, this game? Psst, please! | 1 | neutral | [
"The games OK.",
"Flying at night is cool and it's that virtual world, but the multiplayer is lame, guns aren't very pronounced, shooting and driving aren't perfect in any way, it's not streamlined.",
"It's like one big demolistion derby.",
"A week or two to rent it and that's being nice.",
"The lead character is a Bosnian refugee, why?",
"No way this game is a 10.",
"With all the things you can do in the game a 9 for some people for others a 8.",
"Graphics aren't in the least Next Gen or is the gameplay.",
"People thought San Andreas was great.",
"I thought that was just OK.",
"I guess these GTA honks don't get tired of punching anyone for no reaason or killing them without a thought.",
"It's fun for about a day to do that.",
"Seems like a rent to me.",
"Going to a strip club to get a lap dance, maybe the little pimply kids buy it for that.",
"I prefer the real McCoy.",
"COD4 is a 10, this game?",
"Psst, please!"
] |
When I first bought the 557 I used it on everything. The most important factor for buying was the fact that the fence has the 135 degree setting for mitre joints (which is great for joining veneer plywood). Overall the tool is very well built. In hundreds (perhaps thousands) of uses the tool largely works the same as when I bought it. Yes, the carbide blade does need sharpening and I bought a second so I can put a freshly sharpened blade in for each new project.
Now the criticisms. I need to start by pointing out that this was my first biscuit joiner, so I am not sure what are problems common to all machines versus a problem with this model. All I know is that with each project I am using the biscuit joiner less and other joining methods more.
1) During one-handed operation the unit slips (a lot). Sure, it is designed for two handed operation--but the reality is when you are building furniture you have thousands of operations that including many biscuit cuts, you use one hand to steady the work and one to run the machine. This is called real world performance and this unit is a little disappointing.
2) It is very difficult to control the cut when the fence is set flat (cutting into the middle of a panel). This is caused by the fact that the non-slip rubber on the main face does not come into contact with the work on this operation. My woodworking buddies tell me this is because PC had to ineffectively redesign the fence as the result of a patent dispute with Dewalt. This is a very annoying problem thus I only use biscuits in this manner as a last resort.
3) Perhaps I work too fast sometimes, but when using biscuits to join a series of boards into a panel, I find that it takes a lot of fooling around to get the boards even during clamping. Since I still don't have any alternatives, the biscuits are still the best choice for my shop (I wonder if I should not try dowelling?).
I think it is important to note that despite my complaints that I use this machine on every project. Biscuit joints are very strong and so far not one has ever failed. For professionals this is good buy. For the occasional user you may get better value from a less costly machine. | 1 | neutral | [
"When I first bought the 557 I used it on everything.",
"The most important factor for buying was the fact that the fence has the 135 degree setting for mitre joints (which is great for joining veneer plywood).",
"Overall the tool is very well built.",
"In hundreds (perhaps thousands) of uses the tool largely works the same as when I bought it.",
"Yes, the carbide blade does need sharpening and I bought a second so I can put a freshly sharpened blade in for each new project.",
"Now the criticisms.",
"I need to start by pointing out that this was my first biscuit joiner, so I am not sure what are problems common to all machines versus a problem with this model.",
"All I know is that with each project I am using the biscuit joiner less and other joining methods more.",
"1) During one-handed operation the unit slips (a lot).",
"Sure, it is designed for two handed operation--but the reality is when you are building furniture you have thousands of operations that including many biscuit cuts, you use one hand to steady the work and one to run the machine.",
"This is called real world performance and this unit is a little disappointing.",
"2) It is very difficult to control the cut when the fence is set flat (cutting into the middle of a panel).",
"This is caused by the fact that the non-slip rubber on the main face does not come into contact with the work on this operation.",
"My woodworking buddies tell me this is because PC had to ineffectively redesign the fence as the result of a patent dispute with Dewalt.",
"This is a very annoying problem thus I only use biscuits in this manner as a last resort.",
"3) Perhaps I work too fast sometimes, but when using biscuits to join a series of boards into a panel, I find that it takes a lot of fooling around to get the boards even during clamping.",
"Since I still don't have any alternatives, the biscuits are still the best choice for my shop (I wonder if I should not try dowelling?",
").",
"I think it is important to note that despite my complaints that I use this machine on every project.",
"Biscuit joints are very strong and so far not one has ever failed.",
"For professionals this is good buy.",
"For the occasional user you may get better value from a less costly machine."
] |
i think that this gameshark is very helpful. i mostly use it for Driver 2, but thats just because its the most recent game i bought. All of the other reviews on here state that it freezes the game. for the first 3-4 hours for me, it didn't freeze at all. But then it did. and it wouldnt stop, or let me do anything. and when u have to restart, you lose all your unsaved game settings and data, and you have to reload through the gameshark, just so it can freeze again. i think its worth buying this though, because you probably cant find a better one. I wouldnt recommend buying it used though. If you decide to buy it, then buy it here, or somewhere that has it for the same price, or even less. I would also recomend that u should check to see if gameshark is coming out with a new version, without these glitches. | 1 | neutral | [
"i think that this gameshark is very helpful.",
"i mostly use it for Driver 2, but thats just because its the most recent game i bought.",
"All of the other reviews on here state that it freezes the game.",
"for the first 3-4 hours for me, it didn't freeze at all.",
"But then it did.",
"and it wouldnt stop, or let me do anything.",
"and when u have to restart, you lose all your unsaved game settings and data, and you have to reload through the gameshark, just so it can freeze again.",
"i think its worth buying this though, because you probably cant find a better one.",
"I wouldnt recommend buying it used though.",
"If you decide to buy it, then buy it here, or somewhere that has it for the same price, or even less.",
"I would also recomend that u should check to see if gameshark is coming out with a new version, without these glitches."
] |
what i mean here is about 3 and a half stars which in my little scheme of things means the good pretty clearly outweighs the bad and i recommend it with a bit of enthusiasm. 4 star games are very rare for me and this game made a good run at it. i can't even imagine a 5 star game. i've come to think there are too many inherent problems in games for 5 stars.
anyway, ahem, this is about gun. a very nice game i looked forward to a lot. i played it just after it came out and hopefully haven't forgotten too much about it.
the positives:
graphics! this seems to be a bit controversial as some people complain about them, but frankly i sometimes think people overrate realism and detail. gun's detail was not like, i don't know, half life 2 or something. i didn't repeatedly go "wow, unbelievable todays technology!" but i really enjoyed them. they were pretty to look at, they set the scene well and they were extremely refreshing- bright, colorful, open western vistas instead of dark, gloomy, tense, industrial, claustrophobic and filled with horror creatures and commandos like, i don't know, 95% of all shooters. it was lovely to ride my horse around spotting buffalo and hot springs and such. i appreciated that quite a bit.
difficulty: well, i can't remember if this game had difficulty levels. but i like difficulty levels and make a bee line for the easy choice! i do not like dying! even if i can reload right away, and i am not too great at these games. well, so, up until the last part of the game (more about that later) i had no real problems and generally felt clever and talented but not coddled and unchallenged. the poker was too easy though and i could not get the hunting and gave up on it part way through (i thoroughly completed everything else).
characters/voice acting: pretty good characters helped by superb voice acting. i don't want any spoilers here so i'll just say the quality of the characters was let down by the storyline, but i still liked them. and they looked pretty good to me.
gameplay: it was quite fun and varied. it had some of the best bullet time ever (called quickdraw or something). i loved how you could flick target to target with a single button which not only made me feel more impressive but also raised the speed of mowing down enemies in a way that made it less ridiculous that i was beating 11 people in a gunfight. the horse riding was done very well and it was nice to pony express. i liked that poker was in it though found it a bit limited, and both the ranching and mining were really nice and helped fill out the world and the variety of things you do.
length: i may be an exception, but the vast majority of games go too long for me. the feel of them and the things i do in them become redundant and i don't finish, so i like that gun seemed manageable. for the most part i was pleasantly full when i finished though perhaps finishing things was a little too cut and dried, like the way you can get every upgrade possible.
the negative:
story: it should have gone a bit lighter, i mean, it seemed to think it was some powerful clint eastwood directed western but unfortunatly computer games are not capable of pulling off anything nearly that sophisticated. they just have too much on their plate vis a vis gameplay and choice. the cutscenes and acting were nice, and it started solidly, but storywise it progressively deteriorated, or i guess was completely unable to fufill its set up. it gets a little hard to discuss without spoilers but, well, more romance would have been nice and the boss battle that goes on and on was not just difficult for me (remember how i hate that!), but it was irritatingly stupid, and senseless to the reality of the game.
conclusion: wow, only one big negative, but the huge, long, ending boss battle really bugged me. really, good game though. oh, and by the way, i have a pretty midlevel computer (and fading fast) and didn't have any real technical problems, maybe a couple of ugly frame slowdowns, but mostly it was smooth. that's just, you know, for what that's worth.
anyway, if some of what i am talking about makes sense to you go try this game out. | 1 | neutral | [
"what i mean here is about 3 and a half stars which in my little scheme of things means the good pretty clearly outweighs the bad and i recommend it with a bit of enthusiasm.",
"4 star games are very rare for me and this game made a good run at it.",
"i can't even imagine a 5 star game.",
"i've come to think there are too many inherent problems in games for 5 stars.",
"anyway, ahem, this is about gun.",
"a very nice game i looked forward to a lot.",
"i played it just after it came out and hopefully haven't forgotten too much about it.",
"the positives:\n\ngraphics!",
"this seems to be a bit controversial as some people complain about them, but frankly i sometimes think people overrate realism and detail.",
"gun's detail was not like, i don't know, half life 2 or something.",
"i didn't repeatedly go \"wow, unbelievable todays technology!",
"\" but i really enjoyed them.",
"they were pretty to look at, they set the scene well and they were extremely refreshing- bright, colorful, open western vistas instead of dark, gloomy, tense, industrial, claustrophobic and filled with horror creatures and commandos like, i don't know, 95% of all shooters.",
"it was lovely to ride my horse around spotting buffalo and hot springs and such.",
"i appreciated that quite a bit.",
"difficulty: well, i can't remember if this game had difficulty levels.",
"but i like difficulty levels and make a bee line for the easy choice!",
"i do not like dying!",
"even if i can reload right away, and i am not too great at these games.",
"well, so, up until the last part of the game (more about that later) i had no real problems and generally felt clever and talented but not coddled and unchallenged.",
"the poker was too easy though and i could not get the hunting and gave up on it part way through (i thoroughly completed everything else).",
"characters/voice acting: pretty good characters helped by superb voice acting.",
"i don't want any spoilers here so i'll just say the quality of the characters was let down by the storyline, but i still liked them.",
"and they looked pretty good to me.",
"gameplay: it was quite fun and varied.",
"it had some of the best bullet time ever (called quickdraw or something).",
"i loved how you could flick target to target with a single button which not only made me feel more impressive but also raised the speed of mowing down enemies in a way that made it less ridiculous that i was beating 11 people in a gunfight.",
"the horse riding was done very well and it was nice to pony express.",
"i liked that poker was in it though found it a bit limited, and both the ranching and mining were really nice and helped fill out the world and the variety of things you do.",
"length: i may be an exception, but the vast majority of games go too long for me.",
"the feel of them and the things i do in them become redundant and i don't finish, so i like that gun seemed manageable.",
"for the most part i was pleasantly full when i finished though perhaps finishing things was a little too cut and dried, like the way you can get every upgrade possible.",
"the negative:\n\nstory: it should have gone a bit lighter, i mean, it seemed to think it was some powerful clint eastwood directed western but unfortunatly computer games are not capable of pulling off anything nearly that sophisticated.",
"they just have too much on their plate vis a vis gameplay and choice.",
"the cutscenes and acting were nice, and it started solidly, but storywise it progressively deteriorated, or i guess was completely unable to fufill its set up.",
"it gets a little hard to discuss without spoilers but, well, more romance would have been nice and the boss battle that goes on and on was not just difficult for me (remember how i hate that!",
"), but it was irritatingly stupid, and senseless to the reality of the game.",
"conclusion: wow, only one big negative, but the huge, long, ending boss battle really bugged me.",
"really, good game though.",
"oh, and by the way, i have a pretty midlevel computer (and fading fast) and didn't have any real technical problems, maybe a couple of ugly frame slowdowns, but mostly it was smooth.",
"that's just, you know, for what that's worth.",
"anyway, if some of what i am talking about makes sense to you go try this game out."
] |
I just updated to Vista from Windows XP. I find XP easier to navigate, but perhaps it`s because I`ve had years of experience with XP and have only recently been introduced to Vista. I am sure I will get more comfortable with Vista in time.
Vista does run very smoothly and I love the desktop sidebar, to which we can add numerous little gadgets, like a clock, calendar, weather reports. So handy. I wonder why they didn't think of that earlier. I had been desperately searching for such features for my XP before running into it on Vista.
My only complaint about it is the compatibility issues I'm having with a few things. I am sure that eventually, this will cease to be a problem. I cannot install my Palm desktop to sync my Palm T/X. I cannot use my American Greetings subscription to print out cards. I cannot install the XACTI camcorder software. It's frustrating, because it seems like everything can run on XP.
Not everyone wants or needs to use parental controls, but I happen to like them. I finally have controls not just on browsing, but on the whole computer experience, down to how much time is allowed on the computer, what age rated games may be played, which websites can be visited.
I tried out Windows Movie Maker and it is very nice, but my camcorder records in mp4 format; and Windows Movie Maker doesn't support that. Wish it would. I rather like what I saw. Movie making is quick and easy, easier than my Cyberlink DVD Suite.
Overall, Windows Vista is easy to use and has some terrific new features, like parental controls and the sidebar, but some compatibility issues still need to be worked out. The Movie Maker has potential; but I just can't use it easily, because it doesn't support mp4 files. I recommend waiting, if you are buying Vista as an upgrade. As part of a new computer package, it's fine, but I'd wait for the issues to be resolved, if paying for just the operating system. | 1 | neutral | [
"I just updated to Vista from Windows XP.",
"I find XP easier to navigate, but perhaps it`s because I`ve had years of experience with XP and have only recently been introduced to Vista.",
"I am sure I will get more comfortable with Vista in time.",
"Vista does run very smoothly and I love the desktop sidebar, to which we can add numerous little gadgets, like a clock, calendar, weather reports.",
"So handy.",
"I wonder why they didn't think of that earlier.",
"I had been desperately searching for such features for my XP before running into it on Vista.",
"My only complaint about it is the compatibility issues I'm having with a few things.",
"I am sure that eventually, this will cease to be a problem.",
"I cannot install my Palm desktop to sync my Palm T/X.",
"I cannot use my American Greetings subscription to print out cards.",
"I cannot install the XACTI camcorder software.",
"It's frustrating, because it seems like everything can run on XP.",
"Not everyone wants or needs to use parental controls, but I happen to like them.",
"I finally have controls not just on browsing, but on the whole computer experience, down to how much time is allowed on the computer, what age rated games may be played, which websites can be visited.",
"I tried out Windows Movie Maker and it is very nice, but my camcorder records in mp4 format; and Windows Movie Maker doesn't support that.",
"Wish it would.",
"I rather like what I saw.",
"Movie making is quick and easy, easier than my Cyberlink DVD Suite.",
"Overall, Windows Vista is easy to use and has some terrific new features, like parental controls and the sidebar, but some compatibility issues still need to be worked out.",
"The Movie Maker has potential; but I just can't use it easily, because it doesn't support mp4 files.",
"I recommend waiting, if you are buying Vista as an upgrade.",
"As part of a new computer package, it's fine, but I'd wait for the issues to be resolved, if paying for just the operating system."
] |
Maybe its the base maybe the filer, in any case there still is a chemicle taste to the water after using this product. See my review on the base unit for the Brita/Culligan comparison study lol.
Using another base and filter, everything is fine. So is it the luck of the draw?
In brief Brita's constrution sucks, Culligans filtration is iffy.
Zero filtration creates blue scum in the filter, whats that?
Update
Running the water slowly helps greatly. Updated from 2 stars to 3 stars.
Note the tree pack is twice the unit price? Whats that? The double pack is priced right. | 1 | neutral | [
"Maybe its the base maybe the filer, in any case there still is a chemicle taste to the water after using this product.",
"See my review on the base unit for the Brita/Culligan comparison study lol.",
"Using another base and filter, everything is fine.",
"So is it the luck of the draw?",
"In brief Brita's constrution sucks, Culligans filtration is iffy.",
"Zero filtration creates blue scum in the filter, whats that?",
"Update\n\nRunning the water slowly helps greatly.",
"Updated from 2 stars to 3 stars.",
"Note the tree pack is twice the unit price?",
"Whats that?",
"The double pack is priced right."
] |
This is a good book and an enjoyable read. If you enjoyed the first three and could at least tolerate number 4, I am heartily recommending it! Obviously,as many have said--it could have been more satisfying. I just re-read the series after watching the HBO series, in anticipation of the release of this book. I did not particularly enjoy book 4 (often skimming through endless repetitive descriptions of what people were wearing or eating...)--this book was better and also focused on characters I care more about. That being said, the time lag between book 4 and 5 is ridiculous (considering GRRM wrote in the end of the last book that he had already completed book 5 and that it would be out in a year or so!). Will I really care about these characters and the series in another 5 or 6 years? Admittedly, it will probably take HBO about 2 to 3 years to make all of the "seasons" of 8 episodes to somewhat tell the story to this point. We could expect the next episode of "I am making lots of money" to come out shortly after one of the HBO "seasons". The storyline seems to have degenerated into an "I am milking this for millions" epic, multi-POV, never-ending story a la' "The Wheel of Time" (which I have ceased to care about after reading the first 8 or 9 volumes--the story is stale and boring and I hope the same thing doesn't happen to this series). The use of cliffhangers, killing off major characters, miraculous resurrections in the next book, slowly advancing major plot lines, etc. etc. all contribute to a sense that GRRM is just banking on laughing all the way to the bank and making this a long tortuous epic with no end in sight. He could write an entire book about people sitting around and eating and what they were wearing and how they got there and people would buy it (for now)--oh wait, he did! WHATEVER, for now-- this is a great story, I care about some of the characters, and I want to know what happens next. I hope I still feel that way after the next installment...which hopefully won't be 6 years from now! | 1 | neutral | [
"This is a good book and an enjoyable read.",
"If you enjoyed the first three and could at least tolerate number 4, I am heartily recommending it!",
"Obviously,as many have said--it could have been more satisfying.",
"I just re-read the series after watching the HBO series, in anticipation of the release of this book.",
"I did not particularly enjoy book 4 (often skimming through endless repetitive descriptions of what people were wearing or eating...",
")--this book was better and also focused on characters I care more about.",
"That being said, the time lag between book 4 and 5 is ridiculous (considering GRRM wrote in the end of the last book that he had already completed book 5 and that it would be out in a year or so!",
").",
"Will I really care about these characters and the series in another 5 or 6 years?",
"Admittedly, it will probably take HBO about 2 to 3 years to make all of the \"seasons\" of 8 episodes to somewhat tell the story to this point.",
"We could expect the next episode of \"I am making lots of money\" to come out shortly after one of the HBO \"seasons\".",
"The storyline seems to have degenerated into an \"I am milking this for millions\" epic, multi-POV, never-ending story a la' \"The Wheel of Time\" (which I have ceased to care about after reading the first 8 or 9 volumes--the story is stale and boring and I hope the same thing doesn't happen to this series).",
"The use of cliffhangers, killing off major characters, miraculous resurrections in the next book, slowly advancing major plot lines, etc.",
"etc.",
"all contribute to a sense that GRRM is just banking on laughing all the way to the bank and making this a long tortuous epic with no end in sight.",
"He could write an entire book about people sitting around and eating and what they were wearing and how they got there and people would buy it (for now)--oh wait, he did!",
"WHATEVER, for now-- this is a great story, I care about some of the characters, and I want to know what happens next.",
"I hope I still feel that way after the next installment...",
"which hopefully won't be 6 years from now!"
] |
There are some good things to say about GTA IV,but unfortunatly there are plenty of bad things to say about it too. I'll start with the good. I thought the new GPS guide in this game was pretty helpful. It really helps you out when you get stuck,and can't find a certain area on the map. I also liked how you were able to use the internet,to hook up with women and to do other things with as well. In police cars you can also check out different people's backgrounds,on the police computer. I've done this during a mission though,not sure if it can be done just for the hell of it...but here's the bad side of GTA IV.First off,I was not too impressed with the graphics. I mean,I know this game is like 4 years old,but come on. This is Xbox 360. I'd expect better graphics than this. Also,I didin't think the missions were all that great in this game. No way near as good as the earlier GTA's. The driving controls are also pretty bad too. They are really a pain during missions. Overall,GTA IV is okay...but FAR from great. | 1 | neutral | [
"There are some good things to say about GTA IV,but unfortunatly there are plenty of bad things to say about it too.",
"I'll start with the good.",
"I thought the new GPS guide in this game was pretty helpful.",
"It really helps you out when you get stuck,and can't find a certain area on the map.",
"I also liked how you were able to use the internet,to hook up with women and to do other things with as well.",
"In police cars you can also check out different people's backgrounds,on the police computer.",
"I've done this during a mission though,not sure if it can be done just for the hell of it...",
"but here's the bad side of GTA IV.",
"First off,I was not too impressed with the graphics.",
"I mean,I know this game is like 4 years old,but come on.",
"This is Xbox 360.",
"I'd expect better graphics than this.",
"Also,I didin't think the missions were all that great in this game.",
"No way near as good as the earlier GTA's.",
"The driving controls are also pretty bad too.",
"They are really a pain during missions.",
"Overall,GTA IV is okay...",
"but FAR from great."
] |
When I first read Lewis at 19, I was bowled over by him. Now, more than 40 years later, I feel like shaking him because he ought to have been better than the specious reasoning that informed his apologetics. In any case, I just finished "Miracles," lent to me by friends, and found it argued with Lewis's customary intelligence, imagination, and wit.
Unfortunately, the book in general reminds me of nothing so much as the "Alford Defense." Earl Rogers, a successful defense attorney of 100 years ago, got a man named Alford acquitted of first degree murder. Alford had confronted a man named Hunter who had cheated him and shot Hunter to death in a public place, pointing his weapon downward at the victim's abdomen. Rogers insisted on having the victim's intestines brought into court in a jar and then began to tell the jury a story of how the bullet would have traveled at the same angle if Hunter had been in the act of leaning over and beating Alford as the defendant lay on the floor. In other words, he told it exactly backwards, but the jury found his account so interesting that they voted for acquittal.
It seems to me that Lewis does something similar here. Stories of Christian miracles are not as doubtful as your run-of-the-mill myths and legends, Lewis explains, because Christian miracles have a purpose. This purpose was accomplished by the incarnate Son of God whose acts, such as walking on water, began to demonstrate the changed relationship between nature and regenerate man. Still, we must not expect spiritually transformed people in general to walk on water, even though such events seem implied by John 14:12 because, after all, "God does not cast miracles about like flakes from a pepper shaker." As to prayer, since all time is now to God, we may indeed expect our prayers to affect events that happened even before we prayed, because God already knew of our prayers and took them into account. Still, we mustn't go too far and pray for the life of someone who died yesterday, since that would indicate a lack of submission to God's will (which makes the whole episode of the raising of Lazarus from the dead a little strange).
Sorry, but as one reads this, it's hard not to hear, in the back of one's mind, a still, small voice chanting "Heads, I win; tails, you lose."
The book is well known for its chapter entitled "A Cardinal Difficulty of Naturalism." In it, Lewis argues that thought itself would be impossible in a purely natural world. The best way to sum up his argument might be to say that "A clock shows time; it does not *know about* time." Lewis believed that in a world without God, we would be mere automata, responding to sights, sounds, and appetites, but unable to form a train of thought about anything. This was true, he argued, for two reasons: first, because, if evolution were true, we had not evolved to analyze metaphysics but to find food, shelter, and mates, leaving our minds incapable of complex meta-cognition. The second reason was that, in a purely physical universe, all our thoughts must be predetermined by the thoughts that preceded them and would, thus, be entirely out of our control.
I read this chapter twice to make sure I was not misunderstanding Lewis, but lest there be any doubt, he reiterates his point on page 205 of the edition I read, when he says that when we think a thought, we may believe we are commanding the atoms in our brains to behave a certain way, but we would be unable to do what we call thinking without supernatural aid. Indeed, the very presence of reason is the ground on which Lewis argues for a supernatural world at all.
In other words, Lewis says, without Divine aid, we cannot think or reason at all (as opposed to simply experiencing a progression of disjointed thoughts that are nothing but responses to immediate stimuli). This must mean, among other things, that we cannot so much as tell time or balance a checkbook unaided by supernatural agency.
Whatever the merits of this argument may be, Lewis does not seem to realize that there is an equal problem caused by his own Christian belief--a problem, indeed, that Lewis himself implies in another of his books, "The Great Divorce," when one theologian reminds another that there is no need for theology in Heaven, since one is already in the presence of God in a way that makes theological speculation superfluous.
If Christianity is true, it means that the Deity originally created man to be immediately aware of the Divine Presence and its attributes through personal experience--first, in the Garden of Eden and even later, through direct spiritual communication to each person's heart and mind. In other words, the highest functions of the human mind--the capacity for speculative, critical thought and analysis, the tendencies of the mind that made science and philosophy possible in the first place--would be mostly unnecessary. The human mind would exist only to receive information, the most important of which was that the Deity existed and expected certain things of humanity--and to learn to submit to those requirements ever more deeply. Perhaps this is why St. Paul reflected, in his first epistle to the Corinthians, that "not many wise, not many mighty, not many noble" were called to Christian belief.
In other words, if Christianity is true, it must put the Creator in the position of having created a fine instrument--the human mind--whose most complex capabilities are not needed. It would be rather like building a Stradivarius that was intended to be used only to play "Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star." I've read most of Lewis's apologetic works and can't recall any passage that shows he was even aware that this was a problem for his belief, much less that he ever addressed it.
I suppose that in a way, none of this should surprise me since Lewis, as is well known, was the son of a prosecutor, and he argues with the same ingenuity and vigor. Just as importantly, he was not merely a logician but a poet, and poetic language undergirds Lewis's own passion for his subject. Kenneth Tynan wrote that if were ever tempted to stray into the precincts of religious belief, it would be from having read the likes of Lewis, and it is easy to see why. But sooner or later, one is reminded that Lewis's work is likely one more chapter in a centuries-long "Alford Defense" of an improbable system of thought--quite irritating on one level, though poignant on another, when you consider that the book's title refers to events that even many Christians believe no longer occur. | 1 | neutral | [
"When I first read Lewis at 19, I was bowled over by him.",
"Now, more than 40 years later, I feel like shaking him because he ought to have been better than the specious reasoning that informed his apologetics.",
"In any case, I just finished \"Miracles,\" lent to me by friends, and found it argued with Lewis's customary intelligence, imagination, and wit.",
"Unfortunately, the book in general reminds me of nothing so much as the \"Alford Defense.",
"\" Earl Rogers, a successful defense attorney of 100 years ago, got a man named Alford acquitted of first degree murder.",
"Alford had confronted a man named Hunter who had cheated him and shot Hunter to death in a public place, pointing his weapon downward at the victim's abdomen.",
"Rogers insisted on having the victim's intestines brought into court in a jar and then began to tell the jury a story of how the bullet would have traveled at the same angle if Hunter had been in the act of leaning over and beating Alford as the defendant lay on the floor.",
"In other words, he told it exactly backwards, but the jury found his account so interesting that they voted for acquittal.",
"It seems to me that Lewis does something similar here.",
"Stories of Christian miracles are not as doubtful as your run-of-the-mill myths and legends, Lewis explains, because Christian miracles have a purpose.",
"This purpose was accomplished by the incarnate Son of God whose acts, such as walking on water, began to demonstrate the changed relationship between nature and regenerate man.",
"Still, we must not expect spiritually transformed people in general to walk on water, even though such events seem implied by John 14:12 because, after all, \"God does not cast miracles about like flakes from a pepper shaker.",
"\" As to prayer, since all time is now to God, we may indeed expect our prayers to affect events that happened even before we prayed, because God already knew of our prayers and took them into account.",
"Still, we mustn't go too far and pray for the life of someone who died yesterday, since that would indicate a lack of submission to God's will (which makes the whole episode of the raising of Lazarus from the dead a little strange).",
"Sorry, but as one reads this, it's hard not to hear, in the back of one's mind, a still, small voice chanting \"Heads, I win; tails, you lose.",
"\"\n\nThe book is well known for its chapter entitled \"A Cardinal Difficulty of Naturalism.",
"\" In it, Lewis argues that thought itself would be impossible in a purely natural world.",
"The best way to sum up his argument might be to say that \"A clock shows time; it does not *know about* time.",
"\" Lewis believed that in a world without God, we would be mere automata, responding to sights, sounds, and appetites, but unable to form a train of thought about anything.",
"This was true, he argued, for two reasons: first, because, if evolution were true, we had not evolved to analyze metaphysics but to find food, shelter, and mates, leaving our minds incapable of complex meta-cognition.",
"The second reason was that, in a purely physical universe, all our thoughts must be predetermined by the thoughts that preceded them and would, thus, be entirely out of our control.",
"I read this chapter twice to make sure I was not misunderstanding Lewis, but lest there be any doubt, he reiterates his point on page 205 of the edition I read, when he says that when we think a thought, we may believe we are commanding the atoms in our brains to behave a certain way, but we would be unable to do what we call thinking without supernatural aid.",
"Indeed, the very presence of reason is the ground on which Lewis argues for a supernatural world at all.",
"In other words, Lewis says, without Divine aid, we cannot think or reason at all (as opposed to simply experiencing a progression of disjointed thoughts that are nothing but responses to immediate stimuli).",
"This must mean, among other things, that we cannot so much as tell time or balance a checkbook unaided by supernatural agency.",
"Whatever the merits of this argument may be, Lewis does not seem to realize that there is an equal problem caused by his own Christian belief--a problem, indeed, that Lewis himself implies in another of his books, \"The Great Divorce,\" when one theologian reminds another that there is no need for theology in Heaven, since one is already in the presence of God in a way that makes theological speculation superfluous.",
"If Christianity is true, it means that the Deity originally created man to be immediately aware of the Divine Presence and its attributes through personal experience--first, in the Garden of Eden and even later, through direct spiritual communication to each person's heart and mind.",
"In other words, the highest functions of the human mind--the capacity for speculative, critical thought and analysis, the tendencies of the mind that made science and philosophy possible in the first place--would be mostly unnecessary.",
"The human mind would exist only to receive information, the most important of which was that the Deity existed and expected certain things of humanity--and to learn to submit to those requirements ever more deeply.",
"Perhaps this is why St.",
"Paul reflected, in his first epistle to the Corinthians, that \"not many wise, not many mighty, not many noble\" were called to Christian belief.",
"In other words, if Christianity is true, it must put the Creator in the position of having created a fine instrument--the human mind--whose most complex capabilities are not needed.",
"It would be rather like building a Stradivarius that was intended to be used only to play \"Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star.",
"\" I've read most of Lewis's apologetic works and can't recall any passage that shows he was even aware that this was a problem for his belief, much less that he ever addressed it.",
"I suppose that in a way, none of this should surprise me since Lewis, as is well known, was the son of a prosecutor, and he argues with the same ingenuity and vigor.",
"Just as importantly, he was not merely a logician but a poet, and poetic language undergirds Lewis's own passion for his subject.",
"Kenneth Tynan wrote that if were ever tempted to stray into the precincts of religious belief, it would be from having read the likes of Lewis, and it is easy to see why.",
"But sooner or later, one is reminded that Lewis's work is likely one more chapter in a centuries-long \"Alford Defense\" of an improbable system of thought--quite irritating on one level, though poignant on another, when you consider that the book's title refers to events that even many Christians believe no longer occur."
] |
I read a lot of reviews for this product and agree with 2 observed problems:
1. These shoes are made MUCH smaller and tighter for the US market than you would normally expect. Other reviewers stated the same thing. I'm disappointed with how tight they are upon first wear.
-----If you buy them, buy them at least 1 full size larger than you normally wear.
-----If you buy them at your 'regular' size...you can wear them...but they will need quite a bit of use before they stretch to fit.
-----If you buy them, these shoes will never be as supple as you would expect.
2. They are much more glossy/shiny that expected or desired.
-----No fix for this. Think of them rather as 'dress up' rather than 'casual' shoes.
I had no problem with the seller nor delivery.
Not impressed with the shoe.
Might drag them behind the pick-up to soften them up...
