text
stringlengths 114
22.4k
| label
int64 0
2
| label_text
stringclasses 3
values | sentences
sequencelengths 10
828
|
|---|---|---|---|
It's a sci-fi/horror-action film about a sprawling, secret undeground research facility where illegal and dangerous scientific experiments are taking place. Naturally something goes wrong. A SWAT team is sent in to figure out what happened. They figure out they are in over their heads, and spend the rest of the movie fighting their way out. That's basically it.
Insofar as these types of films go, this one isn't terrible. It does have its strengths. Being underground for the majority of the film, there is a creepy, middle-of-the-night atmosphere to it that kind of works (kind of). And the lead actress, Milla Jovovich, has a certain presence that works because she manages to be tough and gorgeous at the same time.
On the other hand, there is no depth to the plot, or the characters. The dialogue is cringe-worthy at times (e.g. "These people used to WORK here!"), and for an action film, the action is pretty tame. It's also worth noting that the zombies are not particularly scary.
If you are in the mood for a simple, cheap guilty pleasure to watch late at night when you can't sleep, this film is decent. However, if you are looking for something challenging, unique, or moving, you probably won't like this movie. | 1 | neutral | [
"It's a sci-fi/horror-action film about a sprawling, secret undeground research facility where illegal and dangerous scientific experiments are taking place.",
"Naturally something goes wrong.",
"A SWAT team is sent in to figure out what happened.",
"They figure out they are in over their heads, and spend the rest of the movie fighting their way out.",
"That's basically it.",
"Insofar as these types of films go, this one isn't terrible.",
"It does have its strengths.",
"Being underground for the majority of the film, there is a creepy, middle-of-the-night atmosphere to it that kind of works (kind of).",
"And the lead actress, Milla Jovovich, has a certain presence that works because she manages to be tough and gorgeous at the same time.",
"On the other hand, there is no depth to the plot, or the characters.",
"The dialogue is cringe-worthy at times (e.",
"g. \"These people used to WORK here!",
"\"), and for an action film, the action is pretty tame.",
"It's also worth noting that the zombies are not particularly scary.",
"If you are in the mood for a simple, cheap guilty pleasure to watch late at night when you can't sleep, this film is decent.",
"However, if you are looking for something challenging, unique, or moving, you probably won't like this movie."
] |
You have to admire Friedkin for the way he tackled this project. He was in awe of the French thriller "The Wages of Fear" (1953) and challenged himself to do an original retelling of the story. He refused to borrow the best elements of that classic and just took the basic storyline; totally altering its film-making style and carefully excising the very elements he most admired in the original-substituting his own ideas and avoiding any hint of taking the easy way out. Even insisting on a title that reflected not the film but the process of transforming the original into something very different; and it was a two year $22 million process. This was his masterpiece (he had earned the chance with two big hits-"The French Connection" and "The Exorcist") and he wanted "The Wages of Fear" to be his inspiration, not his blueprint.
So instead of a subtle off-camera explosion, "Sorcerer" graphically illustrates the event. Instead of a languid first half character study he shows short action-oriented background segments. Instead of an undefined location (filmed in the south of France it could be anywhere from the Middle East to South America) he titles his locations and sets the main story in Venezuela (filmed in the jungles of the Dominican Republic).
And on the most fundamental level the claustrophobic closeness of "The Wages of Fear" (its most unique and pervasive element) is replaced with a distanced perspective. Tight shots become wide shots, interior scenes are brought outside, a bigger budget transforms intimacy into scale. While you especially admire Friedkin for taking this risk, it is unfortunately the film's fatal flaw (at least comparatively). Without the tight shots in the truck cabs and the evolving relationships between the characters, there is little to identify with and no real point of view established. Because the motivations are superficial, the reactions are unconvincing and the suspense less involving.
What is left is a good action picture without the basic themes and extreme dimensionality of the original.
Four desperate men lack the funds to escape Porvenir, a backwater village in South America. Nilo (Francisco Rabal) is an assassin from a Central American city, Kassen (Amidou) is a Palestinian bomber, Victor (Bruno Cremer) is a white collar criminal from Paris, and Jackie (Roy Scheider) is a small time American hood fleeing a mob contract. When a revolutionary group sets fire to an oil rig, the company offers big bucks to anyone who will drive a load of very unstable explosives 200 miles to the wellhead; where they will be used to blow out the fire.
Amidou was Friedkin's only first choice for a part, the other three parts were offered to actors who turned them down and he was forced to settle for this cast. Which could be one reason that Friedkin pulled back his camera and minimized the acting component of the film.
For some reason a great deal of time is spent filming the men repairing two junked trucks, getting them ready for the expedition. Then they are off and the superiority of "The Wages of Sin" begins to really show. In that film an early obstacle is a hairpin turn that requires the trucks to back up. What happens to the first truck sets the viewer up for the difficulties that the second truck will have. In "Sorcerer" Friedkin substitutes a more elaborate bridge, but the sequential technique does not work nearly as well.
There is some astonishing cinematography in this part of the film, and a gripping musical score by Tangerine Dream. It would be nice to have it available in the original widescreen format.
Then again, what do I know? I'm only a child. | 1 | neutral | [
"You have to admire Friedkin for the way he tackled this project.",
"He was in awe of the French thriller \"The Wages of Fear\" (1953) and challenged himself to do an original retelling of the story.",
"He refused to borrow the best elements of that classic and just took the basic storyline; totally altering its film-making style and carefully excising the very elements he most admired in the original-substituting his own ideas and avoiding any hint of taking the easy way out.",
"Even insisting on a title that reflected not the film but the process of transforming the original into something very different; and it was a two year $22 million process.",
"This was his masterpiece (he had earned the chance with two big hits-\"The French Connection\" and \"The Exorcist\") and he wanted \"The Wages of Fear\" to be his inspiration, not his blueprint.",
"So instead of a subtle off-camera explosion, \"Sorcerer\" graphically illustrates the event.",
"Instead of a languid first half character study he shows short action-oriented background segments.",
"Instead of an undefined location (filmed in the south of France it could be anywhere from the Middle East to South America) he titles his locations and sets the main story in Venezuela (filmed in the jungles of the Dominican Republic).",
"And on the most fundamental level the claustrophobic closeness of \"The Wages of Fear\" (its most unique and pervasive element) is replaced with a distanced perspective.",
"Tight shots become wide shots, interior scenes are brought outside, a bigger budget transforms intimacy into scale.",
"While you especially admire Friedkin for taking this risk, it is unfortunately the film's fatal flaw (at least comparatively).",
"Without the tight shots in the truck cabs and the evolving relationships between the characters, there is little to identify with and no real point of view established.",
"Because the motivations are superficial, the reactions are unconvincing and the suspense less involving.",
"What is left is a good action picture without the basic themes and extreme dimensionality of the original.",
"Four desperate men lack the funds to escape Porvenir, a backwater village in South America.",
"Nilo (Francisco Rabal) is an assassin from a Central American city, Kassen (Amidou) is a Palestinian bomber, Victor (Bruno Cremer) is a white collar criminal from Paris, and Jackie (Roy Scheider) is a small time American hood fleeing a mob contract.",
"When a revolutionary group sets fire to an oil rig, the company offers big bucks to anyone who will drive a load of very unstable explosives 200 miles to the wellhead; where they will be used to blow out the fire.",
"Amidou was Friedkin's only first choice for a part, the other three parts were offered to actors who turned them down and he was forced to settle for this cast.",
"Which could be one reason that Friedkin pulled back his camera and minimized the acting component of the film.",
"For some reason a great deal of time is spent filming the men repairing two junked trucks, getting them ready for the expedition.",
"Then they are off and the superiority of \"The Wages of Sin\" begins to really show.",
"In that film an early obstacle is a hairpin turn that requires the trucks to back up.",
"What happens to the first truck sets the viewer up for the difficulties that the second truck will have.",
"In \"Sorcerer\" Friedkin substitutes a more elaborate bridge, but the sequential technique does not work nearly as well.",
"There is some astonishing cinematography in this part of the film, and a gripping musical score by Tangerine Dream.",
"It would be nice to have it available in the original widescreen format.",
"Then again, what do I know?",
"I'm only a child."
] |
I remember when I was a teenager and The Spice Girls were huge and I was in love with Geri `Sexy Spice' Halliwell. Yes, as a young teen (like pre-teen actually), I was infatuated with what the Spice Girls represented; strong, carefree women who were slinking and lovely to look at, and listen to. My friends and I listened to `Spice' on repeat for months and yes, we sang along with our favorite girls (the ones we fantasized about actually having a shot with).
The funny thing is that for many, The Spice Girls were a fad that they couldn't wait to watch fizzle out. They were a joke to music snobs who thought that the gimmick was all that tied these girls to the airwaves. Sadly, many wrote them off, but thankfully their loyal fans kept them alive (and continue to keep them relevant despite them all moving on). Yes, The Spice Girls are the biggest selling girl group in the world, and it's actually pretty easy to understand why. They were a phenomenon, much in the same vein as The Beetles were (seriously, I'm not joking), and while talent cannot be compared, one should not begrudge these five women the respect they've earned.
On top of that, `Spice' was a really good album.
With their sophomore album, The Spice Girls serves up a lot of the same things that made their debut work so well. With Motown influences (`Stop') and funky disco beats (`Spice Up Your Life') along with the slinky sensuality (`Too Much') that made them an unstoppable force, `Spiceworld' gives us more reasons to adore these five ladies. Sadly, the album is not as strong a collection as `Spice' was, and some of the more commercial toned tracks are truly dated, unlike the more ageless style of `Spice'. I still think of them every time I drink a Pepsi thanks to `Move Over'. The highlight of the album may actually be `Viva Forever', thanks to the Spanish vibe and slinky personality.
No, The Spice Girls were the best group to hit the airwaves in the 90's, but they are probably the most memorable and not only because of their outlandish personalities and media obsessed celebrity. No, if you actually take a minute to really LISTEN to their music you'll see that they were smart women who could not only sing, but they could sell what they were singing. | 1 | neutral | [
"I remember when I was a teenager and The Spice Girls were huge and I was in love with Geri `Sexy Spice' Halliwell.",
"Yes, as a young teen (like pre-teen actually), I was infatuated with what the Spice Girls represented; strong, carefree women who were slinking and lovely to look at, and listen to.",
"My friends and I listened to `Spice' on repeat for months and yes, we sang along with our favorite girls (the ones we fantasized about actually having a shot with).",
"The funny thing is that for many, The Spice Girls were a fad that they couldn't wait to watch fizzle out.",
"They were a joke to music snobs who thought that the gimmick was all that tied these girls to the airwaves.",
"Sadly, many wrote them off, but thankfully their loyal fans kept them alive (and continue to keep them relevant despite them all moving on).",
"Yes, The Spice Girls are the biggest selling girl group in the world, and it's actually pretty easy to understand why.",
"They were a phenomenon, much in the same vein as The Beetles were (seriously, I'm not joking), and while talent cannot be compared, one should not begrudge these five women the respect they've earned.",
"On top of that, `Spice' was a really good album.",
"With their sophomore album, The Spice Girls serves up a lot of the same things that made their debut work so well.",
"With Motown influences (`Stop') and funky disco beats (`Spice Up Your Life') along with the slinky sensuality (`Too Much') that made them an unstoppable force, `Spiceworld' gives us more reasons to adore these five ladies.",
"Sadly, the album is not as strong a collection as `Spice' was, and some of the more commercial toned tracks are truly dated, unlike the more ageless style of `Spice'.",
"I still think of them every time I drink a Pepsi thanks to `Move Over'.",
"The highlight of the album may actually be `Viva Forever', thanks to the Spanish vibe and slinky personality.",
"No, The Spice Girls were the best group to hit the airwaves in the 90's, but they are probably the most memorable and not only because of their outlandish personalities and media obsessed celebrity.",
"No, if you actually take a minute to really LISTEN to their music you'll see that they were smart women who could not only sing, but they could sell what they were singing."
] |
There seems to be a dearth of available options for people with Samsung Galaxy 2 phones, in terms of car cradles - lots of cradles for smaller phones, but if you have a really wide one like the new Samsung GSII, the options seem to decline steeply.
After doing a certain amount of surfing around, I settled on this one, in part because it was available through Amazon (okay so I'm lazy and love Amazon.com . . . so sue me).
Although it is workable, it needs some revisions and a modest redesign of a couple of issues. The biggest problem is that the method of securing the phone (through the cigarette lighter dongle) doesn't prevent the thing from wiggling all over the place, and geometrically, it seems to be set up better for people whose cigarette lighters are horizontal (mine is virtually straight vertical). This means that I can never really get the phone to be stable at least without some modification of the business end of the device (namely, the portion that goes into the cigarette lighter). I suspect that if I bulk that up with some adhesive tape, I could probably get it to stop wiggling around all over the place. The end-user however shouldn't have to do post hoc modifications and there should be a stabilizer on the cigarette lighter stalk that prevents it from moving around in the socket, since that is really the only attachment point for the whole device.
Then there's the problem of RF noise associated with the car alternator - they clearly left out an inexpensive choke coil which would have suppressed this. So if you have a quiet passage on your MP3 player, all you're going to hear is . . . lots of lovely alternator whine. And last but not least, there is the superbright blue LED power light that is plenty bright by daytime, and blinding at night. They could dial that back a little bit too while they are dialing back on the alternator whine.
Like I said, it's definitely better than holding the phone, but it needs work. (Should come with a roll of adhesive tape :-). | 1 | neutral | [
"There seems to be a dearth of available options for people with Samsung Galaxy 2 phones, in terms of car cradles - lots of cradles for smaller phones, but if you have a really wide one like the new Samsung GSII, the options seem to decline steeply.",
"After doing a certain amount of surfing around, I settled on this one, in part because it was available through Amazon (okay so I'm lazy and love Amazon.",
"com.",
".",
".",
"so sue me).",
"Although it is workable, it needs some revisions and a modest redesign of a couple of issues.",
"The biggest problem is that the method of securing the phone (through the cigarette lighter dongle) doesn't prevent the thing from wiggling all over the place, and geometrically, it seems to be set up better for people whose cigarette lighters are horizontal (mine is virtually straight vertical).",
"This means that I can never really get the phone to be stable at least without some modification of the business end of the device (namely, the portion that goes into the cigarette lighter).",
"I suspect that if I bulk that up with some adhesive tape, I could probably get it to stop wiggling around all over the place.",
"The end-user however shouldn't have to do post hoc modifications and there should be a stabilizer on the cigarette lighter stalk that prevents it from moving around in the socket, since that is really the only attachment point for the whole device.",
"Then there's the problem of RF noise associated with the car alternator - they clearly left out an inexpensive choke coil which would have suppressed this.",
"So if you have a quiet passage on your MP3 player, all you're going to hear is.",
".",
".",
"lots of lovely alternator whine.",
"And last but not least, there is the superbright blue LED power light that is plenty bright by daytime, and blinding at night.",
"They could dial that back a little bit too while they are dialing back on the alternator whine.",
"Like I said, it's definitely better than holding the phone, but it needs work.",
"(Should come with a roll of adhesive tape :-)."
] |
It's really a fun book to read. The illustrations aren't by Seuss so I'm assuming this is probably one he'd never intended to publish. But it's out there now. And you've got your 1 star reviewers up in arms because the kid gets to stay in bed. OH NO! (Screams the logical person) a kid gets to sleep in? How terrible.
I read a review by a "working parent" (congratulations on being a part of the group known as everybody) who was so upset that it seems this book will derail her whole life. I think a little good parenting would prevent that. Plus, as a working parent it's kinda nice when the kids want to sleep in. It gives you a little down time. Was it the best Seuss book? No. Was it fun? Yes. Was it illustrated by Seuss? No. 3 stars. | 1 | neutral | [
"It's really a fun book to read.",
"The illustrations aren't by Seuss so I'm assuming this is probably one he'd never intended to publish.",
"But it's out there now.",
"And you've got your 1 star reviewers up in arms because the kid gets to stay in bed.",
"OH NO!",
"(Screams the logical person) a kid gets to sleep in?",
"How terrible.",
"I read a review by a \"working parent\" (congratulations on being a part of the group known as everybody) who was so upset that it seems this book will derail her whole life.",
"I think a little good parenting would prevent that.",
"Plus, as a working parent it's kinda nice when the kids want to sleep in.",
"It gives you a little down time.",
"Was it the best Seuss book?",
"No.",
"Was it fun?",
"Yes.",
"Was it illustrated by Seuss?",
"No.",
"3 stars."
] |
Yes, both of these do make pom poms. However, the directions need a tech writer's assistance, as one step is entirely missing. Additionally, one must somehow use a finger on the non-dominant hand to systain a space in the middle of the arc where absolutely no yarn can exist or the unit might break (?!?!) Since the hat I made used 3 colors of yarn. I wound those 3 colors three times together on the large pom pom maker. I don't think I could have wound a 4th time, but really wanted to. These units are sufficient. I've read reviews on other cheaply built chinese units with absolutely lousy instructions or no instructions and decided against those. Why pay for trouble, when you know it's coming? Just wish Clover, which tends to charge more than other companies for their sewing accessories, would add the step that's missing (think it should be where Step 3 or 4 should be). | 1 | neutral | [
"Yes, both of these do make pom poms.",
"However, the directions need a tech writer's assistance, as one step is entirely missing.",
"Additionally, one must somehow use a finger on the non-dominant hand to systain a space in the middle of the arc where absolutely no yarn can exist or the unit might break (?!",
"?!",
") Since the hat I made used 3 colors of yarn.",
"I wound those 3 colors three times together on the large pom pom maker.",
"I don't think I could have wound a 4th time, but really wanted to.",
"These units are sufficient.",
"I've read reviews on other cheaply built chinese units with absolutely lousy instructions or no instructions and decided against those.",
"Why pay for trouble, when you know it's coming?",
"Just wish Clover, which tends to charge more than other companies for their sewing accessories, would add the step that's missing (think it should be where Step 3 or 4 should be)."
] |
This product depends upon: Solar availability, care of water level, and 'patience'. In addition, it really needs more detailed directions, and how to deal with the intermittent spray/no spray. It does not just 'start up' and continue running with direct sunlight. The fine print on the back of directions suggests you leave it out of the water in full sunlight for two hours. This is really a good way to 'charge' the battery. I still need to try this. Who knew you could 'charge' a lithium battery? I am working on the fine tuning this requires, because when it works, it's really great! Yes, it is slightly overcast right now, and it does spray intermittently. Also, the needs for water need to be monitored. With a good capacity it does well. In lesser water volume it needs extra attention . I was inclined to give up on this, but do enjoy it so much when it functions. A work in Progress. | 1 | neutral | [
"This product depends upon: Solar availability, care of water level, and 'patience'.",
"In addition, it really needs more detailed directions, and how to deal with the intermittent spray/no spray.",
"It does not just 'start up' and continue running with direct sunlight.",
"The fine print on the back of directions suggests you leave it out of the water in full sunlight for two hours.",
"This is really a good way to 'charge' the battery.",
"I still need to try this.",
"Who knew you could 'charge' a lithium battery?",
"I am working on the fine tuning this requires, because when it works, it's really great!",
"Yes, it is slightly overcast right now, and it does spray intermittently.",
"Also, the needs for water need to be monitored.",
"With a good capacity it does well.",
"In lesser water volume it needs extra attention.",
"I was inclined to give up on this, but do enjoy it so much when it functions.",
"A work in Progress."
] |
New details revealed in disappearance of California mom found beaten along road
The department said investigators collected male DNA from the clothing that victim Sherri Papini was wearing when she was found on Thanksgiving and female DNA that was discovered on Papini's body. The samples have not been identified.
The bizarre case â with many of the most sensational details initially released by her husband in an exclusive interview with ABC â has baffled police and set social media buzzing.
FBI via AP These sketches released by the FBI show two suspects in the mysterious disappearance of Sherri Papini . Sheriff's Sgt. Brian Jackson said the sketches are being released 10 months after her disappearance because of Papini 's difficulty in recalling what her abductors looked like. These sketches released by the FBI show two suspects in the mysterious disappearance of Sherri Papini . Sheriff's Sgt. Brian Jackson said the sketches are being released 10 months after her disappearance because of Papini 's difficulty in recalling what her abductors looked like. (FBI via AP) (FBI via AP)
Papini disappeared Nov. 2 while jogging near her home in Shasta County about 215 miles north of San Francisco.
Her husband found her phone and earphones near their home after she failed to pick up their children at daycare and called police. He was initially a suspect but the sheriff said Wednesday that the husband passed a lie detector test and offered to take another.
Authorities also said a Detroit man Papini texted and planned to meet shortly before her disappearance has been cleared of involvement.
Papini was found alongside Interstate 5 in Yolo County about 100 miles from her home. Her nose was broken and she was wearing a chain restraint around her waist. Her blonde hair had been cut to shoulder length and she had a "brand" burned into her right shoulder.