1 thumb up. | 1 | neutral | [
"I read a lot of reviews for this product and agree with 2 observed problems:\n\n1.",
"These shoes are made MUCH smaller and tighter for the US market than you would normally expect.",
"Other reviewers stated the same thing.",
"I'm disappointed with how tight they are upon first wear.",
"-----If you buy them, buy them at least 1 full size larger than you normally wear.",
"-----If you buy them at your 'regular' size...",
"you can wear them...",
"but they will need quite a bit of use before they stretch to fit.",
"-----If you buy them, these shoes will never be as supple as you would expect.",
"2.",
"They are much more glossy/shiny that expected or desired.",
"-----No fix for this.",
"Think of them rather as 'dress up' rather than 'casual' shoes.",
"I had no problem with the seller nor delivery.",
"Not impressed with the shoe.",
"Might drag them behind the pick-up to soften them up...",
"1 thumb up."
] |
Ann Curry On Journalism Her PBS Series And Working On The 'Today' Show : NPR
Ann Curry On Journalism Her PBS Series And Working On The 'Today' Show
Journalist Ann Curry's parents met in Japan after World War II. Her American father was stationed there and her mother was Japanese. But when her father asked the military for permission to marry the military refused — at the time servicemen weren't allowed to marry Japanese women.
IT'S BEEN A MINUTE WITH SAM SANDERS Journalist Ann Curry On Dramatic Reunions #MeToo and 'Today' Journalist Ann Curry On Dramatic Reunions #MeToo and 'Today' Listen · 34:18 34:18
Her father was quickly reassigned and two years went by before Curry 's parents reunited. Even then things weren't easy — her mother contracted tuberculosis her grandmother disapproved. But the pair managed to defeat the odds and start a family in the U.S.
Now Curry has a PBS series in which she highlights reunions like that of her parents. We'll Meet Again looks at people who have had brief meaningful first encounters but have lost touch over the years. It tells the story of a woman who was rescued by a helicopter pilot after a volcanic eruption the story of a man who was comforted by a stranger after the Sept. 11 attacks and more.
Curry has worked in journalism for 40 years and she spent 15 of those years working for NBC's Today show. In 2012 she was forced out of her co-anchor post opposite Matt Lauer after ratings began to decline. Executives reportedly felt Curry and Lauer didn't have chemistry. Lauer was fired from Today in November 2017 over allegations of sexual misconduct.
Curry tells NPR's It's Been a Minute that she and others faced "verbal sexual harassment" on Today. But she has pushed past that difficult time and says she 's now pursuing stories that matter to her — stories she feels aren't being covered enough in today's news climate.
It started actually with my co-executive producer a woman named Justine Kershaw who as a young woman had fallen off a mountain. She had been hiking and she was in Europe. She was a dancer. And she ripped you know so much of herself up. She was really hurt by this fall. And there were a couple of men who were I believe they were goat herders and they sort of happened by and they rescued her . They carried her down the mountain. They made sure she got to care.
And then years later after she had no longer been dancing and she now was a wife and she had children she decided that she wanted to go back to this mountain. It was something kind of meaningful to her about it. So she went back to the mountain and she ran into not expecting to the goat herders. And what really stunned her was their reaction. They started sobbing and really were just so glad to see her and so glad to see how well she was doing because they never heard what happened after she had left on that emergency exit you know to a hospital to patch her back up.
So this sort of had been a part of her realizing that there was this need for people to connect in these kinds of moments and not just the person who was hurt but the person on the other side. And so fast-forward many many years this thing had been percolating. She had this kind of well rough idea about what if we did something like that. And it kind of evolved to what it is today. | 1 | neutral | [
"Ann Curry On Journalism Her PBS Series And Working On The 'Today' Show : NPR\nAnn Curry On Journalism Her PBS Series And Working On The 'Today' Show\nJournalist Ann Curry's parents met in Japan after World War II.",
"Her American father was stationed there and her mother was Japanese.",
"But when her father asked the military for permission to marry the military refused — at the time servicemen weren't allowed to marry Japanese women.",
"IT'S BEEN A MINUTE WITH SAM SANDERS Journalist Ann Curry On Dramatic Reunions #MeToo and 'Today' Journalist Ann Curry On Dramatic Reunions #MeToo and 'Today' Listen · 34:18 34:18\nHer father was quickly reassigned and two years went by before Curry 's parents reunited.",
"Even then things weren't easy — her mother contracted tuberculosis her grandmother disapproved.",
"But the pair managed to defeat the odds and start a family in the U.",
"S.\nNow Curry has a PBS series in which she highlights reunions like that of her parents.",
"We'll Meet Again looks at people who have had brief meaningful first encounters but have lost touch over the years.",
"It tells the story of a woman who was rescued by a helicopter pilot after a volcanic eruption the story of a man who was comforted by a stranger after the Sept.",
"11 attacks and more.",
"Curry has worked in journalism for 40 years and she spent 15 of those years working for NBC's Today show.",
"In 2012 she was forced out of her co-anchor post opposite Matt Lauer after ratings began to decline.",
"Executives reportedly felt Curry and Lauer didn't have chemistry.",
"Lauer was fired from Today in November 2017 over allegations of sexual misconduct.",
"Curry tells NPR's It's Been a Minute that she and others faced \"verbal sexual harassment\" on Today.",
"But she has pushed past that difficult time and says she 's now pursuing stories that matter to her — stories she feels aren't being covered enough in today's news climate.",
"It started actually with my co-executive producer a woman named Justine Kershaw who as a young woman had fallen off a mountain.",
"She had been hiking and she was in Europe.",
"She was a dancer.",
"And she ripped you know so much of herself up.",
"She was really hurt by this fall.",
"And there were a couple of men who were I believe they were goat herders and they sort of happened by and they rescued her.",
"They carried her down the mountain.",
"They made sure she got to care.",
"And then years later after she had no longer been dancing and she now was a wife and she had children she decided that she wanted to go back to this mountain.",
"It was something kind of meaningful to her about it.",
"So she went back to the mountain and she ran into not expecting to the goat herders.",
"And what really stunned her was their reaction.",
"They started sobbing and really were just so glad to see her and so glad to see how well she was doing because they never heard what happened after she had left on that emergency exit you know to a hospital to patch her back up.",
"So this sort of had been a part of her realizing that there was this need for people to connect in these kinds of moments and not just the person who was hurt but the person on the other side.",
"And so fast-forward many many years this thing had been percolating.",
"She had this kind of well rough idea about what if we did something like that.",
"And it kind of evolved to what it is today."
] |
There are really two Def Leppards, pre-Hysteria and post-Hysteria. One is Rock and one is Pop. I can appreciate and enjoy both but there is always a part of me that wants to remember these guys as the brash teenagers who burst on to the rock scene back in 1979 with this explosive album. If you like the rockin era of Def Leppard chances are good you have High & Dry and Pyromania but not this one. For whatever reason this album is always a suprise to folks looking over my CD collection, I hear alot of "I didn't know about this album" or "I've never heard this before" which is too bad because this album contains some killer tunes, even the pseudo-ballad Sorrow Is A Woman has power to it. What is a drag is that the instruments and the production methods make this album sound really tinny and cheap. I hope that if the band ever decides to go back to their rock roots that they simply re-record this album with modern instruments and production methods. They should also consider bringing guitarist Pete Willis back to help since he had a hand in creating the album. The song Rocks Off set a level of intensity that they have never matched since. Other songs like Rock Brigade, Hello America, Answer To The Master, It Could Be You, It Don't Matter and Satelite are (no pun intended) Wasted due to the shoddy production. The album High & Dry contained the song On Through The Night, how this album got it's name is a mystery to me, it is an indication of how fast they slapped the first two together perhaps. This album could easily be a 5 star CD if the band wanted to get back on top and stop singing to and for the bubble gum crowd. When this album came out Def Leppard put fear into bands like Van Halen, Black Sabbath, Rainbow and Aerosmith. Today they don't even worry Brittny Spears. Come on guys...what do ya say, throw us loyal long suffering rocker/fans a bone and play it again! | 1 | neutral | [
"There are really two Def Leppards, pre-Hysteria and post-Hysteria.",
"One is Rock and one is Pop.",
"I can appreciate and enjoy both but there is always a part of me that wants to remember these guys as the brash teenagers who burst on to the rock scene back in 1979 with this explosive album.",
"If you like the rockin era of Def Leppard chances are good you have High & Dry and Pyromania but not this one.",
"For whatever reason this album is always a suprise to folks looking over my CD collection, I hear alot of \"I didn't know about this album\" or \"I've never heard this before\" which is too bad because this album contains some killer tunes, even the pseudo-ballad Sorrow Is A Woman has power to it.",
"What is a drag is that the instruments and the production methods make this album sound really tinny and cheap.",
"I hope that if the band ever decides to go back to their rock roots that they simply re-record this album with modern instruments and production methods.",
"They should also consider bringing guitarist Pete Willis back to help since he had a hand in creating the album.",
"The song Rocks Off set a level of intensity that they have never matched since.",
"Other songs like Rock Brigade, Hello America, Answer To The Master, It Could Be You, It Don't Matter and Satelite are (no pun intended) Wasted due to the shoddy production.",
"The album High & Dry contained the song On Through The Night, how this album got it's name is a mystery to me, it is an indication of how fast they slapped the first two together perhaps.",
"This album could easily be a 5 star CD if the band wanted to get back on top and stop singing to and for the bubble gum crowd.",
"When this album came out Def Leppard put fear into bands like Van Halen, Black Sabbath, Rainbow and Aerosmith.",
"Today they don't even worry Brittny Spears.",
"Come on guys...",
"what do ya say, throw us loyal long suffering rocker/fans a bone and play it again!"
] |
Passionworks, released in 1983, is perhaps Heart's most fustrating album. The band is clearly in transtion here - longtime members Mike Derosier, Steve Fossen, and Roger Fisher are gone; replaced with Mark Andes and Denny Carmassi. Also gone is Heart's organic style of rock - replaced with a pop/rock sound dominated by synthesizers (you'll be hard-pressed to hear Nancy's acoustic guitar anywhere on this album) which they would perfect on 1985's "Heart" album. Annoying is the drum effects used on every single song - it sounds very dated today but I guess it was cool in the early 80's. If you can overlook this you'll find many excellent songs here: some of Heart's best like "How Can I Refuse", "Johnny Moon", "Sleep Alone", "Allies" (why wasn't this song a massive hit??), and "Language of Love". Also included are some of Heart's weakest songs: "Ambush", and "Together Now". They are not horrible - just not up to Heart's usual excellence. Heart would go on from here to totally transform itself into a corporate pop/rock hit making machine - - baffling long-time fans and gaining a bunch of new ones who thought the "Heart" album was thier first record. Had the production been more "real", this could have been a killer album since the songs are so good. | 1 | neutral | [
"Passionworks, released in 1983, is perhaps Heart's most fustrating album.",
"The band is clearly in transtion here - longtime members Mike Derosier, Steve Fossen, and Roger Fisher are gone; replaced with Mark Andes and Denny Carmassi.",
"Also gone is Heart's organic style of rock - replaced with a pop/rock sound dominated by synthesizers (you'll be hard-pressed to hear Nancy's acoustic guitar anywhere on this album) which they would perfect on 1985's \"Heart\" album.",
"Annoying is the drum effects used on every single song - it sounds very dated today but I guess it was cool in the early 80's.",
"If you can overlook this you'll find many excellent songs here: some of Heart's best like \"How Can I Refuse\", \"Johnny Moon\", \"Sleep Alone\", \"Allies\" (why wasn't this song a massive hit??",
"), and \"Language of Love\".",
"Also included are some of Heart's weakest songs: \"Ambush\", and \"Together Now\".",
"They are not horrible - just not up to Heart's usual excellence.",
"Heart would go on from here to totally transform itself into a corporate pop/rock hit making machine - - baffling long-time fans and gaining a bunch of new ones who thought the \"Heart\" album was thier first record.",
"Had the production been more \"real\", this could have been a killer album since the songs are so good."
] |
A true Northerner :-). Well I'm taking another rest day. I normally run on Saturday mornings whilst my daughter is at theatre school but I'm still tired so I'm leaving it til Monday. I am also having a major mental readjustment. There will be no more going for a time. I have done this before, over trained, crashed and burned. I probably won't get my sub 5 but I'll actually get to the start line which will be better than last year. I'll still do the speed work, I enjoy it :-), but I will be very strict with my self on the long run. No more turning the sound off. The beeping is there for a reason, to stop me overdoing it!!!!! I got very depressed during my training last year. Then I came down with Labyrinthitis and was out of the race. I think I was pushing too hard even tho I was run walking. Sorry if I have rambled on but that's what the forums here for :-). BTW The cars brilliant!!!! | 1 | neutral | [
"A true Northerner :-).",
"Well I'm taking another rest day.",
"I normally run on Saturday mornings whilst my daughter is at theatre school but I'm still tired so I'm leaving it til Monday.",
"I am also having a major mental readjustment.",
"There will be no more going for a time.",
"I have done this before, over trained, crashed and burned.",
"I probably won't get my sub 5 but I'll actually get to the start line which will be better than last year.",
"I'll still do the speed work, I enjoy it :-), but I will be very strict with my self on the long run.",
"No more turning the sound off.",
"The beeping is there for a reason, to stop me overdoing it!!!!",
"!",
"I got very depressed during my training last year.",
"Then I came down with Labyrinthitis and was out of the race.",
"I think I was pushing too hard even tho I was run walking.",
"Sorry if I have rambled on but that's what the forums here for :-).",
"BTW The cars brilliant!!!!"
] |
First of all, the instructions (and I use that word loosely) on how to put this together are horrible. There was no way I could figure it out by looking at the pictures; I had to fiddle with it until I figured it out on my own. You need to unscrew the legs, which are heavy because they're filled with sand, and then slide them on the appropriate sides. After the legs are on then you'll see that the holder can be adjusted either forward or backward. Then the elastic slides on each side and also can be adjusted up or down.
I know this is advertised as a document holder or copy holder, but the reason I wanted it mainly was to hold knitting or crochet instructions and charts and use the elastic to show where I was in the pattern, and it works perfectly for that purpose. But I have also found that it works great to hold my iPad up so I don't have to physically hold it. It is larger than I thought and you need a lot of space on your desk or wherever you put it. I actually put it on a separate stand.
As others have mentioned, the price is high for what it is and I can't really justify paying that much for what it's used for. | 1 | neutral | [
"First of all, the instructions (and I use that word loosely) on how to put this together are horrible.",
"There was no way I could figure it out by looking at the pictures; I had to fiddle with it until I figured it out on my own.",
"You need to unscrew the legs, which are heavy because they're filled with sand, and then slide them on the appropriate sides.",
"After the legs are on then you'll see that the holder can be adjusted either forward or backward.",
"Then the elastic slides on each side and also can be adjusted up or down.",
"I know this is advertised as a document holder or copy holder, but the reason I wanted it mainly was to hold knitting or crochet instructions and charts and use the elastic to show where I was in the pattern, and it works perfectly for that purpose.",
"But I have also found that it works great to hold my iPad up so I don't have to physically hold it.",
"It is larger than I thought and you need a lot of space on your desk or wherever you put it.",
"I actually put it on a separate stand.",
"As others have mentioned, the price is high for what it is and I can't really justify paying that much for what it's used for."
] |
David Bowie never stays with one musical style for very long; however, I think this may be the first time he has revisited a previous approach. His interest in R&B/dance music began with the Young Americans album and ended with the Station to Station album - or so we thought. David teamed up with famous R&B producer Nile Rodgers to create Let's Dance. The first three tracks on this album; "Modern Love", "China Girl", and the title track "Let's Dance", all got a lot of air time on radio and the music videos for "Let's Dance" and "China Girl" went into heavy rotation on MTV. All three of these tracks are fine examples of how well David Bowie can assimilate musical styles and still make them sound like he invented them. Some of the other track don't fare as well. "Without You" is a love song with a softer melody and somewhat slower pace. It's a good song, but somehow seems out of place on this album. Then there are tracks like "Richochet", "Shake It", and "criminal World" - the only track on this album David didn't write or co-write. None of these really stand up to repeated listenings. There is a version of the song "Cat People" here as well, but be aware that it isn't the version David recorded for the movie of the same name. He has re-worked it to a large degree and not for the better in my opinion. I like the original version better. One note of interest here is that some of the great guitar licks heard on this album were provided by the late, great R&B legend Stevie Ray Vaughan. To sum things up there is some great music on this album, but there is also some junk. If you're not strapped for money, then this is a good item to have for your Bowie collection. | 1 | neutral | [
"David Bowie never stays with one musical style for very long; however, I think this may be the first time he has revisited a previous approach.",
"His interest in R&B/dance music began with the Young Americans album and ended with the Station to Station album - or so we thought.",
"David teamed up with famous R&B producer Nile Rodgers to create Let's Dance.",
"The first three tracks on this album; \"Modern Love\", \"China Girl\", and the title track \"Let's Dance\", all got a lot of air time on radio and the music videos for \"Let's Dance\" and \"China Girl\" went into heavy rotation on MTV.",
"All three of these tracks are fine examples of how well David Bowie can assimilate musical styles and still make them sound like he invented them.",
"Some of the other track don't fare as well.",
"\"Without You\" is a love song with a softer melody and somewhat slower pace.",
"It's a good song, but somehow seems out of place on this album.",
"Then there are tracks like \"Richochet\", \"Shake It\", and \"criminal World\" - the only track on this album David didn't write or co-write.",
"None of these really stand up to repeated listenings.",
"There is a version of the song \"Cat People\" here as well, but be aware that it isn't the version David recorded for the movie of the same name.",
"He has re-worked it to a large degree and not for the better in my opinion.",
"I like the original version better.",
"One note of interest here is that some of the great guitar licks heard on this album were provided by the late, great R&B legend Stevie Ray Vaughan.",
"To sum things up there is some great music on this album, but there is also some junk.",
"If you're not strapped for money, then this is a good item to have for your Bowie collection."
] |
There are two things I hear about On Through The Night, Def Leppard's debut, that I disagree with. One is that it doesn't sound like Def Leppard. To me it sounds like them 100% - maybe a little more raw and fueled by youth, but still the same band that made High N Dry and (replacing Pete with Phil) Pyromania. The other thing that I disagree with is that this is a heavy metal album. This is nowhere near the style of Iron Maiden or Judas Priest, who I would consider the "NWOBM" of this era. Yes, OTTN is heavier and less pop than anything that followed, but it still sounds like Def Leppard's instantly recognizable brand of hook-laden arena rock with a big sound and sing-along vibe. Elliot hasn't quite got that ultralayered harmony going, so his vocals sound, well... not quite as full or high, but his voice is up to par for these songs. Pete's guitar style is also more aggressive than his replacement's, which adds to the attack of this album. If you like Def Leppard be sure to check out their first album, it's a great one from a classic band. | 1 | neutral | [
"There are two things I hear about On Through The Night, Def Leppard's debut, that I disagree with.",
"One is that it doesn't sound like Def Leppard.",
"To me it sounds like them 100% - maybe a little more raw and fueled by youth, but still the same band that made High N Dry and (replacing Pete with Phil) Pyromania.",
"The other thing that I disagree with is that this is a heavy metal album.",
"This is nowhere near the style of Iron Maiden or Judas Priest, who I would consider the \"NWOBM\" of this era.",
"Yes, OTTN is heavier and less pop than anything that followed, but it still sounds like Def Leppard's instantly recognizable brand of hook-laden arena rock with a big sound and sing-along vibe.",
"Elliot hasn't quite got that ultralayered harmony going, so his vocals sound, well...",
"not quite as full or high, but his voice is up to par for these songs.",
"Pete's guitar style is also more aggressive than his replacement's, which adds to the attack of this album.",
"If you like Def Leppard be sure to check out their first album, it's a great one from a classic band."
] |
In the mid-sixties A&M was a soft pop label known for easy listening / adult contemporary sounds. The vocal harmonies of We Five fit right in. To enjoy this album you're really going to have to like their harmonies as applied to the standard operating procedure of MOR albums of the day: an album would have a single or two (or none) padded with covers of standards or show tunes or other popular hits of the day.
Of the twelve songs, one is the hit single title track, three are penned by John Stewart of the Kingston Trio (soon to have a #1 song with the Monkees singing his "Daydream Believer"), and the rest are a random assortment of show tunes. I picked up this album as well as the second, <a data-hook="product-link-linked" class="a-link-normal" href="/Make-Someone-Happy/dp/B00386OKYU/ref=cm_cr_arp_d_rvw_txt?ie=UTF8">Make Someone Happy</a>, from the used bins a few years ago. We Five's sound is pleasing to the ear but the MOR playlist lends a generic touch to their legacy; this playlist could have come from the Sandpipers but We Five turned up for the recording session instead.
Unless you're seriously jonesing to relive memories of this album echoing through the hallways of the college dorm, you're probably better off downloading the one hit, sampling the others and seeing which might round out your We Five selections. Check out <a data-hook="product-link-linked" class="a-link-normal" href="/their-second-album/dp/B00386OKYU/ref=cm_cr_arp_d_rvw_txt?ie=UTF8">their second album</a> as well.
The best option might be to go for the CD <a data-hook="product-link-linked" class="a-link-normal" href="/There-Stands-The-Door-The-Best-Of-We-Five/dp/B001PA7OTE/ref=cm_cr_arp_d_rvw_txt?ie=UTF8">There Stands The Door - The Best Of We Five</a>. Its 22 tracks harvest the hit here along with the three John Stewart songs, highlights comprising two thirds of the second album, and more. There's also <a data-hook="product-link-linked" class="a-link-normal" href="/an-mp3-version/dp/B00ATLWGX4/ref=cm_cr_arp_d_rvw_txt?ie=UTF8">an mp3 version</a> of that album but for some reason it only has nine songs, which kind of makes it a waste of time. We Five continued on after the departure of lead singer Bev Bivens; you might like their updated sound circa 1969-70 on <a data-hook="product-link-linked" class="a-link-normal" href="/Catch-The-Wind/dp/B00122RQMA/ref=cm_cr_arp_d_rvw_txt?ie=UTF8">Catch The Wind</a>. The samples sound pretty good. | 1 | neutral | [
"In the mid-sixties A&M was a soft pop label known for easy listening / adult contemporary sounds.",
"The vocal harmonies of We Five fit right in.",
"To enjoy this album you're really going to have to like their harmonies as applied to the standard operating procedure of MOR albums of the day: an album would have a single or two (or none) padded with covers of standards or show tunes or other popular hits of the day.",
"Of the twelve songs, one is the hit single title track, three are penned by John Stewart of the Kingston Trio (soon to have a #1 song with the Monkees singing his \"Daydream Believer\"), and the rest are a random assortment of show tunes.",
"I picked up this album as well as the second, <a data-hook=\"product-link-linked\" class=\"a-link-normal\" href=\"/Make-Someone-Happy/dp/B00386OKYU/ref=cm_cr_arp_d_rvw_txt?",
"ie=UTF8\">Make Someone Happy</a>, from the used bins a few years ago.",
"We Five's sound is pleasing to the ear but the MOR playlist lends a generic touch to their legacy; this playlist could have come from the Sandpipers but We Five turned up for the recording session instead.",
"Unless you're seriously jonesing to relive memories of this album echoing through the hallways of the college dorm, you're probably better off downloading the one hit, sampling the others and seeing which might round out your We Five selections.",
"Check out <a data-hook=\"product-link-linked\" class=\"a-link-normal\" href=\"/their-second-album/dp/B00386OKYU/ref=cm_cr_arp_d_rvw_txt?",
"ie=UTF8\">their second album</a> as well.",
"The best option might be to go for the CD <a data-hook=\"product-link-linked\" class=\"a-link-normal\" href=\"/There-Stands-The-Door-The-Best-Of-We-Five/dp/B001PA7OTE/ref=cm_cr_arp_d_rvw_txt?",
"ie=UTF8\">There Stands The Door - The Best Of We Five</a>.",
"Its 22 tracks harvest the hit here along with the three John Stewart songs, highlights comprising two thirds of the second album, and more.",
"There's also <a data-hook=\"product-link-linked\" class=\"a-link-normal\" href=\"/an-mp3-version/dp/B00ATLWGX4/ref=cm_cr_arp_d_rvw_txt?",
"ie=UTF8\">an mp3 version</a> of that album but for some reason it only has nine songs, which kind of makes it a waste of time.",
"We Five continued on after the departure of lead singer Bev Bivens; you might like their updated sound circa 1969-70 on <a data-hook=\"product-link-linked\" class=\"a-link-normal\" href=\"/Catch-The-Wind/dp/B00122RQMA/ref=cm_cr_arp_d_rvw_txt?",
"ie=UTF8\">Catch The Wind</a>.",
"The samples sound pretty good."
] |
Secret Service Fast Facts
April 2012 - After allegations of misconduct involving heavy drinking and prostitutes 11 Secret Service members are recalled to the United States from Colombia where they had been working on security ahead of a visit by President Obama . After allegations of misconduct involving heavy drinking and prostitutes 11 Secret Service members are recalled to the United States from Colombia where they had been working on security ahead of a visit by President Obama .
May 2013 - A senior agent from the presidential detail creates a fuss at a Washington DC hotel trying to get back into a woman's room fearing he left behind a bullet from his gun according to the Washington Post. An internal review reveals the agent and another member of Obama's detail had sent inappropriate emails to a female coworker. One of agents is later fired and the other is reassigned. A senior agent from the presidential detail creates a fuss at a Washington DC hotel trying to get back into a woman's room fearing he left behind a bullet from his gun according to the Washington Post. An internal review reveals the agent and another member of Obama's detail had sent inappropriate emails to a female coworker. One of agents is later fired and the other is reassigned.
December 10 2013 - During a memorial service for Nelson Mandela in South Africa a man with forged security credentials stands feet away from President Obama . The man pretends to be a sign language interpreter taking the stage with During a memorial service for Nelson Mandela in South Africa a man with forged security credentials stands feet away from President Obama . The man pretends to be a sign language interpreter taking the stage with Obama and other world leaders. He later tells reporters he is mentally ill. The Secret Service faults South African event organizers for failing to vet the imposter.
October 1 2014 - In the wake of several security breaches Pierson resigns as director of the Secret Service. Joseph Clancy a former special agent from the President 's security detail steps in as interim director. In the wake of several security breaches Pierson resigns as director of the Secret Service. Joseph Clancy a former special agent from the President 's security detail steps in as interim director.
February 18 2015 - President Obama chooses Clancy to be the director of the agency going against recommendations to bring in an outsider to help the Secret Service implement reforms. President Obama chooses Clancy to be the director of the agency going against recommendations to bring in an outsider to help the Secret Service implement reforms.
December 2015 - The House Oversight Committee issues a 438-page report "United States Secret Service: An Agency in Crisis." The report examines the 2011 White House shooting episode the misconduct in Colombia the breach at the CDC and the incident involving the supervisors driving into a crime scene. The House Oversight Committee issues a 438-page report "United States Secret Service: An Agency in Crisis." The report examines the 2011 White House shooting episode the misconduct in Colombia the breach at the CDC and the incident involving the supervisors driving into a crime scene. The review lists six additional breaches that took place over the course of a single month including a security lapse that enabled an uninvited guest to go backstage at a function and speak to the president . The committee proclaims that the agency has failed to implement many of the reforms recommended by the government panel in 2014. In conclusion the committee declares that "the agency's recent public failures are not a series of isolated events but the product of an insular culture that has historically been resistant to change." | 1 | neutral | [
"Secret Service Fast Facts\nApril 2012 - After allegations of misconduct involving heavy drinking and prostitutes 11 Secret Service members are recalled to the United States from Colombia where they had been working on security ahead of a visit by President Obama.",
"After allegations of misconduct involving heavy drinking and prostitutes 11 Secret Service members are recalled to the United States from Colombia where they had been working on security ahead of a visit by President Obama.",
"May 2013 - A senior agent from the presidential detail creates a fuss at a Washington DC hotel trying to get back into a woman's room fearing he left behind a bullet from his gun according to the Washington Post.",
"An internal review reveals the agent and another member of Obama's detail had sent inappropriate emails to a female coworker.",
"One of agents is later fired and the other is reassigned.",
"A senior agent from the presidential detail creates a fuss at a Washington DC hotel trying to get back into a woman's room fearing he left behind a bullet from his gun according to the Washington Post.",
"An internal review reveals the agent and another member of Obama's detail had sent inappropriate emails to a female coworker.",
"One of agents is later fired and the other is reassigned.",
"December 10 2013 - During a memorial service for Nelson Mandela in South Africa a man with forged security credentials stands feet away from President Obama.",
"The man pretends to be a sign language interpreter taking the stage with During a memorial service for Nelson Mandela in South Africa a man with forged security credentials stands feet away from President Obama.",
"The man pretends to be a sign language interpreter taking the stage with Obama and other world leaders.",
"He later tells reporters he is mentally ill.",
"The Secret Service faults South African event organizers for failing to vet the imposter.",
"October 1 2014 - In the wake of several security breaches Pierson resigns as director of the Secret Service.",
"Joseph Clancy a former special agent from the President 's security detail steps in as interim director.",
"In the wake of several security breaches Pierson resigns as director of the Secret Service.",
"Joseph Clancy a former special agent from the President 's security detail steps in as interim director.",
"February 18 2015 - President Obama chooses Clancy to be the director of the agency going against recommendations to bring in an outsider to help the Secret Service implement reforms.",
"President Obama chooses Clancy to be the director of the agency going against recommendations to bring in an outsider to help the Secret Service implement reforms.",
"December 2015 - The House Oversight Committee issues a 438-page report \"United States Secret Service: An Agency in Crisis.",
"\" The report examines the 2011 White House shooting episode the misconduct in Colombia the breach at the CDC and the incident involving the supervisors driving into a crime scene.",
"The House Oversight Committee issues a 438-page report \"United States Secret Service: An Agency in Crisis.",
"\" The report examines the 2011 White House shooting episode the misconduct in Colombia the breach at the CDC and the incident involving the supervisors driving into a crime scene.",
"The review lists six additional breaches that took place over the course of a single month including a security lapse that enabled an uninvited guest to go backstage at a function and speak to the president.",
"The committee proclaims that the agency has failed to implement many of the reforms recommended by the government panel in 2014.",
"In conclusion the committee declares that \"the agency's recent public failures are not a series of isolated events but the product of an insular culture that has historically been resistant to change.",
"\""
] |
This was my second shredder from the same company. The original had a different stand that isn't great, but the machine still works well after possibly a dozen years.
I then sort-of upgraded to this model. Soon after the warrantee was up I had electrical problems. The motor had a breaker the first model didn't have. I contacted a very nice lady who said I could cut out and splice the breaker wires. I did and the motor burnt out.
It was out of warrantee and I went back to the old shredder which I'm happy to say is still doing fine. I don't know if all units have this problem, but it was a bummer this newer model didn't last half as long as my original shredder. The concept is great for compacting leaves for disposal or for use in gardens. | 1 | neutral | [
"This was my second shredder from the same company.",
"The original had a different stand that isn't great, but the machine still works well after possibly a dozen years.",
"I then sort-of upgraded to this model.",
"Soon after the warrantee was up I had electrical problems.",
"The motor had a breaker the first model didn't have.",
"I contacted a very nice lady who said I could cut out and splice the breaker wires.",
"I did and the motor burnt out.",
"It was out of warrantee and I went back to the old shredder which I'm happy to say is still doing fine.",
"I don't know if all units have this problem, but it was a bummer this newer model didn't last half as long as my original shredder.",
"The concept is great for compacting leaves for disposal or for use in gardens."
] |
If there's one guy who Santa should give a lump of coal in his Christmas stocking, it would be Simeon Lee. Just by the nature of how Agatha Christie depicts the odious old man, you know he's going to meet an untimely end. The story takes place in 1938 London. There are a mixture of clearly distinct suspects so the reader will not become confused as to who is whom. It also helps that the author continues to revisit and summarize what is known at certain points in the story when it comes to clues.
'Hercule Poirot's Christmas' is a quick whodunit that will keep many readers in the dark until the very end. However, one important clue in the solution was obscure to me and I had to look it up on the Internet. It may have been a common item in 1938 when Ms. Christie wrote it, but it does not hold up well in 2014. I enjoyed the book except for the aforementioned outdated clue. As usual, the colorful vain Hercule Poirot is a delight. | 1 | neutral | [
"If there's one guy who Santa should give a lump of coal in his Christmas stocking, it would be Simeon Lee.",
"Just by the nature of how Agatha Christie depicts the odious old man, you know he's going to meet an untimely end.",
"The story takes place in 1938 London.",
"There are a mixture of clearly distinct suspects so the reader will not become confused as to who is whom.",
"It also helps that the author continues to revisit and summarize what is known at certain points in the story when it comes to clues.",
"'Hercule Poirot's Christmas' is a quick whodunit that will keep many readers in the dark until the very end.",
"However, one important clue in the solution was obscure to me and I had to look it up on the Internet.",
"It may have been a common item in 1938 when Ms.",
"Christie wrote it, but it does not hold up well in 2014.",
"I enjoyed the book except for the aforementioned outdated clue.",
"As usual, the colorful vain Hercule Poirot is a delight."
] |
It gets the job done... and by that i mean it holds water.. does not stay cold as long as advertised. I had a handful of ice cubes in there at room temp (about 75 degrees) and the ice was completely gone in about 3 hours. Granted, the water that was in there from the ice melting was cold, for about another hour until it was at room temp. But compared to the Swell bottles, which keep ice solid for 10+ hours this bottle isnt worth it. Dish out the extra cash and get a Swell. Atleast if your MO is to have cold water for long periods of time. Cold water from the fridge stays cold about 2-3 hours in this bottle, so if youre a fast drinker you have nothing to worry about. But forget about leaving it in your car. But aesthetically, the bottle looks and feels great. | 1 | neutral | [
"It gets the job done...",
"and by that i mean it holds water..",
"does not stay cold as long as advertised.",
"I had a handful of ice cubes in there at room temp (about 75 degrees) and the ice was completely gone in about 3 hours.",
"Granted, the water that was in there from the ice melting was cold, for about another hour until it was at room temp.",
"But compared to the Swell bottles, which keep ice solid for 10+ hours this bottle isnt worth it.",
"Dish out the extra cash and get a Swell.",
"Atleast if your MO is to have cold water for long periods of time.",
"Cold water from the fridge stays cold about 2-3 hours in this bottle, so if youre a fast drinker you have nothing to worry about.",
"But forget about leaving it in your car.",
"But aesthetically, the bottle looks and feels great."
] |
This is really a stage mic, don't get this for home recording. Very tinny/bright, and very directional. It is meant to cut thru the mix on stage, so the high end is boosted. And also to only capture the singer (not the band) so very sensitive to head movement and proximity of mouth to mic. VERY SENSITIVE. If you move an inch or so, the levels change dramatically. Tangent: You know what? Just get a SM57 and put a good pop filter on it. SM57 is a surprising good vocal mic for many voices. I like SM57 better than the SM7 (which sounds like cotton) and beware: the SM7 needs HUGE GAIN. | 1 | neutral | [
"This is really a stage mic, don't get this for home recording.",
"Very tinny/bright, and very directional.",
"It is meant to cut thru the mix on stage, so the high end is boosted.",
"And also to only capture the singer (not the band) so very sensitive to head movement and proximity of mouth to mic.",
"VERY SENSITIVE.",
"If you move an inch or so, the levels change dramatically.",
"Tangent: You know what?",
"Just get a SM57 and put a good pop filter on it.",
"SM57 is a surprising good vocal mic for many voices.",
"I like SM57 better than the SM7 (which sounds like cotton) and beware: the SM7 needs HUGE GAIN."
] |
Swing Out Sister's 5th U.S release, "Shapes and Patterns," is a mix of too much and too little . Digitally sharp and direct funk, the CD lacks the warmth of their earlier Jazz-Pop influenced music. Yet S/O/S has moved into new depths with funky beats and, with heavy-handed mixing, a viable dance CD.
"Somewhere In The World," is the song that will initially grab your attention; Upbeat and sweet. The rest of the CD struggles to define itself. Going from beat to beat, it shows little consistency. "Better Make It Better" again shows itself again (it was on "The Living Return - 1994). Still, its be-bop return fares no better than the original. The dynamic "You Already Know" is, in my opinion, the best song on this CD. It shows the producing talent that S/O/S is known for. Sharp, witty, with dreamy songwriting, this is surely one of Corrine Drewery's (vocals) best songs. The rest of the CD is ecclecticism. "Joe Meek's Cat" is to this day still undefinable.
S/O/S's departure from thier Jazz-Pop roots shows the limits of their talent on "Shapes and Patterns." The dubs, bass, and drums are all there, but the soul of S/O/S seems to have slipped away in attmpting digital funk.
Buy this nice, dancable, yet enigmatic CD. It will not dissappoint. | 1 | neutral | [
"Swing Out Sister's 5th U.",
"S release, \"Shapes and Patterns,\" is a mix of too much and too little.",
"Digitally sharp and direct funk, the CD lacks the warmth of their earlier Jazz-Pop influenced music.",
"Yet S/O/S has moved into new depths with funky beats and, with heavy-handed mixing, a viable dance CD.",
"\"Somewhere In The World,\" is the song that will initially grab your attention; Upbeat and sweet.",
"The rest of the CD struggles to define itself.",
"Going from beat to beat, it shows little consistency.",
"\"Better Make It Better\" again shows itself again (it was on \"The Living Return - 1994).",
"Still, its be-bop return fares no better than the original.",
"The dynamic \"You Already Know\" is, in my opinion, the best song on this CD.",
"It shows the producing talent that S/O/S is known for.",
"Sharp, witty, with dreamy songwriting, this is surely one of Corrine Drewery's (vocals) best songs.",
"The rest of the CD is ecclecticism.",
"\"Joe Meek's Cat\" is to this day still undefinable.",
"S/O/S's departure from thier Jazz-Pop roots shows the limits of their talent on \"Shapes and Patterns.",
"\" The dubs, bass, and drums are all there, but the soul of S/O/S seems to have slipped away in attmpting digital funk.",
"Buy this nice, dancable, yet enigmatic CD.",
"It will not dissappoint."
] |
I give this item a 3. It does the job it's supposed to do but there are a couple things I dislike about it.
1. The mug is not insulated. I found out in a painful way when my first hot cup of coffee was complete and I grabbed the mug. Unless you drink coffee fast, it will become luke warm pretty fast.
2. Once the cup of coffee is finished brewing, the machine drips a while after removing the mug. You have to immediately clean out the coffee maker or put something in the place of the mug if you grab and go.
Other than that it is pretty quick at making my coffee and clean up is a breeze. | 1 | neutral | [
"I give this item a 3.",
"It does the job it's supposed to do but there are a couple things I dislike about it.",
"1.",
"The mug is not insulated.",
"I found out in a painful way when my first hot cup of coffee was complete and I grabbed the mug.",
"Unless you drink coffee fast, it will become luke warm pretty fast.",
"2.",
"Once the cup of coffee is finished brewing, the machine drips a while after removing the mug.",
"You have to immediately clean out the coffee maker or put something in the place of the mug if you grab and go.",
"Other than that it is pretty quick at making my coffee and clean up is a breeze."
] |
Just about everything bad and good has been said about this album. 50 Cent's major debut was a decent album in 2003 that was highly blown out of proportion on how good it was (sort of like Nelly's "Country Grammar") but there are some good parts to it and some bad parts to it. 50 Cent's gangsta attitude would be shown all over the album, mostly about guns, sex, drugs, and money. The 2003 rap song of the year "In Da Club" was overrated to me, but it was a decent track at best. The second single "21 ?'s" I hated because of it's pop style and lack luster beat that it carries. The third single "Many Men" was one of my favorite tracks that was dedicated to more violence. The fourth single "P.I.M.P." was a medicore song about pimping on the origonal version, although the remix that features Snoop Dogg and G-Unit that doesn't appear on here is better. The rest of the tracks range from decent to good that will make your head nod, some I enjoyed and some that I hated. "Patiently Waiting" featuring Eminem is possibly one of the best songs on the album, as both of them have above average verses. The track "If I Can't" has a fast paced piano beat, that makes the song gangsta and listenable. "What Up Gangsta" will have little kids thinking they're hardcore repeating that song, because of it's catchy hook. 50 Cent's slurred vocals could get a liitle annoying at some parts of the CD, because he was shot in the jaw when he took those nine bullets.
Production is done by Dr. Dre, Eminem, and more.
It sold about 9 million copies, so I'm pretty sure that most rap and alternative listener has at least taken a listen.
Lyrics: C+
Production: B
Guest Appearances: B-
Musical Vibes: C+
Overall: C+
Favorite Tracks: Patiently Waiting, Many Men, If I Can't, Life's On The Line, Wanksta | 1 | neutral | [
"Just about everything bad and good has been said about this album.",
"50 Cent's major debut was a decent album in 2003 that was highly blown out of proportion on how good it was (sort of like Nelly's \"Country Grammar\") but there are some good parts to it and some bad parts to it.",
"50 Cent's gangsta attitude would be shown all over the album, mostly about guns, sex, drugs, and money.",
"The 2003 rap song of the year \"In Da Club\" was overrated to me, but it was a decent track at best.",
"The second single \"21?",
"'s\" I hated because of it's pop style and lack luster beat that it carries.",
"The third single \"Many Men\" was one of my favorite tracks that was dedicated to more violence.",
"The fourth single \"P.",
"I.M.P.\" was a medicore song about pimping on the origonal version, although the remix that features Snoop Dogg and G-Unit that doesn't appear on here is better.",
"The rest of the tracks range from decent to good that will make your head nod, some I enjoyed and some that I hated.",
"\"Patiently Waiting\" featuring Eminem is possibly one of the best songs on the album, as both of them have above average verses.",
"The track \"If I Can't\" has a fast paced piano beat, that makes the song gangsta and listenable.",
"\"What Up Gangsta\" will have little kids thinking they're hardcore repeating that song, because of it's catchy hook.",
"50 Cent's slurred vocals could get a liitle annoying at some parts of the CD, because he was shot in the jaw when he took those nine bullets.",
"Production is done by Dr.",
"Dre, Eminem, and more.",
"It sold about 9 million copies, so I'm pretty sure that most rap and alternative listener has at least taken a listen.",
"Lyrics: C+\nProduction: B\nGuest Appearances: B-\nMusical Vibes: C+\nOverall: C+\n\nFavorite Tracks: Patiently Waiting, Many Men, If I Can't, Life's On The Line, Wanksta"
] |
I can't believe I fell for the "kinda like Splinter Cell and Metal Gear Solid"... no way. The only thing similar about this game to the other ones is the stealth factor. The camera panning is the worst I've seen in games it's sad.
Although the stealth kills make it fun, it ends there. The camera is so unruly that once you set it to where you want it, it automatically changes because it makes it more difficult to execute a kill if you can barely see your enemy. what sense does that make? I should be able to look wherever I want without switching to 1st person "VIEW mode" but not able to move the characters around.
The fighting sequence is annoying because you could be swinging at the enemy and if he sidesteps a few inches to your left or right, your character carries on its combo like there's an enemy in front of it. Shooting your shuriken or arrows? the indicator shows the enemy on target but when you throw it, you end up hitting the wall in front of you. It looks more like a bug to me than a design built into it.
Oh yeah, no checkpoints... you screw up, you start the stage over again. I am disappointed in this game as I can see it having the potential to be a great game but the controls and cameras are the worst I've seen in a long time.
If you're looking into stealth action games and don't own Splinter Cell, my biggest advice to you is save your [money] and get Splinter Cell instead of this game. | 1 | neutral | [
"I can't believe I fell for the \"kinda like Splinter Cell and Metal Gear Solid\"...",
"no way.",
"The only thing similar about this game to the other ones is the stealth factor.",
"The camera panning is the worst I've seen in games it's sad.",
"Although the stealth kills make it fun, it ends there.",
"The camera is so unruly that once you set it to where you want it, it automatically changes because it makes it more difficult to execute a kill if you can barely see your enemy.",
"what sense does that make?",
"I should be able to look wherever I want without switching to 1st person \"VIEW mode\" but not able to move the characters around.",
"The fighting sequence is annoying because you could be swinging at the enemy and if he sidesteps a few inches to your left or right, your character carries on its combo like there's an enemy in front of it.",
"Shooting your shuriken or arrows?",
"the indicator shows the enemy on target but when you throw it, you end up hitting the wall in front of you.",
"It looks more like a bug to me than a design built into it.",
"Oh yeah, no checkpoints...",
"you screw up, you start the stage over again.",
"I am disappointed in this game as I can see it having the potential to be a great game but the controls and cameras are the worst I've seen in a long time.",
"If you're looking into stealth action games and don't own Splinter Cell, my biggest advice to you is save your [money] and get Splinter Cell instead of this game."
] |
I have multiple 3d printers: MakerGear M2, SmartFriendz and one of my own design. Of the three my custom machine is the fastest with the cleanest output. However Maker Select is also capable of good quality output but it's at a price. No, not the purchase price...it's the relative slowness of the machine. Perhaps I can juice it up somehow, but it's hard to argue with the nice printout.
This is a good value at under-$400 (now often found for $309), nicely made and works right out of the box except for the 6 screws I had to install (easy) and bed leveling (not so easy). There are several recommended mods that you'll want to do, one for making the z-axis zero-setting possible (it's a total pain in the as-shipped product) and to modify the fan outlet that cools the newly deposited plastic.
Claims to work with PLA and ABS (and others) but you'll probably want to install the M10 high temp hot end before running it hotter than around 235C.
I've read where others have had problems with the extruder temperature readout jumping around. Mine doesn't do that, probably because the factory is now installing the necessary added ground lead that should have been there from the beginning.
The manual gives absolutely NO guidance on how to set up Cura, the recommended software. A custom copy is on the little SD card they provide, but the default settings are poor. A job that takes about 6 hours on my main machine will (as set) take over 24 hours with Cura. After some tinkering I got it down, but it took several trials and failures. I was able to get Cura to talk to it over USB, but it took hunting to find the suitable USB driver.
I understand that Simplify3D can support this machine, but that there are problems communicating -- users must transfer files via SD card rather than direct connect.
In short, in spite of what others may report, I have not found this to be "plug and play". After considerable effort it's now pretty usable, but still not as good as I'd like. It's unlikely to ever be my main go-to printer.
Recommend for beginners or those on a tight budget. As long as you're not in a hurry and don't mind fussing with the settings.
5/28/2016 Update -- Been using this unit on and off for a month or so. Learning to get the bed more level and at the right height, get better speed, and I've now added a glass sheet above the bed which is easy to remove. Held in by spring clips at the edges.
I have found a MUCH better (and free!) software product that slices, controls and generally works quite well with this printer. It makes Cura look pretty lame.
The software is called Repetier Host, easily found with a Google search. One really nice feature is the on-screen controls to manually move the head X, Y, the Z Bed and control temps, extrude, retract etc. Amazing what's out there for free. Plus it shows a simulated print sequence as it's being made. Not totally bug free, but good enough. | 1 | neutral | [
"I have multiple 3d printers: MakerGear M2, SmartFriendz and one of my own design.",
"Of the three my custom machine is the fastest with the cleanest output.",
"However Maker Select is also capable of good quality output but it's at a price.",
"No, not the purchase price...",
"it's the relative slowness of the machine.",
"Perhaps I can juice it up somehow, but it's hard to argue with the nice printout.",
"This is a good value at under-$400 (now often found for $309), nicely made and works right out of the box except for the 6 screws I had to install (easy) and bed leveling (not so easy).",
"There are several recommended mods that you'll want to do, one for making the z-axis zero-setting possible (it's a total pain in the as-shipped product) and to modify the fan outlet that cools the newly deposited plastic.",
"Claims to work with PLA and ABS (and others) but you'll probably want to install the M10 high temp hot end before running it hotter than around 235C.",
"I've read where others have had problems with the extruder temperature readout jumping around.",
"Mine doesn't do that, probably because the factory is now installing the necessary added ground lead that should have been there from the beginning.",
"The manual gives absolutely NO guidance on how to set up Cura, the recommended software.",
"A custom copy is on the little SD card they provide, but the default settings are poor.",
"A job that takes about 6 hours on my main machine will (as set) take over 24 hours with Cura.",
"After some tinkering I got it down, but it took several trials and failures.",
"I was able to get Cura to talk to it over USB, but it took hunting to find the suitable USB driver.",
"I understand that Simplify3D can support this machine, but that there are problems communicating -- users must transfer files via SD card rather than direct connect.",
"In short, in spite of what others may report, I have not found this to be \"plug and play\".",
"After considerable effort it's now pretty usable, but still not as good as I'd like.",
"It's unlikely to ever be my main go-to printer.",
"Recommend for beginners or those on a tight budget.",
"As long as you're not in a hurry and don't mind fussing with the settings.",
"5/28/2016 Update -- Been using this unit on and off for a month or so.",
"Learning to get the bed more level and at the right height, get better speed, and I've now added a glass sheet above the bed which is easy to remove.",
"Held in by spring clips at the edges.",
"I have found a MUCH better (and free!",
") software product that slices, controls and generally works quite well with this printer.",
"It makes Cura look pretty lame.",
"The software is called Repetier Host, easily found with a Google search.",
"One really nice feature is the on-screen controls to manually move the head X, Y, the Z Bed and control temps, extrude, retract etc.",
"Amazing what's out there for free.",
"Plus it shows a simulated print sequence as it's being made.",
"Not totally bug free, but good enough."
] |
We've been hosed.
Id Software, makers of this game and Doom 3 were bragging that they used the Doom 3 engine to make this game.
I can only guess that they also used the maps, the texturing, the suits, the story, etc. etc.
Only with Quake 4, it feels like you're playing a "compare to" brand of Doom 3.
"Compare active ingredients in Quake 4 to Doom 3! You'll find it's inferior!"
HOWEVER...the one reason I'm giving this 3 stars...maybe even 3.5, is the Xbox Live multiplayer. VERY reminiscent of a little title called Halo. Very fast, very loud, very "creative" in the brutality department.
No Xbox Live? Then I wouldn't even rent this heap. | 1 | neutral | [
"We've been hosed.",
"Id Software, makers of this game and Doom 3 were bragging that they used the Doom 3 engine to make this game.",
"I can only guess that they also used the maps, the texturing, the suits, the story, etc.",
"etc.",
"Only with Quake 4, it feels like you're playing a \"compare to\" brand of Doom 3.",
"\"Compare active ingredients in Quake 4 to Doom 3!",
"You'll find it's inferior!",
"\"\n\nHOWEVER...",
"the one reason I'm giving this 3 stars...",
"maybe even 3.",
"5, is the Xbox Live multiplayer.",
"VERY reminiscent of a little title called Halo.",
"Very fast, very loud, very \"creative\" in the brutality department.",
"No Xbox Live?",
"Then I wouldn't even rent this heap."
] |
Rauner spends night in Quincy veterans home plagued by deadly water problems
Facing criticism over his administration’s handling of a deadly 2015 Legionnaires’ disease outbreak at a state-run veterans home in downstate Quincy Gov. Bruce Rauner is spending multiple nights at the facility to “gain a more thorough understanding” of operations there.
The governor’s stay was not publicized in advance. After Rauner ’s office confirmed the trip Thursday his Republican and Democratic challengers quickly dismissed it as a stunt as they seize on the administration’s response to more than a dozen deaths at the state-run home to question the governor’s leadership abilities.
While Rauner previously has declined to say if he bears any moral responsibility for the deaths and illnesses he has pushed back at critics. He was quoted as telling the Joliet Herald-News editorial board this week that “our team took immediate strong action ” after the outbreak began in 2015 killing a dozen residents and sickening 50 more.
He said his administration brought in national experts the CDC and spent more than $6 million to update the home’s water filtration system. The disease is contracted by inhaling droplets of water that contain the bacteria.
“The reality is and this is what's not getting into the reports the Legionnella bacteria is in most water systems in Illinois. There were just two infections of Legionnaires at Northwestern Hospital which is not even an old facility and I think is regarded as a really well-run facility. These things happen ” the Joliet newspaper quoted Rauner as saying hours before he began his stay.
Rauner arrived at the home around 10 p.m. Wednesday according to Dave MacDonna a spokesman for the Illinois Department of Veterans’ Affairs. A spokeswoman for Rauner said he planned to spend several days with residents and staff and would be joined over the weekend by first lady Diana Rauner.
For Rauner the issue has gone beyond the confounding Legionnella bacteria to become a subject of potential political contamination for the first-term governor. Care of military veterans holds a special patriotic place among voters. | 1 | neutral | [
"Rauner spends night in Quincy veterans home plagued by deadly water problems\nFacing criticism over his administration’s handling of a deadly 2015 Legionnaires’ disease outbreak at a state-run veterans home in downstate Quincy Gov.",
"Bruce Rauner is spending multiple nights at the facility to “gain a more thorough understanding” of operations there.",
"The governor’s stay was not publicized in advance.",
"After Rauner ’s office confirmed the trip Thursday his Republican and Democratic challengers quickly dismissed it as a stunt as they seize on the administration’s response to more than a dozen deaths at the state-run home to question the governor’s leadership abilities.",
"While Rauner previously has declined to say if he bears any moral responsibility for the deaths and illnesses he has pushed back at critics.",
"He was quoted as telling the Joliet Herald-News editorial board this week that “our team took immediate strong action ” after the outbreak began in 2015 killing a dozen residents and sickening 50 more.",
"He said his administration brought in national experts the CDC and spent more than $6 million to update the home’s water filtration system.",
"The disease is contracted by inhaling droplets of water that contain the bacteria.",
"“The reality is and this is what's not getting into the reports the Legionnella bacteria is in most water systems in Illinois.",
"There were just two infections of Legionnaires at Northwestern Hospital which is not even an old facility and I think is regarded as a really well-run facility.",
"These things happen ” the Joliet newspaper quoted Rauner as saying hours before he began his stay.",
"Rauner arrived at the home around 10 p.",
"m. Wednesday according to Dave MacDonna a spokesman for the Illinois Department of Veterans’ Affairs.",
"A spokeswoman for Rauner said he planned to spend several days with residents and staff and would be joined over the weekend by first lady Diana Rauner.",
"For Rauner the issue has gone beyond the confounding Legionnella bacteria to become a subject of potential political contamination for the first-term governor.",
"Care of military veterans holds a special patriotic place among voters."
] |
***possible spoiler alert. ..if you read between the lines of what I wrote***
This book is not my favorite book of the series. Bart, the younger son, is the worst son you could ever imagine. He makes life a living hell for his entire family. It is cringe-worthy to read how he speaks to his family and how he acts towards them. I do not care for the ending as I feel it gave no happiness to Cathy or Chris. Even though their relationship was morally wrong, I still found myself rooting for them to be happy in the end. They deserved so much more than what they got in their younger years. It is a shame that Cathy let her anger eat her up inside and she spent most of her adult years seeking revenge against her mother. I just wish that VC Andrews had given them a different ending. She made it seem as though they both found happiness together in the end but I do not feel that they experienced true happiness in their lifetime on earth. I'd recommend this book only to complete the saga that is Chris and Cathy and their children... But that is the only reason why I would recommend it. Because if you do not read this one, you would be left wondering what happened to them. | 1 | neutral | [
"***possible spoiler alert.",
"..",
"if you read between the lines of what I wrote***\n\nThis book is not my favorite book of the series.",
"Bart, the younger son, is the worst son you could ever imagine.",
"He makes life a living hell for his entire family.",
"It is cringe-worthy to read how he speaks to his family and how he acts towards them.",
"I do not care for the ending as I feel it gave no happiness to Cathy or Chris.",
"Even though their relationship was morally wrong, I still found myself rooting for them to be happy in the end.",
"They deserved so much more than what they got in their younger years.",
"It is a shame that Cathy let her anger eat her up inside and she spent most of her adult years seeking revenge against her mother.",
"I just wish that VC Andrews had given them a different ending.",
"She made it seem as though they both found happiness together in the end but I do not feel that they experienced true happiness in their lifetime on earth.",
"I'd recommend this book only to complete the saga that is Chris and Cathy and their children...",
"But that is the only reason why I would recommend it.",
"Because if you do not read this one, you would be left wondering what happened to them."
] |
Filament color is sheen sky blue. Wife and kids love the color effect -- I'm contemplating on testing out different color from the same brand.
I noticed the extruded filament expands 3 times the nozzle setting. So far I was able to print without any issue on my Monoprice Maker Select Ultimate 3D Printer, I will upgrade/downgrade once I have more opportunity to test print more complex design.
The settings I have are as follows: Layer height - 0.2mm, Shell thickness - 0.8mm, Enable retraction, Fill Bottom/Top thickness - 0.6, Fill Density - 30%, Speed - 100 mm/s, Printing temperature - 100C, Bed temperature - 60C.
Update 2/25/17 - downgrade from 4 to 3 starts. This does not work well for small item with 100% fill. It does not cool fast enough as that of natural PLA filament. I test print AAA battery model at 100% fill, but had to abandon the job 1/3 way through. The extruder temperature at 210C. 1/4 way through wad good. Beyond that, the filament gets all stringing. Tested at 50% fill yielded same result. Tested at various layer height: 0.1, 0.15, 0.2, 0.25. Adjusted different speeds: 50/60/65/75/100mm/s.
Printed 3D model of owl (3" tall) ends up with missing beak.
I'm going to run more tests at different fill density. The impression is this filament is not for delicate/detailed print job. | 1 | neutral | [
"Filament color is sheen sky blue.",
"Wife and kids love the color effect -- I'm contemplating on testing out different color from the same brand.",
"I noticed the extruded filament expands 3 times the nozzle setting.",
"So far I was able to print without any issue on my Monoprice Maker Select Ultimate 3D Printer, I will upgrade/downgrade once I have more opportunity to test print more complex design.",
"The settings I have are as follows: Layer height - 0.",
"2mm, Shell thickness - 0.",
"8mm, Enable retraction, Fill Bottom/Top thickness - 0.",
"6, Fill Density - 30%, Speed - 100 mm/s, Printing temperature - 100C, Bed temperature - 60C.",
"Update 2/25/17 - downgrade from 4 to 3 starts.",
"This does not work well for small item with 100% fill.",
"It does not cool fast enough as that of natural PLA filament.",
"I test print AAA battery model at 100% fill, but had to abandon the job 1/3 way through.",
"The extruder temperature at 210C.",
"1/4 way through wad good.",
"Beyond that, the filament gets all stringing.",
"Tested at 50% fill yielded same result.",
"Tested at various layer height: 0.",
"1, 0.",
"15, 0.",
"2, 0.",
"25.",
"Adjusted different speeds: 50/60/65/75/100mm/s.",
"Printed 3D model of owl (3\" tall) ends up with missing beak.",
"I'm going to run more tests at different fill density.",
"The impression is this filament is not for delicate/detailed print job."
] |
"The Magician's Nephew" by C.S. Lewis is one of those books I read just because. Because I'd read "The Lion, the Witch, and The Wardrobe" when I was a kid. Because I always wondered what exactly Narnia was. Because I'd watched all the Narnia movies with my kids. Because it was sitting on my son's shelf collecting dust and it had a number one written on it: i.e. first book of the series. So because of all those reasons, I wiped the dust off of it and read it.
This book isn't about anyone I was familiar with from the other Narnia books/movies. Well, I guess Aslan is there toward the end, but honestly, the majority of the book is about Digory Kirke and Polly Plummer and that was okay, because their story was easy to grasp. You see, these two neighbors met, become friends then decide to explore the attic connecting their houses. Unfortunately, during their exploration, they accidently go into the study of Digory's Uncle Andrew, who is a magician. Hence the name of our book: The Magician's Nephew.
Once in Andrew's study, Polly is tricked by Digory's almost evil uncle into touching a magic yellow ring which causes her to vanish. It seems Uncle Andrew has been dabbling in ancient magic that allows one to travel between worlds. In order to save Polly, Digory is blackmailed by his uncle into testing another magic ring so as to follow Polly; our young hero also takes two green ones just in case they can actually try to return home. When Digory touches his yellow ring it transports him to a wood between the worlds where he finds Polly alive and well. Also there is a series of pools which the two discover lead to separate universes.
Of course, our two, young adventures decide not to immediately return home to England but to explore a different world and so jump into one of the nearby pools. Instantaneously, Digory and Polly find themselves in a desolate, abandoned city of some strange, ancient world, which they later learn is Charn. Inside an ancient building, which they surmise must have been a palace, they discover a huge room filled with statuesque figures of Charn's former kings and queens. These perfect statues are beautiful beyond compare but seem to degenerate from the fair and wise of the first to the unhappy and cruel of the later. Among these images from some long forgotten past, there is a bell and a hammer with these words written:
Make your choice, adventurous Stranger
Strike the bell and bide the danger
Or wonder, till it drives you mad
What would have followed if you had.
The story of Narnia start with that bell. Everything else spirals out from the fateful choice placed before Digory and Polly on whether to ring that bell. Sure, the rest of the book reveals to us the creation of Narnia and its talking animals,, the origins of the lamp-post, the wonders of its first human king and queen, the first evil deed of the White Witch, and of course Aslan's role in all of it. We are even told how the wardrobe becomes "the wardrobe" which ever after will transport some lucky few to Narnia. But it begins at the decision before the bell.
All in all, this was a very entertaining story. If I was still a kid I would have undoubtable rated it much higher, but it was still well-worth my time, especially since it answered all the "how" questions about Narnia. For that reason alone, you should give it a try. | 1 | neutral | [
"\"The Magician's Nephew\" by C.",
"S. Lewis is one of those books I read just because.",
"Because I'd read \"The Lion, the Witch, and The Wardrobe\" when I was a kid.",
"Because I always wondered what exactly Narnia was.",
"Because I'd watched all the Narnia movies with my kids.",
"Because it was sitting on my son's shelf collecting dust and it had a number one written on it: i.",
"e. first book of the series.",
"So because of all those reasons, I wiped the dust off of it and read it.",
"This book isn't about anyone I was familiar with from the other Narnia books/movies.",
"Well, I guess Aslan is there toward the end, but honestly, the majority of the book is about Digory Kirke and Polly Plummer and that was okay, because their story was easy to grasp.",
"You see, these two neighbors met, become friends then decide to explore the attic connecting their houses.",
"Unfortunately, during their exploration, they accidently go into the study of Digory's Uncle Andrew, who is a magician.",
"Hence the name of our book: The Magician's Nephew.",
"Once in Andrew's study, Polly is tricked by Digory's almost evil uncle into touching a magic yellow ring which causes her to vanish.",
"It seems Uncle Andrew has been dabbling in ancient magic that allows one to travel between worlds.",
"In order to save Polly, Digory is blackmailed by his uncle into testing another magic ring so as to follow Polly; our young hero also takes two green ones just in case they can actually try to return home.",
"When Digory touches his yellow ring it transports him to a wood between the worlds where he finds Polly alive and well.",
"Also there is a series of pools which the two discover lead to separate universes.",
"Of course, our two, young adventures decide not to immediately return home to England but to explore a different world and so jump into one of the nearby pools.",
"Instantaneously, Digory and Polly find themselves in a desolate, abandoned city of some strange, ancient world, which they later learn is Charn.",
"Inside an ancient building, which they surmise must have been a palace, they discover a huge room filled with statuesque figures of Charn's former kings and queens.",
"These perfect statues are beautiful beyond compare but seem to degenerate from the fair and wise of the first to the unhappy and cruel of the later.",
"Among these images from some long forgotten past, there is a bell and a hammer with these words written:\n\n Make your choice, adventurous Stranger\n Strike the bell and bide the danger\n Or wonder, till it drives you mad\n What would have followed if you had.",
"The story of Narnia start with that bell.",
"Everything else spirals out from the fateful choice placed before Digory and Polly on whether to ring that bell.",
"Sure, the rest of the book reveals to us the creation of Narnia and its talking animals,, the origins of the lamp-post, the wonders of its first human king and queen, the first evil deed of the White Witch, and of course Aslan's role in all of it.",
"We are even told how the wardrobe becomes \"the wardrobe\" which ever after will transport some lucky few to Narnia.",
"But it begins at the decision before the bell.",
"All in all, this was a very entertaining story.",
"If I was still a kid I would have undoubtable rated it much higher, but it was still well-worth my time, especially since it answered all the \"how\" questions about Narnia.",
"For that reason alone, you should give it a try."
] |
By now most people have read my many reviews of the 16 Magazine subscriptions that I get. I LOVED this magazine for all of it's ideas and recipes.
It's typical Martha Stewart fashion but at the price of how much it cost me to get it directly from her web-site I let it drop. Amazon[.com] offers a much better price but right now there are so many Magazines out there like this one that you almost can just subscribe to her web-site and get the same info without the cost.
The articles were okay.... there was so much advertisment in the issues I got that I felt like I wasn't getting the true body of what I wanted. Pictures are Great but if you are subscribing for the recipes come to Amazon[.com] and buy her books, trust me it is less clutter than all of those magazines which are quite thick.
Respectfully Reviewed | 1 | neutral | [
"By now most people have read my many reviews of the 16 Magazine subscriptions that I get.",
"I LOVED this magazine for all of it's ideas and recipes.",
"It's typical Martha Stewart fashion but at the price of how much it cost me to get it directly from her web-site I let it drop.",
"Amazon[.",
"com] offers a much better price but right now there are so many Magazines out there like this one that you almost can just subscribe to her web-site and get the same info without the cost.",
"The articles were okay....",
"there was so much advertisment in the issues I got that I felt like I wasn't getting the true body of what I wanted.",
"Pictures are Great but if you are subscribing for the recipes come to Amazon[.",
"com] and buy her books, trust me it is less clutter than all of those magazines which are quite thick.",
"Respectfully Reviewed"
] |
**POST-TRIP UPDATE**
I bought 2 boxes, and one handle on one box doesn't lock anymore, almost. It closes, but barely makes a "click" and barely stays in locked position. Since I'm using TSA locks on both handles, this is not a disaster, and yet upsetting, after just one trip. Have lowered the rating to 3 stars.