Investigators declined to discuss the "brand" in detail. Papini has said she was not sexually assaulted and has described her abductors as two women who took her at gunpoint.
Sheriff's Sgt. Brian Jackson said the sketches drawn by FBI artists are being released 10 months after her disappearance because of Papini 's difficulty in recalling what her abductors looked like. | 1 | neutral | [
"New details revealed in disappearance of California mom found beaten along road\nThe department said investigators collected male DNA from the clothing that victim Sherri Papini was wearing when she was found on Thanksgiving and female DNA that was discovered on Papini's body.",
"The samples have not been identified.",
"The bizarre case â with many of the most sensational details initially released by her husband in an exclusive interview with ABC â has baffled police and set social media buzzing.",
"FBI via AP These sketches released by the FBI show two suspects in the mysterious disappearance of Sherri Papini.",
"Sheriff's Sgt.",
"Brian Jackson said the sketches are being released 10 months after her disappearance because of Papini 's difficulty in recalling what her abductors looked like.",
"These sketches released by the FBI show two suspects in the mysterious disappearance of Sherri Papini.",
"Sheriff's Sgt.",
"Brian Jackson said the sketches are being released 10 months after her disappearance because of Papini 's difficulty in recalling what her abductors looked like.",
"(FBI via AP) (FBI via AP)\n Papini disappeared Nov.",
"2 while jogging near her home in Shasta County about 215 miles north of San Francisco.",
"Her husband found her phone and earphones near their home after she failed to pick up their children at daycare and called police.",
"He was initially a suspect but the sheriff said Wednesday that the husband passed a lie detector test and offered to take another.",
"Authorities also said a Detroit man Papini texted and planned to meet shortly before her disappearance has been cleared of involvement.",
"Papini was found alongside Interstate 5 in Yolo County about 100 miles from her home.",
"Her nose was broken and she was wearing a chain restraint around her waist.",
"Her blonde hair had been cut to shoulder length and she had a \"brand\" burned into her right shoulder.",
"Investigators declined to discuss the \"brand\" in detail.",
"Papini has said she was not sexually assaulted and has described her abductors as two women who took her at gunpoint.",
"Sheriff's Sgt.",
"Brian Jackson said the sketches drawn by FBI artists are being released 10 months after her disappearance because of Papini 's difficulty in recalling what her abductors looked like."
] |
I bought this bow to use for silent evening practices. I wanted a new cheap bow to leave it without rosin. This bow definitely fits that description. The hairs were not set well. When it arrived, there were a few broken hairs and the rest were very loose. I tightened it and took the broken hairs out. When it is tightened enough to keep the hairs straight (and not falling out), there is considerable space between the wood and the hair. More hairs have broken, or become unplucked, since then. I have not broken any bow hairs before getting this bow. I'm not banging the bow against anything, so I'm wondering why the hairs would keep breaking. For my silent practices, this bow does seem to be adequate. The bow feels light, the wood on it reminds me of the wood on a #2 pencil. Cheap, but not too awkwardly unbalanced. The description says the hairs are real horse hair, but I'm not convinced that is true. They feel more plastic or nylon like, with the consistently of the stringy part of corn on the cobb husks.
This bow is serving its purpose for now, but I am glad to have additional bows to use when I'm less concerned about the noise. I'm not sure how long this bow will last... When it does fall apart, I probably won't bother fixing it. I also probably wouldn't buy this one again. | 1 | neutral | [
"I bought this bow to use for silent evening practices.",
"I wanted a new cheap bow to leave it without rosin.",
"This bow definitely fits that description.",
"The hairs were not set well.",
"When it arrived, there were a few broken hairs and the rest were very loose.",
"I tightened it and took the broken hairs out.",
"When it is tightened enough to keep the hairs straight (and not falling out), there is considerable space between the wood and the hair.",
"More hairs have broken, or become unplucked, since then.",
"I have not broken any bow hairs before getting this bow.",
"I'm not banging the bow against anything, so I'm wondering why the hairs would keep breaking.",
"For my silent practices, this bow does seem to be adequate.",
"The bow feels light, the wood on it reminds me of the wood on a #2 pencil.",
"Cheap, but not too awkwardly unbalanced.",
"The description says the hairs are real horse hair, but I'm not convinced that is true.",
"They feel more plastic or nylon like, with the consistently of the stringy part of corn on the cobb husks.",
"This bow is serving its purpose for now, but I am glad to have additional bows to use when I'm less concerned about the noise.",
"I'm not sure how long this bow will last...",
"When it does fall apart, I probably won't bother fixing it.",
"I also probably wouldn't buy this one again."
] |
This review first appeared on my blog, Jacob's Cafe.
My latest review for christianaudio reviewer's program is Teresa of Avila's Interior Castle (which was made possible with a complimentary copy from christianaudio). As many people know, my undergraduate studies focused on religion, particularly hagiographies and texts like St. Teresa's. So I was quite excited to have the opportunity to read (er, listen) to this book. I was familiar with St. Teresa before, but I had not read this book yet.
Unfortunately, I was quite disappointed. It was honestly just boring, and I think this was because it was completely devoid of passion and seemingly too controlled. When discussing spiritual formation and connecting with God, a lack of passion is the least useful thing. The presentation of Teresa is that she was abundantly controlled in everything she did, thought, or felt. This is stark contrast to Bernini's sculpture of her in ecstasy.
In the book, St. Teresa did mention the importance of control of emotions and passion. Yet one needs a passion for God to truly connect. This was one of my biggest criticisms of hagiographical texts--they were more focused on control than releasing oneself to God (not that these are always mutually exclusive). I still do not recall St. Teresa mostly focusing on control; I have thought of her being more passionate than many of the saints.
So the text really may have been focused on self-control and was an accurate portrayal of Teresa's intentions. However, the passion also could have been lost in translation. This is an older English translation of Spanish and then read aloud. There's a lot of potential for misinterpretation there. I have to give some credit, though, too, that there may have been passion that I just couldn't hear. Shakespeare sounds very dispassionate and over-controlled, yet his work is anything but that. You just have to be able to listen to it appropriately (which I cannot do :) ). I would like to hear a modern translation and see if that changes anything. | 1 | neutral | [
"This review first appeared on my blog, Jacob's Cafe.",
"My latest review for christianaudio reviewer's program is Teresa of Avila's Interior Castle (which was made possible with a complimentary copy from christianaudio).",
"As many people know, my undergraduate studies focused on religion, particularly hagiographies and texts like St.",
"Teresa's.",
"So I was quite excited to have the opportunity to read (er, listen) to this book.",
"I was familiar with St.",
"Teresa before, but I had not read this book yet.",
"Unfortunately, I was quite disappointed.",
"It was honestly just boring, and I think this was because it was completely devoid of passion and seemingly too controlled.",
"When discussing spiritual formation and connecting with God, a lack of passion is the least useful thing.",
"The presentation of Teresa is that she was abundantly controlled in everything she did, thought, or felt.",
"This is stark contrast to Bernini's sculpture of her in ecstasy.",
"In the book, St.",
"Teresa did mention the importance of control of emotions and passion.",
"Yet one needs a passion for God to truly connect.",
"This was one of my biggest criticisms of hagiographical texts--they were more focused on control than releasing oneself to God (not that these are always mutually exclusive).",
"I still do not recall St.",
"Teresa mostly focusing on control; I have thought of her being more passionate than many of the saints.",
"So the text really may have been focused on self-control and was an accurate portrayal of Teresa's intentions.",
"However, the passion also could have been lost in translation.",
"This is an older English translation of Spanish and then read aloud.",
"There's a lot of potential for misinterpretation there.",
"I have to give some credit, though, too, that there may have been passion that I just couldn't hear.",
"Shakespeare sounds very dispassionate and over-controlled, yet his work is anything but that.",
"You just have to be able to listen to it appropriately (which I cannot do :) ).",
"I would like to hear a modern translation and see if that changes anything."
] |
Ok is it just me, are alll play-doh lids THIS hard to open? It seriously hurts my fingers every single time! Even after opening many many times the lids have not loosened. I mean its nice that they won't dry out easily because the lids are so tight, but seriously, ouch! And nevermind my 4.5 year old having any independence while playing with these, there is no way he would ever be able to open by himself and I'm not going to open all 10 just in case he wants that color. So there's my rant...
Otherwise I do like that they are in small containers (Which i didn't pay much attention when ordering so I didn't realize how small they were going to be.) But its nice to have lots of small colors instead of a few large ones because in a few months they've all been mixed together anyways by the kids. Nice and soft, doesn't leave hands feeling yucky, endless fun :-) | 1 | neutral | [
"Ok is it just me, are alll play-doh lids THIS hard to open?",
"It seriously hurts my fingers every single time!",
"Even after opening many many times the lids have not loosened.",
"I mean its nice that they won't dry out easily because the lids are so tight, but seriously, ouch!",
"And nevermind my 4.",
"5 year old having any independence while playing with these, there is no way he would ever be able to open by himself and I'm not going to open all 10 just in case he wants that color.",
"So there's my rant...",
"Otherwise I do like that they are in small containers (Which i didn't pay much attention when ordering so I didn't realize how small they were going to be.",
") But its nice to have lots of small colors instead of a few large ones because in a few months they've all been mixed together anyways by the kids.",
"Nice and soft, doesn't leave hands feeling yucky, endless fun :-)"
] |
I'll start off by saying that all 5 of the mini-mysteries in this book were very well written. However, I do think the title of the collection is a bit misleading, to say the least. None of the stories were humorous, and only the first one was at all related to food. Of the remaining 4, 3 were Westerns, starring the author's duo of Mick and Casey (apparently there are full-length books showcasing this couple). The last story was not really a 'mystery', per se, and was much darker than the others. I was hoping that all the stories would be 'light' or 'humorous' mysteries. They were indeed 'light' (In the best sense of the term), in that they were easy reads and there was no explicit violence, bad language, or anything that even the most prudish could take offense at (quite an accomplishment nowadays, IMO!). My personal taste does not run to Westerns, so I was disappointed, although, as I said up front, the writing was excellent. Just don't assume from the title that this will be a collection of 'cozy' or 'humorous' short mysteries. If you like Westerns, then go for it, you'll enjoy these for the price. | 1 | neutral | [
"I'll start off by saying that all 5 of the mini-mysteries in this book were very well written.",
"However, I do think the title of the collection is a bit misleading, to say the least.",
"None of the stories were humorous, and only the first one was at all related to food.",
"Of the remaining 4, 3 were Westerns, starring the author's duo of Mick and Casey (apparently there are full-length books showcasing this couple).",
"The last story was not really a 'mystery', per se, and was much darker than the others.",
"I was hoping that all the stories would be 'light' or 'humorous' mysteries.",
"They were indeed 'light' (In the best sense of the term), in that they were easy reads and there was no explicit violence, bad language, or anything that even the most prudish could take offense at (quite an accomplishment nowadays, IMO!",
").",
"My personal taste does not run to Westerns, so I was disappointed, although, as I said up front, the writing was excellent.",
"Just don't assume from the title that this will be a collection of 'cozy' or 'humorous' short mysteries.",
"If you like Westerns, then go for it, you'll enjoy these for the price."
] |
It worked well from the time I got it from the box. It was dificult to assemble, mainly because the directions were mostly in Japanese or Chinese. The Gun stock is easily adjustalbe, but a miagnifing glass will be useful to read the directions on how. Here is what I have easily discerned from using the gun:
1. The flashlight is attached by LOOSING the screws.
2. The Laser Sight's battery is accessed by toatlly unscrewing the case. THe battery gaurd must be removed before use.
3. The Laser pointer is not easily turned on, and may need some fine tuning on the cord.
4. This gun comes with about 50 BB's, so buy more.
5. The handle is only used if you want to keep the cord for the Laser Sight someplace.
My only real compliant is that I cannot figure out how to place it on Auto. It is not full auto, and has the choice of Semi auto. If the reader gets this gun, it would be helpful to me if they would reply on how to set it on auto. This gun shhot far and has the most accuracy that can be obtained with such light ammo. ALso, the clip must be shaken to load more BB's. The Clip holds 475 BB's, has 320 fps, has a supossed range of 24.5 yards (it shoots WAY farther), wieghs 2 pounds, and is relitivly diffucult to load(by load i mean another pronuonciation for caulk. the computer does not allow me to type the other word) . You must point the gun down and pull back a lever that hurts your hand.
Thank you for taking the time to read this, and I hope it helps you decide wether or not to get this gun (hopefully get it). | 1 | neutral | [
"It worked well from the time I got it from the box.",
"It was dificult to assemble, mainly because the directions were mostly in Japanese or Chinese.",
"The Gun stock is easily adjustalbe, but a miagnifing glass will be useful to read the directions on how.",
"Here is what I have easily discerned from using the gun:\n1.",
"The flashlight is attached by LOOSING the screws.",
"2.",
"The Laser Sight's battery is accessed by toatlly unscrewing the case.",
"THe battery gaurd must be removed before use.",
"3.",
"The Laser pointer is not easily turned on, and may need some fine tuning on the cord.",
"4.",
"This gun comes with about 50 BB's, so buy more.",
"5.",
"The handle is only used if you want to keep the cord for the Laser Sight someplace.",
"My only real compliant is that I cannot figure out how to place it on Auto.",
"It is not full auto, and has the choice of Semi auto.",
"If the reader gets this gun, it would be helpful to me if they would reply on how to set it on auto.",
"This gun shhot far and has the most accuracy that can be obtained with such light ammo.",
"ALso, the clip must be shaken to load more BB's.",
"The Clip holds 475 BB's, has 320 fps, has a supossed range of 24.",
"5 yards (it shoots WAY farther), wieghs 2 pounds, and is relitivly diffucult to load(by load i mean another pronuonciation for caulk.",
"the computer does not allow me to type the other word).",
"You must point the gun down and pull back a lever that hurts your hand.",
"Thank you for taking the time to read this, and I hope it helps you decide wether or not to get this gun (hopefully get it)."
] |
Why hate this movie?
Well, a lot of the values it trumpets are dated, to say the least. In Bedford Falls (the "good" universe) women and blacks are only around to work for the white men. We're not supposed to mind that a 12 year old is left unsupervised to watch a store, or that the adult George drives drunk, or that he lets Potter refer to his friends as "a bunch of garlic eaters," and we're supposed to think it's cute and funny that an 18 year old smacks the rear end of his adult (black and female) servant. And then there are some values that no one seems to latch on to. (You'd think all the people who love "Wonderful Life" would have noticed that the wedding was small and inexpensive and copied it. You don't hear about people doing that, though.)
In the "bad" universe of Pottersville, blacks can be musicians and women can have careers. (And why does Mary never getting married lead to an almost unibrow?)
But the themes that one life can be important, that the love of family is precious, that friends can BE family, get me every time.
BTW, the French translation on the DVD is quite good, with the actors doing the dubbing working hard to sound like the characters and not just people reading. | 1 | neutral | [
"Why hate this movie?",
"Well, a lot of the values it trumpets are dated, to say the least.",
"In Bedford Falls (the \"good\" universe) women and blacks are only around to work for the white men.",
"We're not supposed to mind that a 12 year old is left unsupervised to watch a store, or that the adult George drives drunk, or that he lets Potter refer to his friends as \"a bunch of garlic eaters,\" and we're supposed to think it's cute and funny that an 18 year old smacks the rear end of his adult (black and female) servant.",
"And then there are some values that no one seems to latch on to.",
"(You'd think all the people who love \"Wonderful Life\" would have noticed that the wedding was small and inexpensive and copied it.",
"You don't hear about people doing that, though.",
")\n\nIn the \"bad\" universe of Pottersville, blacks can be musicians and women can have careers.",
"(And why does Mary never getting married lead to an almost unibrow?",
")\n\nBut the themes that one life can be important, that the love of family is precious, that friends can BE family, get me every time.",
"BTW, the French translation on the DVD is quite good, with the actors doing the dubbing working hard to sound like the characters and not just people reading."
] |
Typically, I prefer a round bottle set, but after obtaining a new pack that required to me to make changes to my kit and how I carry it, I bought this canteen set. I have not used the set yet, but have made the following observations. The handles on the cup swing far to freely in my opinion which will make it difficult to manage heating and cooking in the cup around a campfire. Probably less of a concern or issue on stove? The cup when it nests on the bottle of the canteen seems quite loose and rattles a bit on my set. If the set was 30 or 40 dollars I guess I'd expect things like this, but at a 158 dollars? I realize much of the cost is driven by the material used to make it and I can't complain about how lightweight the set is, but I suspect I'll be selling this set off to someone at a discount and finding another solution to carry my round bottle set with my new bag. I don't hate it and I don't love it. First bit of kit I've owned that I've been this ambivalent about. I'll admit, it's probably a piece of kit that the opinion of it is dependent on the needs of the user. If I were a through hiker on the AT or PCT and counting grams I'd probably have a different opinion. | 1 | neutral | [
"Typically, I prefer a round bottle set, but after obtaining a new pack that required to me to make changes to my kit and how I carry it, I bought this canteen set.",
"I have not used the set yet, but have made the following observations.",
"The handles on the cup swing far to freely in my opinion which will make it difficult to manage heating and cooking in the cup around a campfire.",
"Probably less of a concern or issue on stove?",
"The cup when it nests on the bottle of the canteen seems quite loose and rattles a bit on my set.",
"If the set was 30 or 40 dollars I guess I'd expect things like this, but at a 158 dollars?",
"I realize much of the cost is driven by the material used to make it and I can't complain about how lightweight the set is, but I suspect I'll be selling this set off to someone at a discount and finding another solution to carry my round bottle set with my new bag.",
"I don't hate it and I don't love it.",
"First bit of kit I've owned that I've been this ambivalent about.",
"I'll admit, it's probably a piece of kit that the opinion of it is dependent on the needs of the user.",
"If I were a through hiker on the AT or PCT and counting grams I'd probably have a different opinion."
] |
This game is great. You can fight as Sonic characters. The gameplay is great as well. But there's some downfalls. Everything's in 2-D! But what I'm most upset about is that once you do Amy's Adventure game,it's almost impossible. Emerl is neat but sooooooooooooooooooooooooooo weak. When Amy,Cream and Emerl are doing a fight,you are Emerl. You stink,no matter what level he's at. The story is very intresting though. Overall,I'd say this game is great for a little bit. | 1 | neutral | [
"This game is great.",
"You can fight as Sonic characters.",
"The gameplay is great as well.",
"But there's some downfalls.",
"Everything's in 2-D!",
"But what I'm most upset about is that once you do Amy's Adventure game,it's almost impossible.",
"Emerl is neat but sooooooooooooooooooooooooooo weak.",
"When Amy,Cream and Emerl are doing a fight,you are Emerl.",
"You stink,no matter what level he's at.",
"The story is very intresting though.",
"Overall,I'd say this game is great for a little bit."
] |
Let me say one thing to begin. I love the GM Cold Districts Type on a personal level. I have a soft spot for run of the mill, mass produced hardware, and the GM CD is definitely that. However, we also have to accept that the GM CD type is just not engineered to the same degree of complexity as newer suits, being a 2003 release. For its age, it is decent, bu after twelve years, the mold is really showing some of its age in the design category, as well as some of the details--mine came with a lot of flash on some pieces, even on portions well away from the gates. For its price, though, it is perfectly acceptable--not stunning, but still good for its army-building purposes.
It is superficially similar to the standard RGM-79 GM, with very similar internal limb and torso structures. While there are a few small adjustments in the details, these are just that, details. The largest modification is arguably the waist assembly, which uses the somewhat more modern 'skirt' Ver. Ka design rather than the older 'pants' design seen on the previous HGUC GM. This is no more complex to build, but gives it a slightly greater degree of flexibility, which it desperately needs. The reason for this comes from my main quibble with the unit.
The GM Cold Districts type has good arm posability, which it needs; its two weapons, the SMG and the beam saber, are designed in such a way that they are difficult to pose straight-on, requiring you to angle the arms in odd ways to make the model hold it in a usable pose. The beam saber in particular is almost criminally simplistic, being a single molded piece with an attached hand rather than the more modern gripping hands and separate sabers. To make the suit look accurate you will most definitely require paint, or accept your GM will have one white hand and white beam sword.
On a tangent, it is not an ideal suit for heavy customization due to its limited engineering, but it is excellent for repainting due to its large, flat plastic panels and simple, easily covered colors. Similarly, due to the relative simplicity of its parts and its design, it is also an excellent beginner model, a solid basic suit to get a new buildier acquainted with the core tenets of Gunpla building. This is also a good suit for younger builders, with relatively easy parts to identify and assemble.