**********************
This is not a field test, I haven't tried it yet. 24 gal box - Amazon made a big mess placing reviews for several different sizes on the same page.
Pros:
Tough plastic. You aren't going to find a tougher plastic on other products by Rubber Maid, or on no-name boxes available in department stores.
Made in the US (I couldn't believe my eyes). Future world will be shaped by economic competition, not wars, so do we need now more jobs lost to overseas, really?
Bigger than I thought. Any bigger, it would've been uncomfortable to carry.
Exterior dimensions: 26.25x17x18.25 = 61.5" total, perfect fit for checked-in air luggage (62" max).
Seat-able, sort of (the lid doesn't even flex under me, but I'm 160 lbs).
Cons:
None, really. The seam joining 2 halves of the mold, is a bit rough on one of 2 boxes.
Other comments:
Difficult to get - Lowes and Walmart are out of stock, Amazon is asking too much now, REI is charging a fortune for shipping. Google it up.
Somebody suggested using TSA cable locks because regular TSA locks have too short shackle - I am not sure. Some small lock with a narrow shackle might fit too, I don't have any on hand to try. I like TSA cable locks on these lids, though - you may unlock only one side for access and keep the other side locked, cable works as a hinge.
****************
Update 2014
Bottom corners are the weakest spot. Molded plastic is very thin there, it smashes inward easily, creating sharp edges around the dent outside, and then any abrasion - like dragging it a few feet - will cut through. As a result, I have a cut/crack on one corner, after just a few trips. Unlike vinyl, polyethylene can't be fixed with glue, epoxy etc patch.
Also, the walls bend in/out sometimes so the locks don't click in, but this can be corrected by pushing the walls back in. Don't sit on it - I think this is what caused the walls to bend.
It is still the best travel box, strong walls with ribs, solid lid. But $30-40 price for 24gal box seems a bit steep to me now. Though it's a reasonable price for US-made box, and again, I don't see anything better. Watch out for those smashed corners! | 1 | neutral | [
"**POST-TRIP UPDATE**\nI bought 2 boxes, and one handle on one box doesn't lock anymore, almost.",
"It closes, but barely makes a \"click\" and barely stays in locked position.",
"Since I'm using TSA locks on both handles, this is not a disaster, and yet upsetting, after just one trip.",
"Have lowered the rating to 3 stars.",
"**********************\n\nThis is not a field test, I haven't tried it yet.",
"24 gal box - Amazon made a big mess placing reviews for several different sizes on the same page.",
"Pros:\nTough plastic.",
"You aren't going to find a tougher plastic on other products by Rubber Maid, or on no-name boxes available in department stores.",
"Made in the US (I couldn't believe my eyes).",
"Future world will be shaped by economic competition, not wars, so do we need now more jobs lost to overseas, really?",
"Bigger than I thought.",
"Any bigger, it would've been uncomfortable to carry.",
"Exterior dimensions: 26.",
"25x17x18.",
"25 = 61.",
"5\" total, perfect fit for checked-in air luggage (62\" max).",
"Seat-able, sort of (the lid doesn't even flex under me, but I'm 160 lbs).",
"Cons:\nNone, really.",
"The seam joining 2 halves of the mold, is a bit rough on one of 2 boxes.",
"Other comments:\nDifficult to get - Lowes and Walmart are out of stock, Amazon is asking too much now, REI is charging a fortune for shipping.",
"Google it up.",
"Somebody suggested using TSA cable locks because regular TSA locks have too short shackle - I am not sure.",
"Some small lock with a narrow shackle might fit too, I don't have any on hand to try.",
"I like TSA cable locks on these lids, though - you may unlock only one side for access and keep the other side locked, cable works as a hinge.",
"****************\nUpdate 2014\nBottom corners are the weakest spot.",
"Molded plastic is very thin there, it smashes inward easily, creating sharp edges around the dent outside, and then any abrasion - like dragging it a few feet - will cut through.",
"As a result, I have a cut/crack on one corner, after just a few trips.",
"Unlike vinyl, polyethylene can't be fixed with glue, epoxy etc patch.",
"Also, the walls bend in/out sometimes so the locks don't click in, but this can be corrected by pushing the walls back in.",
"Don't sit on it - I think this is what caused the walls to bend.",
"It is still the best travel box, strong walls with ribs, solid lid.",
"But $30-40 price for 24gal box seems a bit steep to me now.",
"Though it's a reasonable price for US-made box, and again, I don't see anything better.",
"Watch out for those smashed corners!"
] |
I regard this movie as the beginning of the first downward spiral of Seagal's career. After the epic action of <a data-hook="product-link-linked" class="a-link-normal" href="/Under-Siege-2-Dark-Territory-Blu-ray/dp/B001CT877G/ref=cm_cr_arp_d_rvw_txt?ie=UTF8">Under Siege 2: Dark Territory [Blu-ray</a>] and <a data-hook="product-link-linked" class="a-link-normal" href="/Executive-Decision/dp/0790731894/ref=cm_cr_arp_d_rvw_txt?ie=UTF8">Executive Decision</a> it was a bad mistake to sign-up for The Glimmer Man. When I went to the cinema to see this film on November 2nd 1996 they didn't even tear my ticket stub. Of the thousands of cinema tickets I've kept it's the only one that hasn't been torn. Not even the employees of the long-gone ABC Cinema could be bothered keeping tabs on the audience. Needless to say that the film wasn't screened for critics and every review in the papers that week was nothing but waffling on presumptions of what a typical Seagal film would be. I am making up for that now with a proper review.
The fundamental flaw in The Glimmer Man is that it's just far too contrived. The 80s 'mis-matched cops' clich didn't help either. Plus, the film was yet another <a data-hook="product-link-linked" class="a-link-normal" href="/Seven-Blu-ray-Book/dp/B001BPQT8A/ref=cm_cr_arp_d_rvw_txt?ie=UTF8">Seven [Blu-ray Book</a>] wannabe, a sub-genre that flooded cinemas post October 1995.
Seagal plays Jack Cole, a weirdo New York cop transferred to Los Angeles for reasons that are never clearly defined. He's teamed-up with wisecracking Detective Jim Campbell (Keenan Ivory Wayans, who did not like Seagal) to catch 'The Family Man'; a serial killer who crucifies families (actually just the parents). But things get a little too personal for Cole when his ex-wife is killed by a Family Man copycat because she was the psychiatrist of the high school kid he saved who had discovered his evil step-dad's plan to sell chemical weapons sold by the Russian Mafia and brokered by the CIA, who Cole used to work for.
It's very poorly written by Kevin Brodbin, himself a former film critic, so he ought to have known better. This wouldn't be so bad if the fight scenes were remotely impressive. There are a couple of good action moments, like Campbell's apartment fight, but the rest are very quickly edited to compensate for Seagal's decreasing suppleness and rapidly expanding waistline. And after the high adventure of his previous movies, going back to low-wattage bar fights and gun play just isn't exciting.
Unknown director John Gray (who?) shoots the film like a TV movie. You'd be forgiven for thinking that this was an average episode of CSI:New York. He tries to mimic the retro-noir look of Se7en with lots of gloomy locations and rain but it just gives the film a really oppressive feel.
It's obvious that Seagal's influence on the script made it to the screen. As usual there's mumbo-jumbo about Cole's mysterious past (something Seagal both pretends AND denies he has). The mystical Buddhist stuff really adds nothing, you can see right through it to Seagal's unnecessary pandering, and what exactly is the deal with those jackets? Definitely from Seagal's own wardrobe and strategically chosen to conceal the Belly the of the Beast.
There's some decent acting to be had outside of Seagal's non-effort. Wayans proves he's more capable of being an action than the rest of his family (and Seagal too) and Brian Cox (a last-minute replacement for Tommy Lee Jones who probably said 'oh no, not Seagal again' and fled) plays the same old dodgy CIA buffoon he's built half his career on.
If you can get around the uninspired, gibberish title and if you are suffering a serious deficit in better action movies then give it a go. Just don't bother with the horribly censored UK cut, butchered by the BBFC. | 1 | neutral | [
"I regard this movie as the beginning of the first downward spiral of Seagal's career.",
"After the epic action of <a data-hook=\"product-link-linked\" class=\"a-link-normal\" href=\"/Under-Siege-2-Dark-Territory-Blu-ray/dp/B001CT877G/ref=cm_cr_arp_d_rvw_txt?",
"ie=UTF8\">Under Siege 2: Dark Territory [Blu-ray</a>] and <a data-hook=\"product-link-linked\" class=\"a-link-normal\" href=\"/Executive-Decision/dp/0790731894/ref=cm_cr_arp_d_rvw_txt?",
"ie=UTF8\">Executive Decision</a> it was a bad mistake to sign-up for The Glimmer Man.",
"When I went to the cinema to see this film on November 2nd 1996 they didn't even tear my ticket stub.",
"Of the thousands of cinema tickets I've kept it's the only one that hasn't been torn.",
"Not even the employees of the long-gone ABC Cinema could be bothered keeping tabs on the audience.",
"Needless to say that the film wasn't screened for critics and every review in the papers that week was nothing but waffling on presumptions of what a typical Seagal film would be.",
"I am making up for that now with a proper review.",
"The fundamental flaw in The Glimmer Man is that it's just far too contrived.",
"The 80s 'mis-matched cops' clich didn't help either.",
"Plus, the film was yet another <a data-hook=\"product-link-linked\" class=\"a-link-normal\" href=\"/Seven-Blu-ray-Book/dp/B001BPQT8A/ref=cm_cr_arp_d_rvw_txt?",
"ie=UTF8\">Seven [Blu-ray Book</a>] wannabe, a sub-genre that flooded cinemas post October 1995.",
"Seagal plays Jack Cole, a weirdo New York cop transferred to Los Angeles for reasons that are never clearly defined.",
"He's teamed-up with wisecracking Detective Jim Campbell (Keenan Ivory Wayans, who did not like Seagal) to catch 'The Family Man'; a serial killer who crucifies families (actually just the parents).",
"But things get a little too personal for Cole when his ex-wife is killed by a Family Man copycat because she was the psychiatrist of the high school kid he saved who had discovered his evil step-dad's plan to sell chemical weapons sold by the Russian Mafia and brokered by the CIA, who Cole used to work for.",
"It's very poorly written by Kevin Brodbin, himself a former film critic, so he ought to have known better.",
"This wouldn't be so bad if the fight scenes were remotely impressive.",
"There are a couple of good action moments, like Campbell's apartment fight, but the rest are very quickly edited to compensate for Seagal's decreasing suppleness and rapidly expanding waistline.",
"And after the high adventure of his previous movies, going back to low-wattage bar fights and gun play just isn't exciting.",
"Unknown director John Gray (who?",
") shoots the film like a TV movie.",
"You'd be forgiven for thinking that this was an average episode of CSI:New York.",
"He tries to mimic the retro-noir look of Se7en with lots of gloomy locations and rain but it just gives the film a really oppressive feel.",
"It's obvious that Seagal's influence on the script made it to the screen.",
"As usual there's mumbo-jumbo about Cole's mysterious past (something Seagal both pretends AND denies he has).",
"The mystical Buddhist stuff really adds nothing, you can see right through it to Seagal's unnecessary pandering, and what exactly is the deal with those jackets?",
"Definitely from Seagal's own wardrobe and strategically chosen to conceal the Belly the of the Beast.",
"There's some decent acting to be had outside of Seagal's non-effort.",
"Wayans proves he's more capable of being an action than the rest of his family (and Seagal too) and Brian Cox (a last-minute replacement for Tommy Lee Jones who probably said 'oh no, not Seagal again' and fled) plays the same old dodgy CIA buffoon he's built half his career on.",
"If you can get around the uninspired, gibberish title and if you are suffering a serious deficit in better action movies then give it a go.",
"Just don't bother with the horribly censored UK cut, butchered by the BBFC."
] |
Please provide the $50 credit to my amazon account. First, they look good and I like the case they come with. I was happy with the sound, they have good bass and clear. The fit isn’t great. I like the buds that have the clip that fit in the crevice of your ear. These fall out after moving and sweating. A part of my workout included making sure that they were still inside my ears. Phone calls are not happening with these. During my calls, I could hear fine. However, the person on the other end had a very difficult time hearing me. It was easier to hold the phone to my ear. | 1 | neutral | [
"Please provide the $50 credit to my amazon account.",
"First, they look good and I like the case they come with.",
"I was happy with the sound, they have good bass and clear.",
"The fit isn’t great.",
"I like the buds that have the clip that fit in the crevice of your ear.",
"These fall out after moving and sweating.",
"A part of my workout included making sure that they were still inside my ears.",
"Phone calls are not happening with these.",
"During my calls, I could hear fine.",
"However, the person on the other end had a very difficult time hearing me.",
"It was easier to hold the phone to my ear."
] |
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."
] |
The rubber blade is an Anco blade and nice and durable. BUT, the frame is not all metal.
The ends and arms that hold the blade are plastic.
They also re-engineered the shape profile of the hard plastic part that holds the rubber that slides into the arms. So, you CANNOT use any Anco wiper refils you have and want to use up in this replacement frame! It went from a two channel profile to a one channel.
It looks like, from this moment forward, we will also just have to buy the entire wiper blade (frame) with a blade. No more replacing just the refill blade except, maybe, from the overpriced dealer.
With that in mind, I think Michelin blades and RainX Weather beater blades are better. If they are also still all metal?! | 1 | neutral | [
"The rubber blade is an Anco blade and nice and durable.",
"BUT, the frame is not all metal.",
"The ends and arms that hold the blade are plastic.",
"They also re-engineered the shape profile of the hard plastic part that holds the rubber that slides into the arms.",
"So, you CANNOT use any Anco wiper refils you have and want to use up in this replacement frame!",
"It went from a two channel profile to a one channel.",
"It looks like, from this moment forward, we will also just have to buy the entire wiper blade (frame) with a blade.",
"No more replacing just the refill blade except, maybe, from the overpriced dealer.",
"With that in mind, I think Michelin blades and RainX Weather beater blades are better.",
"If they are also still all metal?!"
] |
My son LOVES this car. We got it for him at 18 mos and now he is almost 2 and he still spends part of every day sitting in it whether to press the buttons and drive it or to take a rest and drink his milk or look at other toys. He also enjoys giving stuffed animals rides. We haven't taken out the floorboard yet or used it outside because he doesn't know how to push with his feet. Toys R Us also must have ransacked the box because it didn't have the push stick for adults. We contacted Little Tikes and they shipped one to us immediately, although they said it would take 6 weeks.
A couple of problems: The convertible top and red screw covers on the tires aren't durable. After finding two of the screw covers on the floor we removed the other two. The convertible top has tears along the top and bottom seams. I wish that it could be removed for indoor use and reattached when necessary, but the plastic screws make that difficult. We repaired the first tear but are probably just going to trash it now that there is another tear in the convertible. "Next time" I wouldn't attach the convertible top until my son was old enough to know not to pull/push the car that way. The key doesn't make a clicking sound when it turns, anymore... probably from overuse.
Fun toy. A little overpriced for what it can do... The horn is kind of pathetic and there are only 3 noisy buttons. No flashing lights, bells, whistles... | 1 | neutral | [
"My son LOVES this car.",
"We got it for him at 18 mos and now he is almost 2 and he still spends part of every day sitting in it whether to press the buttons and drive it or to take a rest and drink his milk or look at other toys.",
"He also enjoys giving stuffed animals rides.",
"We haven't taken out the floorboard yet or used it outside because he doesn't know how to push with his feet.",
"Toys R Us also must have ransacked the box because it didn't have the push stick for adults.",
"We contacted Little Tikes and they shipped one to us immediately, although they said it would take 6 weeks.",
"A couple of problems: The convertible top and red screw covers on the tires aren't durable.",
"After finding two of the screw covers on the floor we removed the other two.",
"The convertible top has tears along the top and bottom seams.",
"I wish that it could be removed for indoor use and reattached when necessary, but the plastic screws make that difficult.",
"We repaired the first tear but are probably just going to trash it now that there is another tear in the convertible.",
"\"Next time\" I wouldn't attach the convertible top until my son was old enough to know not to pull/push the car that way.",
"The key doesn't make a clicking sound when it turns, anymore...",
"probably from overuse.",
"Fun toy.",
"A little overpriced for what it can do...",
"The horn is kind of pathetic and there are only 3 noisy buttons.",
"No flashing lights, bells, whistles..."
] |
Oh, poor Myst. I guess even the greatest series can go on too long. Things have been going downhill since Uru and Myst 4, and while both of those games (and this one) are good, something was lost on the way.
Fortunately, the series manages to end with some shreds of dignity.
Graphics: Gorgeous! Yet again, Myst comes out ahead of every other game I can think of in the graphics department.
However, there are some serious letdowns. The people are no longer live-action, and while their avatars are fairly good they lack the finer detail and expression that only life can bring. Also, there's not much wildlife. A few butterflies, some snakes, some weird little bird that hisses at you. That's it. Unless you count the Bahro, and I have a hard time telling if they're supposed to be rocklike or buglike or furry or what.
Story: Eh... Unfortunately, there are many aspects of the story that remain hidden to me- and I've played all the Myst games and read the books. Somehow you're locked into this "Quest" to retrieve a tablet which is somehow important to these critters called the Bahro, who link around and alter Ages at will.
Yeesha (Atrus's daughter) pops up early on, spouts some cryptic stuff at you, and disappears til the end. This other guy, called Esher, will be your nearly-constant (read: annoying) companion throughout the rest of the game, popping up at inopportune moments to lecture you about... whatever it is he talks about. Unfortunately, he doesn't tell you anything really helpful, which makes me wonder why he thinks I'll cooperate with him when he won't even throw me a bone to make my job easier.
Something I've noticed over the past few Myst games is the transition from machines, objects and so on being relatively scientific in nature (lost, inexplicable science, but a science somebody used to understand) to (apparently) being mystical or at least pseudomystical in nature. I love a good fantasy as much as the next guy, but it doesn't feel like parts of the Myst world are being unveiled: rather, it seems as though the developers have lost sight of their original universe.
Puzzles: Mild. Compared to previous titles, most of the puzzles in End of Ages are a cinch. The hardest part is drawing these images on slates so the Bahro will do things for you. Yeesha calls the Bahro "the Least" and I can only assume she means the least artistically discerning beings ever, or maybe they're all just really farsighted. Even if the picture looks right, they'll warp in, scratch their heads at it, and warp out, leaving you to try again. Or they'll count your drawing as a completely different one that you haven't even seen yet (I accidently skipped to the end of one Age this way.)
Sadly, fantastical machinery is not really prevalent in End of Ages. This is especially shameful since the devices in previous Mysts would have made Jules Verne jealous.
The Ages seem short and rushed: you wander about on an island or two doing whatever it is you need to do. Even the original Myst Island felt, I don't know, bigger somehow than these little Ages.
Verdict:
Myst 5 isn't quite up to the standard set by its predecessors, but it manages to end the series on pretty good note. I suspect Cyan wanted to hurry up and be done with it so they could put the series to rest at last, and it shows. Still, I wasn't too disappointed overall.
To all of Myst, I say: Farewell. It's been an awesome ride. | 1 | neutral | [
"Oh, poor Myst.",
"I guess even the greatest series can go on too long.",
"Things have been going downhill since Uru and Myst 4, and while both of those games (and this one) are good, something was lost on the way.",
"Fortunately, the series manages to end with some shreds of dignity.",
"Graphics: Gorgeous!",
"Yet again, Myst comes out ahead of every other game I can think of in the graphics department.",
"However, there are some serious letdowns.",
"The people are no longer live-action, and while their avatars are fairly good they lack the finer detail and expression that only life can bring.",
"Also, there's not much wildlife.",
"A few butterflies, some snakes, some weird little bird that hisses at you.",
"That's it.",
"Unless you count the Bahro, and I have a hard time telling if they're supposed to be rocklike or buglike or furry or what.",
"Story: Eh...",
"Unfortunately, there are many aspects of the story that remain hidden to me- and I've played all the Myst games and read the books.",
"Somehow you're locked into this \"Quest\" to retrieve a tablet which is somehow important to these critters called the Bahro, who link around and alter Ages at will.",
"Yeesha (Atrus's daughter) pops up early on, spouts some cryptic stuff at you, and disappears til the end.",
"This other guy, called Esher, will be your nearly-constant (read: annoying) companion throughout the rest of the game, popping up at inopportune moments to lecture you about...",
"whatever it is he talks about.",
"Unfortunately, he doesn't tell you anything really helpful, which makes me wonder why he thinks I'll cooperate with him when he won't even throw me a bone to make my job easier.",
"Something I've noticed over the past few Myst games is the transition from machines, objects and so on being relatively scientific in nature (lost, inexplicable science, but a science somebody used to understand) to (apparently) being mystical or at least pseudomystical in nature.",
"I love a good fantasy as much as the next guy, but it doesn't feel like parts of the Myst world are being unveiled: rather, it seems as though the developers have lost sight of their original universe.",
"Puzzles: Mild.",
"Compared to previous titles, most of the puzzles in End of Ages are a cinch.",
"The hardest part is drawing these images on slates so the Bahro will do things for you.",
"Yeesha calls the Bahro \"the Least\" and I can only assume she means the least artistically discerning beings ever, or maybe they're all just really farsighted.",
"Even if the picture looks right, they'll warp in, scratch their heads at it, and warp out, leaving you to try again.",
"Or they'll count your drawing as a completely different one that you haven't even seen yet (I accidently skipped to the end of one Age this way.",
")\n\nSadly, fantastical machinery is not really prevalent in End of Ages.",
"This is especially shameful since the devices in previous Mysts would have made Jules Verne jealous.",
"The Ages seem short and rushed: you wander about on an island or two doing whatever it is you need to do.",
"Even the original Myst Island felt, I don't know, bigger somehow than these little Ages.",
"Verdict:\n\nMyst 5 isn't quite up to the standard set by its predecessors, but it manages to end the series on pretty good note.",
"I suspect Cyan wanted to hurry up and be done with it so they could put the series to rest at last, and it shows.",
"Still, I wasn't too disappointed overall.",
"To all of Myst, I say: Farewell.",
"It's been an awesome ride."
] |
Some rich college kids who are descendants of the mob who burned those notoriously accused of witchcraft, are invited to a mysterious house by a classmate who they used to pick on in high school {the odd dark-haired, black-wearing "freak" who actually had deeper interests in life than merely getting drunk and smoking marijuana}; and there are a couple of stoner characters herein which personify this lowlife trait - as well as other pretentious suburban bunnies; but that seems to be the perfect bait; a wonderful Lair that could be appreciated by any Satanist, and are greeted by the resident mistress of the house - a gorgeous brunette in black with long-flowing garments, who subsequently invites them to participate in a seance after revealing a silver pentagram on the floor while another two disappear into the fetters of the mansion to indulge in the sacrament. The resident 'witch' lapses into a trance, summoning forth a hag-witch ancestor who incrementally preys upon the group in kind.
One by one they are dispatched and turned into zombies - their souls absorbed by the hag, until a "nerdy" couple finally confront her with the scientific method. A seeming statement of technology countering superstition. The prosthetics are average 'FX/CGI is most remarkable here, with many power bolts being thrown about. The hag is a bit cannibalistic / vampiric at times, seeking justice for being murdered. Of note, in one scene, one of the characters is whisked into the past to be in the place of the 'witch' being burned, that he may know what it feels like, by what his christian ancestors committed, was a nice touch.
This film pretty much amounts to the plethora of movies capitalizing on the 'iwtchtryal' misjustices of the christian past, although for the record, no accused 'witches' were actually burned in America, which was the modes of execution in Europe, whereas the colonies preferred the methods of including slow-hanging, dowsing, the hand vice, and various method of torture. Of course, these were not actual "witches", Satanists, etc. anyway, but victims of petty squabbled from neighbors; attractive women who refused the advances from the Witchfynders, of roving husbands that accused them of seducing them, instead of admitting to infidelity; solitary persons upon which urban legendry was projected, etc., not practicing 'witches'. That fact stated, Witchouse is pure entertainment fare, ideal for parties perhaps, but not for any serious consideration.
This film does contain the ubiquitous demoralization in the end. Good as a rental | 1 | neutral | [
"Some rich college kids who are descendants of the mob who burned those notoriously accused of witchcraft, are invited to a mysterious house by a classmate who they used to pick on in high school {the odd dark-haired, black-wearing \"freak\" who actually had deeper interests in life than merely getting drunk and smoking marijuana}; and there are a couple of stoner characters herein which personify this lowlife trait - as well as other pretentious suburban bunnies; but that seems to be the perfect bait; a wonderful Lair that could be appreciated by any Satanist, and are greeted by the resident mistress of the house - a gorgeous brunette in black with long-flowing garments, who subsequently invites them to participate in a seance after revealing a silver pentagram on the floor while another two disappear into the fetters of the mansion to indulge in the sacrament.",
"The resident 'witch' lapses into a trance, summoning forth a hag-witch ancestor who incrementally preys upon the group in kind.",
"One by one they are dispatched and turned into zombies - their souls absorbed by the hag, until a \"nerdy\" couple finally confront her with the scientific method.",
"A seeming statement of technology countering superstition.",
"The prosthetics are average 'FX/CGI is most remarkable here, with many power bolts being thrown about.",
"The hag is a bit cannibalistic / vampiric at times, seeking justice for being murdered.",
"Of note, in one scene, one of the characters is whisked into the past to be in the place of the 'witch' being burned, that he may know what it feels like, by what his christian ancestors committed, was a nice touch.",
"This film pretty much amounts to the plethora of movies capitalizing on the 'iwtchtryal' misjustices of the christian past, although for the record, no accused 'witches' were actually burned in America, which was the modes of execution in Europe, whereas the colonies preferred the methods of including slow-hanging, dowsing, the hand vice, and various method of torture.",
"Of course, these were not actual \"witches\", Satanists, etc.",
"anyway, but victims of petty squabbled from neighbors; attractive women who refused the advances from the Witchfynders, of roving husbands that accused them of seducing them, instead of admitting to infidelity; solitary persons upon which urban legendry was projected, etc.",
", not practicing 'witches'.",
"That fact stated, Witchouse is pure entertainment fare, ideal for parties perhaps, but not for any serious consideration.",
"This film does contain the ubiquitous demoralization in the end.",
"Good as a rental"
] |
Directed by Mira Nair, the talented force behind the recent Monsoon Wedding, Kama Sutra is an earlier take of her beautiful vision of India. Ms. Nair has a flair for showing her native country with all its loveliness unfurled, entrancing people of all ilk with its endless vistas and melting sunsets. How can we resist her India, with its beguiling glimpses of beautiful women and passionate men as sculpted as the statues that adorn the Hindu temples (often used as incidental scenery). The colors in each frame, from the glinting edges of whirling saris to the flower petals that flow over the steps of the royal residence like a red river, are enchantingly brilliant. They draw the viewer into this Technicolor world without hesitation. With all this beautiful scenery, one wonders why Ms. Nair even bothers to have a plot. Unfortunately, once one is done watching this movie, the question remains unanswered.
Many people will rent this movie for its title, known for the famous book of sexual positions so widely read by college dorm-goers. But if one is looking for a more visual reenactment of this lovely text, be prepared to be dispassionate. Though the movie is superficially about the life of a courtesan, its sex scenes are carefully choreographed to prohibit any real sensuality from coming out. Though the participants are beautiful, the end result lacks real passion, making these scenes a mere revel in the beauty of human form. Unfortunately, as the plot hinges on these incidental sex scenes, the rest of the movie really doesn't move along. We might care a little for Maya, the film's main figure, but her inability to free herself or her lover from their predicaments makes us wonder why the filmmaker made such a big deal about her supposed independence in the first place.
If you would like a film to show you an ideal 15th century India abounding with glitter, look no further. If you're looking for a movie with plot, look elsewhere (try Monsoon Wedding on for size). | 1 | neutral | [
"Directed by Mira Nair, the talented force behind the recent Monsoon Wedding, Kama Sutra is an earlier take of her beautiful vision of India.",
"Ms.",
"Nair has a flair for showing her native country with all its loveliness unfurled, entrancing people of all ilk with its endless vistas and melting sunsets.",
"How can we resist her India, with its beguiling glimpses of beautiful women and passionate men as sculpted as the statues that adorn the Hindu temples (often used as incidental scenery).",
"The colors in each frame, from the glinting edges of whirling saris to the flower petals that flow over the steps of the royal residence like a red river, are enchantingly brilliant.",
"They draw the viewer into this Technicolor world without hesitation.",
"With all this beautiful scenery, one wonders why Ms.",
"Nair even bothers to have a plot.",
"Unfortunately, once one is done watching this movie, the question remains unanswered.",
"Many people will rent this movie for its title, known for the famous book of sexual positions so widely read by college dorm-goers.",
"But if one is looking for a more visual reenactment of this lovely text, be prepared to be dispassionate.",
"Though the movie is superficially about the life of a courtesan, its sex scenes are carefully choreographed to prohibit any real sensuality from coming out.",
"Though the participants are beautiful, the end result lacks real passion, making these scenes a mere revel in the beauty of human form.",
"Unfortunately, as the plot hinges on these incidental sex scenes, the rest of the movie really doesn't move along.",
"We might care a little for Maya, the film's main figure, but her inability to free herself or her lover from their predicaments makes us wonder why the filmmaker made such a big deal about her supposed independence in the first place.",
"If you would like a film to show you an ideal 15th century India abounding with glitter, look no further.",
"If you're looking for a movie with plot, look elsewhere (try Monsoon Wedding on for size)."
] |
There's a fine line between funny and stupid. Sadly these books dropped down on the side of stupid for me.
I've never heard of this series or the author before, but when the box set of 5 showed up in an emal catelogue for $1.99, it was too good a buy to walk past. They seemed to be along the line of Crimes of Fasion, (Lacy Smithsonian), but these aren't in the same league. Its a bit of a shame really, its just the leading lady, Maddie, she's an idiot. The story lines are potentially quite funny, and the plots are good. Its just her. I'm about 2 1/2 books through, but i'm going to have to hang it up there, i can't tolerate her any longer.
I'm happy enough though, i got my dolla-ninty-nines worth out of them and i've escaped with my sanity intact! | 1 | neutral | [
"There's a fine line between funny and stupid.",
"Sadly these books dropped down on the side of stupid for me.",
"I've never heard of this series or the author before, but when the box set of 5 showed up in an emal catelogue for $1.",
"99, it was too good a buy to walk past.",
"They seemed to be along the line of Crimes of Fasion, (Lacy Smithsonian), but these aren't in the same league.",
"Its a bit of a shame really, its just the leading lady, Maddie, she's an idiot.",
"The story lines are potentially quite funny, and the plots are good.",
"Its just her.",
"I'm about 2 1/2 books through, but i'm going to have to hang it up there, i can't tolerate her any longer.",
"I'm happy enough though, i got my dolla-ninty-nines worth out of them and i've escaped with my sanity intact!"
] |
NOTE: You must enjoy the art of 2D fighters before purchasing this game. Please do not buy this game if you think Tekken is the best fighter ever. You will be sadly disappointed. Now on with the review.
Well, I'm a huge Capcom fan. I own just about every game from RE to Marvel Vs. Capcom 2. Heck I own a Saturn just to play the 4meg Vs titles from Japan. I'm also a huge SNK fan. Mostly Metal Slug and Shodown, but I've played a lot of KOF 97/98.
So, imagine my excitement when Capcom announced Capcom Vs. SNK! A Vs title plus Capcom characters and SNK characters! OMG! This would be the end all of 2D fighters.
Sadly it's not. I miss that tag-team mode. Sure, you can select up to 4 fighters (based on fighter "level") but not being able to tag-team is a major disappointment for me. Also, there are no Capcom characters, just Street Fighter. Same goes for SNK characters, just KOF. Would have been nice to have Megaman and Metal Slug :) Or even some characters from SS 2 or 3. Tam Tam anyone? Now the graphics aren't as good as say Street Fighter Alpha 3, the menu system isn't the best for a Vs title and the game just doesn't have the same feeling as other Vs title's for me. The Groove select (select either Capcom or SNK power metering & super combo button selections) and real time metering is very cool however. It's fun watching your score go up or down on each successful hit or block. Plus when you get beat, your score drops down quite a bit! Makes you want to fight even better and more cleanly. Very interesting concept I hope Capcom will adopt for future titles.
In closing, the game should have been titled "Street Fighter meets KOF". That would have been a much more truthful title and I probably would have given it a better review. | 1 | neutral | [
"NOTE: You must enjoy the art of 2D fighters before purchasing this game.",
"Please do not buy this game if you think Tekken is the best fighter ever.",
"You will be sadly disappointed.",
"Now on with the review.",
"Well, I'm a huge Capcom fan.",
"I own just about every game from RE to Marvel Vs.",
"Capcom 2.",
"Heck I own a Saturn just to play the 4meg Vs titles from Japan.",
"I'm also a huge SNK fan.",
"Mostly Metal Slug and Shodown, but I've played a lot of KOF 97/98.",
"So, imagine my excitement when Capcom announced Capcom Vs.",
"SNK!",
"A Vs title plus Capcom characters and SNK characters!",
"OMG!",
"This would be the end all of 2D fighters.",
"Sadly it's not.",
"I miss that tag-team mode.",
"Sure, you can select up to 4 fighters (based on fighter \"level\") but not being able to tag-team is a major disappointment for me.",
"Also, there are no Capcom characters, just Street Fighter.",
"Same goes for SNK characters, just KOF.",
"Would have been nice to have Megaman and Metal Slug :) Or even some characters from SS 2 or 3.",
"Tam Tam anyone?",
"Now the graphics aren't as good as say Street Fighter Alpha 3, the menu system isn't the best for a Vs title and the game just doesn't have the same feeling as other Vs title's for me.",
"The Groove select (select either Capcom or SNK power metering & super combo button selections) and real time metering is very cool however.",
"It's fun watching your score go up or down on each successful hit or block.",
"Plus when you get beat, your score drops down quite a bit!",
"Makes you want to fight even better and more cleanly.",
"Very interesting concept I hope Capcom will adopt for future titles.",
"In closing, the game should have been titled \"Street Fighter meets KOF\".",
"That would have been a much more truthful title and I probably would have given it a better review."
] |
I have owned the e71x for over two years. I still have it and will probably use it until it dies. This phone has one shining feature; it is as tough as nails! I love the size, features and durability of the e71x. But all is not perfect in paradise. Although this phone has a lot to love, it has a lot of problems. So here is an idea of what is like to own the e71x.
THE THINGS I DON'T LIKE ABOUT THE E71X:
1. The OS: Nokia stopped supporting the Symbian S60 3rd Edition OS almost immediately after they released it. There are lots of glitches with this OS that need to be fixed via updates, but Nokia does not care. There are thousands of e71x users like me that have begged them to fix the problems with this OS and we get no response. The e71x hit the market about the time of the Iphone and it did not get the huge reception that Nokia wanted, so the just abandoned it. That really stinks and shows poor character for a large company like Nokia.
2. App Support: If I were going to buy this phone again, I would buy the e71 and not the e71x. The e71 and the e71x are identical except for the OS. Somehow, even though they claim to have the same OS (Symbian S60 3rd Edition), some apps that will go work on the e71, will not work on the e71x. So there a lot fewer apps for the e71x. But what really irritates me is that of the few apps that are available for the e71x, 9 out of 10 are not stand alone apps, but require network data support to even start up. So if you are like me, a person who thinks it is dumb to pay $60 a month for a data plan on a phone that has wifi, then you will be ticked to find that most of the apps for the e71x require a data plan. I don't mean that some of their feature will not work if you don't have a data plan, I mean that they will not even start up if they don't find a data connection. And just in case your are thinking of it; no, they will not recognized a wifi connection. So after two years of owning this phone, I have only found a couple apps that will work on it without a data plan. I can tell you positively that, they people that engineered the OS for the e71x, deliberately made it in a way so as to force you to buy a data plan. I paid top dollar to buy my phone so that I would not have pay for a data a plan that I would not use. It really, really chaps me that AT&T and Nokia conspired together to do what they did.
3. Battery Life: The battery life of the e71x is pretty bad. I seldom make it through a day without having to charge my phone. The most I get out of it is a couple hours of talk time. I have bought new OEM batteries for it, but they die just as quick as the old ones. And just wait until you turn wifi on. Oh my! You can literally watch the battery meter go down. I am not sure what kills the battery so fast, because this phone has a relatively large battery pack compared to other phones I have used. For one thing, there are no manual controls for screen brightness. The e71x relies on a light sensor to adjust the the screen brightness, but it has never worked on my e71x, so my screen is always at it's brightest. There is a slider control to adjust the sensitivities of the light sensor, but adjusting it has no effect on my phone. Lots of other people have complained about this to Nokia, but as I have said before, Nokia does not care. Oh, and the phone has a light breathing function when not in use that is impossible to turn off. Basically, the phone sits there and slowly lights up and slowly dims, as if it is breathing. So even when you are not using it, it running the battery down.
4. Wifi: The wifi card on the e71x, is pretty weak, but it does work (for the 20 minutes you have battery life). The problem with it is really related to the OS. The e71x has three idles screen themes (really should be called Layouts) and on each of the three themes appears a link to your wifi function. So say you are sitting in a Burger King and want to check if there is a wifi hotspot. You can quickly whip out your phone, click on the wifi link and be scanning for a signal. Great right? Well, unfortunately that link causes your phone to crash three to four times a day, in what is call the infamous "Idle Screen Theme Error". The phone will crash, sound an alarm and then give you the Idle Screen them error, and then come back online. At first you don't notice anything wrong with your idle screen theme until you try to use your wifi. That is when you notice that the wifi link is gone. You then spend the next three days trying figure out what has happened, only to discover that you have once again been the victim of the glitchy Symbian S60 3rd Edition OS and that Nokia has no plans to fix the problem. Now you are stuck with having to dig five menus deep into the phone settings to get to the wifi function, or go through the process of resetting your idle screen theme several times a day.
5. GPS: The e71x does have a gps, but it might as well not. It takes no less then 5 minutes for it to find satellite signal if you are standing dead still in the wide open. But the really bad thing is that I have not been able to find a single stand alone app that will work with the GPS that does not required a data plan. If you have a data plan and are willing to stand out in the open for five minutes every time you want to use the gps, I guess it might work for you, but for me it is useless.
6. Camera: The camera on the e71x is pretty bad when compared to other cameras of other smartphones with 3.2MP cameras. Have even seen 2MP smartphone cameras that do better. I actually used a panel made up of some friends to judge the quality of two other smartphones (3.2MP & 2MP) against the e71x. The e71x lost hands down. I seldom use it as a result of the poor quality.
THE THINGS I LIKE ABOUT THE E71X:
1. Size and Durability: The e71x is a brick. It is really small for all the features it has and it is built more sturdier then any other smartphone I have held. This was the main reason I bought the e71x in the first place and it has not disappointed me in this regard. I bought a slim anti-slip gel case for it when I first got it and it has been great. It has fallen a few times on concrete, but the phone still looks and functions like it did when it was brand new.
2. Keyboard & Buttons: I am a big man with fat fingers. At first I though I would have a problem with the small keyboard on the e71x, but after a few days of break-in time I was typing away. Like the rest of the phone, the keyboard and the buttons feel solid and after two years of heavy use, still look brand new. Not one single letter or symbol is faded.
3. Screen: The screen is bright and sharp, even if it is small (you can't have everything). I have used screen protectors from day one and it still looks great.
4. Advanced voice calling support: I hate holding a phone to my ear, so I use a bluetooth 99% of the time. I also hate having to pull my phone out of my pocket and look through my address book (over 300 entries) to find a number to call. But I don't have to because the e71x has advance phone calling support. I just have to push and hold the button on my Plantronics Voyager PRO Plus headset and speak the name of the person I want to call. Wallah! That is as easy as it gets.
5. Text to Speech Function: The e71x has text to speech functions and will speak out the name of the person calling if they are in your address book. So say you are driving your car and your phone rings. It's in your pocket and it is difficult to get it out to see who is calling. Not a problem with the e71x. It rings and then says the name of the person (if they are in your address book). If the call is from someone not in address book it just rings, but this tells you that you don't know the person that well and you can decide to let them leave a voicemail if you don't want to take an anonymous call.
6. Bluetooth: Unlike some phone that don't like (or are software restricted from) transferring data with other Bluetooth devices, the e71x seems to be able to connect and transfer to any other Bluetooth device that will talk to it. I Like freedom and hate it when manufactures restrict their products to work only with in their engineered limitations (I am talking about you APPLE!).
Well, that is about it. You should know all you need to know about the e71x now. If this phone had a better OS (or at least better support from Nokia), better camera, better battery life and better apps support, it would be a five star phone. That being said, it is still pretty darn good phone for phone and texting functions, and I would not shy away from buying another, but never at full price again. | 1 | neutral | [
"I have owned the e71x for over two years.",
"I still have it and will probably use it until it dies.",
"This phone has one shining feature; it is as tough as nails!",
"I love the size, features and durability of the e71x.",
"But all is not perfect in paradise.",
"Although this phone has a lot to love, it has a lot of problems.",
"So here is an idea of what is like to own the e71x.",
"THE THINGS I DON'T LIKE ABOUT THE E71X:\n\n1.",
"The OS: Nokia stopped supporting the Symbian S60 3rd Edition OS almost immediately after they released it.",
"There are lots of glitches with this OS that need to be fixed via updates, but Nokia does not care.",
"There are thousands of e71x users like me that have begged them to fix the problems with this OS and we get no response.",
"The e71x hit the market about the time of the Iphone and it did not get the huge reception that Nokia wanted, so the just abandoned it.",
"That really stinks and shows poor character for a large company like Nokia.",
"2.",
"App Support: If I were going to buy this phone again, I would buy the e71 and not the e71x.",
"The e71 and the e71x are identical except for the OS.",
"Somehow, even though they claim to have the same OS (Symbian S60 3rd Edition), some apps that will go work on the e71, will not work on the e71x.",
"So there a lot fewer apps for the e71x.",
"But what really irritates me is that of the few apps that are available for the e71x, 9 out of 10 are not stand alone apps, but require network data support to even start up.",
"So if you are like me, a person who thinks it is dumb to pay $60 a month for a data plan on a phone that has wifi, then you will be ticked to find that most of the apps for the e71x require a data plan.",
"I don't mean that some of their feature will not work if you don't have a data plan, I mean that they will not even start up if they don't find a data connection.",
"And just in case your are thinking of it; no, they will not recognized a wifi connection.",
"So after two years of owning this phone, I have only found a couple apps that will work on it without a data plan.",
"I can tell you positively that, they people that engineered the OS for the e71x, deliberately made it in a way so as to force you to buy a data plan.",
"I paid top dollar to buy my phone so that I would not have pay for a data a plan that I would not use.",
"It really, really chaps me that AT&T and Nokia conspired together to do what they did.",
"3.",
"Battery Life: The battery life of the e71x is pretty bad.",
"I seldom make it through a day without having to charge my phone.",
"The most I get out of it is a couple hours of talk time.",
"I have bought new OEM batteries for it, but they die just as quick as the old ones.",
"And just wait until you turn wifi on.",
"Oh my!",
"You can literally watch the battery meter go down.",
"I am not sure what kills the battery so fast, because this phone has a relatively large battery pack compared to other phones I have used.",
"For one thing, there are no manual controls for screen brightness.",
"The e71x relies on a light sensor to adjust the the screen brightness, but it has never worked on my e71x, so my screen is always at it's brightest.",
"There is a slider control to adjust the sensitivities of the light sensor, but adjusting it has no effect on my phone.",
"Lots of other people have complained about this to Nokia, but as I have said before, Nokia does not care.",
"Oh, and the phone has a light breathing function when not in use that is impossible to turn off.",
"Basically, the phone sits there and slowly lights up and slowly dims, as if it is breathing.",
"So even when you are not using it, it running the battery down.",
"4.",
"Wifi: The wifi card on the e71x, is pretty weak, but it does work (for the 20 minutes you have battery life).",
"The problem with it is really related to the OS.",
"The e71x has three idles screen themes (really should be called Layouts) and on each of the three themes appears a link to your wifi function.",
"So say you are sitting in a Burger King and want to check if there is a wifi hotspot.",
"You can quickly whip out your phone, click on the wifi link and be scanning for a signal.",
"Great right?",
"Well, unfortunately that link causes your phone to crash three to four times a day, in what is call the infamous \"Idle Screen Theme Error\".",
"The phone will crash, sound an alarm and then give you the Idle Screen them error, and then come back online.",
"At first you don't notice anything wrong with your idle screen theme until you try to use your wifi.",
"That is when you notice that the wifi link is gone.",
"You then spend the next three days trying figure out what has happened, only to discover that you have once again been the victim of the glitchy Symbian S60 3rd Edition OS and that Nokia has no plans to fix the problem.",
"Now you are stuck with having to dig five menus deep into the phone settings to get to the wifi function, or go through the process of resetting your idle screen theme several times a day.",
"5.",
"GPS: The e71x does have a gps, but it might as well not.",
"It takes no less then 5 minutes for it to find satellite signal if you are standing dead still in the wide open.",
"But the really bad thing is that I have not been able to find a single stand alone app that will work with the GPS that does not required a data plan.",
"If you have a data plan and are willing to stand out in the open for five minutes every time you want to use the gps, I guess it might work for you, but for me it is useless.",
"6.",
"Camera: The camera on the e71x is pretty bad when compared to other cameras of other smartphones with 3.",
"2MP cameras.",
"Have even seen 2MP smartphone cameras that do better.",
"I actually used a panel made up of some friends to judge the quality of two other smartphones (3.",
"2MP & 2MP) against the e71x.",
"The e71x lost hands down.",
"I seldom use it as a result of the poor quality.",
"THE THINGS I LIKE ABOUT THE E71X:\n\n1.",
"Size and Durability: The e71x is a brick.",
"It is really small for all the features it has and it is built more sturdier then any other smartphone I have held.",
"This was the main reason I bought the e71x in the first place and it has not disappointed me in this regard.",
"I bought a slim anti-slip gel case for it when I first got it and it has been great.",
"It has fallen a few times on concrete, but the phone still looks and functions like it did when it was brand new.",
"2.",
"Keyboard & Buttons: I am a big man with fat fingers.",
"At first I though I would have a problem with the small keyboard on the e71x, but after a few days of break-in time I was typing away.",
"Like the rest of the phone, the keyboard and the buttons feel solid and after two years of heavy use, still look brand new.",
"Not one single letter or symbol is faded.",
"3.",
"Screen: The screen is bright and sharp, even if it is small (you can't have everything).",
"I have used screen protectors from day one and it still looks great.",
"4.",
"Advanced voice calling support: I hate holding a phone to my ear, so I use a bluetooth 99% of the time.",
"I also hate having to pull my phone out of my pocket and look through my address book (over 300 entries) to find a number to call.",
"But I don't have to because the e71x has advance phone calling support.",
"I just have to push and hold the button on my Plantronics Voyager PRO Plus headset and speak the name of the person I want to call.",
"Wallah!",
"That is as easy as it gets.",
"5.",
"Text to Speech Function: The e71x has text to speech functions and will speak out the name of the person calling if they are in your address book.",
"So say you are driving your car and your phone rings.",
"It's in your pocket and it is difficult to get it out to see who is calling.",
"Not a problem with the e71x.",
"It rings and then says the name of the person (if they are in your address book).",
"If the call is from someone not in address book it just rings, but this tells you that you don't know the person that well and you can decide to let them leave a voicemail if you don't want to take an anonymous call.",
"6.",
"Bluetooth: Unlike some phone that don't like (or are software restricted from) transferring data with other Bluetooth devices, the e71x seems to be able to connect and transfer to any other Bluetooth device that will talk to it.",
"I Like freedom and hate it when manufactures restrict their products to work only with in their engineered limitations (I am talking about you APPLE!",
").",
"Well, that is about it.",
"You should know all you need to know about the e71x now.",
"If this phone had a better OS (or at least better support from Nokia), better camera, better battery life and better apps support, it would be a five star phone.",
"That being said, it is still pretty darn good phone for phone and texting functions, and I would not shy away from buying another, but never at full price again."
] |
I understand reviewers who find this album tedious. But, I also understand those who love it dearly. This album is certainly not party music and does tend towards the melancholy but on the other hand it has some key songs that shouldn't be missed.
To my ears, the first three songs ARE the album. "Have You Forgotten" is a wonderful song about the bittersweet quality of reminiscing. It's followed by the haunting and sad "Song for a Blue Guitar" which is now a Red House Painters classic. "Make like Paper" is a rousing mid-tempo guitar piece--altogether straight ahead and likeable. That is until the infamous rambling "Neil Young and Crazy Horse"-styled guitar solo starts up and carries on for a good long hell of a time. I happen to like this kind of caterwauling myself, but the solo loses a lot of good will on some people. Supposedly, the band lost the good will of their label over it too.
I could listen to these three songs forever. The album could contain ONLY these and I'd be fine with it, because after they end the problems start. Those who groan about the album's slow monochromatic pace start to seem like they have a point. The second half of the album just gets a lot less interesting. The original songs don't reveal anything that hasn't already been done better in the first part of the album, while the cover songs that people fuss over so much stand out largely because they are completely unrecognizable from their original versions.
"All Mixed Up" has some merit, but why didn't the band just come up with some new lyrics and have a whole new song? Why pay royalties to The Cars for a song like this that bears little relation to the original? Some argue that this and in particular the cover of McCartney's "Silly Love Songs" is little more than an attention device designed to pull in listeners who might otherwise ignore the band.
I don't have an answer, other than to say that having seen Mark Kozelek play live on a recent tour; I can tell you he's in his own musical world. You have to come to his world. He's not coming to yours. He's got one really good sound: moody, ethereal, and evocative. That's what he does well and he doesn't stray from it. If you love it, you'll be happy; if you don't you'll be bored. I look at the album as a litmus test. If you cannot get into this album, you're not on his wavelength and probably don't need to bother with the rest of his work. If you do like it, you've come to the right spot and Kozelek has plenty of more music like it where this came from, both with this band and with his others.
I can only give the whole album three stars, but to my ears the first half of the album is five stars all the way. | 1 | neutral | [
"I understand reviewers who find this album tedious.",
"But, I also understand those who love it dearly.",
"This album is certainly not party music and does tend towards the melancholy but on the other hand it has some key songs that shouldn't be missed.",
"To my ears, the first three songs ARE the album.",
"\"Have You Forgotten\" is a wonderful song about the bittersweet quality of reminiscing.",
"It's followed by the haunting and sad \"Song for a Blue Guitar\" which is now a Red House Painters classic.",
"\"Make like Paper\" is a rousing mid-tempo guitar piece--altogether straight ahead and likeable.",
"That is until the infamous rambling \"Neil Young and Crazy Horse\"-styled guitar solo starts up and carries on for a good long hell of a time.",
"I happen to like this kind of caterwauling myself, but the solo loses a lot of good will on some people.",
"Supposedly, the band lost the good will of their label over it too.",
"I could listen to these three songs forever.",
"The album could contain ONLY these and I'd be fine with it, because after they end the problems start.",
"Those who groan about the album's slow monochromatic pace start to seem like they have a point.",
"The second half of the album just gets a lot less interesting.",
"The original songs don't reveal anything that hasn't already been done better in the first part of the album, while the cover songs that people fuss over so much stand out largely because they are completely unrecognizable from their original versions.",
"\"All Mixed Up\" has some merit, but why didn't the band just come up with some new lyrics and have a whole new song?",
"Why pay royalties to The Cars for a song like this that bears little relation to the original?",
"Some argue that this and in particular the cover of McCartney's \"Silly Love Songs\" is little more than an attention device designed to pull in listeners who might otherwise ignore the band.",
"I don't have an answer, other than to say that having seen Mark Kozelek play live on a recent tour; I can tell you he's in his own musical world.",
"You have to come to his world.",
"He's not coming to yours.",
"He's got one really good sound: moody, ethereal, and evocative.",
"That's what he does well and he doesn't stray from it.",
"If you love it, you'll be happy; if you don't you'll be bored.",
"I look at the album as a litmus test.",
"If you cannot get into this album, you're not on his wavelength and probably don't need to bother with the rest of his work.",
"If you do like it, you've come to the right spot and Kozelek has plenty of more music like it where this came from, both with this band and with his others.",
"I can only give the whole album three stars, but to my ears the first half of the album is five stars all the way."
] |
I had great expectations about this game, especially after reading the 5-star reviews here and the 9/10 mark from gaming sites. I bought the game and played it, only to be disappointed. Essentially, this game is MOO2 with good and bad modifications, but overall worse than MOO2 and with uneven performance in terms of features.
PROS
1) More flexibility in ship design and look. This is almost a minigame in itself and can be quite fun.
2) Starbases can now be designed almost like ships through upgrades and can be placed almost anywhere.
3) There are now resource locations to be mined.
4) Trade routes are now actual ships you can design, build, manage, and attack.
5) What a ship can do in a turn is based on its speed. Faster transports can shuttle more population per turn, especially between close locations.
CONS
Even more annoying economic system. To make things "easier", now you have central control of percentage spending, which might be great for running huge galaxies with hundreds of worlds, but is really annoying and inefficient for players like me who prefer a small, cosy, well-managed galaxy with only a dozen worlds to worry about. At the least, there should have been an option to turn off the centralized socialism and allow individual planets to be managed very differently. Right now, the system is unwieldly and gives a big advantage to the computer.
The interface is cluttered, opposite to what other reviewers said (then again almost anything is an improvement over MOO3). A lot of the space on the screen is wasted on flavor text and borders, as opposed to giving you the info you need fast and easily.
Tiling in the world screen is not that meaningful, except for occasional bonuses. It seems like a waste of space. All I need to know is how many slots I still have in that planet and what I can build there. At least MOO2 did that for you automatically and you did not have to spend time on it and it was drawn far more beautifully than just Dune-type slabs that look 10 years old.
Combat system is primitive compared to MOO2, and even to MOO1 (which is over 10 years old now). It is also idiotic. So, if I have 100 lasers on a ship, each having 2 beam attack, my minimal damage is still 1? You must be joking! Also, one of the great features of the MOO series was that you could fight cleverly with inferior ships and still win. Guess what, you cannot here, because combat is automated. You get to watch the video and cannot do anything. Good job, guys, you really nailed it. Grrr.
The tech tree is unnecessarily cross-linked. Why would an advance in a remote field have to be a pre-requisite for an advance that you want? What if my playing style essentially ignores certain applications? Why do I have to research all this worthless junk before I am allowed to research what I want? MOO1 did a fantastic job in decoupling the research directions. As a result, MOO1 has some amazing games where you would have to really change stategy to compensate for tech tree randomization, e.g. having your superdreadnoughts still crawl at warp 1 because nobody in the galaxy was offered advanced engines. That was a big addition to replayability because individual games could differ enormously. Here, you do not get that and tech advances would be the same all the time.
Furthermore, tech tree does not tell you simple things like:"What do I have to research to get medium hulls?" If you have a system of research prerequisites, you also have to put in a system that allows the player to answer questions like that quickly and easily. Instead, there is a big tech tree screen that cannot be scrolled quickly and cannot be zoomed out, and where tech is shown as a single-word box with no description. You have to do a lot of clicking back and forth before you can eek out the info you need, if you are patient enough. Way to shoot yourselves in the foot, developers. How about a decoupled system like MOO1? In addition, your huge empire can research only one thing at a time. Why? Why? WHY? Different does not mean better.
What is the point of borders, if at any time anyone can cross them without going to war? MOO1 and MOO2 did a far better job in that.
Morale is poorly implemented and makes little sense. If you are fighting for your very survival, I find it hard to believe your population will be that concerned with entertainment networks. To my knowledge, there is no 4X game that has tried and succeeded in implementing morale properly. So, the better games are the ones that leave it out of the equation, e.g. MOO1.
Why are growth rates set at 0.2b/week regardless of population size and type of planet? How does this make any sense whatsoever? A lot of strategic element is lost as a result.
Why implement a system of logistics points? Why limit the size of a fleet by them? Do the developers seriously believe that N scattered ships are easier to supply than the same ships grouped in a single fleet? That system may be true for a Napoleonic foraging army but makes no sense for space-age races. It is an unnecessary senseless irritant.
Under the economic system, you actually pay for your production. Yes, that's right, the beautiful factories you constructed and pay to maintain also charge you "conversion" fees in credits for producing. Same is true for research. Somebody explain to me why. I thought that was the point of maintenance. Also, under imperial dictatorships, why would you pay for something you own already? Pay whom?
After awhile, all the Star Trek, Star Wars, Babylon 5, cowboy, etc. references grow annoying. Playing a sci-fi 4X game is about atmosphere to some extent at least. Don't break it with sophomoric humor and obvious reminders that the developers are all human and have seen the same movies as the player. After all, this is supposed to be a different universe that does not contain Capt Kirk and Picard.
The political system is silly and so is the constant moralizing about good and evil. Guess what, this is a 4X sci-fi game, not sunday school. Ethics is a silly addition to this game, especially since the "good guys" are far more dangerous and insidious that the "bad guys".
United Nations resolutions are a good joke for a short while, but get really annoying real fast. Somebody explain to me why "evil" empires would vote FOR limiting the capacity of their military installations. We have all these different space races and cultures; why would they even consider holding such meetings and discussing socialist crap, like giving money to "war victims"? The developers basically want to poke fun at our own UN. Fine, but not in 4X sci-fi. Basically, keep your own politics out of designing a game that is meant to be fun for everyone.
The game mechanics makes small empires very inefficient while large empires take forever to manage. Contrary to what the developers say in their tutorial, it takes more than one afternoon to finish a smallest galaxy. This is a general problem with later games in the genre, because developers refuse to acknowledge that MOO1's mechanics was nearly perfect and that people these days cannot afford to spend 12 hours on a finishing a single game. So, they continue making mechanics unwieldly and turning everybody off. That is why MOO3 and GalCiv2:DL are worse than MOO2, which is worse than MOO1 in this respect. Giving players the option to control 100 worlds is not as rewarding or important or even practical as giving them the opportunity to control a dozen worlds really well. So, the real issue is one of design philosophy, rather than technology or particular mechanics. So long as developers do not understand that, they will produce flops like MOO3 and GalCiv2:DL.
CONCLUSIONS
Overall, this game has a great potential and could have been even better than MOO1 and MOO2, but the above shortcomings made it fail. I shelled out 40 dollars for it and wish I could get my money back. I give it 3 stars only because of the improvements mentioned above and because it might be fun for a very select group of gamers with a lot of time on their hands and a big sense of humor.
IMPORTANT UPDATE!!!!
I tried to return the game to the games shop where I bought it and they refused to take it back! They said that because of the online activation feature, they cannot resell it to other customers, while the publisher refuses to accept back an open box! So, I am stuck with it and cannot get my 40 bucks back or even get store credit for it!
This is the last game I buy from UbiSoft, and am also considering boycotting EA as well due to their 25% share in this piece-of-garbage company of thieves.
Amazon should be ashamed that neither of their "spotlight" reviews mention this "feature" at all. With all these negative reviews, both spotlights are 5/5. Even half a brain can figure out why. | 1 | neutral | [
"I had great expectations about this game, especially after reading the 5-star reviews here and the 9/10 mark from gaming sites.",
"I bought the game and played it, only to be disappointed.",
"Essentially, this game is MOO2 with good and bad modifications, but overall worse than MOO2 and with uneven performance in terms of features.",
"PROS\n\n1) More flexibility in ship design and look.",
"This is almost a minigame in itself and can be quite fun.",
"2) Starbases can now be designed almost like ships through upgrades and can be placed almost anywhere.",
"3) There are now resource locations to be mined.",
"4) Trade routes are now actual ships you can design, build, manage, and attack.",
"5) What a ship can do in a turn is based on its speed.",
"Faster transports can shuttle more population per turn, especially between close locations.",
"CONS\n\nEven more annoying economic system.",
"To make things \"easier\", now you have central control of percentage spending, which might be great for running huge galaxies with hundreds of worlds, but is really annoying and inefficient for players like me who prefer a small, cosy, well-managed galaxy with only a dozen worlds to worry about.",
"At the least, there should have been an option to turn off the centralized socialism and allow individual planets to be managed very differently.",
"Right now, the system is unwieldly and gives a big advantage to the computer.",
"The interface is cluttered, opposite to what other reviewers said (then again almost anything is an improvement over MOO3).",
"A lot of the space on the screen is wasted on flavor text and borders, as opposed to giving you the info you need fast and easily.",
"Tiling in the world screen is not that meaningful, except for occasional bonuses.",
"It seems like a waste of space.",
"All I need to know is how many slots I still have in that planet and what I can build there.",
"At least MOO2 did that for you automatically and you did not have to spend time on it and it was drawn far more beautifully than just Dune-type slabs that look 10 years old.",
"Combat system is primitive compared to MOO2, and even to MOO1 (which is over 10 years old now).",
"It is also idiotic.",
"So, if I have 100 lasers on a ship, each having 2 beam attack, my minimal damage is still 1?",
"You must be joking!",
"Also, one of the great features of the MOO series was that you could fight cleverly with inferior ships and still win.",
"Guess what, you cannot here, because combat is automated.",
"You get to watch the video and cannot do anything.",
"Good job, guys, you really nailed it.",
"Grrr.",
"The tech tree is unnecessarily cross-linked.",
"Why would an advance in a remote field have to be a pre-requisite for an advance that you want?",
"What if my playing style essentially ignores certain applications?",
"Why do I have to research all this worthless junk before I am allowed to research what I want?",
"MOO1 did a fantastic job in decoupling the research directions.",
"As a result, MOO1 has some amazing games where you would have to really change stategy to compensate for tech tree randomization, e.",
"g. having your superdreadnoughts still crawl at warp 1 because nobody in the galaxy was offered advanced engines.",
"That was a big addition to replayability because individual games could differ enormously.",
"Here, you do not get that and tech advances would be the same all the time.",
"Furthermore, tech tree does not tell you simple things like:\"What do I have to research to get medium hulls?",
"\" If you have a system of research prerequisites, you also have to put in a system that allows the player to answer questions like that quickly and easily.",
"Instead, there is a big tech tree screen that cannot be scrolled quickly and cannot be zoomed out, and where tech is shown as a single-word box with no description.",
"You have to do a lot of clicking back and forth before you can eek out the info you need, if you are patient enough.",
"Way to shoot yourselves in the foot, developers.",
"How about a decoupled system like MOO1?",
"In addition, your huge empire can research only one thing at a time.",
"Why?",
"Why?",
"WHY?",
"Different does not mean better.",
"What is the point of borders, if at any time anyone can cross them without going to war?",
"MOO1 and MOO2 did a far better job in that.",
"Morale is poorly implemented and makes little sense.",
"If you are fighting for your very survival, I find it hard to believe your population will be that concerned with entertainment networks.",
"To my knowledge, there is no 4X game that has tried and succeeded in implementing morale properly.",
"So, the better games are the ones that leave it out of the equation, e.",
"g. MOO1.",
"Why are growth rates set at 0.",
"2b/week regardless of population size and type of planet?",
"How does this make any sense whatsoever?",
"A lot of strategic element is lost as a result.",
"Why implement a system of logistics points?",
"Why limit the size of a fleet by them?",
"Do the developers seriously believe that N scattered ships are easier to supply than the same ships grouped in a single fleet?",
"That system may be true for a Napoleonic foraging army but makes no sense for space-age races.",
"It is an unnecessary senseless irritant.",
"Under the economic system, you actually pay for your production.",
"Yes, that's right, the beautiful factories you constructed and pay to maintain also charge you \"conversion\" fees in credits for producing.",
"Same is true for research.",
"Somebody explain to me why.",
"I thought that was the point of maintenance.",
"Also, under imperial dictatorships, why would you pay for something you own already?",
"Pay whom?",
"After awhile, all the Star Trek, Star Wars, Babylon 5, cowboy, etc.",
"references grow annoying.",
"Playing a sci-fi 4X game is about atmosphere to some extent at least.",
"Don't break it with sophomoric humor and obvious reminders that the developers are all human and have seen the same movies as the player.",
"After all, this is supposed to be a different universe that does not contain Capt Kirk and Picard.",
"The political system is silly and so is the constant moralizing about good and evil.",
"Guess what, this is a 4X sci-fi game, not sunday school.",
"Ethics is a silly addition to this game, especially since the \"good guys\" are far more dangerous and insidious that the \"bad guys\".",
"United Nations resolutions are a good joke for a short while, but get really annoying real fast.",
"Somebody explain to me why \"evil\" empires would vote FOR limiting the capacity of their military installations.",
"We have all these different space races and cultures; why would they even consider holding such meetings and discussing socialist crap, like giving money to \"war victims\"?",
"The developers basically want to poke fun at our own UN.",
"Fine, but not in 4X sci-fi.",
"Basically, keep your own politics out of designing a game that is meant to be fun for everyone.",
"The game mechanics makes small empires very inefficient while large empires take forever to manage.",
"Contrary to what the developers say in their tutorial, it takes more than one afternoon to finish a smallest galaxy.",
"This is a general problem with later games in the genre, because developers refuse to acknowledge that MOO1's mechanics was nearly perfect and that people these days cannot afford to spend 12 hours on a finishing a single game.",
"So, they continue making mechanics unwieldly and turning everybody off.",
"That is why MOO3 and GalCiv2:DL are worse than MOO2, which is worse than MOO1 in this respect.",
"Giving players the option to control 100 worlds is not as rewarding or important or even practical as giving them the opportunity to control a dozen worlds really well.",
"So, the real issue is one of design philosophy, rather than technology or particular mechanics.",
"So long as developers do not understand that, they will produce flops like MOO3 and GalCiv2:DL.",
"CONCLUSIONS\n\nOverall, this game has a great potential and could have been even better than MOO1 and MOO2, but the above shortcomings made it fail.",
"I shelled out 40 dollars for it and wish I could get my money back.",
"I give it 3 stars only because of the improvements mentioned above and because it might be fun for a very select group of gamers with a lot of time on their hands and a big sense of humor.",
"IMPORTANT UPDATE!!!!",
"I tried to return the game to the games shop where I bought it and they refused to take it back!",
"They said that because of the online activation feature, they cannot resell it to other customers, while the publisher refuses to accept back an open box!",
"So, I am stuck with it and cannot get my 40 bucks back or even get store credit for it!",
"This is the last game I buy from UbiSoft, and am also considering boycotting EA as well due to their 25% share in this piece-of-garbage company of thieves.",
"Amazon should be ashamed that neither of their \"spotlight\" reviews mention this \"feature\" at all.",
"With all these negative reviews, both spotlights are 5/5.",
"Even half a brain can figure out why."