However, in the face of all that, as I said before, this suit is not bad. It can usually be found for well under $10 and will take an experienced builder barely an hour to bring together as a straight build, and still can be readily posed and see a variety of uses. Get three, put them together, and paint them up as a squad for a diorama. It's what this suit was made for, and that's what it excels at. | 1 | neutral | [
"Let me say one thing to begin.",
"I love the GM Cold Districts Type on a personal level.",
"I have a soft spot for run of the mill, mass produced hardware, and the GM CD is definitely that.",
"However, we also have to accept that the GM CD type is just not engineered to the same degree of complexity as newer suits, being a 2003 release.",
"For its age, it is decent, bu after twelve years, the mold is really showing some of its age in the design category, as well as some of the details--mine came with a lot of flash on some pieces, even on portions well away from the gates.",
"For its price, though, it is perfectly acceptable--not stunning, but still good for its army-building purposes.",
"It is superficially similar to the standard RGM-79 GM, with very similar internal limb and torso structures.",
"While there are a few small adjustments in the details, these are just that, details.",
"The largest modification is arguably the waist assembly, which uses the somewhat more modern 'skirt' Ver.",
"Ka design rather than the older 'pants' design seen on the previous HGUC GM.",
"This is no more complex to build, but gives it a slightly greater degree of flexibility, which it desperately needs.",
"The reason for this comes from my main quibble with the unit.",
"The GM Cold Districts type has good arm posability, which it needs; its two weapons, the SMG and the beam saber, are designed in such a way that they are difficult to pose straight-on, requiring you to angle the arms in odd ways to make the model hold it in a usable pose.",
"The beam saber in particular is almost criminally simplistic, being a single molded piece with an attached hand rather than the more modern gripping hands and separate sabers.",
"To make the suit look accurate you will most definitely require paint, or accept your GM will have one white hand and white beam sword.",
"On a tangent, it is not an ideal suit for heavy customization due to its limited engineering, but it is excellent for repainting due to its large, flat plastic panels and simple, easily covered colors.",
"Similarly, due to the relative simplicity of its parts and its design, it is also an excellent beginner model, a solid basic suit to get a new buildier acquainted with the core tenets of Gunpla building.",
"This is also a good suit for younger builders, with relatively easy parts to identify and assemble.",
"However, in the face of all that, as I said before, this suit is not bad.",
"It can usually be found for well under $10 and will take an experienced builder barely an hour to bring together as a straight build, and still can be readily posed and see a variety of uses.",
"Get three, put them together, and paint them up as a squad for a diorama.",
"It's what this suit was made for, and that's what it excels at."
] |
When I opened the box I took out all the parts and organized them for assembly. I was so very disappointed to find that I had two bottom sections but no center shelf section which is the part that all other parts attach to! I contacted the company. They were polite and said they would send the replacement shelf by UPS. Since it is Friday they indicated it will most likely be Monday before it ships and it would take up to 10 business days for its arrival. This being a $100 item I think it should have been sent by a quicker method but none was offered even when I expressed that I had purchased this for something special. Customer service said they really thought I would receive it within a week and gave me a number to go to their site to track my order. I will update on the quickness of the delivery.
UPDATE: Parts were received within five days.
After getting my missing part I once again organized my parts and instructions and it took me about 45 minutes to totally assemble. The only tool I had to use were pliers to remove a plastic cover from the door handle screws. All parts quickly snapped into place. The cabinet does seem sturdy but is not exceptional. I believe the coating on the top will peel off easily and that things left in the cabinet will get wet as there are numerous holes and spaces in the cabinet.
FYI--Even though this is designed to be outside and weatherproof the hinges and side brackets for the drop leaf shelves are metal. Also, the instruction sheet indicates this is susceptible to damage in freezing temperatures if you are planning on using this is a cold climate. | 1 | neutral | [
"When I opened the box I took out all the parts and organized them for assembly.",
"I was so very disappointed to find that I had two bottom sections but no center shelf section which is the part that all other parts attach to!",
"I contacted the company.",
"They were polite and said they would send the replacement shelf by UPS.",
"Since it is Friday they indicated it will most likely be Monday before it ships and it would take up to 10 business days for its arrival.",
"This being a $100 item I think it should have been sent by a quicker method but none was offered even when I expressed that I had purchased this for something special.",
"Customer service said they really thought I would receive it within a week and gave me a number to go to their site to track my order.",
"I will update on the quickness of the delivery.",
"UPDATE: Parts were received within five days.",
"After getting my missing part I once again organized my parts and instructions and it took me about 45 minutes to totally assemble.",
"The only tool I had to use were pliers to remove a plastic cover from the door handle screws.",
"All parts quickly snapped into place.",
"The cabinet does seem sturdy but is not exceptional.",
"I believe the coating on the top will peel off easily and that things left in the cabinet will get wet as there are numerous holes and spaces in the cabinet.",
"FYI--Even though this is designed to be outside and weatherproof the hinges and side brackets for the drop leaf shelves are metal.",
"Also, the instruction sheet indicates this is susceptible to damage in freezing temperatures if you are planning on using this is a cold climate."
] |
Overload trips quite easily(hence the 98lb weakling moniker). Drill better suited to drilling than driving because 800rpm speed. No clutch either!!!!!I strictly use this drill for drilling!!!!I purchased a Bosch Lith Ion PS 10 cordless screwdriver w/ racheting head for driving. I use my excellent corded Bosch 1132vsr rt angle drill for heavier drilling in tight spots the little Makita cannot handle. Makita does seem well made!!!!Had it for a few years. Purchased on clearance at Sears. | 1 | neutral | [
"Overload trips quite easily(hence the 98lb weakling moniker).",
"Drill better suited to drilling than driving because 800rpm speed.",
"No clutch either!!!!",
"!",
"I strictly use this drill for drilling!!!!",
"I purchased a Bosch Lith Ion PS 10 cordless screwdriver w/ racheting head for driving.",
"I use my excellent corded Bosch 1132vsr rt angle drill for heavier drilling in tight spots the little Makita cannot handle.",
"Makita does seem well made!!!!",
"Had it for a few years.",
"Purchased on clearance at Sears."
] |
Got asked to write this review long before I even received my product lol. Haven't had much time to really play with it, but it is going alright so far. The large writing surface is great to work on, however the pens could be a little more sensitive... sometimes I feel like I'm going to press through the drawing surface trying to press so hard for the darker lines and when I try to do a very light line I keep lifting the pen off the drawing surface. However this is really only your basic entry level drawing tablet and for what you pay its not too bad. A bit disappointed to find the drawing surface already had scratches on it which begs the question if this had been opened before. However the tablet still works in the scratched area. Was surprised to discover you get 2 pens. One pen is a rechargeable pen, the other is a pen in which you can put a AA battery in. The battery pen would be alright as a back-up if the rechargeable one suddenly dies mid work, however this pen is very heavy with the battery inside and feels rather uncomfortable in comparison to the rechargeable pen which is extremely light and almost feels like a normal pen in your hands. As for packaging, I was a little amazed at the condition the box arrived in and almost refused to sign for it based on what I could see. The box itself was twice as big as necessary and had no protection inside to stop the product's box from sliding all over the place. The box it was delivered in had also been severely crushed. Despite this the product inside was still in working order and everything appears to be alright. | 1 | neutral | [
"Got asked to write this review long before I even received my product lol.",
"Haven't had much time to really play with it, but it is going alright so far.",
"The large writing surface is great to work on, however the pens could be a little more sensitive...",
"sometimes I feel like I'm going to press through the drawing surface trying to press so hard for the darker lines and when I try to do a very light line I keep lifting the pen off the drawing surface.",
"However this is really only your basic entry level drawing tablet and for what you pay its not too bad.",
"A bit disappointed to find the drawing surface already had scratches on it which begs the question if this had been opened before.",
"However the tablet still works in the scratched area.",
"Was surprised to discover you get 2 pens.",
"One pen is a rechargeable pen, the other is a pen in which you can put a AA battery in.",
"The battery pen would be alright as a back-up if the rechargeable one suddenly dies mid work, however this pen is very heavy with the battery inside and feels rather uncomfortable in comparison to the rechargeable pen which is extremely light and almost feels like a normal pen in your hands.",
"As for packaging, I was a little amazed at the condition the box arrived in and almost refused to sign for it based on what I could see.",
"The box itself was twice as big as necessary and had no protection inside to stop the product's box from sliding all over the place.",
"The box it was delivered in had also been severely crushed.",
"Despite this the product inside was still in working order and everything appears to be alright."
] |
Great album, too bad the bonus track with all the swagger has the issue. "That's When I Reach For My Revolver". Track 14 errors at approximately 2:54-2:55. With 1:13 left in the track, two errors break the experience. I paid $21 for a defective product. I have requested another copy, but don't hold out much hope it will be any better. The whole pressing is likely defective. I will update this review upon receiving the next copy. How will this be resolved?
"Don't Want to Know if You Are Lonely" Hey, that sounds familiar. I am a Husker DU fan so I figured it out. | 1 | neutral | [
"Great album, too bad the bonus track with all the swagger has the issue.",
"\"That's When I Reach For My Revolver\".",
"Track 14 errors at approximately 2:54-2:55.",
"With 1:13 left in the track, two errors break the experience.",
"I paid $21 for a defective product.",
"I have requested another copy, but don't hold out much hope it will be any better.",
"The whole pressing is likely defective.",
"I will update this review upon receiving the next copy.",
"How will this be resolved?",
"\"Don't Want to Know if You Are Lonely\" Hey, that sounds familiar.",
"I am a Husker DU fan so I figured it out."
] |
Cheers AH & Susan for kind words. . Good thing was when I got back to my car there was an ice-cream parked opposite. :P. Spring mara for me? Doesn't appeal to be honest as spent so much of this year training. Might go back to 10Ks etc. Had lady at club on Wednesday chasing me for this years X-country. Even thought of GSR at the moment is not attractive. Better flippin get that sub 4 at Budapest or I will be doing another one won't I! . Right as if not had enough punishment for one day now off to get legs waxed - ouch! :( | 1 | neutral | [
"Cheers AH & Susan for kind words.",
".",
"Good thing was when I got back to my car there was an ice-cream parked opposite.",
":P.",
"Spring mara for me?",
"Doesn't appeal to be honest as spent so much of this year training.",
"Might go back to 10Ks etc.",
"Had lady at club on Wednesday chasing me for this years X-country.",
"Even thought of GSR at the moment is not attractive.",
"Better flippin get that sub 4 at Budapest or I will be doing another one won't I!",
".",
"Right as if not had enough punishment for one day now off to get legs waxed - ouch!",
":("
] |
I really enjoyed reading this book. I couldn't put it down! The plot was well-constructed, the characters were well-developed.
I would be happy to give this book 5 stars, except for all the typos that I discovered. The first thing I noticed was that mother-in-law did not have any hyphens in it! Then, lean-to was missing its hyphen. I discovered that the author used the non-word "alright" instead of the correct words "all right". Near the end, she used "too" instead of the correct "to". And I even noticed a wrong pronoun at one point, and possessives without the apostrophe.
Typos are a big thing with me, and more so since more and more people self-publish through Amazon. Since books are not going through all the steps that were used previously, more and more typos are appearing in them. It may be just me, but this is extremely unprofessional. A couple typos are OK, but a couple on each page is bad. | 1 | neutral | [
"I really enjoyed reading this book.",
"I couldn't put it down!",
"The plot was well-constructed, the characters were well-developed.",
"I would be happy to give this book 5 stars, except for all the typos that I discovered.",
"The first thing I noticed was that mother-in-law did not have any hyphens in it!",
"Then, lean-to was missing its hyphen.",
"I discovered that the author used the non-word \"alright\" instead of the correct words \"all right\".",
"Near the end, she used \"too\" instead of the correct \"to\".",
"And I even noticed a wrong pronoun at one point, and possessives without the apostrophe.",
"Typos are a big thing with me, and more so since more and more people self-publish through Amazon.",
"Since books are not going through all the steps that were used previously, more and more typos are appearing in them.",
"It may be just me, but this is extremely unprofessional.",
"A couple typos are OK, but a couple on each page is bad."
] |
As cases go, this is not bad. I have seen better cases built, but at greater cost. As tenor guitar cases go, this is the only one I could find. I own three tenor guitars. All are made by the harmony guitar company of Chicago. The two flat top models fit this case well. The archtop does not fit at all. I looked for hours on the internet in an attempt to discover what deminsions a guitar could have, and still fit this case. My search was to no avail. I decided to order it anyway, and hope I got lucky. I did not get lucky. I already have a case that will handle my flat tops, but cannot find one for the archtop. Since others may have the same questions I did, and Amazon, as well as the manufacturer have not seen fit to make this information known, I will give my best determination of the deminsions a guitar should have to fit this case. The upper bout is approx. ten inches wide. The lower bout is approx. 13 1/4 inches wide. The total body length is approx. 18 inches. The narrow part of the body is about 9 inches. The total length seems to be about 37 inches. Perhaps the manufacturer could make those deminsions available on a website, and Amazon could include them in their listing, as they are the only place I found offering a tenor guitar case at all. Now, does anybody know where I can get a quality case that will properly hold my Harmony archtop tenor guitar? | 1 | neutral | [
"As cases go, this is not bad.",
"I have seen better cases built, but at greater cost.",
"As tenor guitar cases go, this is the only one I could find.",
"I own three tenor guitars.",
"All are made by the harmony guitar company of Chicago.",
"The two flat top models fit this case well.",
"The archtop does not fit at all.",
"I looked for hours on the internet in an attempt to discover what deminsions a guitar could have, and still fit this case.",
"My search was to no avail.",
"I decided to order it anyway, and hope I got lucky.",
"I did not get lucky.",
"I already have a case that will handle my flat tops, but cannot find one for the archtop.",
"Since others may have the same questions I did, and Amazon, as well as the manufacturer have not seen fit to make this information known, I will give my best determination of the deminsions a guitar should have to fit this case.",
"The upper bout is approx.",
"ten inches wide.",
"The lower bout is approx.",
"13 1/4 inches wide.",
"The total body length is approx.",
"18 inches.",
"The narrow part of the body is about 9 inches.",
"The total length seems to be about 37 inches.",
"Perhaps the manufacturer could make those deminsions available on a website, and Amazon could include them in their listing, as they are the only place I found offering a tenor guitar case at all.",
"Now, does anybody know where I can get a quality case that will properly hold my Harmony archtop tenor guitar?"
] |
We have a LeapPad and a My First Leap for our older child, and would give both of these products five stars. We would also give five stars to the LeapFrog Learning Drum [...] we got for our one-year-old. So when we saw the LittleTouch LeapPad, we just had to pick it up. In retrospect, we either ought to have left well-enough alone or waited until the next generation of LittleTouch to fix the problems.
Let me say that the education value of this product is of the same high quality we have come to expect from LeapFrog, so there's no problem there. Also, the product is pretty tough -- ours has survived several attempts from our older child to "help" our younger child learn how to use the product, even when our younger child was not in the mood for such assistance. Hence the three stars.
Because of two technical difficulties, however, I cannot give it five stars. The first of these problems is that the touch pad is a little stiff. So while it is easy for my wife and I to touch the pictures on the pad, my one-year-old (and sometimes my older child as well) find it difficult to apply enough pressure. This really reduces the usability of the pad when the child is alone.
Second, as other parents have noted, the position of the on/off button is quite accessible to the child. In fact, it is the easiest button to use since it isn't on the pressure pad. This means, when left alone with the product, younger children will derive the most pleasure simply turning it on and off. The difficulty here is that unlike older children, toddlers and preschoolers do not understands how to reset the product (by pressing the green button) everytime they turn it off and on. So either you're stuck doing it as the parent, or else you have to sit with your child everytime he or she uses the product.
In the end, this is a good product if you're gonna sit down with your child whenever it is used. As a stand-alone toy, however, it is not up to LeapFrog's usual high standard. If you're looking for a toy your toddler can use on his or her own, buy the LeapFrog learning drum instead. | 1 | neutral | [
"We have a LeapPad and a My First Leap for our older child, and would give both of these products five stars.",
"We would also give five stars to the LeapFrog Learning Drum [...",
"] we got for our one-year-old.",
"So when we saw the LittleTouch LeapPad, we just had to pick it up.",
"In retrospect, we either ought to have left well-enough alone or waited until the next generation of LittleTouch to fix the problems.",
"Let me say that the education value of this product is of the same high quality we have come to expect from LeapFrog, so there's no problem there.",
"Also, the product is pretty tough -- ours has survived several attempts from our older child to \"help\" our younger child learn how to use the product, even when our younger child was not in the mood for such assistance.",
"Hence the three stars.",
"Because of two technical difficulties, however, I cannot give it five stars.",
"The first of these problems is that the touch pad is a little stiff.",
"So while it is easy for my wife and I to touch the pictures on the pad, my one-year-old (and sometimes my older child as well) find it difficult to apply enough pressure.",
"This really reduces the usability of the pad when the child is alone.",
"Second, as other parents have noted, the position of the on/off button is quite accessible to the child.",
"In fact, it is the easiest button to use since it isn't on the pressure pad.",
"This means, when left alone with the product, younger children will derive the most pleasure simply turning it on and off.",
"The difficulty here is that unlike older children, toddlers and preschoolers do not understands how to reset the product (by pressing the green button) everytime they turn it off and on.",
"So either you're stuck doing it as the parent, or else you have to sit with your child everytime he or she uses the product.",
"In the end, this is a good product if you're gonna sit down with your child whenever it is used.",
"As a stand-alone toy, however, it is not up to LeapFrog's usual high standard.",
"If you're looking for a toy your toddler can use on his or her own, buy the LeapFrog learning drum instead."
] |
I am not sure if I am better off using this item or not. I can certainly see the water swirling faster in the skimmer, but here is what I am thinking. The same volume of water is still flowing through the filtration system. By constricting the flow, smaller volume of water has to flow faster through the skimmer, so a faster swirling. So are you better off with smaller amount of water faster, or larger amount of water flowing more slowly? I don't see more material, from farther away being pulled into the skimmer. I have two skimmers in my pool. My plan was to try one out and then buy a second one a little later. At this point I will not be buying a second unit. The first unit I continue to use. It's not making things worse, but I don't see any advantage. | 1 | neutral | [
"I am not sure if I am better off using this item or not.",
"I can certainly see the water swirling faster in the skimmer, but here is what I am thinking.",
"The same volume of water is still flowing through the filtration system.",
"By constricting the flow, smaller volume of water has to flow faster through the skimmer, so a faster swirling.",
"So are you better off with smaller amount of water faster, or larger amount of water flowing more slowly?",
"I don't see more material, from farther away being pulled into the skimmer.",
"I have two skimmers in my pool.",
"My plan was to try one out and then buy a second one a little later.",
"At this point I will not be buying a second unit.",
"The first unit I continue to use.",
"It's not making things worse, but I don't see any advantage."
] |
Princess Talia's parents have arranged for her to marry her loves brother. After having her heart broken she decides to leave Summerland and cross the veil to a human populated Hollywood. After working as an actress for five years her fiance finds her. Faldo uses the fact that he is looking for his brother Keth, who also crossed the veil for a reason to contact her. He blackmails her into helping him. Talia does not wish to see either brother. One has broken her heart and the does not wish to marry. Keth and Talia soon discover that Faldo's wretched plans go far deeper than just reacquiring something that he feels was stolen.
This is a very short novella. I read it in under an hour. I think the shortness took away from the overall story. The romance between Talia and Keth was a rekindle for the most part. Their separation had been due to a misunderstanding. Once they reconnected there was immediate kissing and heavy petting, but it all seemed rushed. I think this was largely due to the fact that there is an immense amount of plot and activity in a few short pages. | 1 | neutral | [
"Princess Talia's parents have arranged for her to marry her loves brother.",
"After having her heart broken she decides to leave Summerland and cross the veil to a human populated Hollywood.",
"After working as an actress for five years her fiance finds her.",
"Faldo uses the fact that he is looking for his brother Keth, who also crossed the veil for a reason to contact her.",
"He blackmails her into helping him.",
"Talia does not wish to see either brother.",
"One has broken her heart and the does not wish to marry.",
"Keth and Talia soon discover that Faldo's wretched plans go far deeper than just reacquiring something that he feels was stolen.",
"This is a very short novella.",
"I read it in under an hour.",
"I think the shortness took away from the overall story.",
"The romance between Talia and Keth was a rekindle for the most part.",
"Their separation had been due to a misunderstanding.",
"Once they reconnected there was immediate kissing and heavy petting, but it all seemed rushed.",
"I think this was largely due to the fact that there is an immense amount of plot and activity in a few short pages."
] |
There's a scene in the film "Notting Hill" where Hugh Grant's affable and plain-but-charming bookstore owner character, William Thacker, takes mega-star Julia Robert's character, Anna Scott, on a date to his sister's low-key birthday party. Around the dinner table, consisting of William's family and friends and Anna Scott, they all tell sad personal stories to see who is the most pathetic, and thus the most deserving of the last, treasured brownie. After William goes, they decide that he is surely the most pathetic of all and thus most deserving the prize; but Anna Scott asks for a chance and amid the scoffs of William's family, she reveals the true hardships of celebrity. She is responded with a brief, uncomfortable silence, before someone jokingly says, "Nice try!" and they all laugh about (Anna included) and move on with their evening. Still, Anna's point about the fragility of celebrity is made.