] |
I thought that I had made a great purchase.....but this phone was a disappointment. It worked really well for about a week. Now, I am having too many problems with this phone. I have to swipe keys( talk, speaker, number keypad, etc.) several times. When using the speaker, the phone continually goes low and back to loud position. While holding a conversation, I lose sound. I cannot hear the other person talking for several seconds. I would not recommend this phone to anyone. | 1 | neutral | [
"I thought that I had made a great purchase....",
".",
"but this phone was a disappointment.",
"It worked really well for about a week.",
"Now, I am having too many problems with this phone.",
"I have to swipe keys( talk, speaker, number keypad, etc.",
") several times.",
"When using the speaker, the phone continually goes low and back to loud position.",
"While holding a conversation, I lose sound.",
"I cannot hear the other person talking for several seconds.",
"I would not recommend this phone to anyone."
] |
Do not expect much reliability from this player. I have two of these vcrs for about three months now and I have not had any problems yet, they work fine. However their built quality is poor and they feel very flimsy, but for [the price] you cannot ask too much. If it breaks I will get a new one. I had a JVC before this one and it was way worse than the Panasonic. The loading mechanism in the JVC was terrible and some tapes kept getting stock in there. The loading system in the Panasonic is much smoother and it takes any tapes I throw at it. I have also another Panasonic which is 6 years old (it has a blue display instead than the green one) and it has a higher built quality than these new models. Unfortunately most electronic components today are designed and built to break easily in order to sale more units. Gone are those days where reliability was the most important aspect, it just isn't profitable anymore. Overall: GOOD to FAIR. | 1 | neutral | [
"Do not expect much reliability from this player.",
"I have two of these vcrs for about three months now and I have not had any problems yet, they work fine.",
"However their built quality is poor and they feel very flimsy, but for [the price] you cannot ask too much.",
"If it breaks I will get a new one.",
"I had a JVC before this one and it was way worse than the Panasonic.",
"The loading mechanism in the JVC was terrible and some tapes kept getting stock in there.",
"The loading system in the Panasonic is much smoother and it takes any tapes I throw at it.",
"I have also another Panasonic which is 6 years old (it has a blue display instead than the green one) and it has a higher built quality than these new models.",
"Unfortunately most electronic components today are designed and built to break easily in order to sale more units.",
"Gone are those days where reliability was the most important aspect, it just isn't profitable anymore.",
"Overall: GOOD to FAIR."
] |
After watching Patrick Swayze and his bad-80s-movie crew in "Red Dawn", I was inspired and launched on an all-night rondo of commie-killing mayhem.
The squad-based commend system is innovative, easy to use, and really makes a difference. The only thing is, it seems a bit inconsistent. There are times when your squad will take out every last bleeping red-hatted invader in sight, leaving you with a cake-walk. Other times, he's toast with a big red cross saying "Help Me! I'm gunned down and I can't get up!" But that's neither here nor there.
There's not a great deal of replayability, since your enemies always appear at the same place, with the same armaments, and spawning points are limited. Though since there are usually four or five ways to tackle a given tactical situation, that does help.
Hours of fun, but not days, weeks or months. Still, a good game. | 1 | neutral | [
"After watching Patrick Swayze and his bad-80s-movie crew in \"Red Dawn\", I was inspired and launched on an all-night rondo of commie-killing mayhem.",
"The squad-based commend system is innovative, easy to use, and really makes a difference.",
"The only thing is, it seems a bit inconsistent.",
"There are times when your squad will take out every last bleeping red-hatted invader in sight, leaving you with a cake-walk.",
"Other times, he's toast with a big red cross saying \"Help Me!",
"I'm gunned down and I can't get up!",
"\" But that's neither here nor there.",
"There's not a great deal of replayability, since your enemies always appear at the same place, with the same armaments, and spawning points are limited.",
"Though since there are usually four or five ways to tackle a given tactical situation, that does help.",
"Hours of fun, but not days, weeks or months.",
"Still, a good game."
] |
This product is an adaptation of the popular Linksys instant wireless network card for laptops. Laptops are subject to greater
flexibility of positioning than PC's. I pushed this product to the max. In a large mid tower case, on the floor, in an armoir, facing away from the access point, through several walls,closets, bookcases,appliances and about 100 feet away from the access point, I got a signal strength of about 0-6% at best.
When I moved the PC to the living room, 50 feet away,no armoir, still on the floor,oriented towards the WAP11 I got 70% and a good Internet connection. So I returned the WMP11 for a WUSB11
usb adapter. It is easier to install, requires no power cord. It can be elevated to the ceiling if you wish, while leaving the PC "in the armoir where it belongs"-wife talking. I set it on top
and got a 26-40% reading -enough to go! So I would only recommend this card for PC's at desktop level less than 80-90 feet away from the source. | 1 | neutral | [
"This product is an adaptation of the popular Linksys instant wireless network card for laptops.",
"Laptops are subject to greater\nflexibility of positioning than PC's.",
"I pushed this product to the max.",
"In a large mid tower case, on the floor, in an armoir, facing away from the access point, through several walls,closets, bookcases,appliances and about 100 feet away from the access point, I got a signal strength of about 0-6% at best.",
"When I moved the PC to the living room, 50 feet away,no armoir, still on the floor,oriented towards the WAP11 I got 70% and a good Internet connection.",
"So I returned the WMP11 for a WUSB11\nusb adapter.",
"It is easier to install, requires no power cord.",
"It can be elevated to the ceiling if you wish, while leaving the PC \"in the armoir where it belongs\"-wife talking.",
"I set it on top\nand got a 26-40% reading -enough to go!",
"So I would only recommend this card for PC's at desktop level less than 80-90 feet away from the source."
] |
F.E.A.R has an intriguing storyline, creepy atmosphere and some genuinely scary moments however I have to give it a sub-par rating for several reasons. First, there are no left handed control options and for a lefty such as myself that's a negative. However, it did force me to learn to play right-handed which is a good thing. Second, using cover, normally an essential function, is problematic and difficult at best, especially in comparison to shooters such Gears of War and Call of Duty 4. In fact, most of the time I didn't even bother to try and use the cover for shooting because it was such a pain. Third, at times I got bored with the lack of variety in the game. There are long stretches where nothing much happens and the objectives are all quite similar. Some other complaints: the graphics are a bit bland, the game isn't very deep, it's easy to hit the wrong function on the d-pad, and the flashlight always temporarily runs out of power, which doesn't make any sense. I do like how ammo is automatically picked up and I wish most games employed that feature and the slow motion is feature is really, really fun. The bottom line is that F.E.A.R is a mediocre game that is still worth playing if you can pick up a discounted copy, just don't pay full price. | 1 | neutral | [
"F.",
"E.A.R has an intriguing storyline, creepy atmosphere and some genuinely scary moments however I have to give it a sub-par rating for several reasons.",
"First, there are no left handed control options and for a lefty such as myself that's a negative.",
"However, it did force me to learn to play right-handed which is a good thing.",
"Second, using cover, normally an essential function, is problematic and difficult at best, especially in comparison to shooters such Gears of War and Call of Duty 4.",
"In fact, most of the time I didn't even bother to try and use the cover for shooting because it was such a pain.",
"Third, at times I got bored with the lack of variety in the game.",
"There are long stretches where nothing much happens and the objectives are all quite similar.",
"Some other complaints: the graphics are a bit bland, the game isn't very deep, it's easy to hit the wrong function on the d-pad, and the flashlight always temporarily runs out of power, which doesn't make any sense.",
"I do like how ammo is automatically picked up and I wish most games employed that feature and the slow motion is feature is really, really fun.",
"The bottom line is that F.",
"E.A.R is a mediocre game that is still worth playing if you can pick up a discounted copy, just don't pay full price."
] |
I bought this case from Seidio before I even received my EVO, just to be prepared. It was about the only case I could get prior to the EVO's launch. The case looks nice and is slim but after putting it on an using it for a few days it was creaky, i.e. not fitting as close as it should, on the back. Also, I noticed when I took it off it trapped a ton of dirt/dust under the edges where it goes over the screen. On the plus side it is slim and definitely looks cool but the cons were too much for me. I now have an Amzer silicon case which will probably be on the phone until Otterbox gets their EVO case out. Maybe I just got a lemon on this case? I don't know. While not a seriously flawed case it just wasn't for me. | 1 | neutral | [
"I bought this case from Seidio before I even received my EVO, just to be prepared.",
"It was about the only case I could get prior to the EVO's launch.",
"The case looks nice and is slim but after putting it on an using it for a few days it was creaky, i.",
"e. not fitting as close as it should, on the back.",
"Also, I noticed when I took it off it trapped a ton of dirt/dust under the edges where it goes over the screen.",
"On the plus side it is slim and definitely looks cool but the cons were too much for me.",
"I now have an Amzer silicon case which will probably be on the phone until Otterbox gets their EVO case out.",
"Maybe I just got a lemon on this case?",
"I don't know.",
"While not a seriously flawed case it just wasn't for me."
] |
Mention the name Ghosts N Goblins and gamers will take notice. The reputation that this series has earned is of horror, maddening visions, bone crushing and of utmost hardcore of all hardcore. All four games in the series each are mind numbing gaming experiences in a hell all its own. It all started with the arcade game that was released in 1985. Then, in a cruel twist of fate, the developer (Capcom) decided to port it to home consoles. Thus, the cult arcade classic came to the NES and gamers everywhere rejoiced and sobbed uncontrollably at the same time.
Ghosts 'N Goblins is based on the arcade game of the same name. You control Arthur, the Knight who goes on a journey to save his girlfriend, a Princess from the clutches of Lucifer himself. Lucifer dispatched his entire army of monsters to stop Arthur at any costs. What awaited gamers was seven stages of platforming challenges filled with enemies, pits, traps and jumping sections that demanded precise timing. There was a clock that counted down so you had a limited amount of time to reach the end of stage and beat a boss character. You are armed with a javelin but can pick up other weapons such as a torch, sword, axe and a cross. You could pick up items that are worth points; earned enough points and you earned extra lives. In a surprising twist, once you do reach Lucifer and beat him, the game informed you that you beat an imposter and must go through all seven stages again to face the real Lucifer. You had unlimited continues but there weren't any passwords to use. Only those who couldn't take this game was forced to use the cheat code to skip all the way to the end, beat Lucifer, go to the end again and then beat the real version.
The PROS: For a game based on an arcade, Capcom did a commendable job on replicating the graphics and sound effects. While the music was MIDI samples, they sound almost the same as what you heard in the arcade version. Nothing was compromised and that included the difficulty level. The controls were just as simple and easy to use but controlling Arthur was known to be very tight and rigid.
The CONS: Again, the graphics and sound effects were done well. But the arcade game wasn't really boasting the greatest graphics and music to begin with so you won't be "wowed" by its visuals. The only weapon worth picking up was the sword as the other ones had limited attack power and range. Then, there is brutal difficulty level. The game was unforgiving and demanded you played your very best...and then made you cry. Random enemies that popped up anywhere, gaps and platforms that needed precise timing to jump onto and over and boss characters with tricky attack patterns that took a lot of hits to destroy were there to make sure you repeat the same stage over and over again. Then to have to play it again just so you can fight the real Lucifer in order to see the ending was so over the top, many gamers just gave up.
If you seek to play this game, it means you want to see it for yourself what others have seen. If you know the name, then you already know how many times you played it just to see how far you can go. This game wasn't meant to be played by everyone so either you get a used copy or for your own safety, grab an emulator and see why it and the sequels gained such a horrible reputation to begin with. | 1 | neutral | [
"Mention the name Ghosts N Goblins and gamers will take notice.",
"The reputation that this series has earned is of horror, maddening visions, bone crushing and of utmost hardcore of all hardcore.",
"All four games in the series each are mind numbing gaming experiences in a hell all its own.",
"It all started with the arcade game that was released in 1985.",
"Then, in a cruel twist of fate, the developer (Capcom) decided to port it to home consoles.",
"Thus, the cult arcade classic came to the NES and gamers everywhere rejoiced and sobbed uncontrollably at the same time.",
"Ghosts 'N Goblins is based on the arcade game of the same name.",
"You control Arthur, the Knight who goes on a journey to save his girlfriend, a Princess from the clutches of Lucifer himself.",
"Lucifer dispatched his entire army of monsters to stop Arthur at any costs.",
"What awaited gamers was seven stages of platforming challenges filled with enemies, pits, traps and jumping sections that demanded precise timing.",
"There was a clock that counted down so you had a limited amount of time to reach the end of stage and beat a boss character.",
"You are armed with a javelin but can pick up other weapons such as a torch, sword, axe and a cross.",
"You could pick up items that are worth points; earned enough points and you earned extra lives.",
"In a surprising twist, once you do reach Lucifer and beat him, the game informed you that you beat an imposter and must go through all seven stages again to face the real Lucifer.",
"You had unlimited continues but there weren't any passwords to use.",
"Only those who couldn't take this game was forced to use the cheat code to skip all the way to the end, beat Lucifer, go to the end again and then beat the real version.",
"The PROS: For a game based on an arcade, Capcom did a commendable job on replicating the graphics and sound effects.",
"While the music was MIDI samples, they sound almost the same as what you heard in the arcade version.",
"Nothing was compromised and that included the difficulty level.",
"The controls were just as simple and easy to use but controlling Arthur was known to be very tight and rigid.",
"The CONS: Again, the graphics and sound effects were done well.",
"But the arcade game wasn't really boasting the greatest graphics and music to begin with so you won't be \"wowed\" by its visuals.",
"The only weapon worth picking up was the sword as the other ones had limited attack power and range.",
"Then, there is brutal difficulty level.",
"The game was unforgiving and demanded you played your very best...",
"and then made you cry.",
"Random enemies that popped up anywhere, gaps and platforms that needed precise timing to jump onto and over and boss characters with tricky attack patterns that took a lot of hits to destroy were there to make sure you repeat the same stage over and over again.",
"Then to have to play it again just so you can fight the real Lucifer in order to see the ending was so over the top, many gamers just gave up.",
"If you seek to play this game, it means you want to see it for yourself what others have seen.",
"If you know the name, then you already know how many times you played it just to see how far you can go.",
"This game wasn't meant to be played by everyone so either you get a used copy or for your own safety, grab an emulator and see why it and the sequels gained such a horrible reputation to begin with."
] |
I bought this bluetooth earpiece with my Sony Ericsson P900 a couple of years ago and it's still going strong. I do not have any problems with it and have used it extensively. It's great to have some kind of hands-free, wireless device. This one sits on my ear and is out of the way.
After 2 years of use, the silicone part around the earpiece that "seals" the earpiece to your ear has come away from from the plastic. Not really a big deal, but it is breaking away from normal use. I've never dropped it or abused it in any way, so I would have expected it to last longer than this. Performance is still good though.
It does sit a little precariously on my ear, it's just a light "wrap" around my ear, so if I lean over too much, there is a danger it can fall off. Care must be taken when you're wearing it. And even though it is one of the smaller wireless units, it's still heavy after wearing it for a few hours. Battery life is good and charging is easy.
If buying another one, I would look for one that can sit more securely on my ear, but I would have no problems sticking with this brand. | 1 | neutral | [
"I bought this bluetooth earpiece with my Sony Ericsson P900 a couple of years ago and it's still going strong.",
"I do not have any problems with it and have used it extensively.",
"It's great to have some kind of hands-free, wireless device.",
"This one sits on my ear and is out of the way.",
"After 2 years of use, the silicone part around the earpiece that \"seals\" the earpiece to your ear has come away from from the plastic.",
"Not really a big deal, but it is breaking away from normal use.",
"I've never dropped it or abused it in any way, so I would have expected it to last longer than this.",
"Performance is still good though.",
"It does sit a little precariously on my ear, it's just a light \"wrap\" around my ear, so if I lean over too much, there is a danger it can fall off.",
"Care must be taken when you're wearing it.",
"And even though it is one of the smaller wireless units, it's still heavy after wearing it for a few hours.",
"Battery life is good and charging is easy.",
"If buying another one, I would look for one that can sit more securely on my ear, but I would have no problems sticking with this brand."
] |
After having played Megaman X4, I really had high expectation for this game, Megaman X5. While most of the gameplay is intact, the presentation of the game is not. One of the most entertaining aspects of the previous X game was watching the animated clips & even the voices that were in the game itself. In this release, the only voice that you hear is the one that says "Ready" as you begin. Beyond that, there's no voices from Zero or X. In the last game, when the characters would jump, get hit, die, or be close to death, they'd either grunt, say something (when they were close to dying), or make some kind of sound while attacking or jumping. Those voices are completely missing.
One of the more annoying aspects of the game are the cutscenes & when Alia talks to you in mid-stage. Again there are no voices, so you have to alwyas read everything & the scrolling of the text was too slow. In some instances there's no music during those scenes.
On the up side, this game is fun. I like the fact that after so many years, they finally give Zero & X the ability to duck & perform ducking attacks. You can also choose your character between stages instead of having to pick just one character for the entire game. They also included different types of armor that you can select.
Overall, this is a fun game, but if you've played Megaman X4, don't set your expectation quite as high for this game. If you're a fan of the Megaman series, you'll still enjoy it. I give it 4 stars for fun, & 3 stars as an overall rating. | 1 | neutral | [
"After having played Megaman X4, I really had high expectation for this game, Megaman X5.",
"While most of the gameplay is intact, the presentation of the game is not.",
"One of the most entertaining aspects of the previous X game was watching the animated clips & even the voices that were in the game itself.",
"In this release, the only voice that you hear is the one that says \"Ready\" as you begin.",
"Beyond that, there's no voices from Zero or X.",
"In the last game, when the characters would jump, get hit, die, or be close to death, they'd either grunt, say something (when they were close to dying), or make some kind of sound while attacking or jumping.",
"Those voices are completely missing.",
"One of the more annoying aspects of the game are the cutscenes & when Alia talks to you in mid-stage.",
"Again there are no voices, so you have to alwyas read everything & the scrolling of the text was too slow.",
"In some instances there's no music during those scenes.",
"On the up side, this game is fun.",
"I like the fact that after so many years, they finally give Zero & X the ability to duck & perform ducking attacks.",
"You can also choose your character between stages instead of having to pick just one character for the entire game.",
"They also included different types of armor that you can select.",
"Overall, this is a fun game, but if you've played Megaman X4, don't set your expectation quite as high for this game.",
"If you're a fan of the Megaman series, you'll still enjoy it.",
"I give it 4 stars for fun, & 3 stars as an overall rating."
] |
This disc kicks off with Still of the Night - a towering masterpiece that every hard rock fan should be familiar with. Some gruops never have a song anywhere near this good in careers as equally long as Whitesnake. The real issues with this release start once this opening statement of intent fades away.
The issue with this album is the gutlessness of it all. From the insipid pandering liner notes waffling on about 'hard rock romantics' to the cover again featuring a familiar motif in it's design this whole album is a wimpout.
Take for example Here I Go Again, a wonderful tune, but hter they've put on some soft radio edit version. This is a travesty, was the record company afraid that all of Coverdales fans were now too old to handle the proper version?
And so the album continues with ballad after ballad - Is This Love, Now Your Gone and The Deeper the Love - only the first named being worthy of being on a 'Greatest Hits' album to start with. Love Aint No Stranger is a welcome addition however and is at least a cursory nod to pre '1987' material. Elsewhere we're treated - if the word can be used - to Judgement Day and a raft of 'previously unavailable on LP' ballad style songs.
Of course any time a band puts out a best of fans will queue up to moan about which was and wasn't included. But seriously the track listing here is so much a product of a jaded, cynical marketing exercise that it's not really a good representation of the band that produced a raft of good albums over the years. Seriously, no Slip of the Tongue, no Bad Boys or even a Children of the Night for a bit of a rockier and less predictable choice. Or what about Kittens Got Claws for some tongue in cheek Vai era fun. Or Ready & Willing form an earlier incarnation of the white megabeast?
Don't fall for this cash in. And newcomers should get an established fan to show them the way, not buy this. If you can't do that then get 1987 and then Ready & Willing if you want the earlier and more sedate blues version of this band. Or Slip of the Tongue for a paler version of 1987. | 1 | neutral | [
"This disc kicks off with Still of the Night - a towering masterpiece that every hard rock fan should be familiar with.",
"Some gruops never have a song anywhere near this good in careers as equally long as Whitesnake.",
"The real issues with this release start once this opening statement of intent fades away.",
"The issue with this album is the gutlessness of it all.",
"From the insipid pandering liner notes waffling on about 'hard rock romantics' to the cover again featuring a familiar motif in it's design this whole album is a wimpout.",
"Take for example Here I Go Again, a wonderful tune, but hter they've put on some soft radio edit version.",
"This is a travesty, was the record company afraid that all of Coverdales fans were now too old to handle the proper version?",
"And so the album continues with ballad after ballad - Is This Love, Now Your Gone and The Deeper the Love - only the first named being worthy of being on a 'Greatest Hits' album to start with.",
"Love Aint No Stranger is a welcome addition however and is at least a cursory nod to pre '1987' material.",
"Elsewhere we're treated - if the word can be used - to Judgement Day and a raft of 'previously unavailable on LP' ballad style songs.",
"Of course any time a band puts out a best of fans will queue up to moan about which was and wasn't included.",
"But seriously the track listing here is so much a product of a jaded, cynical marketing exercise that it's not really a good representation of the band that produced a raft of good albums over the years.",
"Seriously, no Slip of the Tongue, no Bad Boys or even a Children of the Night for a bit of a rockier and less predictable choice.",
"Or what about Kittens Got Claws for some tongue in cheek Vai era fun.",
"Or Ready & Willing form an earlier incarnation of the white megabeast?",
"Don't fall for this cash in.",
"And newcomers should get an established fan to show them the way, not buy this.",
"If you can't do that then get 1987 and then Ready & Willing if you want the earlier and more sedate blues version of this band.",
"Or Slip of the Tongue for a paler version of 1987."
] |
A few months ago I picked up a copy of Donkey Kong Land III at a local game store and had a pretty enjoyable time making my way through the game. Because the titles that make up the GameBoy Land trilogy are so inexpensive these days - and given that I'm much more taken with retro games than current ones - I wanted to make an effort to try out the other games in the series. Long story short this is another solid game to add to any GameBoy collection... but unlike Land III the original game isn't quite as smooth in what it offers.
One of Donkey Kong Land's greatest strengths is while it contains the same gameplay as the Super Nintendo games, the level design is not directly ripped from those titles. This might seem like an odd thing to champion (and you really need to play the rather disappointing Donkey Kong Land 2 as a point of comparison to know why I'm stating this) but this makes the proceedings feel fresher than they would otherwise be. The importance of this comes into play late in the game when the player enters the final world (the city levels) which is unlike anything in the SNES trilogy. Ironically this is where the game almost falls apart. These levels are home to a rather significant difficulty spike and while it's kind of welcome (since the Donkey Kong Country on the Super Nintendo is ridiculously easy) it puts an obvious strain on the experience. Additionally, the controls and character physics in Donkey Kong Land take some time to get use to. Donkey Kong and Diddy don't handle exactly like they do on the Super Nintendo. Jumps are much more "floaty" in this version and the Kongs move through the water with much less resistance. This will definitely throw players off at first but thankfully they will adjust and be able to compensate very quickly.
However, beyond that there really isn't anything else that holds Donkey Kong Land back. The game is an inexpensive and is easy to come by since the Land series games were produced in a pretty robust quantity and become part of Nintendo's Player Choice line-up. The only thing that really hurts Donkey Kong Land (and its sequels) is the fact the original SNES games were ported the GameBoy Advance a few years later which most players will probably opt for over these. Still, I think the Land trilogy is worth picking up despite the issues that hold it back. | 1 | neutral | [
"A few months ago I picked up a copy of Donkey Kong Land III at a local game store and had a pretty enjoyable time making my way through the game.",
"Because the titles that make up the GameBoy Land trilogy are so inexpensive these days - and given that I'm much more taken with retro games than current ones - I wanted to make an effort to try out the other games in the series.",
"Long story short this is another solid game to add to any GameBoy collection...",
"but unlike Land III the original game isn't quite as smooth in what it offers.",
"One of Donkey Kong Land's greatest strengths is while it contains the same gameplay as the Super Nintendo games, the level design is not directly ripped from those titles.",
"This might seem like an odd thing to champion (and you really need to play the rather disappointing Donkey Kong Land 2 as a point of comparison to know why I'm stating this) but this makes the proceedings feel fresher than they would otherwise be.",
"The importance of this comes into play late in the game when the player enters the final world (the city levels) which is unlike anything in the SNES trilogy.",
"Ironically this is where the game almost falls apart.",
"These levels are home to a rather significant difficulty spike and while it's kind of welcome (since the Donkey Kong Country on the Super Nintendo is ridiculously easy) it puts an obvious strain on the experience.",
"Additionally, the controls and character physics in Donkey Kong Land take some time to get use to.",
"Donkey Kong and Diddy don't handle exactly like they do on the Super Nintendo.",
"Jumps are much more \"floaty\" in this version and the Kongs move through the water with much less resistance.",
"This will definitely throw players off at first but thankfully they will adjust and be able to compensate very quickly.",
"However, beyond that there really isn't anything else that holds Donkey Kong Land back.",
"The game is an inexpensive and is easy to come by since the Land series games were produced in a pretty robust quantity and become part of Nintendo's Player Choice line-up.",
"The only thing that really hurts Donkey Kong Land (and its sequels) is the fact the original SNES games were ported the GameBoy Advance a few years later which most players will probably opt for over these.",
"Still, I think the Land trilogy is worth picking up despite the issues that hold it back."
] |
I have recently started drinking hot tea again (since my childhood when Grandma made us hot tea with milk & sugar) and have been trying different types and brands of tea to find my favorites. I can't speak the tea lover's lingo (full-bodied, smoky with hints of arsnic, etc.) but this tea is decent. I use it mostly to make iced tea but I drink it hot occasionally too. I have been completely spoiled on Dilmah tea & now any others seem inferior. Lipton Yellow Label is definitely better than PG Tips! I initially bought PG Tips and could never make a cup of hot tea that did not have a bitter after taste. I thought it was my brewing technique until I tasted better teas. I probably won't buy more of this tea since there are so many others out there to try but I plan to use up the rest of what I bought. If anyone wants some PG Tips let me know & I'll send it to you for the price of shipping!! | 1 | neutral | [
"I have recently started drinking hot tea again (since my childhood when Grandma made us hot tea with milk & sugar) and have been trying different types and brands of tea to find my favorites.",
"I can't speak the tea lover's lingo (full-bodied, smoky with hints of arsnic, etc.",
") but this tea is decent.",
"I use it mostly to make iced tea but I drink it hot occasionally too.",
"I have been completely spoiled on Dilmah tea & now any others seem inferior.",
"Lipton Yellow Label is definitely better than PG Tips!",
"I initially bought PG Tips and could never make a cup of hot tea that did not have a bitter after taste.",
"I thought it was my brewing technique until I tasted better teas.",
"I probably won't buy more of this tea since there are so many others out there to try but I plan to use up the rest of what I bought.",
"If anyone wants some PG Tips let me know & I'll send it to you for the price of shipping!!"
] |
I just received these Pentax XCF binoculars in 16x50 power so any dissatisfaction I have with the view through them mainly may be due to the very high power. I have a Nikon Action EX waterproof 12x50 binocular (which I like very much) that seems brighter and sharper across the field of view, but they cost nearly $100 more. That said, the bottom line is that for the price I paid, these XCF's are a bargain compared to the mass-market brands. I wish I had the 12x50 or 10x50 model to compare the Pentax brand more directly with other brands and particularly to judge, in general, between Pentax and Nikon. And I wonder how the distortion in a Nikon 16x lens compares with that I see in the Pentax.
Lens power aside, my XCF binocular was made in the Philippines so as of Aug. 2014, forget Made in Japan. The binoculars seem well constructed and sturdy...I see no problems with them in that regard. Strangely enough, I couldn't find mention of whether the binocular barrels are metal or plastic in reviews or specifications and STILL can't tell what they're made of. Usually metal feels cooler, but the rubber coating makes it hard to judge -- The barrels seem solid and I suspect they're metal. The XCF is more compact than my lower-power Nikon Actions. Some reviews complain about a stiff focus action...my focus wheel turns easily and focus is smooth and steady. Note that the XCF eyecups are simple "flip down" rather than fancier "twist-up". I missed that fact in the descriptions so it was a surprise. In fact the cheaper eyecup probably won't make much difference to me...at least they don't twist off as the other style can. AND what's with these "quality" brands including binocular cases (bags actually) without a shoulder strap...Neither my Pentax nor Nikon bag has a strap, or even D-rings for my own strap.
My advice is that unless one specifically wants 16x or higher power (as I did) then get a maximum of 10x50 or 12x50. Within a brand and model, the lower power will give a sharper and brighter image across the width of the lens, have a deeper zone that's in focus and will be easier to hold steady. AND if looking for 16x or higher power, then compare these to a higher quality lens before buying...I didn't do that, but then I've gotten superior utility and value for the price I paid. Finally, if one wants just ONE pleasing, work-horse binocular that's a keeper (rather than a collection like I've somehow amassed) then between brands, pay-up to get a 2nd-tier quality over a cheapo brand, or within a brand, pay-up to a next tier above the bottom tier model. Pentax and Nikon seem to be go-to mass-market brands a step ahead of the pack. I also like the rugged Bushnell H2O line, though that model comes with smaller 42mm max. lenses.
As I gain more experience with my Pentax XCF 16x50 binocular, I might bump my Star-rating up a star.
********** UPDATE 10/20/14
I recently bought a pair of Pentax PCF WP II (8x40) that I like very much. And I've used these 16x50 XCF's a bit more. I also got a pair of lower powered 10x50 XCF's that I'm NOT impressed with. After all that, I DEFINITELY would recommend upgrading to the Pentax PCF model for anyone who can afford the price bump. There's something just not-quite-as-good about the view through and feel of the XCF's. | 1 | neutral | [
"I just received these Pentax XCF binoculars in 16x50 power so any dissatisfaction I have with the view through them mainly may be due to the very high power.",
"I have a Nikon Action EX waterproof 12x50 binocular (which I like very much) that seems brighter and sharper across the field of view, but they cost nearly $100 more.",
"That said, the bottom line is that for the price I paid, these XCF's are a bargain compared to the mass-market brands.",
"I wish I had the 12x50 or 10x50 model to compare the Pentax brand more directly with other brands and particularly to judge, in general, between Pentax and Nikon.",
"And I wonder how the distortion in a Nikon 16x lens compares with that I see in the Pentax.",
"Lens power aside, my XCF binocular was made in the Philippines so as of Aug.",
"2014, forget Made in Japan.",
"The binoculars seem well constructed and sturdy...",
"I see no problems with them in that regard.",
"Strangely enough, I couldn't find mention of whether the binocular barrels are metal or plastic in reviews or specifications and STILL can't tell what they're made of.",
"Usually metal feels cooler, but the rubber coating makes it hard to judge -- The barrels seem solid and I suspect they're metal.",
"The XCF is more compact than my lower-power Nikon Actions.",
"Some reviews complain about a stiff focus action...",
"my focus wheel turns easily and focus is smooth and steady.",
"Note that the XCF eyecups are simple \"flip down\" rather than fancier \"twist-up\".",
"I missed that fact in the descriptions so it was a surprise.",
"In fact the cheaper eyecup probably won't make much difference to me...",
"at least they don't twist off as the other style can.",
"AND what's with these \"quality\" brands including binocular cases (bags actually) without a shoulder strap...",
"Neither my Pentax nor Nikon bag has a strap, or even D-rings for my own strap.",
"My advice is that unless one specifically wants 16x or higher power (as I did) then get a maximum of 10x50 or 12x50.",
"Within a brand and model, the lower power will give a sharper and brighter image across the width of the lens, have a deeper zone that's in focus and will be easier to hold steady.",
"AND if looking for 16x or higher power, then compare these to a higher quality lens before buying...",
"I didn't do that, but then I've gotten superior utility and value for the price I paid.",
"Finally, if one wants just ONE pleasing, work-horse binocular that's a keeper (rather than a collection like I've somehow amassed) then between brands, pay-up to get a 2nd-tier quality over a cheapo brand, or within a brand, pay-up to a next tier above the bottom tier model.",
"Pentax and Nikon seem to be go-to mass-market brands a step ahead of the pack.",
"I also like the rugged Bushnell H2O line, though that model comes with smaller 42mm max.",
"lenses.",
"As I gain more experience with my Pentax XCF 16x50 binocular, I might bump my Star-rating up a star.",
"********** UPDATE 10/20/14\nI recently bought a pair of Pentax PCF WP II (8x40) that I like very much.",
"And I've used these 16x50 XCF's a bit more.",
"I also got a pair of lower powered 10x50 XCF's that I'm NOT impressed with.",
"After all that, I DEFINITELY would recommend upgrading to the Pentax PCF model for anyone who can afford the price bump.",
"There's something just not-quite-as-good about the view through and feel of the XCF's."