Douglas Coupland's "Miss Wyoming" shares much with this scene. In it, celebrities are constantly in a state of flux, between their desires for fame, their inabilities to cope with the loss of fame, and their attempts at both hiding away from the spotlight and then exploiting their various disappearances in such a way as to, of futily, re-land them in the territory of celebrity.
The story is that Susan Colage, child veteran of beauty pagaents and former hot television actress, has disappeared. Again. The first time was in the wake of a plane crash in which she was the only survivor. Still, mysteries abound about the year she was gone, and slowly Coupland reveals what happened over that year over the course of the narrative.
Narratively, Coupland has chosen to jump around in time, beginning his story in the present, but often (and often arbitrarily) jumping into the past to shed light on confusing aspects of the main narrative. In the main narrative, we follow John Johnson, a Bruckheimer-esque Hollywood producer who rose quickly to fame and fell just as fast after a pair of flops, as he seeks the newly disappeared Susan out after he realizes that it was she he saw in a vision during a near death experience. Yes, it's quite the convoluted situation, but this brief description hardly scratches the surface of where Coupland takes his story.
And therein lies the problem; while Coupland is undeniably a fabulous writer and extremely talented, at a certain point there's little emotional resonance here. By the time you turn to the last chapter and discover just what the hell is going on, you're left a little more empty than you probably should be considering what happens.
On the good side, Coupland fills his novel with intelligent jokes and really relishes in the absolute weirdness of some of his characters. My personal favorites are the video store employee Ryan and his Mensa-worthy girlfriend Vanessa, who see themselves (rightly so!) as the next stage of human evolution; their intelligence and ability to utilize each other's talents is creative-bordering-creepy, and it's fabulously entertaining. I loved these two so much that I'd give anything to see a novel devoted to them.
Unfortunately, the bulk of the novel comprises the adventures, mostly told in flashback, of Susan and John (not together, but in their own separate, yet similar, stories). While there are moments of interest, I left the book feeling somehow unfulfilled. Perhaps the book's saving grace is the fact that it reads so quickly that you'll hardly have a chance to be bored. That said, there are enough little splendid moments to make the book a worthwhile read, particularly for fans in need of a Coupland fix, but for those who've never read Coupland, I suggest you start with "Microserfs" or "Girlfriend In A Coma," whichever of the two seem most compelling to you. "Miss Wyoming" stands, at most, as a bright candle to Coupland's previous bonfires. | 1 | neutral | [
"There's a scene in the film \"Notting Hill\" where Hugh Grant's affable and plain-but-charming bookstore owner character, William Thacker, takes mega-star Julia Robert's character, Anna Scott, on a date to his sister's low-key birthday party.",
"Around the dinner table, consisting of William's family and friends and Anna Scott, they all tell sad personal stories to see who is the most pathetic, and thus the most deserving of the last, treasured brownie.",
"After William goes, they decide that he is surely the most pathetic of all and thus most deserving the prize; but Anna Scott asks for a chance and amid the scoffs of William's family, she reveals the true hardships of celebrity.",
"She is responded with a brief, uncomfortable silence, before someone jokingly says, \"Nice try!",
"\" and they all laugh about (Anna included) and move on with their evening.",
"Still, Anna's point about the fragility of celebrity is made.",
"Douglas Coupland's \"Miss Wyoming\" shares much with this scene.",
"In it, celebrities are constantly in a state of flux, between their desires for fame, their inabilities to cope with the loss of fame, and their attempts at both hiding away from the spotlight and then exploiting their various disappearances in such a way as to, of futily, re-land them in the territory of celebrity.",
"The story is that Susan Colage, child veteran of beauty pagaents and former hot television actress, has disappeared.",
"Again.",
"The first time was in the wake of a plane crash in which she was the only survivor.",
"Still, mysteries abound about the year she was gone, and slowly Coupland reveals what happened over that year over the course of the narrative.",
"Narratively, Coupland has chosen to jump around in time, beginning his story in the present, but often (and often arbitrarily) jumping into the past to shed light on confusing aspects of the main narrative.",
"In the main narrative, we follow John Johnson, a Bruckheimer-esque Hollywood producer who rose quickly to fame and fell just as fast after a pair of flops, as he seeks the newly disappeared Susan out after he realizes that it was she he saw in a vision during a near death experience.",
"Yes, it's quite the convoluted situation, but this brief description hardly scratches the surface of where Coupland takes his story.",
"And therein lies the problem; while Coupland is undeniably a fabulous writer and extremely talented, at a certain point there's little emotional resonance here.",
"By the time you turn to the last chapter and discover just what the hell is going on, you're left a little more empty than you probably should be considering what happens.",
"On the good side, Coupland fills his novel with intelligent jokes and really relishes in the absolute weirdness of some of his characters.",
"My personal favorites are the video store employee Ryan and his Mensa-worthy girlfriend Vanessa, who see themselves (rightly so!",
") as the next stage of human evolution; their intelligence and ability to utilize each other's talents is creative-bordering-creepy, and it's fabulously entertaining.",
"I loved these two so much that I'd give anything to see a novel devoted to them.",
"Unfortunately, the bulk of the novel comprises the adventures, mostly told in flashback, of Susan and John (not together, but in their own separate, yet similar, stories).",
"While there are moments of interest, I left the book feeling somehow unfulfilled.",
"Perhaps the book's saving grace is the fact that it reads so quickly that you'll hardly have a chance to be bored.",
"That said, there are enough little splendid moments to make the book a worthwhile read, particularly for fans in need of a Coupland fix, but for those who've never read Coupland, I suggest you start with \"Microserfs\" or \"Girlfriend In A Coma,\" whichever of the two seem most compelling to you.",
"\"Miss Wyoming\" stands, at most, as a bright candle to Coupland's previous bonfires."
] |
I must have some nerve thinking that I can review any album by the Electric Light Orchestra - especially this album. Somehow, against all odds, I managed to ignore this band when they were in their prime, and "A New World Record" certainly represents E.L.O. at their height of fame. Considering that their prime coincided with my own high school years, that was not an easy thing to do, but it is dubiously impressive. Back then, key tracks from this album were played incessantly on the radio, and most kids my age accepted the band without any hesitation. I didn't. I thought of them as fatuous, overtly commercial and derivative copycats. In retrospect, it's hard for me to understand my nasty, or at best indifferent, perspective. My own youthful limitations certainly had something to do with it; E.L.O. weren't as cool or hard as Led Zeppelin, their musicianship wasn't as intuitive as the Allman Brothers, and their arrangements were less intriguing than Yes. They were completely different, but they were caught on the same stylistic middle ground as Elton John, and in 1977, that wasn't a particularly cool place to be.
So, naturally my aged prejudice now informs my present opinion. As I listen to this thirty year-old album today, it sounds like I should have liked it then, so what gives? For starters, my tastes in music have changed dramatically since 1976, so I can finally hear what my peers heard when we were teenagers. I was ill-equipped to admit it then, but "A New World Record" is consistently good throughout. The album's equalization still sounds oddly flat, like somebody lopped off the high end, but the music holds up in ways that I never would have imagined. "Telephone Line" is artfully written ands tastefully arranged. The string arrangements that once struck me as grandiose and pompous now sound quaint and simple. "Do Ya" still sounds like a rock and roll composite of one thousand other bands, but nobody else could have combined so many ingredients as skillfully as Jeff Lynne does here. "Livin' Thing" impressed me even then (`tho I never admitted it), and its combination of schmaltzy pseudo-classical references with wise-guy doo-wop is much more original than I originally considered it to be. Will a new audience reap the same benefits as me? I doubt it. This album will offer little to today's high school crowd, but if you remember the bicentennial and graduated while wearing Earth shoes, you may owe it to yourself to pick up a new copy of E.L.O.'s "New World Record." B+ Tom Ryan | 1 | neutral | [
"I must have some nerve thinking that I can review any album by the Electric Light Orchestra - especially this album.",
"Somehow, against all odds, I managed to ignore this band when they were in their prime, and \"A New World Record\" certainly represents E.",
"L.O. at their height of fame.",
"Considering that their prime coincided with my own high school years, that was not an easy thing to do, but it is dubiously impressive.",
"Back then, key tracks from this album were played incessantly on the radio, and most kids my age accepted the band without any hesitation.",
"I didn't.",
"I thought of them as fatuous, overtly commercial and derivative copycats.",
"In retrospect, it's hard for me to understand my nasty, or at best indifferent, perspective.",
"My own youthful limitations certainly had something to do with it; E.",
"L.O. weren't as cool or hard as Led Zeppelin, their musicianship wasn't as intuitive as the Allman Brothers, and their arrangements were less intriguing than Yes.",
"They were completely different, but they were caught on the same stylistic middle ground as Elton John, and in 1977, that wasn't a particularly cool place to be.",
"So, naturally my aged prejudice now informs my present opinion.",
"As I listen to this thirty year-old album today, it sounds like I should have liked it then, so what gives?",
"For starters, my tastes in music have changed dramatically since 1976, so I can finally hear what my peers heard when we were teenagers.",
"I was ill-equipped to admit it then, but \"A New World Record\" is consistently good throughout.",
"The album's equalization still sounds oddly flat, like somebody lopped off the high end, but the music holds up in ways that I never would have imagined.",
"\"Telephone Line\" is artfully written ands tastefully arranged.",
"The string arrangements that once struck me as grandiose and pompous now sound quaint and simple.",
"\"Do Ya\" still sounds like a rock and roll composite of one thousand other bands, but nobody else could have combined so many ingredients as skillfully as Jeff Lynne does here.",
"\"Livin' Thing\" impressed me even then (`tho I never admitted it), and its combination of schmaltzy pseudo-classical references with wise-guy doo-wop is much more original than I originally considered it to be.",
"Will a new audience reap the same benefits as me?",
"I doubt it.",
"This album will offer little to today's high school crowd, but if you remember the bicentennial and graduated while wearing Earth shoes, you may owe it to yourself to pick up a new copy of E.",
"L.O.'s \"New World Record.",
"\" B+ Tom Ryan"
] |
I originally bought this router last year or so for my parents. It has been working flawlessly for them since. I decided to get myself one based off of that success, as well as its good WiFi range and speeds. Unfortunately, my unit is defective. I cannot return it because the return window was missed. I had to go on vaca and didn't even get to unbox it for a while. After a week of internet drops, I boxed it back up only to realize I just lost $60. I tried the firmware updates, resetting, you name it, but it's F'd. The internet and my cable modem are fine, and always worked directly connected to my PC, so it's def the router. I have been using my gf's backup router for now, but it's old and needs replaced, yet still works better than this hot pile of garbage. I read many other reviews of this with people having similar issues, so I cannot in good conscience recommend this product. Sucks because when it works, it is fantastic. Time to find a more reliable brand. | 1 | neutral | [
"I originally bought this router last year or so for my parents.",
"It has been working flawlessly for them since.",
"I decided to get myself one based off of that success, as well as its good WiFi range and speeds.",
"Unfortunately, my unit is defective.",
"I cannot return it because the return window was missed.",
"I had to go on vaca and didn't even get to unbox it for a while.",
"After a week of internet drops, I boxed it back up only to realize I just lost $60.",
"I tried the firmware updates, resetting, you name it, but it's F'd.",
"The internet and my cable modem are fine, and always worked directly connected to my PC, so it's def the router.",
"I have been using my gf's backup router for now, but it's old and needs replaced, yet still works better than this hot pile of garbage.",
"I read many other reviews of this with people having similar issues, so I cannot in good conscience recommend this product.",
"Sucks because when it works, it is fantastic.",
"Time to find a more reliable brand."
] |
Michael Reagan : FBI Could Have Stopped Florida Shooter
The FBI and local authorities bear some responsibility for the deadly high school shooting in Florida last week for their inability to coordinate Michael Reagan told Newsmax TV.
During an appearance on "Newsmax Now " Reagan discussed the shooting that resulted in 17 deaths â including 14 children â at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland Florida.
"I will tell you no compromise [on gun control that lawmakers] would find would have stopped what happened last week in Florida " Reagan told host John Bachman. "Who let the kids down was not the government. Who let the kids down was the FBI all the places he was reported to for the kind of person he was.
"Nothing was done nothing was put on the record to stop him from in fact purchasing a weapon " Reagan said alluding to the cache of weapons the alleged shooter was able to buy.
Reagan noted the root of the issue is society is different than what it used to be.
"You could take the guns away but you're not gonna take the anger away " he said. "We need to find a way to get rid of the anger. We need to find a way to be proud of ourselves proud of America proud of this great country again. Every place you turn it's always about anger. We need to get rid of that. | 1 | neutral | [
"Michael Reagan : FBI Could Have Stopped Florida Shooter\nThe FBI and local authorities bear some responsibility for the deadly high school shooting in Florida last week for their inability to coordinate Michael Reagan told Newsmax TV.",
"During an appearance on \"Newsmax Now \" Reagan discussed the shooting that resulted in 17 deaths â including 14 children â at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland Florida.",
"\"I will tell you no compromise [on gun control that lawmakers] would find would have stopped what happened last week in Florida \" Reagan told host John Bachman.",
"\"Who let the kids down was not the government.",
"Who let the kids down was the FBI all the places he was reported to for the kind of person he was.",
"\"Nothing was done nothing was put on the record to stop him from in fact purchasing a weapon \" Reagan said alluding to the cache of weapons the alleged shooter was able to buy.",
"Reagan noted the root of the issue is society is different than what it used to be.",
"\"You could take the guns away but you're not gonna take the anger away \" he said.",
"\"We need to find a way to get rid of the anger.",
"We need to find a way to be proud of ourselves proud of America proud of this great country again.",
"Every place you turn it's always about anger.",
"We need to get rid of that."
] |
It is a nice solar charger and will do what it is supposed to do. I did have a couple of small issues with it. That is the reason I give it a three instead of a 4.
So this came with 4 mounting tabs that snap into the frame. I had to sand one of them down so that it would snap into the frame.
Then the other problem I has was that I have purchased over the years many float/trickle chargers that came with the 2 pin flat connector. They have all been wired the same. On this unit they were backwards. But it was an easy fix, I just took the back of and moved the wires around to match my existing connections. Over all it appears to work good and seems pretty well made. | 1 | neutral | [
"It is a nice solar charger and will do what it is supposed to do.",
"I did have a couple of small issues with it.",
"That is the reason I give it a three instead of a 4.",
"So this came with 4 mounting tabs that snap into the frame.",
"I had to sand one of them down so that it would snap into the frame.",
"Then the other problem I has was that I have purchased over the years many float/trickle chargers that came with the 2 pin flat connector.",
"They have all been wired the same.",
"On this unit they were backwards.",
"But it was an easy fix, I just took the back of and moved the wires around to match my existing connections.",
"Over all it appears to work good and seems pretty well made."
] |
The title of the review refers to numerous critics who have nit-picked this book from several angles while ignoring its basic premise. Dent is a prognosticator - not an economist much less a prophet. He studies general trends and makes fairly reasonable (and timely) assertions and sometimes correct forecasts. It is silly yet fascinating to make specific predictions adn they should not be taken seriously. There are too many unknowns for long-term pinpointing.
Dent's thesis is that economic health is a function of demographics; innovation derives from a stream of young ideas; spending is primarily a function of age and nations that grow will thrive. This is the forest. The trees are things like war, depression, bubbles, commodities and markets.
I agree with the thrust of his assertion. It's obvious that nations like Germany, Italy, Russia, Japan and others with declining populations will fare poorly in the future. They will lack not only young innovators but also the mindset required for innovation. With fewer workers and more on the dole the financial burden will become onerous. In many places it already has.
My major complaint is Dent's mixing apples and oranges. He correctly describes how the West has given the developing world a head start, compressing modern industrialization into decades rather than the centuries required by Europe. This phenomenon is a result of technological advances. Yet, he still maintains that other cycles will go on as before - 3,000 years, 500, 250, 8, 15, 10, etc. (He introduces so many cycles, charts, swings and growth curves that they become blurred.) What will happen when artificial intelligence,robotics, nanotech and bioengineering reach advanced stages of development? My guess is that all best are off.
Other uncertainties: Deflation (not inflation), a strengthening dollar, "resolution of federal debt" (not to mention solving the problem of Social Security and Medicare), a "Democratic trend" in the electorate and India as the eventual number one. My Grade: B- | 1 | neutral | [
"The title of the review refers to numerous critics who have nit-picked this book from several angles while ignoring its basic premise.",
"Dent is a prognosticator - not an economist much less a prophet.",
"He studies general trends and makes fairly reasonable (and timely) assertions and sometimes correct forecasts.",
"It is silly yet fascinating to make specific predictions adn they should not be taken seriously.",
"There are too many unknowns for long-term pinpointing.",
"Dent's thesis is that economic health is a function of demographics; innovation derives from a stream of young ideas; spending is primarily a function of age and nations that grow will thrive.",
"This is the forest.",
"The trees are things like war, depression, bubbles, commodities and markets.",
"I agree with the thrust of his assertion.",
"It's obvious that nations like Germany, Italy, Russia, Japan and others with declining populations will fare poorly in the future.",
"They will lack not only young innovators but also the mindset required for innovation.",
"With fewer workers and more on the dole the financial burden will become onerous.",
"In many places it already has.",
"My major complaint is Dent's mixing apples and oranges.",
"He correctly describes how the West has given the developing world a head start, compressing modern industrialization into decades rather than the centuries required by Europe.",
"This phenomenon is a result of technological advances.",
"Yet, he still maintains that other cycles will go on as before - 3,000 years, 500, 250, 8, 15, 10, etc.",
"(He introduces so many cycles, charts, swings and growth curves that they become blurred.",
") What will happen when artificial intelligence,robotics, nanotech and bioengineering reach advanced stages of development?",
"My guess is that all best are off.",
"Other uncertainties: Deflation (not inflation), a strengthening dollar, \"resolution of federal debt\" (not to mention solving the problem of Social Security and Medicare), a \"Democratic trend\" in the electorate and India as the eventual number one.",
"My Grade: B-"
] |
I read American Psycho as a kid, hiding it under my pillows from my super religious father. Everyone ranted and raved about how good this film was, but I was shocked at how tame it was. That book terrified me and the ending was so startling. But in the film it was so watered down. Even the horror scenes they did show were mild and easy to swallow. But, more than anything else I was disappointed in how brief the ending was. There was not emphasis drawn to the fact that Patrick Bateman was a loser who created this world in his head, a world where he could take his aggression out on the people who would not deal with his petty view of the world. I felt like the end of the film could have been a little more dramatic. It left me feeling like I was missing something.
Aside from the above, it was a fun film to watch. Christian Bale is a pretty good Patrick. Nice and always looking overwhelmed. | 1 | neutral | [
"I read American Psycho as a kid, hiding it under my pillows from my super religious father.",
"Everyone ranted and raved about how good this film was, but I was shocked at how tame it was.",
"That book terrified me and the ending was so startling.",
"But in the film it was so watered down.",
"Even the horror scenes they did show were mild and easy to swallow.",
"But, more than anything else I was disappointed in how brief the ending was.",
"There was not emphasis drawn to the fact that Patrick Bateman was a loser who created this world in his head, a world where he could take his aggression out on the people who would not deal with his petty view of the world.",
"I felt like the end of the film could have been a little more dramatic.",
"It left me feeling like I was missing something.",
"Aside from the above, it was a fun film to watch.",
"Christian Bale is a pretty good Patrick.",
"Nice and always looking overwhelmed."
] |
So wanted to like this, but at this price point would NOT recommend this blush. First of all, it's not highly pigmented, and that's exactly what you would expect from a blush this expensive. The color in the pan looks dynamite, however the color payoff is POOR. Am very light, so this should really show up on me. Also, it does not even last long. Also kind of pearlescent, which I'm not crazy about.
Pore minimizing? Who has large pores on their cheek bones? Large pores usually appear on the nose or down the center of the face. Cannot see how this is any different than CoverGirl's Cheekers, which can be had for less than $4.00.
Packaging is VERY nice and a good mirror. Shade is pleasing and natural. | 1 | neutral | [
"So wanted to like this, but at this price point would NOT recommend this blush.",
"First of all, it's not highly pigmented, and that's exactly what you would expect from a blush this expensive.",
"The color in the pan looks dynamite, however the color payoff is POOR.",
"Am very light, so this should really show up on me.",
"Also, it does not even last long.",
"Also kind of pearlescent, which I'm not crazy about.",
"Pore minimizing?",
"Who has large pores on their cheek bones?",
"Large pores usually appear on the nose or down the center of the face.",
"Cannot see how this is any different than CoverGirl's Cheekers, which can be had for less than $4.",
"00.",
"Packaging is VERY nice and a good mirror.",
"Shade is pleasing and natural."
] |
Honestly, this is not the Tod story I was hoping for, at least not all of it.
REAPER tells the story of Tod's last day alive, his recruitment by the Reapers, and his first few days on the job, so to speak. It is fun seeing the relationship between Nash and Tod while they are both alive, and finally learn the details about how Tod died. Plus there is an interesting twist at the very end that I'm betting will come into play in the future.
Free is free, and it's fantastic that Rachel keeps releasing these free novellas, but my big disappointment is that after waiting this long to get inside Tod's head, he doesn't answer the questions I've been dying to know. REAPER doesn't go on long enough for Tod to see Kaylee. I know he likes her, there have been too many hints for him to only think of her as Nash's girlfriend, but I was really hoping to learn how much. I hope that maybe Rachel is planning on writing more from Tod's perspective, because this taste isn't enough.
I would recommend not reading REAPER until after you've read MY SOUL TO STEAL as I think the introduction to Nash's ex-girlfriend and their relationship is better swallowed in the past tense. In REAPER, it's more than a little unsettling to see Nash all Bonnie and Clyde with her. More so if you haven't seen what happens in MY SOUL TO STEAL. My suggestion is to download REAPER now while it's free and read it after MSTS releases on January 1st.
Sexual Content: Kissing. References to sex. | 1 | neutral | [
"Honestly, this is not the Tod story I was hoping for, at least not all of it.",
"REAPER tells the story of Tod's last day alive, his recruitment by the Reapers, and his first few days on the job, so to speak.",
"It is fun seeing the relationship between Nash and Tod while they are both alive, and finally learn the details about how Tod died.",
"Plus there is an interesting twist at the very end that I'm betting will come into play in the future.",
"Free is free, and it's fantastic that Rachel keeps releasing these free novellas, but my big disappointment is that after waiting this long to get inside Tod's head, he doesn't answer the questions I've been dying to know.",
"REAPER doesn't go on long enough for Tod to see Kaylee.",
"I know he likes her, there have been too many hints for him to only think of her as Nash's girlfriend, but I was really hoping to learn how much.",
"I hope that maybe Rachel is planning on writing more from Tod's perspective, because this taste isn't enough.",
"I would recommend not reading REAPER until after you've read MY SOUL TO STEAL as I think the introduction to Nash's ex-girlfriend and their relationship is better swallowed in the past tense.",
"In REAPER, it's more than a little unsettling to see Nash all Bonnie and Clyde with her.",
"More so if you haven't seen what happens in MY SOUL TO STEAL.",
"My suggestion is to download REAPER now while it's free and read it after MSTS releases on January 1st.",
"Sexual Content: Kissing.",
"References to sex."
] |
I have been looking into this product for years. I ordered it on a good deal day and had it delivered the next. Went right to work putting it together. Simple enough with good simple directions. Problem was that I could not get the pump to work. Tried the reset, pushing the green leaf and taking off the cover. I even went as far as waiting the 30 minute cycle to see if it kicked on. No luck. I wiggled the pump power cord and bam...there was life. Since I am mechanically inclined, I tore it apart right down to the bones. White power cable from the relay box was too short and got pinched when assembled. It has a hole to go through, but since it was to short someone crammed it into a spot that cut the power to the pump. I fixed the wire issue and now it works well. You should not need a screw driver, wire cutters, electrical tape and patience when you get a new AeroGarden, but then again it has Made in China plastered all over it. | 1 | neutral | [
"I have been looking into this product for years.",
"I ordered it on a good deal day and had it delivered the next.",
"Went right to work putting it together.",
"Simple enough with good simple directions.",
"Problem was that I could not get the pump to work.",
"Tried the reset, pushing the green leaf and taking off the cover.",
"I even went as far as waiting the 30 minute cycle to see if it kicked on.",
"No luck.",
"I wiggled the pump power cord and bam...",
"there was life.",
"Since I am mechanically inclined, I tore it apart right down to the bones.",
"White power cable from the relay box was too short and got pinched when assembled.",
"It has a hole to go through, but since it was to short someone crammed it into a spot that cut the power to the pump.",
"I fixed the wire issue and now it works well.",
"You should not need a screw driver, wire cutters, electrical tape and patience when you get a new AeroGarden, but then again it has Made in China plastered all over it."
] |
This book had many redeeming qualities.
First, let's start off with the fact that there was way more to this book than goo goo eyes, flirting, trying to get laid and casual interaction. While there were sub-characters that had the carefree lifestyle, they were only a mere backdrop to the two main characters who had more backstory and way more substance.
Secondly, the story. It had twists, turns, rumors, accusations, innuendo, misunderstandings, death, mystery, violence. All things you can find in a good thriller. This backstory of the main female character, McKenna Porter, was much more complex than the average love story. She came with a full set of Samsonite luggage that she continued to try and find ways to keep locked up and out of sight at all times, even though it was the driving force behind her commentary, behavior, poor decisions and my inability to take her seriously most of the time.
Third, the backstory of the good guy...the lead male character, Detective Dustin Pearce. I have to say that it was refreshing to have both a player and an anchored man playing side by side within the pages of this winding road of a story. Dustin is absolutely the anchored man. While he, too, suffers a bit with a past that is less than palatable to him, he is not the sort of man who used that past bad history to go slumming. Instead, he held true to his morals, what he wanted and stayed the course. He was a man who wanted love...all consuming, not sharing you, you are mine, let me love you because I am a one woman man kind of love. He was honest, loyal, faithful, genuine and tender at the right time, but firm with a loving hand the other times. Just what McKenna needed since her life was filled with no love, no real guidance and nothing real to call her own.
Fourth...THE SHOCK VALUE. I enjoyed how easily this story flowed along only to catch you unaware and smack you in the head with the proverbial two by four. While some of the surprising nuggets had you starting to do your own detective work and figure it out, the author still continued to drop little bread crumbs of shock value to lead you down the same path as the characters until you reached the very end.
Which leads me to reason number five...THE ENDING. I have to say that the subtle ways this author led up to the ending, while somewhat rushed, seemed fitting. One character craving love subconsciously after such a tragic end to a former love, and another character never giving up on love even though love gave up on him. Seemed almost inevitable that they may end up being two magnets being pulled in each others direction with only each other to latch on to.
The decisions made in the end showed growth, acceptance, overcoming and embracing a new life full of things that are right, uncertain, exciting, unexpected and hopeful.
I actually loved the combination of mystery, thriller and romance. It was a fabulous trio and a winning combination for me.
I give it 3.5 ...only because I did struggle with some of Mickey's behavior and some of Dustin's reactions. They did not seem to make sense at the time they happened and may have been better suited later on as things developed. But, overall, a good read. | 1 | neutral | [
"This book had many redeeming qualities.",
"First, let's start off with the fact that there was way more to this book than goo goo eyes, flirting, trying to get laid and casual interaction.",
"While there were sub-characters that had the carefree lifestyle, they were only a mere backdrop to the two main characters who had more backstory and way more substance.",
"Secondly, the story.",
"It had twists, turns, rumors, accusations, innuendo, misunderstandings, death, mystery, violence.",
"All things you can find in a good thriller.",
"This backstory of the main female character, McKenna Porter, was much more complex than the average love story.",
"She came with a full set of Samsonite luggage that she continued to try and find ways to keep locked up and out of sight at all times, even though it was the driving force behind her commentary, behavior, poor decisions and my inability to take her seriously most of the time.",
"Third, the backstory of the good guy...",
"the lead male character, Detective Dustin Pearce.",
"I have to say that it was refreshing to have both a player and an anchored man playing side by side within the pages of this winding road of a story.",
"Dustin is absolutely the anchored man.",
"While he, too, suffers a bit with a past that is less than palatable to him, he is not the sort of man who used that past bad history to go slumming.",
"Instead, he held true to his morals, what he wanted and stayed the course.",
"He was a man who wanted love...",
"all consuming, not sharing you, you are mine, let me love you because I am a one woman man kind of love.",
"He was honest, loyal, faithful, genuine and tender at the right time, but firm with a loving hand the other times.",
"Just what McKenna needed since her life was filled with no love, no real guidance and nothing real to call her own.",
"Fourth...",
"THE SHOCK VALUE.",
"I enjoyed how easily this story flowed along only to catch you unaware and smack you in the head with the proverbial two by four.",
"While some of the surprising nuggets had you starting to do your own detective work and figure it out, the author still continued to drop little bread crumbs of shock value to lead you down the same path as the characters until you reached the very end.",
"Which leads me to reason number five...",
"THE ENDING.",
"I have to say that the subtle ways this author led up to the ending, while somewhat rushed, seemed fitting.",
"One character craving love subconsciously after such a tragic end to a former love, and another character never giving up on love even though love gave up on him.",
"Seemed almost inevitable that they may end up being two magnets being pulled in each others direction with only each other to latch on to.",
"The decisions made in the end showed growth, acceptance, overcoming and embracing a new life full of things that are right, uncertain, exciting, unexpected and hopeful.",
"I actually loved the combination of mystery, thriller and romance.",
"It was a fabulous trio and a winning combination for me.",
"I give it 3.",
"5...",
"only because I did struggle with some of Mickey's behavior and some of Dustin's reactions.",
"They did not seem to make sense at the time they happened and may have been better suited later on as things developed.",
"But, overall, a good read."
] |
I ordered the bike carrier because I wanted to have a little more storage capability if needed. The Lund Bike Carrier seemed like a feesable option. I could haul bikes AND firewood if needed.
I recieved the product earlier than expected, a few days earlier actually. That made me a happy consumer. I had to wait a couple of extra days for the carrier to come in before I could put it all together. That's okay. I wasn't in a hurry. The carrier came in the following Monday, it too was delivered a couple days earlier than promised. I love Amazon and that's one of the reasons.
Back to the review. At first glance, I thought this looks good. This will work great. I mounted the bike carrier in just a few minutes. Easy as can be. I then set a bike in the rack. Hmm. Not so happy here. It seems that the wheel rack is angled out a little too far. The bike tire is hardly in it at all. I thought, well, most of the reviews stated that 4 ratchet staps were needed to secure the bikes, but I thought that the bike should at least be able to stand up in the rack..right? They don't. So, my options are 1) strap down the bikes with several (4 or so) ratchet straps 2) take the carrier off and attempt to bent the wheel slots so that more wheel can fit 3) drill two more holes towards the center of the luggage carrier so that the wheel fits better. Now there are pro's and con's to each of these. I'm leaning towards number three because I dont' want to bent the carrier...I dont' know if the weld will hold. This would allow the wheels to fit better; however, I would loose cargo space on the rack (if I needed the space) AND there may not be enough room for the bike to fit.
So, right now I'm not so sure about this product. I will go back through and read reviews to find out what others have done, or if this has even been an issue. As of this moment, I dont' see this carrier as being very helpful.
UPDATE: After road tripping to the Outer Banks from Delaware, I have to give two thumbs up to the rack. I DID MODIFY the rack however. I did NOT like the way it was supposed to be mounted. Bikes were just too loose. I took the advice of another review and reversed the mount so the the tops of the tire rack faced inward. The bikes were much more secure this way. I realize that I loose valuable luggage space by doing this, but as I mentioned earlier, I bought the rack and the carrier to carry bikes not coolers, or boxes or whatever. | 1 | neutral | [
"I ordered the bike carrier because I wanted to have a little more storage capability if needed.",
"The Lund Bike Carrier seemed like a feesable option.",
"I could haul bikes AND firewood if needed.",
"I recieved the product earlier than expected, a few days earlier actually.",
"That made me a happy consumer.",
"I had to wait a couple of extra days for the carrier to come in before I could put it all together.",
"That's okay.",
"I wasn't in a hurry.",
"The carrier came in the following Monday, it too was delivered a couple days earlier than promised.",
"I love Amazon and that's one of the reasons.",
"Back to the review.",
"At first glance, I thought this looks good.",
"This will work great.",
"I mounted the bike carrier in just a few minutes.",
"Easy as can be.",
"I then set a bike in the rack.",
"Hmm.",
"Not so happy here.",
"It seems that the wheel rack is angled out a little too far.",
"The bike tire is hardly in it at all.",
"I thought, well, most of the reviews stated that 4 ratchet staps were needed to secure the bikes, but I thought that the bike should at least be able to stand up in the rack..",
"right?",
"They don't.",
"So, my options are 1) strap down the bikes with several (4 or so) ratchet straps 2) take the carrier off and attempt to bent the wheel slots so that more wheel can fit 3) drill two more holes towards the center of the luggage carrier so that the wheel fits better.",
"Now there are pro's and con's to each of these.",
"I'm leaning towards number three because I dont' want to bent the carrier...",
"I dont' know if the weld will hold.",
"This would allow the wheels to fit better; however, I would loose cargo space on the rack (if I needed the space) AND there may not be enough room for the bike to fit.",
"So, right now I'm not so sure about this product.",
"I will go back through and read reviews to find out what others have done, or if this has even been an issue.",
"As of this moment, I dont' see this carrier as being very helpful.",
"UPDATE: After road tripping to the Outer Banks from Delaware, I have to give two thumbs up to the rack.",
"I DID MODIFY the rack however.",
"I did NOT like the way it was supposed to be mounted.",
"Bikes were just too loose.",
"I took the advice of another review and reversed the mount so the the tops of the tire rack faced inward.",
"The bikes were much more secure this way.",
"I realize that I loose valuable luggage space by doing this, but as I mentioned earlier, I bought the rack and the carrier to carry bikes not coolers, or boxes or whatever."
] |
** Please Note: This is a re-post and re-edit of a review of the dual fuel lantern WITHOUT the hard case, written 10 JUN 14, and includes new information.
*** Amazon no longer lists the lantern this review was originally for, even though it's the same exact lantern as the one offered here.
**** Also please note that the lantern and case offered here costs less than the lantern alone from WalMart, so this is likely the best way to go.
Are the lanterns sold through WalMart of a different quality from those sold through other retail outlets, or is Coleman's overall quality declining?
Hard to say which, but it took SIX of these from WalMart to get three that worked after a fashion, and even then had to replace the pressure valve in one (tank wouldn't pressurize after only six or eight uses) and the pump cup in another (very stiff, draggy pump action, even after proper lubrication) - I just got to the point where I didn't want to hassle with bringing numbers 4 and 5 back.
I occasionally have to use three of these in the nesting barn, hung from the ceiling in a row spaced about sixteen feet apart and the difference in the amount of light each individual lantern put outs is quite apparent. Using unleaded gasoline, two are reasonably bright-ish in an orangey sort of way (but still don't put out as much light as I remember the green Coleman Fuel Only lanterns producing, and the light is NOT bright white), but the third is only about two-thirds as bright as the others no matter how I tweak it or what variables I change.
I've tried all the big-name unleaded gasoline brands as well as the cheapies - 10% ethanol blend (which is about all they sell in and around Mount Goatmore Texas) and pure gasoline when I can find it - and it doesn't seem to make much difference.
The dual fuel lanterns work just fine with Coleman fuel, (but then what's the point of paying the premium for the alleged dual fuel capability?) and work almost as well with a 50-50 mix of Coleman Fuel and 10% ethanol unleaded gasoline, which is the route I'm going. Their light output with the 50-50 mix is still not quite bright white, but it IS brighter and less orangey than using unleaded gasoline alone.
I'll likely have to dig down to the bottom of my camping box and see if I still have any of the lantern mantles from the 80s that were made with thorium and were BRIGHT - BRIGHT - BRIGHT and see if that helps any.
Things to consider:
1. If you're going to store it fueled up for emergency use, store it 3/4 filled with Coleman fuel and NOT unleaded gasoline.
2. Buy the hard plastic storage case if it is not included as part of a package - worth every penny. Make sure the bottom tabs are properly secured when you close the case. I've never had a problem with the case bottom coming unfastened and dropping the lantern (I have these three lanterns, two green Coleman Fuel lanterns, and one 1975 red single mantle lantern - all in Coleman plastic cases), but other reviewers have experienced this.
3. A long-nose disposable butane utility lighter will make lighting a snap, and will store inside the hard plastic storage case.
4. Two or three packs of spare mantles will store under the lantern in the hard plastic
storage case. | 1 | neutral | [
"** Please Note: This is a re-post and re-edit of a review of the dual fuel lantern WITHOUT the hard case, written 10 JUN 14, and includes new information.",
"*** Amazon no longer lists the lantern this review was originally for, even though it's the same exact lantern as the one offered here.",
"**** Also please note that the lantern and case offered here costs less than the lantern alone from WalMart, so this is likely the best way to go.",
"Are the lanterns sold through WalMart of a different quality from those sold through other retail outlets, or is Coleman's overall quality declining?",
"Hard to say which, but it took SIX of these from WalMart to get three that worked after a fashion, and even then had to replace the pressure valve in one (tank wouldn't pressurize after only six or eight uses) and the pump cup in another (very stiff, draggy pump action, even after proper lubrication) - I just got to the point where I didn't want to hassle with bringing numbers 4 and 5 back.",
"I occasionally have to use three of these in the nesting barn, hung from the ceiling in a row spaced about sixteen feet apart and the difference in the amount of light each individual lantern put outs is quite apparent.",
"Using unleaded gasoline, two are reasonably bright-ish in an orangey sort of way (but still don't put out as much light as I remember the green Coleman Fuel Only lanterns producing, and the light is NOT bright white), but the third is only about two-thirds as bright as the others no matter how I tweak it or what variables I change.",
"I've tried all the big-name unleaded gasoline brands as well as the cheapies - 10% ethanol blend (which is about all they sell in and around Mount Goatmore Texas) and pure gasoline when I can find it - and it doesn't seem to make much difference.",
"The dual fuel lanterns work just fine with Coleman fuel, (but then what's the point of paying the premium for the alleged dual fuel capability?",
") and work almost as well with a 50-50 mix of Coleman Fuel and 10% ethanol unleaded gasoline, which is the route I'm going.",
"Their light output with the 50-50 mix is still not quite bright white, but it IS brighter and less orangey than using unleaded gasoline alone.",
"I'll likely have to dig down to the bottom of my camping box and see if I still have any of the lantern mantles from the 80s that were made with thorium and were BRIGHT - BRIGHT - BRIGHT and see if that helps any.",
"Things to consider:\n\n1.",
"If you're going to store it fueled up for emergency use, store it 3/4 filled with Coleman fuel and NOT unleaded gasoline.",
"2.",
"Buy the hard plastic storage case if it is not included as part of a package - worth every penny.",
"Make sure the bottom tabs are properly secured when you close the case.",
"I've never had a problem with the case bottom coming unfastened and dropping the lantern (I have these three lanterns, two green Coleman Fuel lanterns, and one 1975 red single mantle lantern - all in Coleman plastic cases), but other reviewers have experienced this.",
"3.",
"A long-nose disposable butane utility lighter will make lighting a snap, and will store inside the hard plastic storage case.",
"4.",
"Two or three packs of spare mantles will store under the lantern in the hard plastic\nstorage case."
] |
While I love the plush cozy socks and I can see that they are high quality, I was floored when I opened the box and saw ONE pair of socks. Yup, one. Maybe I am cheapy, but it seems outrageous to charge over 10.00 for one pair of socks. They looked really nice though, so I put them on and they were heavenly to wear. So I excitedly tried to put on my running shoes... wait a minute, they don't fit now! LOL They call them "Lite" but my goodness, they took up so much room that I couldn't put on my shoes. They are NOT lite, I would most definitely call them PLUSH! I use them around the house now when my feet are cold; and they would be great in winter boots, but I can't recommend them for anything else! | 1 | neutral | [
"While I love the plush cozy socks and I can see that they are high quality, I was floored when I opened the box and saw ONE pair of socks.",
"Yup, one.",
"Maybe I am cheapy, but it seems outrageous to charge over 10.",
"00 for one pair of socks.",
"They looked really nice though, so I put them on and they were heavenly to wear.",
"So I excitedly tried to put on my running shoes...",
"wait a minute, they don't fit now!",
"LOL They call them \"Lite\" but my goodness, they took up so much room that I couldn't put on my shoes.",
"They are NOT lite, I would most definitely call them PLUSH!",
"I use them around the house now when my feet are cold; and they would be great in winter boots, but I can't recommend them for anything else!"
] |
In my opinion Family Tree Maker was better before it became tied to Ancestry.com. In those days it was easier to use. Nowadays it is difficult to add photos and adding sources is confusing. Its format is such that importing a GED from other genealogy software often leads to loss or of data or data being improperly located. For example, personal notes may be converted to "Events" for some reason. There is lower rated genealogy software that is easier to use and often can import data directly from another application. I have been doing genealogy research for at least 20 years during which time I have used many genealogy applications. Simpler, less cluttered applications are easier to use and can include as much or more data.