] |
Tom Clancy's follow up to Clear & present Danger, the Sum of All Fears shares that book's impressive length, while not quite matching it in quality. This is a tale of terrorists attemting to provoke a war between th U.S. and the soon to be defunct U.S.S.R..
Each book in the Jack Ryan saga gets longer and longer and Sum of All Fears needed some serious pruning. The book starts very slow, as Clancy describes in excruciating detail the engineering problems associated with making a nuclear bomb. In fact he spends two chapters describing, nanosecond by nanosecond, the process by which the bomb explodes! By the time we reach the climax it seems that Clancy realised he was approaching the 900 page mark and decided to wrap it all up in a couple of chapters.
After four books in the series Clancy has introduced many minor characters, and his need for subplots involving nearly all of them add to the book's length.
The other problem with the book is its scope. Jack Ryan helping a submarine defect is a manageable story-line. Jack Ryan saving the world from Armageddon is stretching things.
Still I enjoyed the book. The subject matter is, if anything, more plausible today than when it was written 10 years ago. Clancy is unrivalled in describing the intracacies of geopolitical affairs. I just wish he learned to edit himself better. Judging by the size of the next novel in the series I don't think he has. | 1 | neutral | [
"Tom Clancy's follow up to Clear & present Danger, the Sum of All Fears shares that book's impressive length, while not quite matching it in quality.",
"This is a tale of terrorists attemting to provoke a war between th U.",
"S. and the soon to be defunct U.",
"S.S.R..",
"Each book in the Jack Ryan saga gets longer and longer and Sum of All Fears needed some serious pruning.",
"The book starts very slow, as Clancy describes in excruciating detail the engineering problems associated with making a nuclear bomb.",
"In fact he spends two chapters describing, nanosecond by nanosecond, the process by which the bomb explodes!",
"By the time we reach the climax it seems that Clancy realised he was approaching the 900 page mark and decided to wrap it all up in a couple of chapters.",
"After four books in the series Clancy has introduced many minor characters, and his need for subplots involving nearly all of them add to the book's length.",
"The other problem with the book is its scope.",
"Jack Ryan helping a submarine defect is a manageable story-line.",
"Jack Ryan saving the world from Armageddon is stretching things.",
"Still I enjoyed the book.",
"The subject matter is, if anything, more plausible today than when it was written 10 years ago.",
"Clancy is unrivalled in describing the intracacies of geopolitical affairs.",
"I just wish he learned to edit himself better.",
"Judging by the size of the next novel in the series I don't think he has."
] |
Roy Clark is as good of an all around entertainer as anybody I can think of. The best guitar player I think of all time. And also excels on the banjo and fiddle. A pretty good comedian. And has done some actiing in things like The Beverly Hillbillies and the movie Uphill All The Way. And a singer who won entertainer of the year. And ended up in The Country Music Hall Of Fame.
This Greatest Hits cd has three of his biggest hits. If not his biggest hits. Yesterday When I Was Young. Which I think should have won some song of the year awards itself. Thank God And Greyhound and I Never Picked Cotton. It has the instrumental Riders In The Sky, and the love songs Come Live With Me and Honeymoon Feelin'. And the novelty songs The Lawrence Welk Hee Haw Counter Revolution Polka. Think Summer.
The cd has 14 songs all together. Just about something for everyone I would say. This is a good cd. | 1 | neutral | [
"Roy Clark is as good of an all around entertainer as anybody I can think of.",
"The best guitar player I think of all time.",
"And also excels on the banjo and fiddle.",
"A pretty good comedian.",
"And has done some actiing in things like The Beverly Hillbillies and the movie Uphill All The Way.",
"And a singer who won entertainer of the year.",
"And ended up in The Country Music Hall Of Fame.",
"This Greatest Hits cd has three of his biggest hits.",
"If not his biggest hits.",
"Yesterday When I Was Young.",
"Which I think should have won some song of the year awards itself.",
"Thank God And Greyhound and I Never Picked Cotton.",
"It has the instrumental Riders In The Sky, and the love songs Come Live With Me and Honeymoon Feelin'.",
"And the novelty songs The Lawrence Welk Hee Haw Counter Revolution Polka.",
"Think Summer.",
"The cd has 14 songs all together.",
"Just about something for everyone I would say.",
"This is a good cd."
] |
I am a professional radiographer and photographer (25 years now) and I used both the Sony Mavica CD400 & CD300, as well as a Nikon Coolpix for this year's field research season x-raying mummies in Peru. This means the cameras were pushed hard.....blowing sand, huge contrast ranges, high resolution radiographs needed, fast manual control of radical light conditions, etc.....essentially most of the tough conditions and imaging requirements you can imagine. Here's what I found:
The Sony Mavica CD300 beat them all. It's not the most expensive or the best resolution but we all thought it did the best job.
Mavica CD400: best resolution but extremely slow recording time made it impossible to work with most of the time....the CD300 often got 3-4 shots while the 400 was recording one.
Mavica CD300: not the best resolution, but now that I've done some prints for publication from it's highest res setting I will not be buying any more 400s....just not a significant enough difference, plus it's not as heavy or bulky.
Nikon Coolpix: not in the running by comparison with the Sonys....although it is more lightweight....we are buying mini CDs for 33 cents each in bulk at BestBuy and getting 140-180 high res images per CD.....they are so easy to format, initialize, and copy on any CD burner that I can't believe we even considered using memory stiks, or USB downloads.
The best features are common to both the Sony Mavica CD300 and 400 series though.....manual control of the images, excellent close up abilities, decent wide angle (which can be enhanced with add-on lenses if necessary), and both rapid video and automatic functions with night focusing for flash, etc., etc.
Finally! There is a great digital camera....but it isn't a Nikon. | 1 | neutral | [
"I am a professional radiographer and photographer (25 years now) and I used both the Sony Mavica CD400 & CD300, as well as a Nikon Coolpix for this year's field research season x-raying mummies in Peru.",
"This means the cameras were pushed hard....",
".",
"blowing sand, huge contrast ranges, high resolution radiographs needed, fast manual control of radical light conditions, etc....",
".",
"essentially most of the tough conditions and imaging requirements you can imagine.",
"Here's what I found:\nThe Sony Mavica CD300 beat them all.",
"It's not the most expensive or the best resolution but we all thought it did the best job.",
"Mavica CD400: best resolution but extremely slow recording time made it impossible to work with most of the time....",
"the CD300 often got 3-4 shots while the 400 was recording one.",
"Mavica CD300: not the best resolution, but now that I've done some prints for publication from it's highest res setting I will not be buying any more 400s....",
"just not a significant enough difference, plus it's not as heavy or bulky.",
"Nikon Coolpix: not in the running by comparison with the Sonys....",
"although it is more lightweight....",
"we are buying mini CDs for 33 cents each in bulk at BestBuy and getting 140-180 high res images per CD....",
".",
"they are so easy to format, initialize, and copy on any CD burner that I can't believe we even considered using memory stiks, or USB downloads.",
"The best features are common to both the Sony Mavica CD300 and 400 series though....",
".",
"manual control of the images, excellent close up abilities, decent wide angle (which can be enhanced with add-on lenses if necessary), and both rapid video and automatic functions with night focusing for flash, etc.",
", etc.",
"Finally!",
"There is a great digital camera....",
"but it isn't a Nikon."
] |
So, the lowest rating I will give when I finish a book is a 3 star. I did finish this. I was intrigued by this book, and there were some really great things about it, and some really poor things, in my opinion. *Spoilers* So, what I liked. The whole idea of the shadow vampires really intrigued me. It was something new from what I'd read before, and I thought it was an interesting twist I'd love to explore. The sisters were drawn well, and I had a great idea of who they both were. I liked that the author didn't overdo it on descriptions, but kept that at a good pace.
The reasons I didn't love this book were first and foremost how she fell so head over heels in love with him, when she'd spoken less than 20 words to him. That is a huge pet peeve with this type of book. I love the romance, but I want to see some development before she is irrevocably in love. I also didn't like how depressing she was in the beginning. I know a lot of girls feel this way, being outcast, and having someone in their life who seems to get all the glory, but it went on for about 5 chapters, and even if I were her family, she'd annoy me too. I did like how she got stronger and gained confidence, and I think the author wanted to show her going from a wall flower to a strong woman, but it was just a bit over the top for me. The final thing was that you wouldn't even know it was about vampires unless you'd read the description, because you don't find out til the very end.
There are a few heart pounding moments, and there weren't a ton of spelling errors, just a few here and there. I think this book could be great if it were re-worked, but as it is, I'm not interested in reading the next one. I haven't given up on the author though, if she were to write a different kind of series. | 1 | neutral | [
"So, the lowest rating I will give when I finish a book is a 3 star.",
"I did finish this.",
"I was intrigued by this book, and there were some really great things about it, and some really poor things, in my opinion.",
"*Spoilers* So, what I liked.",
"The whole idea of the shadow vampires really intrigued me.",
"It was something new from what I'd read before, and I thought it was an interesting twist I'd love to explore.",
"The sisters were drawn well, and I had a great idea of who they both were.",
"I liked that the author didn't overdo it on descriptions, but kept that at a good pace.",
"The reasons I didn't love this book were first and foremost how she fell so head over heels in love with him, when she'd spoken less than 20 words to him.",
"That is a huge pet peeve with this type of book.",
"I love the romance, but I want to see some development before she is irrevocably in love.",
"I also didn't like how depressing she was in the beginning.",
"I know a lot of girls feel this way, being outcast, and having someone in their life who seems to get all the glory, but it went on for about 5 chapters, and even if I were her family, she'd annoy me too.",
"I did like how she got stronger and gained confidence, and I think the author wanted to show her going from a wall flower to a strong woman, but it was just a bit over the top for me.",
"The final thing was that you wouldn't even know it was about vampires unless you'd read the description, because you don't find out til the very end.",
"There are a few heart pounding moments, and there weren't a ton of spelling errors, just a few here and there.",
"I think this book could be great if it were re-worked, but as it is, I'm not interested in reading the next one.",
"I haven't given up on the author though, if she were to write a different kind of series."
] |
UPDATE2- apparently there's no way to differentiate (or link) product reviews on Amazon to a particular seller (or a particular batch of product). So as I mentioned in my original review, Incipio Feather case is great (or I wouldn't be buying it again!). However, the case I bought recently from a particular seller/batch on Amazon has a peeling issue- clearly a lemon. I'm revising my rating to 3 stars, as the case is otherwise great (deserves 5 stars actually, if not for manufacturing quality control issues). This is the thinnest, slimmest, lightest, whatever-estest case I've ever seen for the iPhone- it's almost "not there", while protecting your iPhone (and I've dropped mine plenty !)
The replacement I bought at Tekserv is still on my iPhone 5 months later and has no issues whatsoever.
UPDATE- I just browsed through other reviews and clearly I'm not the first one to notice the coating peeling off.
ORIGINAL REVIEW-
I had one of these cases which cracked so I bought a replacement from Amazon. The one I received from Amazon looked almost identical to my old case, but has major quality issues- the matte finish coating started peeling off almost instantly. In fact, it peels off by simply scratching the case with a fingernail, revealing a glossy plastic base.
Which leads me to believe it's either-
1. A manufacturing defect affecting only a certain batch of these cases
2. A knock-off case of inferior quality (I did notice a slight difference in the typeface of the word "Incipio" on the case between my old case and the one I ordered on Amazon- go figure)
I went to Tekserv in Manhattan today and bought yet another one of these (I bought my first case there as well)- it has no issues and the coating is "scratch-resistant" | 1 | neutral | [
"UPDATE2- apparently there's no way to differentiate (or link) product reviews on Amazon to a particular seller (or a particular batch of product).",
"So as I mentioned in my original review, Incipio Feather case is great (or I wouldn't be buying it again!",
").",
"However, the case I bought recently from a particular seller/batch on Amazon has a peeling issue- clearly a lemon.",
"I'm revising my rating to 3 stars, as the case is otherwise great (deserves 5 stars actually, if not for manufacturing quality control issues).",
"This is the thinnest, slimmest, lightest, whatever-estest case I've ever seen for the iPhone- it's almost \"not there\", while protecting your iPhone (and I've dropped mine plenty!",
")\nThe replacement I bought at Tekserv is still on my iPhone 5 months later and has no issues whatsoever.",
"UPDATE- I just browsed through other reviews and clearly I'm not the first one to notice the coating peeling off.",
"ORIGINAL REVIEW-\n\nI had one of these cases which cracked so I bought a replacement from Amazon.",
"The one I received from Amazon looked almost identical to my old case, but has major quality issues- the matte finish coating started peeling off almost instantly.",
"In fact, it peels off by simply scratching the case with a fingernail, revealing a glossy plastic base.",
"Which leads me to believe it's either-\n\n1.",
"A manufacturing defect affecting only a certain batch of these cases\n2.",
"A knock-off case of inferior quality (I did notice a slight difference in the typeface of the word \"Incipio\" on the case between my old case and the one I ordered on Amazon- go figure)\n\nI went to Tekserv in Manhattan today and bought yet another one of these (I bought my first case there as well)- it has no issues and the coating is \"scratch-resistant\""
] |
For many who began listening to Pat Metheny's music with this collection of songs, I am sure "Still Life (Talking)" quickly became and has since remained their favorite Metheny recording. By the time this album was released however, I had already been introduced to Metheny and his group with some amazing prior achievements including "As Falls Wichita, So Falls Wichita Falls", "Offramp" and his monumental "First Circle" (which first introduced most of the same exciting musical ideas that "Still Life" merely revisits.) I was initially mesmerized by "Still Life (Talking)" upon its release and by the sheer energy and haunting melodies of some of these performances, but as the years have passed I find that this particular work does not continue to stand the test of time or excite me musically as those earlier mentioned Metheny works still do.
Don't misunderstand me...there are truly some wonderful things happening on "Still Life (Talking)" like the energetic and complex opening rhythms of "Minuano" and the melodic wanderlust found on "Last Train Home"...but unfortunately with this album there are also the first indications that some of Metheny's music was beginning to drift dangerously close to the mediocrity heard frequently in public elevators (on tracks like "So May It Secretly Begin.") Moreover, the vocal work found on his 1982 release "Offramp" and 1984's "First Circle" is far more complex and interesting than the vocal arrangments on "Still Life." (Check out the album "First Circle" for example, and the incomparable vocals on the title track and on tunes like "Tell It All.")
On many of the tracks from "Still Life" and especially on his subsequent albums through the years, Metheny has his vocalist simply repeating the same melody line he is playing over and over again on guitar. (EXAMPLE OF FORMULA: Metheny plays melody line on guitar, then vocalist joins in and sings melody along with Metheny, then Metheny improvises, then keyboardist and co-writer Lyle Mays often improvises...BIG CRESCENDO!...then vocalist and Metheny repeat the melody line again, then the song ends.) The tried-and-true Metheny formula is often reassuring...occasionally even invigorating, but unfortunately not real exciting music on later releases.
Metheny discovered a very unique, distinct and exciting musical sound with "First Circle" but with later Group albums, while intending perhaps to expand on these same ideas, he only revisits them (over and over and over again.) Metheny's "Secret Story" released in 1992 is one of a few exceptions, of course....an outstanding recording with a truly exciting and visionary musical concept.
Metheny has consistently been my favorite musical artist over the years and I feel certain he has not yet exhausted his ubiquitous storehouse of ideas. Perhaps he should return for a time to experimenting with more eccentric vocalists like Nana Vasconcelos who could lend an entirely different perspective to his now-familiar arrangements or perhaps he should attempt a completely different instrumental arrangement (better still...Metheny should revisit the darker realms of some earlier projects like "Offramp," which still contain a plethora of musical ideas which have yet to be explored.) | 1 | neutral | [
"For many who began listening to Pat Metheny's music with this collection of songs, I am sure \"Still Life (Talking)\" quickly became and has since remained their favorite Metheny recording.",
"By the time this album was released however, I had already been introduced to Metheny and his group with some amazing prior achievements including \"As Falls Wichita, So Falls Wichita Falls\", \"Offramp\" and his monumental \"First Circle\" (which first introduced most of the same exciting musical ideas that \"Still Life\" merely revisits.",
") I was initially mesmerized by \"Still Life (Talking)\" upon its release and by the sheer energy and haunting melodies of some of these performances, but as the years have passed I find that this particular work does not continue to stand the test of time or excite me musically as those earlier mentioned Metheny works still do.",
"Don't misunderstand me...",
"there are truly some wonderful things happening on \"Still Life (Talking)\" like the energetic and complex opening rhythms of \"Minuano\" and the melodic wanderlust found on \"Last Train Home\"...",
"but unfortunately with this album there are also the first indications that some of Metheny's music was beginning to drift dangerously close to the mediocrity heard frequently in public elevators (on tracks like \"So May It Secretly Begin.",
"\") Moreover, the vocal work found on his 1982 release \"Offramp\" and 1984's \"First Circle\" is far more complex and interesting than the vocal arrangments on \"Still Life.",
"\" (Check out the album \"First Circle\" for example, and the incomparable vocals on the title track and on tunes like \"Tell It All.",
"\")\nOn many of the tracks from \"Still Life\" and especially on his subsequent albums through the years, Metheny has his vocalist simply repeating the same melody line he is playing over and over again on guitar.",
"(EXAMPLE OF FORMULA: Metheny plays melody line on guitar, then vocalist joins in and sings melody along with Metheny, then Metheny improvises, then keyboardist and co-writer Lyle Mays often improvises...",
"BIG CRESCENDO!...",
"then vocalist and Metheny repeat the melody line again, then the song ends.",
") The tried-and-true Metheny formula is often reassuring...",
"occasionally even invigorating, but unfortunately not real exciting music on later releases.",
"Metheny discovered a very unique, distinct and exciting musical sound with \"First Circle\" but with later Group albums, while intending perhaps to expand on these same ideas, he only revisits them (over and over and over again.",
") Metheny's \"Secret Story\" released in 1992 is one of a few exceptions, of course....",
"an outstanding recording with a truly exciting and visionary musical concept.",
"Metheny has consistently been my favorite musical artist over the years and I feel certain he has not yet exhausted his ubiquitous storehouse of ideas.",
"Perhaps he should return for a time to experimenting with more eccentric vocalists like Nana Vasconcelos who could lend an entirely different perspective to his now-familiar arrangements or perhaps he should attempt a completely different instrumental arrangement (better still...",
"Metheny should revisit the darker realms of some earlier projects like \"Offramp,\" which still contain a plethora of musical ideas which have yet to be explored.",
")"
] |
I have had this remote installed and partially working for about 1 month now. If you are planning on buying this item, I highly recommend checking out the wiring diagrams on the bulldog website before purchasing. This may show you how hard your install will be or how many more items you need to purchase to make it work. This is located under "Vehicle Wiring Diagrams" at [...]
If you find your car on their and the diagrams don't have special notes or alternate wiring diagrams attached then I suggest buying this and installing it yourself if you are so bold. I was able to install the starter portion within about 3.5 hours on a Dodge Stratus '98 with no special security bypass requirements. If you see a lot of additional notes, additional wiring diagrams, and the need for what they call a P791 security bypass, you may want to look into how much additional money you will have to dish out to make this product work.
I'm still having troubles with the parking lights, Horn, and door locks. The reason I'm having trouble with the parking lights is because the unit that I received does not have a brown wire that I can use for the lights. The manual references a brown wire that does not exist. After calling support they stated they had never seen this and I would have to call Customer Service to get another wire harness to fix this. This is just the first of many questions that the technical support person should have been able to answer.
For example I asked him if the wires went in order according to the order they are listing in the manual so I could figure which one should be the brown wire. He stated that they are not, but if fact after double checking they are in order. It appears that my unit has 2 black ground wires. Now it's up to me to figure out which one should be the brown light wire. I also asked about which guide I should reference for the resistors used for the door locks and the answer he gave me was way off base and I would have to be an idiot to not follow the special notes on the wiring diagram which spells out the special resistors for the door locks.
Hope this helps your decision process!
-Ben | 1 | neutral | [
"I have had this remote installed and partially working for about 1 month now.",
"If you are planning on buying this item, I highly recommend checking out the wiring diagrams on the bulldog website before purchasing.",
"This may show you how hard your install will be or how many more items you need to purchase to make it work.",
"This is located under \"Vehicle Wiring Diagrams\" at [...",
"]\n\nIf you find your car on their and the diagrams don't have special notes or alternate wiring diagrams attached then I suggest buying this and installing it yourself if you are so bold.",
"I was able to install the starter portion within about 3.",
"5 hours on a Dodge Stratus '98 with no special security bypass requirements.",
"If you see a lot of additional notes, additional wiring diagrams, and the need for what they call a P791 security bypass, you may want to look into how much additional money you will have to dish out to make this product work.",
"I'm still having troubles with the parking lights, Horn, and door locks.",
"The reason I'm having trouble with the parking lights is because the unit that I received does not have a brown wire that I can use for the lights.",
"The manual references a brown wire that does not exist.",
"After calling support they stated they had never seen this and I would have to call Customer Service to get another wire harness to fix this.",
"This is just the first of many questions that the technical support person should have been able to answer.",
"For example I asked him if the wires went in order according to the order they are listing in the manual so I could figure which one should be the brown wire.",
"He stated that they are not, but if fact after double checking they are in order.",
"It appears that my unit has 2 black ground wires.",
"Now it's up to me to figure out which one should be the brown light wire.",
"I also asked about which guide I should reference for the resistors used for the door locks and the answer he gave me was way off base and I would have to be an idiot to not follow the special notes on the wiring diagram which spells out the special resistors for the door locks.",
"Hope this helps your decision process!",
"-Ben"
] |
Joseph Brando's review is spot-on; everything he wrote is accurate to-the-letter concerning yet another ridiculous and unnecessary Warner reissue of a Rankin-Bass animation classic. 'tis such a shame that R-B titles have been so badly botched in recent years. Remember the godawful Destiny's Child video slapped onto the "Original Television Christmas Classics" box set a few years ago???
Now, let me address the previous revewier, "A. King". Umm... I hate to tell you this but you don't appear to know much about Rankin-Bass animation. The studio did not use Claymation in its animation but the tried-and-true wire armature process. Think the original King Kong... and a Happy 75th B-day to you, Kong!!! ;) 'Claymation' is a term trademarked exactly 30 years ago by it's creator, Will Vinton.
With that said, buy the original release of <a data-hook="product-link-linked" class="a-link-normal" href="/The-Easter-Bunny-Is-Comin-to-Town/dp/B000BVM1T6/ref=cm_cr_arp_d_rvw_txt?ie=UTF8">The Easter Bunny Is Comin' to Town</a> and have a blast with Sunny, Gadzooks and the Big Rock Candy Mountain!!! | 1 | neutral | [
"Joseph Brando's review is spot-on; everything he wrote is accurate to-the-letter concerning yet another ridiculous and unnecessary Warner reissue of a Rankin-Bass animation classic.",
"'tis such a shame that R-B titles have been so badly botched in recent years.",
"Remember the godawful Destiny's Child video slapped onto the \"Original Television Christmas Classics\" box set a few years ago???",
"Now, let me address the previous revewier, \"A.",
"King\".",
"Umm...",
"I hate to tell you this but you don't appear to know much about Rankin-Bass animation.",
"The studio did not use Claymation in its animation but the tried-and-true wire armature process.",
"Think the original King Kong...",
"and a Happy 75th B-day to you, Kong!!!",
";) 'Claymation' is a term trademarked exactly 30 years ago by it's creator, Will Vinton.",
"With that said, buy the original release of <a data-hook=\"product-link-linked\" class=\"a-link-normal\" href=\"/The-Easter-Bunny-Is-Comin-to-Town/dp/B000BVM1T6/ref=cm_cr_arp_d_rvw_txt?",
"ie=UTF8\">The Easter Bunny Is Comin' to Town</a> and have a blast with Sunny, Gadzooks and the Big Rock Candy Mountain!!!"
] |
I usually use Alumilite resin which can be very yellow-tinted to begin with. So this was a lovely change to find the resin slightly tinted blue and the hardener was completely clear of tint to avoid yellowing. My pieces come out clear and that makes me a very happy lady. However, I didn’t notice much difference in the bubbles. Usually I mix on the faster side, but I’ve slowed down a lot and noticed there were still tiny bubbles. I don’t mind, my work’s aesthetic forgives imperfections (and sometimes welcomes them!), but I was hoping to see a decrease in bubbles after I changed brands. I attached photos of (unfinished, so don’t judge!) pieces I made with a close up thrown in there to show the bubbles. I didn’t warm up my resin, but I did take a torch lighter to the resin a few times and tapped the filled mold on my counter to help the bubbles rise. Oh well. I’m still going to buy another round of it! | 1 | neutral | [
"I usually use Alumilite resin which can be very yellow-tinted to begin with.",
"So this was a lovely change to find the resin slightly tinted blue and the hardener was completely clear of tint to avoid yellowing.",
"My pieces come out clear and that makes me a very happy lady.",
"However, I didn’t notice much difference in the bubbles.",
"Usually I mix on the faster side, but I’ve slowed down a lot and noticed there were still tiny bubbles.",
"I don’t mind, my work’s aesthetic forgives imperfections (and sometimes welcomes them!",
"), but I was hoping to see a decrease in bubbles after I changed brands.",
"I attached photos of (unfinished, so don’t judge!",
") pieces I made with a close up thrown in there to show the bubbles.",
"I didn’t warm up my resin, but I did take a torch lighter to the resin a few times and tapped the filled mold on my counter to help the bubbles rise.",
"Oh well.",
"I’m still going to buy another round of it!"
] |
As a thrift store find, I have no idea how old it is or how much it was used before coming into my hands. Therefore, I can't review the longevity of this blender at all, and I don't have the benefit of a user guide. The problems I have, you may not have.
The lid of this thrift store blender has some orange staining inside which bleach soaking cannot remove. I would guess it is prone to staining for everyone. The lid fits snugly yet is easy to remove. The lid plug is snug yet easy to remove.
The jar is glass and very sturdy. The blades inside the jar seem on the small side to me. However, I have been able to blend smoothies with frozen spinach and raw kale; I can't complain about the performance.
With other blenders I have known, the bottom of the jar is held into place with a 'jar nut', a band of plastic that screws onto the bottom of the jar. Unscrew the jar nut, and the gasket and the jar bottom fall out.
This blender does more or less the same, but the jar nut is huge and is shaped like an inverted ring mould! The jar goes into
the center of the mould; the mould itself fits over the blender base. (Look at the photos just above the Cuisinsart logo; that horizontal line is the edge of the jar nut.)
I do not like this jar nut. It comes off easily enough, but it is tricky putting it back together again. I have taken to putting water in the jar and sitting it in the sink for a couple minutes before using the blender to make sure I have attached it so that the blender jar does not leak. I am also concerned this plastic jar nut may crack while reassembling the jar. Dock one star!
The base is sturdy and easy to clean. The push buttons are idiosyncratic -- first you turn the blender on with the ON button, THEN you use another button to select the speed you want. Then you push the OFF button to turn it off. There is also a separate PULSE button. The buttons are easy to push and very responsive.
The last smoothie I made had frozen cranberries, almond milk, walnuts, raw baby carrots, dried mulberries, chocolate protein powder, chopped raw kale. I put the kale in to see whether the blender could handle it. The blender ground everything up smoothly except the kale, which was mostly ground up but tiny chunks remained. If you lined three chunks in a row, they might be as long as a grain of rice. I found some cranberry seed too, but not that much. If I had the patience to let the blender run two or three minutes, those chunks might have been ground too. I am really impressed that the carrots were so pulverized I could not pick them out of my smoothie.
When I blend frozen spinach or frozen berries, it leaves no chunks behind. I do not find it necessary to scrape the sides of the blender (but would probably spend less time blending if I did).
I monitor my blending, but the blender seems solid enough to walk away from while it is running if that is what you want to do.
I have NOT tried to crush ice or make anything other than a smoothie with this blender. For smoothies, I would say the performance is excellent for a blender in this price range.
I notice some leakage from the bottom blender jar if I let the blender run awhile (this may be why I found such a good blender at a thrift store). This leakage occurs even when I check the seal with water as I described before. I would say it is less than a teaspoon BUT it is leaking onto that non-immersible base so I find this an annoyance. I suspect a design flaw. My work-around is to pour out my smoothie right away. I always blend some water after I pour anything out of my blender for ease of cleaning later, and this too must be poured out right away. Dock another star!
In summary, great performer but that jar nut needs rethinking. It's fine for now but I suspect there's a Vitamix or a Blendtec in my future. | 1 | neutral | [
"As a thrift store find, I have no idea how old it is or how much it was used before coming into my hands.",
"Therefore, I can't review the longevity of this blender at all, and I don't have the benefit of a user guide.",
"The problems I have, you may not have.",
"The lid of this thrift store blender has some orange staining inside which bleach soaking cannot remove.",
"I would guess it is prone to staining for everyone.",
"The lid fits snugly yet is easy to remove.",
"The lid plug is snug yet easy to remove.",
"The jar is glass and very sturdy.",
"The blades inside the jar seem on the small side to me.",
"However, I have been able to blend smoothies with frozen spinach and raw kale; I can't complain about the performance.",
"With other blenders I have known, the bottom of the jar is held into place with a 'jar nut', a band of plastic that screws onto the bottom of the jar.",
"Unscrew the jar nut, and the gasket and the jar bottom fall out.",
"This blender does more or less the same, but the jar nut is huge and is shaped like an inverted ring mould!",
"The jar goes into\nthe center of the mould; the mould itself fits over the blender base.",
"(Look at the photos just above the Cuisinsart logo; that horizontal line is the edge of the jar nut.",
")\n\nI do not like this jar nut.",
"It comes off easily enough, but it is tricky putting it back together again.",
"I have taken to putting water in the jar and sitting it in the sink for a couple minutes before using the blender to make sure I have attached it so that the blender jar does not leak.",
"I am also concerned this plastic jar nut may crack while reassembling the jar.",
"Dock one star!",
"The base is sturdy and easy to clean.",
"The push buttons are idiosyncratic -- first you turn the blender on with the ON button, THEN you use another button to select the speed you want.",
"Then you push the OFF button to turn it off.",
"There is also a separate PULSE button.",
"The buttons are easy to push and very responsive.",
"The last smoothie I made had frozen cranberries, almond milk, walnuts, raw baby carrots, dried mulberries, chocolate protein powder, chopped raw kale.",
"I put the kale in to see whether the blender could handle it.",
"The blender ground everything up smoothly except the kale, which was mostly ground up but tiny chunks remained.",
"If you lined three chunks in a row, they might be as long as a grain of rice.",
"I found some cranberry seed too, but not that much.",
"If I had the patience to let the blender run two or three minutes, those chunks might have been ground too.",
"I am really impressed that the carrots were so pulverized I could not pick them out of my smoothie.",
"When I blend frozen spinach or frozen berries, it leaves no chunks behind.",
"I do not find it necessary to scrape the sides of the blender (but would probably spend less time blending if I did).",
"I monitor my blending, but the blender seems solid enough to walk away from while it is running if that is what you want to do.",
"I have NOT tried to crush ice or make anything other than a smoothie with this blender.",
"For smoothies, I would say the performance is excellent for a blender in this price range.",
"I notice some leakage from the bottom blender jar if I let the blender run awhile (this may be why I found such a good blender at a thrift store).",
"This leakage occurs even when I check the seal with water as I described before.",
"I would say it is less than a teaspoon BUT it is leaking onto that non-immersible base so I find this an annoyance.",
"I suspect a design flaw.",
"My work-around is to pour out my smoothie right away.",
"I always blend some water after I pour anything out of my blender for ease of cleaning later, and this too must be poured out right away.",
"Dock another star!",
"In summary, great performer but that jar nut needs rethinking.",
"It's fine for now but I suspect there's a Vitamix or a Blendtec in my future."
] |
This review might sound a bit like the one from "swingoutsisterguy," but I share a lot of the same opinions. Don't get me wrong. The graphics on this game are very nice, the sound quality is nice, and the gameplay could've been nice if I had been able to figure it out.