This review is tied to an "old" version however the software has been basically the same for several versions. | 1 | neutral | [
"In my opinion Family Tree Maker was better before it became tied to Ancestry.",
"com.",
"In those days it was easier to use.",
"Nowadays it is difficult to add photos and adding sources is confusing.",
"Its format is such that importing a GED from other genealogy software often leads to loss or of data or data being improperly located.",
"For example, personal notes may be converted to \"Events\" for some reason.",
"There is lower rated genealogy software that is easier to use and often can import data directly from another application.",
"I have been doing genealogy research for at least 20 years during which time I have used many genealogy applications.",
"Simpler, less cluttered applications are easier to use and can include as much or more data.",
"This review is tied to an \"old\" version however the software has been basically the same for several versions."
] |
Investigating Donald Trump F.B.I. Sees No Clear Link to Russia
Mr. Comey would not even confirm the existence of any investigation of Mr. Trumpâs aides when asked during an appearance in September before Congress. In the Obama administrationâs internal deliberations over identifying the Russians as the source of the hacks Mr. Comey also argued against doing so and succeeded in keeping the F.B.I.âs imprimatur off the formal findings a law enforcement official said. His stance was first reported by CNBC.
âIt has become clear that you possess explosive information about close ties and coordination between Donald Trump his top advisers and the Russian government â a foreign interest openly hostile to the United States which Trump praises at every opportunity â Mr. Reid wrote. âThe public has a right to know this information.â
F.B.I. officials declined to comment on Monday. Intelligence officials have said in interviews over the last six weeks that apparent connections between some of Mr. Trumpâs aides and Moscow originally compelled them to open a broad investigation into possible links between the Russian government and the Republican presidential candidate. Still they have said that Mr. Trump himself has not become a target. And no evidence has emerged that would link him or anyone else in his business or political circle directly to Russiaâs election operations.
Mr. Stone derided the accusations and those raised by Michael J. Morell a former C.I.A. director and a Clinton supporter who has called Mr. Trump âan unwitting agent of the Russian Federation.â In an article on the conservative news site Breitbart Mr. Stone denied having links to Russians and called the accusations âthe new McCarthyism.â | 1 | neutral | [
"Investigating Donald Trump F.",
"B.I. Sees No Clear Link to Russia\nMr.",
"Comey would not even confirm the existence of any investigation of Mr.",
"Trumpâs aides when asked during an appearance in September before Congress.",
"In the Obama administrationâs internal deliberations over identifying the Russians as the source of the hacks Mr.",
"Comey also argued against doing so and succeeded in keeping the F.",
"B.I.âs imprimatur off the formal findings a law enforcement official said.",
"His stance was first reported by CNBC.",
"âIt has become clear that you possess explosive information about close ties and coordination between Donald Trump his top advisers and the Russian government â a foreign interest openly hostile to the United States which Trump praises at every opportunity â Mr.",
"Reid wrote.",
"âThe public has a right to know this information.",
"â\nF.",
"B.I. officials declined to comment on Monday.",
"Intelligence officials have said in interviews over the last six weeks that apparent connections between some of Mr.",
"Trumpâs aides and Moscow originally compelled them to open a broad investigation into possible links between the Russian government and the Republican presidential candidate.",
"Still they have said that Mr.",
"Trump himself has not become a target.",
"And no evidence has emerged that would link him or anyone else in his business or political circle directly to Russiaâs election operations.",
"Mr.",
"Stone derided the accusations and those raised by Michael J.",
"Morell a former C.",
"I.A. director and a Clinton supporter who has called Mr.",
"Trump âan unwitting agent of the Russian Federation.",
"â In an article on the conservative news site Breitbart Mr.",
"Stone denied having links to Russians and called the accusations âthe new McCarthyism.",
"â"
] |
Based on some of the critical reviews, Black & Decker must have made design changes over the years. Some of the reviews are more than 12 years old. I bought an LE750 Edge Hog Electric Edger in 2015 and ordered this for a spare blade at the same time. It is exactly the same as the blade supplied on the edger. Some reviews seem to suggest that older blades and/or edgers had flats other shapes on the shaft, but that is no longer the case, In any case, if the blade or edger changed, it would behoove Black & Decker to make newer blades backward compatible with older edgers.
The reason I only give 3 stars is the thickness of the blade. Prior to purchasing the Black & Decker edger I had a Craftsman for about 25 years, but it, and parts, are no longer available. The blade was much thinner on the Craftsman edger, and was made of very hard steel, resembling spring steel. It did not wear as fast as the B&D blade, and the spring-like steel alloy prevented breakage of the thin blade. The B&D blade is thick and makes about a 1/4" 'trench' along the edges where the Craftsman made a narrow cut that, to my eye, seemed neater. The B&D blade wears faster since it's removing more soil and debris, especially along sidewalk and curb edges. As far as the blade being compatible with Black & Decker edgers, it should fit any LE750 Edge Hog. | 1 | neutral | [
"Based on some of the critical reviews, Black & Decker must have made design changes over the years.",
"Some of the reviews are more than 12 years old.",
"I bought an LE750 Edge Hog Electric Edger in 2015 and ordered this for a spare blade at the same time.",
"It is exactly the same as the blade supplied on the edger.",
"Some reviews seem to suggest that older blades and/or edgers had flats other shapes on the shaft, but that is no longer the case, In any case, if the blade or edger changed, it would behoove Black & Decker to make newer blades backward compatible with older edgers.",
"The reason I only give 3 stars is the thickness of the blade.",
"Prior to purchasing the Black & Decker edger I had a Craftsman for about 25 years, but it, and parts, are no longer available.",
"The blade was much thinner on the Craftsman edger, and was made of very hard steel, resembling spring steel.",
"It did not wear as fast as the B&D blade, and the spring-like steel alloy prevented breakage of the thin blade.",
"The B&D blade is thick and makes about a 1/4\" 'trench' along the edges where the Craftsman made a narrow cut that, to my eye, seemed neater.",
"The B&D blade wears faster since it's removing more soil and debris, especially along sidewalk and curb edges.",
"As far as the blade being compatible with Black & Decker edgers, it should fit any LE750 Edge Hog."
] |
Very personal, but in an uninteresting way. Tributes to dead friends should be made through prayer, not poems set to plodding music.
"Welcome to the Machine" is without merit, as is the title cut and reprise. However, there is one very bright spot.
All three stars are for the biting, edgy "Have a Cigar", which beautifully captured the cold indifference and manipulative souls of record producers. When the radio listener catches the "hit" tune on a static-filled AM station, it poiniently depicts the hollow victory of finally getting that "big break". Priceless.
Overall, I have easily lived without this album since my turntable broke.
Jesus knows you. Out. | 1 | neutral | [
"Very personal, but in an uninteresting way.",
"Tributes to dead friends should be made through prayer, not poems set to plodding music.",
"\"Welcome to the Machine\" is without merit, as is the title cut and reprise.",
"However, there is one very bright spot.",
"All three stars are for the biting, edgy \"Have a Cigar\", which beautifully captured the cold indifference and manipulative souls of record producers.",
"When the radio listener catches the \"hit\" tune on a static-filled AM station, it poiniently depicts the hollow victory of finally getting that \"big break\".",
"Priceless.",
"Overall, I have easily lived without this album since my turntable broke.",
"Jesus knows you.",
"Out."
] |
This game feels liked a simplified X Men Legends game. That's not always a bad thing.
Unlike XMen you don't get to pick your team right away. You follow the storyline which picks your team of 2 people each time (at least initially). E.g. Supe and Batman; Flash and Green Lantern. You can choose who to control while playing and you can tell the computer-controlled AI to be either normal, passive or aggressive.
Attribute improvements are easier to manage than in X men which confronted you with so many different addons that you end up selling most of them anyway. In Justice League you gather orbs for luck, duration, efficiency, damage, etc that you can then apply to your powers or combine to form in groups of 3 to form more powerful power ups. The interface is intuitive and I managed to get through it without reading the manual. You can choose to use the powerups right away or just keep combining them till you have a super duper powerup.
You can unlock more powers using experience points gained by destroying the bad guys. Saving civilians gives you Justice league credits that you can then use to buy stuff like additional characters and costumes. You will have the option to choose the costumes and characters later in the game.
Overall the game gets repetitive pretty fast. It's not a particular fault of this game per-se, X-Men also got repetitive after a while.
But I have to admit, as you play this game longer and start powering up your heroes, the game does begin to grow on you. I think the fact that you have a core group of heroes that you level up helps make this game more intimate than X-Men because there are so many to choose from. This seemed to keep the game more connected with the story, whereas the 4 characters you play in X-Men may or may not appear in the cutscenes.
So while the game feels like a 3/5 initially, I edged towards 4/5 at the end. I think compared to X-Men this game had more creative execution of powers. Here for e.g. are a few that make this game unique as compared to X-Men:
- Batman's batarang looks like any other projectile weapon initially, it does have the ability to disarm an enemy which is useful when everyone's carrying a gun.
- Batman also has the batswarm attack which lets you launch a swarm of bats against an enemy that will attack it for a significant duration. You literally fire and run away to let the bats take care of it. I have used this effectively against the first boss.
- Flash's pinball power lets you bounce between enemies and attack them very quickly.
- Green Lantern has this giant grinder power that you literally mow your enemy down with.
- Zatana turns enemies into bunny rabbits.
When the game is over you can restart the game from the beginning using all the accumulated stats so that you can continue to become more powerful. You will reach appoint that superman can become so powerful that he can just stand there and get beaten by the enemy without affecting his health bar at all- which is what superman's supposed to be like anyway! | 1 | neutral | [
"This game feels liked a simplified X Men Legends game.",
"That's not always a bad thing.",
"Unlike XMen you don't get to pick your team right away.",
"You follow the storyline which picks your team of 2 people each time (at least initially).",
"E.",
"g. Supe and Batman; Flash and Green Lantern.",
"You can choose who to control while playing and you can tell the computer-controlled AI to be either normal, passive or aggressive.",
"Attribute improvements are easier to manage than in X men which confronted you with so many different addons that you end up selling most of them anyway.",
"In Justice League you gather orbs for luck, duration, efficiency, damage, etc that you can then apply to your powers or combine to form in groups of 3 to form more powerful power ups.",
"The interface is intuitive and I managed to get through it without reading the manual.",
"You can choose to use the powerups right away or just keep combining them till you have a super duper powerup.",
"You can unlock more powers using experience points gained by destroying the bad guys.",
"Saving civilians gives you Justice league credits that you can then use to buy stuff like additional characters and costumes.",
"You will have the option to choose the costumes and characters later in the game.",
"Overall the game gets repetitive pretty fast.",
"It's not a particular fault of this game per-se, X-Men also got repetitive after a while.",
"But I have to admit, as you play this game longer and start powering up your heroes, the game does begin to grow on you.",
"I think the fact that you have a core group of heroes that you level up helps make this game more intimate than X-Men because there are so many to choose from.",
"This seemed to keep the game more connected with the story, whereas the 4 characters you play in X-Men may or may not appear in the cutscenes.",
"So while the game feels like a 3/5 initially, I edged towards 4/5 at the end.",
"I think compared to X-Men this game had more creative execution of powers.",
"Here for e.",
"g. are a few that make this game unique as compared to X-Men:\n\n- Batman's batarang looks like any other projectile weapon initially, it does have the ability to disarm an enemy which is useful when everyone's carrying a gun.",
"- Batman also has the batswarm attack which lets you launch a swarm of bats against an enemy that will attack it for a significant duration.",
"You literally fire and run away to let the bats take care of it.",
"I have used this effectively against the first boss.",
"- Flash's pinball power lets you bounce between enemies and attack them very quickly.",
"- Green Lantern has this giant grinder power that you literally mow your enemy down with.",
"- Zatana turns enemies into bunny rabbits.",
"When the game is over you can restart the game from the beginning using all the accumulated stats so that you can continue to become more powerful.",
"You will reach appoint that superman can become so powerful that he can just stand there and get beaten by the enemy without affecting his health bar at all- which is what superman's supposed to be like anyway!"
] |
US relations with Venezuela conflict between Trump and Nicolas Maduro
Many countries have over the past few weeks taken a "wait and see" approach to relations with the US government under President Donald Trump perhaps none more so than Venezuela.
Venezuela's relations with the US have been contentious for much of the last 20 years but Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro appears to hold out some hope ties could be better with Trump .
Venezuela has been close to Russia under Vladimir Putin whom Trump has spoken highly of and this week when the US slapped sanctions on Maduro's vice president Venezuela's response appeared to avoid mentioning Trump by name perhaps in an effort to keep open the possibility of improved dealings.
Deploying these sanctions now "can be seen as the opening salvo of the Trump administration in dealing with Latin America's deepest crisis " Michael Shifter president of the Washington DC-based policy group Inter-American Dialogue told The New York Times.
That impression is bolstered by Trump 's recent actions.
During a call on Wednesday Trump and Argentine President Mauricio Macri shared mutual "concern" over the situation in Venezuela.
Just hours after Trump spoke with Macri he met in the Oval Office with Lilian Tintori wife of Leopoldo Lopez a hardline Venezuelan opposition leader jailed on trumped-up charges related to weeks of deadly anti-government protests in Venezuela in 2014.
At the conclusion of the meeting which Vice President Mike Pence and Florida Republican Sen. Marco Rubio also attended Trump tweeted "Venezuela should allow Leopoldo Lopez a political prisoner & husband of @liliantintori (just met w/ @marcorubio) out of prison immediately " including a photo of the group.
Tintori is not the first Venezuelan opposition figure to visit the Oval Office but Trump 's statement after the meeting is a departure from the typically muted posture the US government took toward Venezuela under Obama.
"The Bolivarian Republic [of] Venezuela rejects the intrusion and aggression of [US President] @realDonaldTrump [who intends] to give orders to our homeland " Venezuelan Foreign Minister Delcy Rodriguez tweeted in response to Trump . "It is lamentable that lobbies and Miami mafias in complicity with the violent Venezuelan opposition impose on @realDonaldTrump policies against Venezuela."
While Trump 's broader approach to Venezuela and Latin America in general remains unclear his seeming endorsement of the country's political opposition may amount to little.
Many in Venezuela and abroad support Lopez's release and Maduro currently commands the approval of only about 20% of the public. But Trump is a widely disliked figure in the region. His support may not inspire many of Lopez's backers or bring more people to the opposition's ranks. (It may also further solidify support within the government for Maduro.)
Nor are reprimands from Trump likely to cut Venezuela off from its neighbors and partners.
"Despite its standing in Mercosur the Venezuelan government isn't isolated " Tim Gill a post-doctoral fellow at Tulane University focused on Venezuela's foreign relations told Business Insider adding:
Trump has taken a hardline on Venezuela since the latter days of his campaign. While the members of his transition team focused on Latin America suggest that hardline will continue the substance of Trump 's position toward the the country like many other policies remains to be seen. | 1 | neutral | [
"US relations with Venezuela conflict between Trump and Nicolas Maduro\nMany countries have over the past few weeks taken a \"wait and see\" approach to relations with the US government under President Donald Trump perhaps none more so than Venezuela.",
"Venezuela's relations with the US have been contentious for much of the last 20 years but Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro appears to hold out some hope ties could be better with Trump.",
"Venezuela has been close to Russia under Vladimir Putin whom Trump has spoken highly of and this week when the US slapped sanctions on Maduro's vice president Venezuela's response appeared to avoid mentioning Trump by name perhaps in an effort to keep open the possibility of improved dealings.",
"Deploying these sanctions now \"can be seen as the opening salvo of the Trump administration in dealing with Latin America's deepest crisis \" Michael Shifter president of the Washington DC-based policy group Inter-American Dialogue told The New York Times.",
"That impression is bolstered by Trump 's recent actions.",
"During a call on Wednesday Trump and Argentine President Mauricio Macri shared mutual \"concern\" over the situation in Venezuela.",
"Just hours after Trump spoke with Macri he met in the Oval Office with Lilian Tintori wife of Leopoldo Lopez a hardline Venezuelan opposition leader jailed on trumped-up charges related to weeks of deadly anti-government protests in Venezuela in 2014.",
"At the conclusion of the meeting which Vice President Mike Pence and Florida Republican Sen.",
"Marco Rubio also attended Trump tweeted \"Venezuela should allow Leopoldo Lopez a political prisoner & husband of @liliantintori (just met w/ @marcorubio) out of prison immediately \" including a photo of the group.",
"Tintori is not the first Venezuelan opposition figure to visit the Oval Office but Trump 's statement after the meeting is a departure from the typically muted posture the US government took toward Venezuela under Obama.",
"\"The Bolivarian Republic [of] Venezuela rejects the intrusion and aggression of [US President] @realDonaldTrump [who intends] to give orders to our homeland \" Venezuelan Foreign Minister Delcy Rodriguez tweeted in response to Trump.",
"\"It is lamentable that lobbies and Miami mafias in complicity with the violent Venezuelan opposition impose on @realDonaldTrump policies against Venezuela.",
"\"\nWhile Trump 's broader approach to Venezuela and Latin America in general remains unclear his seeming endorsement of the country's political opposition may amount to little.",
"Many in Venezuela and abroad support Lopez's release and Maduro currently commands the approval of only about 20% of the public.",
"But Trump is a widely disliked figure in the region.",
"His support may not inspire many of Lopez's backers or bring more people to the opposition's ranks.",
"(It may also further solidify support within the government for Maduro.",
")\nNor are reprimands from Trump likely to cut Venezuela off from its neighbors and partners.",
"\"Despite its standing in Mercosur the Venezuelan government isn't isolated \" Tim Gill a post-doctoral fellow at Tulane University focused on Venezuela's foreign relations told Business Insider adding:\n Trump has taken a hardline on Venezuela since the latter days of his campaign.",
"While the members of his transition team focused on Latin America suggest that hardline will continue the substance of Trump 's position toward the the country like many other policies remains to be seen."
] |
If you are the kind of ST fan that I am - growing up on it, surviving for many years on re-runs alone, then delighted when the show re-booted with the first film - you will enjoy this book. Shatner, who will forever be my favorite scifi character on TV, gives his point of view on the making of the show. While he can be quite critical and revealing, such as Roddenberry's omnivorous sexual appetite, throughout he strives to sound nice and even to reconcile with fellow cast members who cannot stand him. Indeed, he admits that "actors are children" and jokes about himself as well. Of course, we know he isn't all that nice a guy, but he tries.
When I was young, I wanted to be Captain Kirk, as silly as that sounds. Here you get a wonderful behind-the-scenes peek, not too deep but interesting enough. It is strictly perishable stuff, with a lot of fun tidbits, the kind of thing you might pick up while procrastinating or over a glass of wine for a few minutes on a Sunday afternoon. It is fun for die hard fans. Recommended. | 1 | neutral | [
"If you are the kind of ST fan that I am - growing up on it, surviving for many years on re-runs alone, then delighted when the show re-booted with the first film - you will enjoy this book.",
"Shatner, who will forever be my favorite scifi character on TV, gives his point of view on the making of the show.",
"While he can be quite critical and revealing, such as Roddenberry's omnivorous sexual appetite, throughout he strives to sound nice and even to reconcile with fellow cast members who cannot stand him.",
"Indeed, he admits that \"actors are children\" and jokes about himself as well.",
"Of course, we know he isn't all that nice a guy, but he tries.",
"When I was young, I wanted to be Captain Kirk, as silly as that sounds.",
"Here you get a wonderful behind-the-scenes peek, not too deep but interesting enough.",
"It is strictly perishable stuff, with a lot of fun tidbits, the kind of thing you might pick up while procrastinating or over a glass of wine for a few minutes on a Sunday afternoon.",
"It is fun for die hard fans.",
"Recommended."
] |
Blood Omen was legendary PS one game (which you MUST play, don't complain to me about outdated graphics, now!). We had Soul Reaver which disappointed fans of Blood Omen because game was much different: it was puzzle a la Lara Croft set up in fantasy world of Nosgoth (published by Eidos).
Blood Omen 2 is not even an attempt to remake Blood Omen 1 in 3D, like many people expected. It is a game in which you have Kain as a main protagonist and everything else is Soul Reaver-like.
GOOD: World of Nosgoth is first fantasy construction after Middle Earth of Lord of the Rings that deserves attention and Blood Omen 2 is an exotic journey to Nosgoth. Puzzles are cool and not to difficult.
BAD: Technical details (choppy animation, camera) and sometimes too hard bosses. This game is not even close to Blood Omen 1 when it comes to playability...but not too many games are.
If you are a Nosgoth or puzzle fan and can stand some gruesome moments in the game, it is worth buying. It is not worth 100 dollars, though :) | 1 | neutral | [
"Blood Omen was legendary PS one game (which you MUST play, don't complain to me about outdated graphics, now!",
").",
"We had Soul Reaver which disappointed fans of Blood Omen because game was much different: it was puzzle a la Lara Croft set up in fantasy world of Nosgoth (published by Eidos).",
"Blood Omen 2 is not even an attempt to remake Blood Omen 1 in 3D, like many people expected.",
"It is a game in which you have Kain as a main protagonist and everything else is Soul Reaver-like.",
"GOOD: World of Nosgoth is first fantasy construction after Middle Earth of Lord of the Rings that deserves attention and Blood Omen 2 is an exotic journey to Nosgoth.",
"Puzzles are cool and not to difficult.",
"BAD: Technical details (choppy animation, camera) and sometimes too hard bosses.",
"This game is not even close to Blood Omen 1 when it comes to playability...",
"but not too many games are.",
"If you are a Nosgoth or puzzle fan and can stand some gruesome moments in the game, it is worth buying.",
"It is not worth 100 dollars, though :)"
] |
Unfortunately AGAIN I am updating to say that my 3rd one is now broken - in less than 1 year. 11/10/12
Unfortunately I have to update my review to say that my case has broken twice and my husbands (identical) has cracked as well - in less than 6 months. they did send me a new one and it has already cracked. there are weak points at certain places. It still functions, but is a little disappointing.
Previous review:
I read many reviews before purchasing this cover and they were very accurate - so I'm just repeating what others have said.
I have dropped my phone a few times and it has come through un-harmed. I like the rubber cover surrounded by the solid plastic cover to slip in and out of pockets easily.
I chose the blue color - so I even like that my phone is very visible when I'm looking for it.
The cover over the power cord plug in is fine for a power cord, but the phone doesn't work with iPhone/iPod stereo-type units. That's a bummer.
Others commented on the cover for the head phones being a problem - I don't agree. It is easy to use with head phone jack.
I really like everything about this cover- better than any I have ever bought before. | 1 | neutral | [
"Unfortunately AGAIN I am updating to say that my 3rd one is now broken - in less than 1 year.",
"11/10/12\n\nUnfortunately I have to update my review to say that my case has broken twice and my husbands (identical) has cracked as well - in less than 6 months.",
"they did send me a new one and it has already cracked.",
"there are weak points at certain places.",
"It still functions, but is a little disappointing.",
"Previous review:\nI read many reviews before purchasing this cover and they were very accurate - so I'm just repeating what others have said.",
"I have dropped my phone a few times and it has come through un-harmed.",
"I like the rubber cover surrounded by the solid plastic cover to slip in and out of pockets easily.",
"I chose the blue color - so I even like that my phone is very visible when I'm looking for it.",
"The cover over the power cord plug in is fine for a power cord, but the phone doesn't work with iPhone/iPod stereo-type units.",
"That's a bummer.",
"Others commented on the cover for the head phones being a problem - I don't agree.",
"It is easy to use with head phone jack.",
"I really like everything about this cover- better than any I have ever bought before."
] |
I've got to weigh in on this one. Someone mentioned (2 people, actually) Rob's more "tough guy" vocals, do you mean, um... "rough guy" vocals, perhaps? First Freddie, then Rob... ugh. Not to be a spoiler or anything to all you who've jumped the fence, watch out that you actually clear the thing and don't get your family jewels smashed. (I hope you don't understand what that's all about, but if you do, and didn't know, what a shame, eh?) But it's REALLY all about the music, right? So, let's get to...
I was a giant fan of "Hell Bent For Leather" and "Unleashed..." (To wit: "...never turn your back on the ripper!" Indeed. Further, I could name a dozen JP songs with similar sentiments, but I digress. However, I must say, I am not an "unabashed" Priest fan any longer, it just don't seem right somehow, nor am I a big Pete Townshend fan, either, or William S. Burroughs, who was the first to use the "rough boys" terminology, as far as I know, he ruined a lot of great prose with some sick twisted stuff, but I digress further...) Anyway, remember the days when good, clean (dirty, in reality) rock and roll meant "wine, WOMEN, and song"? Those days are long gone... I just can't express how much Rob ruined it for me.
Anyway, the CD is dated, yes, but DOES contain some great songs and has a great overall vibe to it. Some of Priest's earlier stuff suffered from poor recording and/or mixing and/or production, "Sin After Sin" comes to mind, and although "Stained Class" was better, "Hell Bent" is where they really started to shine overall production wise. Given all that, if I had to grab 3 Priest CDs off the top of my head (I don't usually keep them there, but anyway...) I'd probably choose "Hell Bent For Leather", "Unleashed In The East" and "British Steel" because I think these are the 3 most instantly memorable CDs and the first two are probably Priest's best, and "British Steel" does have a lot of catchy "heavy metal" (I don't like '80s "heavy metal" at all by the way, at least until you get to G 'N' R, don't know if they're considered heavy metal or good ol' rock and roll, and I thought Metallica's [Lars has sure ruined a good thing, selfish, 'e is] "And Justice For All" is pretty decent) tunes on it, some good, upbeat stuff, some more "serious" rocking stuff and I kinda get a kick out of "United", but I wonder (nowadays) what that meant to Rob at the time he wrote it! I'd give it a 3.5, but I'm going to round down, since I think overall that there were many other hard rock bands who were more succesful at about the same time period (mid-to-late '70s UFO and Scorpions, and early-to-mid '70s Black Sabbath, to name three), mostly because they had the rock AND roll (as Keith Richards would say), instead of just the heavy grind (though "Hell Bent" had a good spirit to it). What did Rob mean by "Delivering The Goods"? Eeuuwww, nevermind, just listen to the music... three stars. "Unleashed In The East" was their pinnacle, as "Strangers In The Night" was for UFO and "Tokyo Tapes" for Scorpions. As Ozzie would say, "Halford wears boots, you gotta believe me...!" "Stained Class", a good name for the band's bio. I gotta give it to Rob, though (What? Did I just say that? Outrageous!), he had a great set of vocal cords. Wonder what he gargled with before going onstage? The abuse, the punishment, that throat must have endured... So not only has the Roman Catholic clergy redifined the meaning of "priest" (as in "Watch out for the priest!"), so has Rob Halford! I knew there was a religious tie-in there somewhere, and you thought it was all about "the Devil". Are you sure? (Better be...) 'Nuf said (more, then [sic] enough). | 1 | neutral | [
"I've got to weigh in on this one.",
"Someone mentioned (2 people, actually) Rob's more \"tough guy\" vocals, do you mean, um...",
"\"rough guy\" vocals, perhaps?",
"First Freddie, then Rob...",
"ugh.",
"Not to be a spoiler or anything to all you who've jumped the fence, watch out that you actually clear the thing and don't get your family jewels smashed.",
"(I hope you don't understand what that's all about, but if you do, and didn't know, what a shame, eh?",
") But it's REALLY all about the music, right?",
"So, let's get to...",
"I was a giant fan of \"Hell Bent For Leather\" and \"Unleashed...",
"\" (To wit: \"...",
"never turn your back on the ripper!",
"\" Indeed.",
"Further, I could name a dozen JP songs with similar sentiments, but I digress.",
"However, I must say, I am not an \"unabashed\" Priest fan any longer, it just don't seem right somehow, nor am I a big Pete Townshend fan, either, or William S.",
"Burroughs, who was the first to use the \"rough boys\" terminology, as far as I know, he ruined a lot of great prose with some sick twisted stuff, but I digress further...",
") Anyway, remember the days when good, clean (dirty, in reality) rock and roll meant \"wine, WOMEN, and song\"?",
"Those days are long gone...",
"I just can't express how much Rob ruined it for me.",
"Anyway, the CD is dated, yes, but DOES contain some great songs and has a great overall vibe to it.",
"Some of Priest's earlier stuff suffered from poor recording and/or mixing and/or production, \"Sin After Sin\" comes to mind, and although \"Stained Class\" was better, \"Hell Bent\" is where they really started to shine overall production wise.",
"Given all that, if I had to grab 3 Priest CDs off the top of my head (I don't usually keep them there, but anyway...",
") I'd probably choose \"Hell Bent For Leather\", \"Unleashed In The East\" and \"British Steel\" because I think these are the 3 most instantly memorable CDs and the first two are probably Priest's best, and \"British Steel\" does have a lot of catchy \"heavy metal\" (I don't like '80s \"heavy metal\" at all by the way, at least until you get to G 'N' R, don't know if they're considered heavy metal or good ol' rock and roll, and I thought Metallica's [Lars has sure ruined a good thing, selfish, 'e is] \"And Justice For All\" is pretty decent) tunes on it, some good, upbeat stuff, some more \"serious\" rocking stuff and I kinda get a kick out of \"United\", but I wonder (nowadays) what that meant to Rob at the time he wrote it!",
"I'd give it a 3.",
"5, but I'm going to round down, since I think overall that there were many other hard rock bands who were more succesful at about the same time period (mid-to-late '70s UFO and Scorpions, and early-to-mid '70s Black Sabbath, to name three), mostly because they had the rock AND roll (as Keith Richards would say), instead of just the heavy grind (though \"Hell Bent\" had a good spirit to it).",
"What did Rob mean by \"Delivering The Goods\"?",
"Eeuuwww, nevermind, just listen to the music...",
"three stars.",
"\"Unleashed In The East\" was their pinnacle, as \"Strangers In The Night\" was for UFO and \"Tokyo Tapes\" for Scorpions.",
"As Ozzie would say, \"Halford wears boots, you gotta believe me...",
"!",
"\" \"Stained Class\", a good name for the band's bio.",
"I gotta give it to Rob, though (What?",
"Did I just say that?",
"Outrageous!",
"), he had a great set of vocal cords.",
"Wonder what he gargled with before going onstage?",
"The abuse, the punishment, that throat must have endured...",
"So not only has the Roman Catholic clergy redifined the meaning of \"priest\" (as in \"Watch out for the priest!",
"\"), so has Rob Halford!",
"I knew there was a religious tie-in there somewhere, and you thought it was all about \"the Devil\".",
"Are you sure?",
"(Better be...",
") 'Nuf said (more, then [sic] enough)."
] |
This was the first Bob Dylan I ever bought. I remember the reviews being rather poor, but I still wanted to hear it. Even back when I first got it, I didn't think it was the greatest, but I liked playing it anyway. That is, until I got other Dylan albums, which were far superior to this. This is not Dylan's worst. Dylan's later 80's releases, Knocked Out Loaded, Dylan and the Dead, and Down in the Groove qualify for that title. The album is mixed overall. There are some great tracks (Every Grain of Sand, the title track, Groom's Still Waiting at the Altar), some good (In the Summertime, Heart of Mine, and Lenny Bruce), and some total misfires (Trouble, Watered Down Love). It boggles my mind a bit that some of the tracks from these sessions (which later appeared on The Bootleg Series, Vol. 3) didn't make the final cut. The songs Angelina and Need a Woman are far superior to anything on this album (especially Angelina, which I think is one of Dylan's most mysterious and beautiful songs). The song Groom's Still Waiting at the Altar is very good, but it wasn't included on the original vinyl pressing. It was added years later (and is on this CD). Luckily, Dylan's next one, Infidels, is a vast improvement. This is just one of Dylan's albums that has some great songs mixed with mush. Still worthwhile for a few great songs. | 1 | neutral | [
"This was the first Bob Dylan I ever bought.",
"I remember the reviews being rather poor, but I still wanted to hear it.",
"Even back when I first got it, I didn't think it was the greatest, but I liked playing it anyway.",
"That is, until I got other Dylan albums, which were far superior to this.",
"This is not Dylan's worst.",
"Dylan's later 80's releases, Knocked Out Loaded, Dylan and the Dead, and Down in the Groove qualify for that title.",
"The album is mixed overall.",
"There are some great tracks (Every Grain of Sand, the title track, Groom's Still Waiting at the Altar), some good (In the Summertime, Heart of Mine, and Lenny Bruce), and some total misfires (Trouble, Watered Down Love).",
"It boggles my mind a bit that some of the tracks from these sessions (which later appeared on The Bootleg Series, Vol.",
"3) didn't make the final cut.",
"The songs Angelina and Need a Woman are far superior to anything on this album (especially Angelina, which I think is one of Dylan's most mysterious and beautiful songs).",
"The song Groom's Still Waiting at the Altar is very good, but it wasn't included on the original vinyl pressing.",
"It was added years later (and is on this CD).",
"Luckily, Dylan's next one, Infidels, is a vast improvement.",
"This is just one of Dylan's albums that has some great songs mixed with mush.",
"Still worthwhile for a few great songs."
] |
This tent leaks light from the zippers, as well as various pinholes all over the door. All the zippers came broken, but luckily i was able to fix them. The zippers now work alright but they snag a lot compared to my vivosun tent. The holes for the vents and ducting also leak a little light. The frame is sturdy, but bends inward a bit where the pieces of metal snap together. The extra light bar/carbon filter bar was really handy. The walls/mylar are also not very thick in comparison to the vivosun tent. Overall the tent is working well with a viparspectra 450w light in it. You get what you pay for. 3 stars due to the zippers and light leak. | 1 | neutral | [
"This tent leaks light from the zippers, as well as various pinholes all over the door.",
"All the zippers came broken, but luckily i was able to fix them.",
"The zippers now work alright but they snag a lot compared to my vivosun tent.",
"The holes for the vents and ducting also leak a little light.",
"The frame is sturdy, but bends inward a bit where the pieces of metal snap together.",
"The extra light bar/carbon filter bar was really handy.",
"The walls/mylar are also not very thick in comparison to the vivosun tent.",
"Overall the tent is working well with a viparspectra 450w light in it.",
"You get what you pay for.",
"3 stars due to the zippers and light leak."
] |
Is "Titanic" a marvelously crafted film? You bet your life preserver it is. It is hard to argue that the film did not deserve the Oscars it won for Visual Effects, Film Editing and Cinematography. However, does the fact that the Academy of Motion Picture Arts & Sciences went insane in 1997 (awarding 11 Oscars out of 14 nominations) make it a great film, or is it simply a bunch of eye candy wrapped around an unbelieveably cheesy love story?
Rich girl meets poor (but plucky) boy from the wrong side of the tracks and starts a romance doomed to failure. My goodness, we surely have never seen this story before, now have we? No amount of special effects, as magnificent as they may be, can conceal the cringe-worthy dialogue between Leo & Kate that the viewer is forced to endure. The dialogue makes me think at times of those wretched, teen-angst-riddled WB dramas that currently infest the airwaves. There are whole scenes that are almost unbearable to watch, the dialogue gets to be so poor.
Even the spectacular nature of the movie has waned a little bit in the intervening years. Like many summer blockbuster flicks tht are largely propelled by their special effects, "Titanic" is one of those movies best seen on the big screen. Once it is transferred to the more confined medium of a television screen --- even a big one --- the impact of the images on the screen tends to be lessened, and one is forced (sadly) to rely on the skill of the actors to maintain the interest of the viewers. I don't think anyone is going to remember "Titanic" for its riveting performances. Kate Winslet does an adequete job, but I think the Academy was being pretty generous in giving her a nomination for Best Actress. Nothing against the old crone who played the billion-years-old Rose, but what in her performance really merited a nomination anyway? As to the performances of the rest of the cast --- well, I think it says volumes that the Academy, while it was handing out nominations left and right, elected not to honor most of the principals with acting nominations.
This isn't a totally horrible film by any means --- at points it can be quite moving & touching. There are times when the ship was near sinking, as one sees the various passengers coping with a death that is rapidly approaching, that one wishes the whole movie could be like this. Unfortunately, James Cameron preferred to go the route of cheesy romance, and that results in an average movie at best. | 1 | neutral | [
"Is \"Titanic\" a marvelously crafted film?",
"You bet your life preserver it is.",
"It is hard to argue that the film did not deserve the Oscars it won for Visual Effects, Film Editing and Cinematography.",
"However, does the fact that the Academy of Motion Picture Arts & Sciences went insane in 1997 (awarding 11 Oscars out of 14 nominations) make it a great film, or is it simply a bunch of eye candy wrapped around an unbelieveably cheesy love story?",
"Rich girl meets poor (but plucky) boy from the wrong side of the tracks and starts a romance doomed to failure.",
"My goodness, we surely have never seen this story before, now have we?",
"No amount of special effects, as magnificent as they may be, can conceal the cringe-worthy dialogue between Leo & Kate that the viewer is forced to endure.",
"The dialogue makes me think at times of those wretched, teen-angst-riddled WB dramas that currently infest the airwaves.",
"There are whole scenes that are almost unbearable to watch, the dialogue gets to be so poor.",
"Even the spectacular nature of the movie has waned a little bit in the intervening years.",
"Like many summer blockbuster flicks tht are largely propelled by their special effects, \"Titanic\" is one of those movies best seen on the big screen.",
"Once it is transferred to the more confined medium of a television screen --- even a big one --- the impact of the images on the screen tends to be lessened, and one is forced (sadly) to rely on the skill of the actors to maintain the interest of the viewers.",
"I don't think anyone is going to remember \"Titanic\" for its riveting performances.",
"Kate Winslet does an adequete job, but I think the Academy was being pretty generous in giving her a nomination for Best Actress.",
"Nothing against the old crone who played the billion-years-old Rose, but what in her performance really merited a nomination anyway?",
"As to the performances of the rest of the cast --- well, I think it says volumes that the Academy, while it was handing out nominations left and right, elected not to honor most of the principals with acting nominations.",
"This isn't a totally horrible film by any means --- at points it can be quite moving & touching.",
"There are times when the ship was near sinking, as one sees the various passengers coping with a death that is rapidly approaching, that one wishes the whole movie could be like this.",
"Unfortunately, James Cameron preferred to go the route of cheesy romance, and that results in an average movie at best."
] |
I haven't tried the online part, but I look forward to it. This is a review of the single-player gameplay.
The concept of playing with three A.I. characters is unique in this type of game. Although, it is not done as well as it could have been. The characters are not exactly geniuses, and you can't coordinate with them very well. But, they are a help, and this game is a change from the usual RE games. The combat is the same as the games preceding Resident Evil 4. You cannot move very fast, or dodge, or aim. It is somewhat difficult to fight. But, many of us are used to it, and the learning curve isn't too bad for those new to the challenging (some say crappy, but I won't take sides) controls. I liked the music, especially on the title screen. Most of it just blends into the background, or it just wasn't there, I didn't really notice. The voice-acting is somewhat weak, and the characters can get annoying. They say things like "Dear God!" and "I don't wanna die!" repeatedly. The graphics are pretty good. The opening scene got my attention, showed how the crisis came to be, and looked good. The cutscenes are well done, while the graphics during the rest of the game are decent for the Playstation 2. There is little variety in the enemies; they are mostly zombies. Some are difficult, like the parasite-mutant boss, but there are different levels of difficulty, so you can play on easy if you have trouble. You cannot save permanently. If you save, you return to the title screen, and when you load, your save is deleted. I guess that is supposed to add to the whole multiplayer feel. The major problem I have is the long load time. It takes about ten seconds to load in between rooms, and about 15 seconds or more to load after a cutscene. Overall, this is an interesting new concept for survival-horror, and I recommend trying it. Most likely, the multiplayer part of the game adds to the value of this game, so take that into consideration if you have the proper equipment to go online.
Several months later...
I finally got a network adapter, so I've tried going online. It has added new life to this game. The people I worked with were quite a bit smarter than those AI characters. But, it can be difficult to communicate with them. You can chat before the game starts, and you have a few set things you can say like "Go!" or "Help me!" or people's names, but you can't actually type. So it's hard to strategize during the scenario. Working as a team was still worthwhile, though. We helped each other when we were under attack, we shared, we solved puzzles together. In one level, friendly fire was on, and my partner suddenly went nuts and turned on me and the other players. He came after us with a shotgun. We stood no chance with our handguns and knives... So I died, turned into a zombie, and went after him. But zombies are really slow, so my teammates died as well. It was a little sad, but it was also an interesting twist. The zombie experience is pretty fun, but short. You succumb to the virus or your injuries within minutes. The multiplayer feature adds a star to the score of this game.