The main problem I had with it was I kept getting lost, even with using the map. I'm sure this game is getting great reviews from others in the fact that the worlds are so large, but it didn't work very well for me, as a beginner.
Also, the gameplay was pretty awkward. The bad guys in the game would walk right past me, and if I ignored them, they would leave me alone. But if I started attacking them, which I assume was one of the points in the game, a million bad guys would come out of nowhere and kill me, even though I was shooting like crazy.
I do not get easily offended by profanity in movies and stuff, but I do not think profanity and video games mix, especially in animated adventure-type games. That's another part of what made this game more unenjoyable. | 1 | neutral | [
"This review might sound a bit like the one from \"swingoutsisterguy,\" but I share a lot of the same opinions.",
"Don't get me wrong.",
"The graphics on this game are very nice, the sound quality is nice, and the gameplay could've been nice if I had been able to figure it out.",
"The main problem I had with it was I kept getting lost, even with using the map.",
"I'm sure this game is getting great reviews from others in the fact that the worlds are so large, but it didn't work very well for me, as a beginner.",
"Also, the gameplay was pretty awkward.",
"The bad guys in the game would walk right past me, and if I ignored them, they would leave me alone.",
"But if I started attacking them, which I assume was one of the points in the game, a million bad guys would come out of nowhere and kill me, even though I was shooting like crazy.",
"I do not get easily offended by profanity in movies and stuff, but I do not think profanity and video games mix, especially in animated adventure-type games.",
"That's another part of what made this game more unenjoyable."
] |
Edited...
I SO much enjoyed the Game of Thrones.... up until the author (I am theorizing) lost interest in the story, and decided it wasn't worth the effort to tie up all the various plots, sub-plots, and myriad storylines.
In my initial review, I panned this book. I somehow was under the impression that this was to be the last book. In that light, I thought it was horrible.
As several people have commented, I was mistaken. There are two more on their way. (whew)
While I still do not PERSONALLY like how this book went, and found it inferior to the first four... I will hope that the remaining two books do a better job, and conclude with the excellent writing of the first four. | 1 | neutral | [
"Edited...",
"I SO much enjoyed the Game of Thrones....",
"up until the author (I am theorizing) lost interest in the story, and decided it wasn't worth the effort to tie up all the various plots, sub-plots, and myriad storylines.",
"In my initial review, I panned this book.",
"I somehow was under the impression that this was to be the last book.",
"In that light, I thought it was horrible.",
"As several people have commented, I was mistaken.",
"There are two more on their way.",
"(whew)\n\nWhile I still do not PERSONALLY like how this book went, and found it inferior to the first four...",
"I will hope that the remaining two books do a better job, and conclude with the excellent writing of the first four."
] |
This should be a simple project, right? Simply add a riser block. Well, I fought with this thing for over two hours! My biggest gripe is the 21 mm socket/wrench required to attach the darn thing. Most metric sets go up to 19mm. That means an adjustable wrench is required. No problem . . . unless Grizzly doesn't provide enough space to accommodate the head of an adjustable wrench. Nice design, idiots! Cuss, cuss, cuss, swear, swear, swear. Then the bock didn't seat well into the base because, it turns out, the finish is not quite up to par and there is a little piece of metal keeping to two pieces from marrying perfectly. Some coaching from a hand sledge hammer, and voila! Fits like a charm. I guess in my gut I feel the G0555 should not require a separate riser kit and that it should just be designed and shipped without the need for a such a thing. Grizzly, if you are going to require a riser kit, at least make sure it is finished better!
After fighting with this riser block for hours, I realized the problem I was having was directly related to the poor finish | 1 | neutral | [
"This should be a simple project, right?",
"Simply add a riser block.",
"Well, I fought with this thing for over two hours!",
"My biggest gripe is the 21 mm socket/wrench required to attach the darn thing.",
"Most metric sets go up to 19mm.",
"That means an adjustable wrench is required.",
"No problem.",
".",
".",
"unless Grizzly doesn't provide enough space to accommodate the head of an adjustable wrench.",
"Nice design, idiots!",
"Cuss, cuss, cuss, swear, swear, swear.",
"Then the bock didn't seat well into the base because, it turns out, the finish is not quite up to par and there is a little piece of metal keeping to two pieces from marrying perfectly.",
"Some coaching from a hand sledge hammer, and voila!",
"Fits like a charm.",
"I guess in my gut I feel the G0555 should not require a separate riser kit and that it should just be designed and shipped without the need for a such a thing.",
"Grizzly, if you are going to require a riser kit, at least make sure it is finished better!",
"After fighting with this riser block for hours, I realized the problem I was having was directly related to the poor finish"
] |
I have a really hard time finding a red that doesn't look orange-y with my uber pale skin due to its pink undertones. When I do find a red with a blue tint, it's usually on the darker side. Finding a red that comes across as a true red - no orange, no blue, just red regardless of the skin tone its worn on - is rather difficult to do. This lip creme from Oribe is one of those rare true reds. When applied, this color is the classic red lipstick that needs nothing more than a simple cat eye makeup to look perfect. It applies very smoothly and easily, doesn't have a prominent scent, and doesn't have a funky taste. The color in the photographs for this listing are not representative at all of the color when it was applied to my lips. It looks like the color was photoshopped on to the lips of the models for the different skin tones for each of the three colors Oribe offers
While the color is gorgeous, this isn't a lipstick I would really recommend, especially for this price. if you don't use a lip primer and lip liner, this lipstick will migrate and feather and come off on everything - anyone you kiss, your cup, your eating utensils, your teeth. If not applied to something to adhere it to lips and then set properly, it was shocking how fast it came off. If you have any trace of dryness on your lips, this color will exacerbate it. If you apply it with too much pressure, the bullet is so soft and creamy it is like smooshing frosting between your fingers. If you can, use a lip brush to apply this over prepped lips. The creaminess helps to keep your lips from getting dried out, and you can remove this lipstick with just a swipe of a tissue.
Even though this lipstick is a such lovely color and perfect shade of red, I can't really recommend this for more than a special evening out or for photos. For anywhere from $5.00 to $30.00 less you can get lipsticks from Dior, Marc Jacobs, Urban Decay, BITE, Tarte, Besame, or others are as creamy and pigmented as this from Oribe but last all day. Even $6.00 lipsticks from Nyx (the Butter Lipstick or Gloss) gives pigment as good and stays longer than this one from Oribe. Finding this perfect red in lip friendly formula is great, but with the prep work needed to make it last for longer than a cup of coffee is a lot for a lippie that costs this much doesn't justify the cost with the options out there. | 1 | neutral | [
"I have a really hard time finding a red that doesn't look orange-y with my uber pale skin due to its pink undertones.",
"When I do find a red with a blue tint, it's usually on the darker side.",
"Finding a red that comes across as a true red - no orange, no blue, just red regardless of the skin tone its worn on - is rather difficult to do.",
"This lip creme from Oribe is one of those rare true reds.",
"When applied, this color is the classic red lipstick that needs nothing more than a simple cat eye makeup to look perfect.",
"It applies very smoothly and easily, doesn't have a prominent scent, and doesn't have a funky taste.",
"The color in the photographs for this listing are not representative at all of the color when it was applied to my lips.",
"It looks like the color was photoshopped on to the lips of the models for the different skin tones for each of the three colors Oribe offers\n\nWhile the color is gorgeous, this isn't a lipstick I would really recommend, especially for this price.",
"if you don't use a lip primer and lip liner, this lipstick will migrate and feather and come off on everything - anyone you kiss, your cup, your eating utensils, your teeth.",
"If not applied to something to adhere it to lips and then set properly, it was shocking how fast it came off.",
"If you have any trace of dryness on your lips, this color will exacerbate it.",
"If you apply it with too much pressure, the bullet is so soft and creamy it is like smooshing frosting between your fingers.",
"If you can, use a lip brush to apply this over prepped lips.",
"The creaminess helps to keep your lips from getting dried out, and you can remove this lipstick with just a swipe of a tissue.",
"Even though this lipstick is a such lovely color and perfect shade of red, I can't really recommend this for more than a special evening out or for photos.",
"For anywhere from $5.",
"00 to $30.",
"00 less you can get lipsticks from Dior, Marc Jacobs, Urban Decay, BITE, Tarte, Besame, or others are as creamy and pigmented as this from Oribe but last all day.",
"Even $6.",
"00 lipsticks from Nyx (the Butter Lipstick or Gloss) gives pigment as good and stays longer than this one from Oribe.",
"Finding this perfect red in lip friendly formula is great, but with the prep work needed to make it last for longer than a cup of coffee is a lot for a lippie that costs this much doesn't justify the cost with the options out there."
] |
Peter Gabriel, never content to sit still, begins pursuing a new direction after the brilliance of "Peter Gabriel 3". "Security" does not succeed as consistently as 3 did, but it is nonetheless an incredible album with some of Gabriel's best material. Joined again by David Rhodes, Tony Levin, Larry Fast, and Jerry Marrotta, Gabriel begins to fuse his world music interests with the paranoia and darkness of the previous album. The result is often astonishing. But unlike 3, this album lets up a bit from the darkness.
Mind you, you wouldn't know it from the opening number: "The Rhythm of the Heat" sounds like it the material on "3" but with tribal percussion added to it, its one of Gabriel's strongests pieces. "San Jacinto" though is the first sign of change-- it maintains the world feel, albiet not as directly, and while not exactly a cheery song, it has a bit of an optimistic sense to it.
What follows next is a bit unexpected, particularly after the strong focus of "3"-- in many ways similar to "Peter Gabriel 2", the album starts to drift a bit, as though Gabriel is trying to find his way. A somewhat funkier sound is beginning to emerge in Gabriel's music, most apparent in "I Have the Touch", "Shock the Monkey" and "Kiss of Life". This along with the emergence of the world elements in his music leads the way to the future. But bizarrely enough, with all this forward looking, "The Family and the Fishing Net" is sandwiched between two of these, an overlong piece that would sound more appropriate alongside the punk tracks on "2". Ditto for the later "Lay Your Hands On Me", a reasonable song, but again way too long.
One of the unnoticed gems in Gabriel's catalog, "Wallflower", follows "Lay Your Hands On Me". A pretty ballad, with a much more general feel (although similar mood) than something like "Biko", features a great piano figure during the chorus.
This album could be better, Gabriel's restlessness gets the better of him and some of its not well enough developed, but there's enough strong material to make it worth having. | 1 | neutral | [
"Peter Gabriel, never content to sit still, begins pursuing a new direction after the brilliance of \"Peter Gabriel 3\".",
"\"Security\" does not succeed as consistently as 3 did, but it is nonetheless an incredible album with some of Gabriel's best material.",
"Joined again by David Rhodes, Tony Levin, Larry Fast, and Jerry Marrotta, Gabriel begins to fuse his world music interests with the paranoia and darkness of the previous album.",
"The result is often astonishing.",
"But unlike 3, this album lets up a bit from the darkness.",
"Mind you, you wouldn't know it from the opening number: \"The Rhythm of the Heat\" sounds like it the material on \"3\" but with tribal percussion added to it, its one of Gabriel's strongests pieces.",
"\"San Jacinto\" though is the first sign of change-- it maintains the world feel, albiet not as directly, and while not exactly a cheery song, it has a bit of an optimistic sense to it.",
"What follows next is a bit unexpected, particularly after the strong focus of \"3\"-- in many ways similar to \"Peter Gabriel 2\", the album starts to drift a bit, as though Gabriel is trying to find his way.",
"A somewhat funkier sound is beginning to emerge in Gabriel's music, most apparent in \"I Have the Touch\", \"Shock the Monkey\" and \"Kiss of Life\".",
"This along with the emergence of the world elements in his music leads the way to the future.",
"But bizarrely enough, with all this forward looking, \"The Family and the Fishing Net\" is sandwiched between two of these, an overlong piece that would sound more appropriate alongside the punk tracks on \"2\".",
"Ditto for the later \"Lay Your Hands On Me\", a reasonable song, but again way too long.",
"One of the unnoticed gems in Gabriel's catalog, \"Wallflower\", follows \"Lay Your Hands On Me\".",
"A pretty ballad, with a much more general feel (although similar mood) than something like \"Biko\", features a great piano figure during the chorus.",
"This album could be better, Gabriel's restlessness gets the better of him and some of its not well enough developed, but there's enough strong material to make it worth having."
] |
INSANE: Women's March ATTACKS #MeToo Leader Rose McGowan Over Her 'Transphobia'
There's a limit to the Women's March's support for women â and Rose McGowan has apparently met it .
After McGowan argued with a trangender activist who attempted to derail a planned speech about her abuse at the hands of Harvey Weinstein the Women's March hit out at McGowan for her "transphobia" and for "denying" a trans woman's identity.
The Daily Wire covered the incident which took place at a Manhattan Barnes & Noble. While McGowan was giving her speech a "trans activist" heckled her from the audience accusing her of abrogating her responsibility to trans women and failing to acknowledge the violence trans woman face as though McGowan was competing to be the most injured victim of men.
McGowan was confused and then hurt. When the activist was finally removed McGowan broke down.
Please read this interview with the activist who engaged with Rose McGowan last night. Transphobia and denying trans womenâs identities is never okay. The pain we feel does not excuse the pain we cause others. https://t.co/9rtdmzngUa â Women's March (@womensmarch) February 2 2018 | 1 | neutral | [
"INSANE: Women's March ATTACKS #MeToo Leader Rose McGowan Over Her 'Transphobia'\nThere's a limit to the Women's March's support for women â and Rose McGowan has apparently met it.",
"After McGowan argued with a trangender activist who attempted to derail a planned speech about her abuse at the hands of Harvey Weinstein the Women's March hit out at McGowan for her \"transphobia\" and for \"denying\" a trans woman's identity.",
"The Daily Wire covered the incident which took place at a Manhattan Barnes & Noble.",
"While McGowan was giving her speech a \"trans activist\" heckled her from the audience accusing her of abrogating her responsibility to trans women and failing to acknowledge the violence trans woman face as though McGowan was competing to be the most injured victim of men.",
"McGowan was confused and then hurt.",
"When the activist was finally removed McGowan broke down.",
"Please read this interview with the activist who engaged with Rose McGowan last night.",
"Transphobia and denying trans womenâs identities is never okay.",
"The pain we feel does not excuse the pain we cause others.",
"https://t.",
"co/9rtdmzngUa â Women's March (@womensmarch) February 2 2018"
] |
I ordered this for my 18 year-old daughter who loves makeup. She says the setting powder does it's job by keeping makeup from creasing, especially the under eye concealer. However, it's white and leaves a white cast even after it's baked (with a damp makeup sponge). This would probably show up white on flash photos. (If given the choice, she would have ordered a colored powder and given the product a higher rating because it would have been a good dupe for Laura Mercier powder.) You can reduce this by adding more foundation powder but this just causes you to set your makeup twice. My daughter says the setting spray is just okay. The mist isn't fine enough and leaves big droplets on your face. It also smells a little strange. Overall, she says the products work but aren't good enough to justify the price. | 1 | neutral | [
"I ordered this for my 18 year-old daughter who loves makeup.",
"She says the setting powder does it's job by keeping makeup from creasing, especially the under eye concealer.",
"However, it's white and leaves a white cast even after it's baked (with a damp makeup sponge).",
"This would probably show up white on flash photos.",
"(If given the choice, she would have ordered a colored powder and given the product a higher rating because it would have been a good dupe for Laura Mercier powder.",
") You can reduce this by adding more foundation powder but this just causes you to set your makeup twice.",
"My daughter says the setting spray is just okay.",
"The mist isn't fine enough and leaves big droplets on your face.",
"It also smells a little strange.",
"Overall, she says the products work but aren't good enough to justify the price."
] |
This was the first case I bought for my Evo. Having TPU around the edges is better than silicone in my opinion because it TPU does not attract lint. Having a clear back was nice too, because it preserved the original looks of the phone.
But...
This case is difficult to put on and even harder to take off. In fact, the TPU surround tore away from the clear back as I was attempting to remove the case. Removing the case was a struggle because it fits tightly (fitting tightly is not a bad thing though). The TPU is clearly not adhered well enough.
I was also not satisfied that the camera was protected. When in this case, the camera lens is flush with the clear back, meaning the lens would still be resting on the table if I set the phone down with the phone's back facing the table. | 1 | neutral | [
"This was the first case I bought for my Evo.",
"Having TPU around the edges is better than silicone in my opinion because it TPU does not attract lint.",
"Having a clear back was nice too, because it preserved the original looks of the phone.",
"But...",
"This case is difficult to put on and even harder to take off.",
"In fact, the TPU surround tore away from the clear back as I was attempting to remove the case.",
"Removing the case was a struggle because it fits tightly (fitting tightly is not a bad thing though).",
"The TPU is clearly not adhered well enough.",
"I was also not satisfied that the camera was protected.",
"When in this case, the camera lens is flush with the clear back, meaning the lens would still be resting on the table if I set the phone down with the phone's back facing the table."
] |
This movie is much weaker than either of the <a data-hook="product-link-linked" class="a-link-normal" href="/first/dp/B00005JKHP/ref=cm_cr_arp_d_rvw_txt?ie=UTF8">first</a> <a data-hook="product-link-linked" class="a-link-normal" href="/two/dp/B0000683DH/ref=cm_cr_arp_d_rvw_txt?ie=UTF8">two</a>. But then, it has to be. From the start, it is based on an inherently hokey premise: after The Wrath Of Khan, another Star Trek movie could only exist if it found a way to bring Spock back from the dead. Of course, there's no way to do that believably.
So, the writers use the crutch of Vulcan mysticism, and invent a ritual whereby Spock can be resurrected. The Vulcans have so many super powers that, by all rights, they really ought to be running the entire Federation. They're already super-smart, super-strong, and live for hundreds of years, and now they also have immortal souls that can be transferred between bodies. Even less believable is the idea that Kirk would know nothing about these aspects of Vulcan culture, despite being best friends with a Vulcan for years. Don't they have liberal arts requirements at Starfleet Academy?
But, miraculously, all this is almost palatable, because they bring back <a data-hook="product-link-linked" class="a-link-normal" href="/Mark-Lenard/dp/B000059XU0/ref=cm_cr_arp_d_rvw_txt?ie=UTF8">Mark Lenard</a> as Spock's somber father. For me, much of the appeal of the entire Star Trek franchise comes from its remarkable luck in finding actors with precisely this kind of old-fashioned acting style. Mark Lenard, David Warner, Ricardo Montalban, and even the much-ridiculed William Shatner all have a mannered, theatrical diction and bearing, a style that is unsuitable for realistic, "modern" stories, but perfect for depicting epic archetypes. In fact, by the time this movie was made, Star Trek might have been the only place to find this style of acting -- outside this franchise, you'd have to go all the way back to old black-and-white Hollywood films. But there is always a place for this old style. For instance, I admire the acting of <a data-hook="product-link-linked" class="a-link-normal" href="/Robert-De-Niro/dp/B0006GAOJA/ref=cm_cr_arp_d_rvw_txt?ie=UTF8">Robert De Niro</a>, but he'd never have been able to play <a data-hook="product-link-linked" class="a-link-normal" href="/Agamemnon/dp/0140447946/ref=cm_cr_arp_d_rvw_txt?ie=UTF8">Agamemnon</a>, or <a data-hook="product-link-linked" class="a-link-normal" href="/Odysseus/dp/0374525749/ref=cm_cr_arp_d_rvw_txt?ie=UTF8">Odysseus</a>, or, dare I say, Captain Kirk.
So Mark Lenard arrives to deliver the idiotic plot device concocted by the writers, but he is so grave and dignified while doing so that it almost sort of makes sense. Kirk's show of respect for the stern old Vulcan is also quite affecting. The ensuing scenes draw on another one of Star Trek's great strengths, the theme of friendship and loyalty between Kirk and his crew. The entire first half of the movie, up until the first space battle, is excellent, because Kirk's love of his captaincy and his ship was always key to his character, and it is genuinely moving to watch him push himself to sacrifice those things for the sake of friendship. The ending of the first space battle is completely awe-inspiring -- not only because of the sacrifice involved, but because it is a brilliant piece of strategy on Kirk's part. Unlike many Star Trek victories, it is not a deus ex machina ("we suddenly discovered a new type of beam that makes the bad guys spontaneously combust"), but rather, the product of audacious thinking and cunning.
The resolution is less clever, though. Christopher Lloyd, as the Klingon warrior Kruge, is a competent villain (not as good as Ricardo Montalban, but maybe that's an unfair comparison), with an imperious bearing that fits his status as "lord." But with him, the franchise began to invent a goofy medievalist warrior culture for the Klingons. In my opinion, this makes it much more difficult to take them seriously as modern, Cold-War-style adversaries. They are much more interesting in <a data-hook="product-link-linked" class="a-link-normal" href="/The-Undiscovered-Country/dp/B0000UJL96/ref=cm_cr_arp_d_rvw_txt?ie=UTF8">The Undiscovered Country</a>.
And I dislike the way the movie cavalierly dispenses with the entire Genesis story from The Wrath Of Khan. In the second movie, Genesis made a good symbol, one that gave additional meaning to Spock's sacrifice. Furthermore, even though Kirk, due to his adventurous character, can't ever possibly settle down with a wife and son, it was a good touch to show that he still had a family out there somewhere. The way this movie does away with that is pointlessly callous. At least Robin Curtis is a better Saavik than Kirstie Alley, and gets a great, sympathetic scene with the young Spock (too bad they didn't have the guts to show Kirk's reference to her "condition" during their goodbye in The Voyage Home).
The conflict ends with a fist-fight in the middle of exploding special effects, which is quite dumb. In the sixties, Shatner had enough youthful machismo to pull that off on the TV series, but here, he's not a very credible contender in hand-to-hand combat. He is a much more convincing leader during the space battles, where he can be daring in his schemes instead of his physical strength.
Perhaps this was the first Star Trek movie where the plot development was visibly influenced by marketing concerns, from the premise to the resolution. A lot of it is quite engrossing, and uses the characters very well. But it's not the one to go to if you want Star Trek at its best. | 1 | neutral | [
"This movie is much weaker than either of the <a data-hook=\"product-link-linked\" class=\"a-link-normal\" href=\"/first/dp/B00005JKHP/ref=cm_cr_arp_d_rvw_txt?",
"ie=UTF8\">first</a> <a data-hook=\"product-link-linked\" class=\"a-link-normal\" href=\"/two/dp/B0000683DH/ref=cm_cr_arp_d_rvw_txt?",
"ie=UTF8\">two</a>.",
"But then, it has to be.",
"From the start, it is based on an inherently hokey premise: after The Wrath Of Khan, another Star Trek movie could only exist if it found a way to bring Spock back from the dead.",
"Of course, there's no way to do that believably.",
"So, the writers use the crutch of Vulcan mysticism, and invent a ritual whereby Spock can be resurrected.",
"The Vulcans have so many super powers that, by all rights, they really ought to be running the entire Federation.",
"They're already super-smart, super-strong, and live for hundreds of years, and now they also have immortal souls that can be transferred between bodies.",
"Even less believable is the idea that Kirk would know nothing about these aspects of Vulcan culture, despite being best friends with a Vulcan for years.",
"Don't they have liberal arts requirements at Starfleet Academy?",
"But, miraculously, all this is almost palatable, because they bring back <a data-hook=\"product-link-linked\" class=\"a-link-normal\" href=\"/Mark-Lenard/dp/B000059XU0/ref=cm_cr_arp_d_rvw_txt?",
"ie=UTF8\">Mark Lenard</a> as Spock's somber father.",
"For me, much of the appeal of the entire Star Trek franchise comes from its remarkable luck in finding actors with precisely this kind of old-fashioned acting style.",
"Mark Lenard, David Warner, Ricardo Montalban, and even the much-ridiculed William Shatner all have a mannered, theatrical diction and bearing, a style that is unsuitable for realistic, \"modern\" stories, but perfect for depicting epic archetypes.",
"In fact, by the time this movie was made, Star Trek might have been the only place to find this style of acting -- outside this franchise, you'd have to go all the way back to old black-and-white Hollywood films.",
"But there is always a place for this old style.",
"For instance, I admire the acting of <a data-hook=\"product-link-linked\" class=\"a-link-normal\" href=\"/Robert-De-Niro/dp/B0006GAOJA/ref=cm_cr_arp_d_rvw_txt?",
"ie=UTF8\">Robert De Niro</a>, but he'd never have been able to play <a data-hook=\"product-link-linked\" class=\"a-link-normal\" href=\"/Agamemnon/dp/0140447946/ref=cm_cr_arp_d_rvw_txt?",
"ie=UTF8\">Agamemnon</a>, or <a data-hook=\"product-link-linked\" class=\"a-link-normal\" href=\"/Odysseus/dp/0374525749/ref=cm_cr_arp_d_rvw_txt?",
"ie=UTF8\">Odysseus</a>, or, dare I say, Captain Kirk.",
"So Mark Lenard arrives to deliver the idiotic plot device concocted by the writers, but he is so grave and dignified while doing so that it almost sort of makes sense.",
"Kirk's show of respect for the stern old Vulcan is also quite affecting.",
"The ensuing scenes draw on another one of Star Trek's great strengths, the theme of friendship and loyalty between Kirk and his crew.",
"The entire first half of the movie, up until the first space battle, is excellent, because Kirk's love of his captaincy and his ship was always key to his character, and it is genuinely moving to watch him push himself to sacrifice those things for the sake of friendship.",
"The ending of the first space battle is completely awe-inspiring -- not only because of the sacrifice involved, but because it is a brilliant piece of strategy on Kirk's part.",
"Unlike many Star Trek victories, it is not a deus ex machina (\"we suddenly discovered a new type of beam that makes the bad guys spontaneously combust\"), but rather, the product of audacious thinking and cunning.",
"The resolution is less clever, though.",
"Christopher Lloyd, as the Klingon warrior Kruge, is a competent villain (not as good as Ricardo Montalban, but maybe that's an unfair comparison), with an imperious bearing that fits his status as \"lord.",
"\" But with him, the franchise began to invent a goofy medievalist warrior culture for the Klingons.",
"In my opinion, this makes it much more difficult to take them seriously as modern, Cold-War-style adversaries.",
"They are much more interesting in <a data-hook=\"product-link-linked\" class=\"a-link-normal\" href=\"/The-Undiscovered-Country/dp/B0000UJL96/ref=cm_cr_arp_d_rvw_txt?",
"ie=UTF8\">The Undiscovered Country</a>.",
"And I dislike the way the movie cavalierly dispenses with the entire Genesis story from The Wrath Of Khan.",
"In the second movie, Genesis made a good symbol, one that gave additional meaning to Spock's sacrifice.",
"Furthermore, even though Kirk, due to his adventurous character, can't ever possibly settle down with a wife and son, it was a good touch to show that he still had a family out there somewhere.",
"The way this movie does away with that is pointlessly callous.",
"At least Robin Curtis is a better Saavik than Kirstie Alley, and gets a great, sympathetic scene with the young Spock (too bad they didn't have the guts to show Kirk's reference to her \"condition\" during their goodbye in The Voyage Home).",
"The conflict ends with a fist-fight in the middle of exploding special effects, which is quite dumb.",
"In the sixties, Shatner had enough youthful machismo to pull that off on the TV series, but here, he's not a very credible contender in hand-to-hand combat.",
"He is a much more convincing leader during the space battles, where he can be daring in his schemes instead of his physical strength.",
"Perhaps this was the first Star Trek movie where the plot development was visibly influenced by marketing concerns, from the premise to the resolution.",
"A lot of it is quite engrossing, and uses the characters very well.",
"But it's not the one to go to if you want Star Trek at its best."
] |
I'm hesitant to outline the book's plot for fear of giving out too much information. However, since most reviews of the book give away the plot and because the story has also been made into a movie, I'll proceed. Be aware, though, that possible spoilers lie ahead.
SPOILER ALERT!!!
Beth Cappadora, excited about her 15-year high school reunion, packs up her three kids (Vincent, 7; Ben, 3; and infant Kerry) and her niece/babysitter and drives from Madison, Wisconsin to the Chicago hotel that's hosting the festivities. While Beth is doing some business at the hotel's busy reception desk Ben disappears. Police, family, and friends search all over for days, but Ben is simply gone.
Beth and her husband Pat are shattered by the loss, and their remaining two children suffer from their parents' distraction. In time Pat is more or less able to go on with his life and his job - helping run his uncle's restaurant in Madison. Beth, however, can't seem to recover at all. She sleeps most of the time and, even when she's awake, Beth isn't really there. The Cappadoras try attending a support group, which is of very limited assistance.
Vincent, who was supposed to be keeping an eye on Ben when he vanished, develops serious behavior problems. These become worse as he approaches adolescence and Vincent becomes a bully, gets into fights, and repeatedly gets into trouble at school. Vincent is sent to a therapist but does all he can to avoid addressing his real issues - thinking he's pulling the wool over his therapist's eyes.
After a health crisis the Cappadoras move back to Chicago, where their extended family still lives. And miracle of miracles - nine years after he vanished - Ben shows up on the Cappadora's doorstep looking for a lawn-mowing job.
The reunion isn't the total blessing Beth and Pat would have hoped for however. Ben doesn't remember them at all and has a fierce attachment to his 'new family' - the woman who kidnapped him (now severely mentally ill) and her husband George. To top it off George is a complete innocent in all this; he accepted Ben as his wife's child, 'adopted' him, and dearly loves the boy.
The latter part of the book is especially heart-rending as Ben's 'two families' must cope with everything that's happened. What's everyone supposed to do now? Are Vincent and Kerry going to welcome their 'new' sibling? How does Ben cope with being a stranger in his own family? How does Pat deal with 'another dad' in the picture? What's going to happen to the kidnapper?
The book tells a compelling story, the writing is good, and the characters seem more or less true to life. I had great sympathy for Beth but didn't like her much. She wallows in her grief for too long and makes (almost) no attempt to 'be there' for the family she still has. The other characters, especially Pat, seem to do the best they can in very difficult circumstances.
In the end I felt the book was too long and overly melodramatic. The story reminded me of an afternoon special on Lifetime TV. The story rates 3 stars for me but I think some other readers would like the book better. | 1 | neutral | [
"I'm hesitant to outline the book's plot for fear of giving out too much information.",
"However, since most reviews of the book give away the plot and because the story has also been made into a movie, I'll proceed.",
"Be aware, though, that possible spoilers lie ahead.",
"SPOILER ALERT!!!",
"Beth Cappadora, excited about her 15-year high school reunion, packs up her three kids (Vincent, 7; Ben, 3; and infant Kerry) and her niece/babysitter and drives from Madison, Wisconsin to the Chicago hotel that's hosting the festivities.",
"While Beth is doing some business at the hotel's busy reception desk Ben disappears.",
"Police, family, and friends search all over for days, but Ben is simply gone.",
"Beth and her husband Pat are shattered by the loss, and their remaining two children suffer from their parents' distraction.",
"In time Pat is more or less able to go on with his life and his job - helping run his uncle's restaurant in Madison.",
"Beth, however, can't seem to recover at all.",
"She sleeps most of the time and, even when she's awake, Beth isn't really there.",
"The Cappadoras try attending a support group, which is of very limited assistance.",
"Vincent, who was supposed to be keeping an eye on Ben when he vanished, develops serious behavior problems.",
"These become worse as he approaches adolescence and Vincent becomes a bully, gets into fights, and repeatedly gets into trouble at school.",
"Vincent is sent to a therapist but does all he can to avoid addressing his real issues - thinking he's pulling the wool over his therapist's eyes.",
"After a health crisis the Cappadoras move back to Chicago, where their extended family still lives.",
"And miracle of miracles - nine years after he vanished - Ben shows up on the Cappadora's doorstep looking for a lawn-mowing job.",
"The reunion isn't the total blessing Beth and Pat would have hoped for however.",
"Ben doesn't remember them at all and has a fierce attachment to his 'new family' - the woman who kidnapped him (now severely mentally ill) and her husband George.",
"To top it off George is a complete innocent in all this; he accepted Ben as his wife's child, 'adopted' him, and dearly loves the boy.",
"The latter part of the book is especially heart-rending as Ben's 'two families' must cope with everything that's happened.",
"What's everyone supposed to do now?",
"Are Vincent and Kerry going to welcome their 'new' sibling?",
"How does Ben cope with being a stranger in his own family?",
"How does Pat deal with 'another dad' in the picture?",
"What's going to happen to the kidnapper?",
"The book tells a compelling story, the writing is good, and the characters seem more or less true to life.",
"I had great sympathy for Beth but didn't like her much.",
"She wallows in her grief for too long and makes (almost) no attempt to 'be there' for the family she still has.",
"The other characters, especially Pat, seem to do the best they can in very difficult circumstances.",
"In the end I felt the book was too long and overly melodramatic.",
"The story reminded me of an afternoon special on Lifetime TV.",
"The story rates 3 stars for me but I think some other readers would like the book better."
] |
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