I recently discovered costumes and characters in the Collection section of the game. You get points when you play, and you can spend those points to buy various costumes and NPCs to play in. They each come with an extra item, which range from an antidote pill to some extra handgun ammo. Also in the Collection are movies, music, and pictures to buy. | 1 | neutral | [
"I haven't tried the online part, but I look forward to it.",
"This is a review of the single-player gameplay.",
"The concept of playing with three A.",
"I. characters is unique in this type of game.",
"Although, it is not done as well as it could have been.",
"The characters are not exactly geniuses, and you can't coordinate with them very well.",
"But, they are a help, and this game is a change from the usual RE games.",
"The combat is the same as the games preceding Resident Evil 4.",
"You cannot move very fast, or dodge, or aim.",
"It is somewhat difficult to fight.",
"But, many of us are used to it, and the learning curve isn't too bad for those new to the challenging (some say crappy, but I won't take sides) controls.",
"I liked the music, especially on the title screen.",
"Most of it just blends into the background, or it just wasn't there, I didn't really notice.",
"The voice-acting is somewhat weak, and the characters can get annoying.",
"They say things like \"Dear God!",
"\" and \"I don't wanna die!",
"\" repeatedly.",
"The graphics are pretty good.",
"The opening scene got my attention, showed how the crisis came to be, and looked good.",
"The cutscenes are well done, while the graphics during the rest of the game are decent for the Playstation 2.",
"There is little variety in the enemies; they are mostly zombies.",
"Some are difficult, like the parasite-mutant boss, but there are different levels of difficulty, so you can play on easy if you have trouble.",
"You cannot save permanently.",
"If you save, you return to the title screen, and when you load, your save is deleted.",
"I guess that is supposed to add to the whole multiplayer feel.",
"The major problem I have is the long load time.",
"It takes about ten seconds to load in between rooms, and about 15 seconds or more to load after a cutscene.",
"Overall, this is an interesting new concept for survival-horror, and I recommend trying it.",
"Most likely, the multiplayer part of the game adds to the value of this game, so take that into consideration if you have the proper equipment to go online.",
"Several months later...",
"I finally got a network adapter, so I've tried going online.",
"It has added new life to this game.",
"The people I worked with were quite a bit smarter than those AI characters.",
"But, it can be difficult to communicate with them.",
"You can chat before the game starts, and you have a few set things you can say like \"Go!",
"\" or \"Help me!",
"\" or people's names, but you can't actually type.",
"So it's hard to strategize during the scenario.",
"Working as a team was still worthwhile, though.",
"We helped each other when we were under attack, we shared, we solved puzzles together.",
"In one level, friendly fire was on, and my partner suddenly went nuts and turned on me and the other players.",
"He came after us with a shotgun.",
"We stood no chance with our handguns and knives...",
"So I died, turned into a zombie, and went after him.",
"But zombies are really slow, so my teammates died as well.",
"It was a little sad, but it was also an interesting twist.",
"The zombie experience is pretty fun, but short.",
"You succumb to the virus or your injuries within minutes.",
"The multiplayer feature adds a star to the score of this game.",
"I recently discovered costumes and characters in the Collection section of the game.",
"You get points when you play, and you can spend those points to buy various costumes and NPCs to play in.",
"They each come with an extra item, which range from an antidote pill to some extra handgun ammo.",
"Also in the Collection are movies, music, and pictures to buy."
] |
We all know now the RE is almost the top selling game on the GCN, Zero is above it, but the downfall of 2 isn't. Yet again, another waist of waiting, Resident Evil 3: Nemesis came out. Same Graphics, but more zombies. Cheap looking gore, but scary scenery. Nemesis is the only new improved thing in the game. Now instead of big blob of polygons, it is a well done creature. The addition of female, male, fat and skinny zombies makes you feel like, "Hey, that looks like my girl friend. DIE!". That is cool and makes the game scary. The fire and smashed cars and the cramped city is just plainly scary. Still, it would've done better if CapCom wasn't so lazy! But I would recomend buying this one for the GameCube. Scare you later! | 1 | neutral | [
"We all know now the RE is almost the top selling game on the GCN, Zero is above it, but the downfall of 2 isn't.",
"Yet again, another waist of waiting, Resident Evil 3: Nemesis came out.",
"Same Graphics, but more zombies.",
"Cheap looking gore, but scary scenery.",
"Nemesis is the only new improved thing in the game.",
"Now instead of big blob of polygons, it is a well done creature.",
"The addition of female, male, fat and skinny zombies makes you feel like, \"Hey, that looks like my girl friend.",
"DIE!",
"\".",
"That is cool and makes the game scary.",
"The fire and smashed cars and the cramped city is just plainly scary.",
"Still, it would've done better if CapCom wasn't so lazy!",
"But I would recomend buying this one for the GameCube.",
"Scare you later!"
] |
Some novels are not meant to be adapted into film form. That isn't to say that they wouldn't make good films, or that we wouldn't want to see them played out, but it merely means that the content is not formatted in an accessible way. Sometimes, what we can take in through the printed page can come across gaudy, campy and just plain awkward on the big screen. I fear that that is what befell `Beloved', a film that is ripe with presence, atmosphere and most importantly emotion; but it is also a film that just doesn't quite work.
In parts, sure; but not as a whole.
`Beloved' tells the graphic and disturbing tale of a former slave named Sethe who has rebuilt her life in Ohio. She has a quiet presence with her daughter Denver and she has basically secluded herself and her daughter from those around her. Sethe's past is one of tragedy and turmoil, and because of that past her home is currently haunted; not by evil but by sadness. When a familiar face shows up on her doorstep, Sethe's past begins to unravel before her. Paul D. is a man who knows her well, but has been absent from her life for eighteen years and thus isn't privy to the atrocities she's seen. Just as life begins to settle in for Sethe, Paul D. and Denver another young woman enters their lives. Beloved, cold, wet and manifesting signs of mental retardation or sheer insanity, begins to stake her mark in their home. Who is this woman and why is Sethe so drawn to her?
The film's construction makes it rather difficult to truly immerse yourself in the story. The fragmented storytelling, with flashbacks and dreams, make it hard to stay focused. I feel that the way the possession or haunting of Sethe's home was also handled rather awkwardly. The film had moments were it felt more like a cheap horror film than a legitimate dramatic tale. I also have a slight issue with Thandie Newton's performance. It is easy to praise her for her physical distortions and committed theatrics, but she also lost control of herself in a few areas and came across almost comical, which took away from the dramatics of the film. Her final scene was a mess, and her facial contortions were from believably psychotic to campy and laughable.
That said, there are some elements that must be praised. The cinematography is stellar; the lighting capturing the moody feel of the film flawlessly; and the flashback colorization really elevated those scenes with Beah Richards (who was stellar here). Oprah and Danny Clover were both very effective in their roles; but it was Kimberly Elise and LisaGay Hamilton who really should receive top mentions with regards to the acting. Elise in particular was grounded throughout and showed true signs of character development; and Hamilton sold her biggest scene, which would have fallen to pieces had she not conveyed such emotional conviction. The score and technical merits (like costume design) are all top notch here as well.
I just wish that `Beloved' as a whole felt more organic and cohesive. Instead, it feels strangely disengaged from itself and unsure of the approach it wants to take. There is a lot of ground to cover, and Jonathan Demme and his team of screenwriters seem lost in their idea of HOW to make this movie. | 1 | neutral | [
"Some novels are not meant to be adapted into film form.",
"That isn't to say that they wouldn't make good films, or that we wouldn't want to see them played out, but it merely means that the content is not formatted in an accessible way.",
"Sometimes, what we can take in through the printed page can come across gaudy, campy and just plain awkward on the big screen.",
"I fear that that is what befell `Beloved', a film that is ripe with presence, atmosphere and most importantly emotion; but it is also a film that just doesn't quite work.",
"In parts, sure; but not as a whole.",
"`Beloved' tells the graphic and disturbing tale of a former slave named Sethe who has rebuilt her life in Ohio.",
"She has a quiet presence with her daughter Denver and she has basically secluded herself and her daughter from those around her.",
"Sethe's past is one of tragedy and turmoil, and because of that past her home is currently haunted; not by evil but by sadness.",
"When a familiar face shows up on her doorstep, Sethe's past begins to unravel before her.",
"Paul D.",
"is a man who knows her well, but has been absent from her life for eighteen years and thus isn't privy to the atrocities she's seen.",
"Just as life begins to settle in for Sethe, Paul D.",
"and Denver another young woman enters their lives.",
"Beloved, cold, wet and manifesting signs of mental retardation or sheer insanity, begins to stake her mark in their home.",
"Who is this woman and why is Sethe so drawn to her?",
"The film's construction makes it rather difficult to truly immerse yourself in the story.",
"The fragmented storytelling, with flashbacks and dreams, make it hard to stay focused.",
"I feel that the way the possession or haunting of Sethe's home was also handled rather awkwardly.",
"The film had moments were it felt more like a cheap horror film than a legitimate dramatic tale.",
"I also have a slight issue with Thandie Newton's performance.",
"It is easy to praise her for her physical distortions and committed theatrics, but she also lost control of herself in a few areas and came across almost comical, which took away from the dramatics of the film.",
"Her final scene was a mess, and her facial contortions were from believably psychotic to campy and laughable.",
"That said, there are some elements that must be praised.",
"The cinematography is stellar; the lighting capturing the moody feel of the film flawlessly; and the flashback colorization really elevated those scenes with Beah Richards (who was stellar here).",
"Oprah and Danny Clover were both very effective in their roles; but it was Kimberly Elise and LisaGay Hamilton who really should receive top mentions with regards to the acting.",
"Elise in particular was grounded throughout and showed true signs of character development; and Hamilton sold her biggest scene, which would have fallen to pieces had she not conveyed such emotional conviction.",
"The score and technical merits (like costume design) are all top notch here as well.",
"I just wish that `Beloved' as a whole felt more organic and cohesive.",
"Instead, it feels strangely disengaged from itself and unsure of the approach it wants to take.",
"There is a lot of ground to cover, and Jonathan Demme and his team of screenwriters seem lost in their idea of HOW to make this movie."
] |
If you love B-movies (and since you're reading a review of .."Puppet People" I'm assuming that you do) then you ought to be pleased with MGM's DVD of this drive-in flick. *I'm assuming it was a drive-in I'm too young to remember!* Anyway, on to the film itself: great title, creepy performance by Hoyt *remember him from the T.Z. episode: "Will the real martian stand up." ? and cool special effects. cool B-movie moment: the Dr. Jekyll & Mr. Hyde marionette show!! + isn't that one of the judges from, "Son of Frankenstein" that plays Dr. Franz's friend? Curious... Enjoy with popcorn and a double-feature of another of MGM's Midnite movies! (and at prices between 9.99-12.99) who can beat it? | 1 | neutral | [
"If you love B-movies (and since you're reading a review of..",
"\"Puppet People\" I'm assuming that you do) then you ought to be pleased with MGM's DVD of this drive-in flick.",
"*I'm assuming it was a drive-in I'm too young to remember!",
"* Anyway, on to the film itself: great title, creepy performance by Hoyt *remember him from the T.",
"Z. episode: \"Will the real martian stand up.",
"\"?",
"and cool special effects.",
"cool B-movie moment: the Dr.",
"Jekyll & Mr.",
"Hyde marionette show!!",
"+ isn't that one of the judges from, \"Son of Frankenstein\" that plays Dr.",
"Franz's friend?",
"Curious...",
"Enjoy with popcorn and a double-feature of another of MGM's Midnite movies!",
"(and at prices between 9.",
"99-12.",
"99) who can beat it?"
] |
Flightplan, 2005 film
A woman is in a foreign country, her husband died in a fall. Her young daughter is with her. They pack for a return to America. Will Julia walk away from her Mom? People enter the aircraft for the flight to New York. Later her daughter is not in her seat. Where did she go? Miss Pratt continues her search throughout this big aircraft. Will the flight crew help? There is no record of her daughter boarding this aircraft! An air marshal intervenes. I don't remember. Miss Pratt took Clonapril for her anxiety. [Is it working?] The Captain makes a decision. People will be ordered back to their seats, the lights turned on, and they search for the six-year old girl that no one has seen. Is the manifest accurate? Will one man be accused? What makes you so special?
A message from the morgue contradicts Miss Pratt. She will be taken back to her seat. Another passenger offers help for her grief. Is she in denial? Does she need to be alone? She then enters a restricted area and sabotages equipment to create problems. They must make an emergency landing now. Then there is a big surprise! There is a ransom of $50 million to save the aircraft, or else! [You will be shocked by this, it is a conspiracy!] The wide-body lands, the passengers deboard. The Captain tells Julia about the ransom payment. Who will believe her now? Where is she? Julia knows the layout of this airplane and escapes. Things aren't working out for the hijackers now. There is an explosion! But the good guys survive. The FBI ties up the loose ends. Are we there yet?
This is worth watching even if the story seems implausible. The more complicated the plan the more likely something will go wrong. It requires a conspiracy among people who seem unlikely to meet and plan this crime. But it makes a good story on paper. | 1 | neutral | [
"Flightplan, 2005 film\n\nA woman is in a foreign country, her husband died in a fall.",
"Her young daughter is with her.",
"They pack for a return to America.",
"Will Julia walk away from her Mom?",
"People enter the aircraft for the flight to New York.",
"Later her daughter is not in her seat.",
"Where did she go?",
"Miss Pratt continues her search throughout this big aircraft.",
"Will the flight crew help?",
"There is no record of her daughter boarding this aircraft!",
"An air marshal intervenes.",
"I don't remember.",
"Miss Pratt took Clonapril for her anxiety.",
"[Is it working?",
"] The Captain makes a decision.",
"People will be ordered back to their seats, the lights turned on, and they search for the six-year old girl that no one has seen.",
"Is the manifest accurate?",
"Will one man be accused?",
"What makes you so special?",
"A message from the morgue contradicts Miss Pratt.",
"She will be taken back to her seat.",
"Another passenger offers help for her grief.",
"Is she in denial?",
"Does she need to be alone?",
"She then enters a restricted area and sabotages equipment to create problems.",
"They must make an emergency landing now.",
"Then there is a big surprise!",
"There is a ransom of $50 million to save the aircraft, or else!",
"[You will be shocked by this, it is a conspiracy!",
"] The wide-body lands, the passengers deboard.",
"The Captain tells Julia about the ransom payment.",
"Who will believe her now?",
"Where is she?",
"Julia knows the layout of this airplane and escapes.",
"Things aren't working out for the hijackers now.",
"There is an explosion!",
"But the good guys survive.",
"The FBI ties up the loose ends.",
"Are we there yet?",
"This is worth watching even if the story seems implausible.",
"The more complicated the plan the more likely something will go wrong.",
"It requires a conspiracy among people who seem unlikely to meet and plan this crime.",
"But it makes a good story on paper."
] |
I bought this one based on some of the praises from other reviewers. I must say, this is a nice piece, but keep liquid STEAMING hot for 12 hours or more? NO! I put hot water in the thermas before adding hot coffee. Even doing this trick, coffee stays hot enough without microwaving it for about FOUR hours. This is not bad, but all day? NO WAY. I like my coffee HOT. If you are happy with "warm" coffee, then 8 hours is more like it. Very attractive design and pouring mechanism works as advertised. I have a Nissan thermas (all steel)that keeps things hotter longer, although that one was about twice the price. However, they last forever and I'd pay 20.00 more for it and buy only ONE. | 1 | neutral | [
"I bought this one based on some of the praises from other reviewers.",
"I must say, this is a nice piece, but keep liquid STEAMING hot for 12 hours or more?",
"NO!",
"I put hot water in the thermas before adding hot coffee.",
"Even doing this trick, coffee stays hot enough without microwaving it for about FOUR hours.",
"This is not bad, but all day?",
"NO WAY.",
"I like my coffee HOT.",
"If you are happy with \"warm\" coffee, then 8 hours is more like it.",
"Very attractive design and pouring mechanism works as advertised.",
"I have a Nissan thermas (all steel)that keeps things hotter longer, although that one was about twice the price.",
"However, they last forever and I'd pay 20.",
"00 more for it and buy only ONE."
] |
After playing through Enter the Matrix you wonder if the last fifteen or twenty hours or so you spent playing it was really worth seeing a few extra scenes hacked (literally) out of the Matrix Reloaded movie or enduring the tedious driving/flying chase scenes, thinking all the while how this could have been a much better game.
It's possible I'm being a bit too harsh. Then again, Infogrames - scratch that, make it the renamed company Atari - spent reportedly (according to BusinessWeek) around $80 million US (including the purchase of Shiny Entertainment, the developers) to create this cross-platform extravaganza of mediocrity.
4 CDs and 3 gigabytes of installation love later, it's high time to finally play this highly anticipated game. In essence, Enter the Matrix is the Matrix Reloaded Sideshow, unraveling bits and pieces of the movie's plot that got no or very little celluloid time. I won't reveal any of it here except the game starts out with an attempt to retrieve the drop-box package left in the Matrix by the crew of the Osiris, the ship featured in the anime DVD tie-in, the Animatrix. The package, later revealed as a video message, contains intelligence information that the machines are boring their way to Zion, the rebel stronghold in the "real world." This information is then revealed in the movie.
The interweaving of the plots between the movie, the game, and in a few parts the tie-in anime DVD, is really one of the bright spots here. The plot of the game unfolds in conjunction with the movie, though really not much of the real plot of the movie is really revealed, which can be disconcerting, seeing that the game is said (I never timed it) to contain about 70 minutes of footage shot during filming of the movie. When you finish a level or get past something important, you'll see more of the footage - or footage of an in-game cut scene, which can be really annoying.
Players can pick and choose which character they want to play, Niobe or Ghost, and the game is somewhat different, depending on the character. For instance, in the driving scenes, Niobe drives while Ghost shoots. At another, Ghost acts to distract enemy snipers while Niobe navigates around them to get inside a power plant complex.
Much of the game therefore consists of a behind-the-back third-person action game that really resembles Max Payne. The 3d environments are, like the rest of the game, a mixture of good things and bad things - most of the environments seem empty and very nondescript, while others (typically smaller environments) are well-crafted and detailed, featuring polished marble floors and the like. A few feature destructible objects and structures, though they seem to have no real purpose except to make players say "wow that's cool."
Gameplay is very combat oriented; you'll frequently encounter a host of human civilians, guards, police and military types, as well as the occasional agents and other rogue programs. Enter the Matrix offers a variety of weapons to use, as well as a fair number of hand-to-hand combat moves. For instance, you have your standard hand or kick-type attacks and combos, as well as disarming attacks, behind-the-back attacks, and so forth.
On top of all that, there is the slow-motion "bullet-time" Focus mode you can enter, which allows your character to do more fantastic or hard-hitting moves, aim better, run on walls, and other nigh-impossible things. You only have limited focus points that regenerate slowly after time (health is the same way incidentally), so use it wisely.
The use of weapons can be a bit of a problem - in default third-person mode aim is very much accomplished by an internal auto-targeting mechanism, so you don't really get to aim but aim generally, your character takes care of the rest. Since enemies go behind cover frequently, a number of shots will typically go astray. This means going to first-person mode, though it hardly feels interactive at all - there's no recoil, just a stream of boring bullets; remember Duck Hunter? You can't move forward or backward in first-person mode either.
Since combat is important, the interface should be equally up to the task, but it isn't. In fact it feels clunky at times, and the third-person camera switches to inconceivable action-camera-style views and other angles at the worst moments, sometimes even blocking your view. It sure helps that the enemy won't try to attack you while doing these super-cool moves.
All of this would sound cool generally, but there is a lot of things that really drag this game down. The driving sequences, on a whole, really [stink]. It's hard to conceive of a worse gameplay mode Shiny could have put into this game. The use of Focus mode suddenly makes everything very choppy, while it should be smooth and even - like Max Payne. Some levels feature unlimited hordes of people to fight; others have the typical console-game boss creature. There is only level-based saving, no in-game saves. Some of the stupid plot points of the Matrix Reloaded make their way into the game, more than once. It's very, very easy to waste ammunition, and you'll also spend a bit of time running away from something. Finally, there's even an homage to Buffy the Vampire Slayer.
Okay, the tip system is very handy (though it gets in the way at times) and there is an entire Hacking mode which is devious and harkens back to old DOS days, letting you unlock things in the game before you get to them, if you're good enough).
After tallying off some good and bad points, you can see where this is a pretty cool game, though it's got so many negatives against it that it's very hard to recommend. If you're a Matrix fan, sure, why not, but maybe this is better served as a bargain bin game. Still... 80 million, for this? | 1 | neutral | [
"After playing through Enter the Matrix you wonder if the last fifteen or twenty hours or so you spent playing it was really worth seeing a few extra scenes hacked (literally) out of the Matrix Reloaded movie or enduring the tedious driving/flying chase scenes, thinking all the while how this could have been a much better game.",
"It's possible I'm being a bit too harsh.",
"Then again, Infogrames - scratch that, make it the renamed company Atari - spent reportedly (according to BusinessWeek) around $80 million US (including the purchase of Shiny Entertainment, the developers) to create this cross-platform extravaganza of mediocrity.",
"4 CDs and 3 gigabytes of installation love later, it's high time to finally play this highly anticipated game.",
"In essence, Enter the Matrix is the Matrix Reloaded Sideshow, unraveling bits and pieces of the movie's plot that got no or very little celluloid time.",
"I won't reveal any of it here except the game starts out with an attempt to retrieve the drop-box package left in the Matrix by the crew of the Osiris, the ship featured in the anime DVD tie-in, the Animatrix.",
"The package, later revealed as a video message, contains intelligence information that the machines are boring their way to Zion, the rebel stronghold in the \"real world.",
"\" This information is then revealed in the movie.",
"The interweaving of the plots between the movie, the game, and in a few parts the tie-in anime DVD, is really one of the bright spots here.",
"The plot of the game unfolds in conjunction with the movie, though really not much of the real plot of the movie is really revealed, which can be disconcerting, seeing that the game is said (I never timed it) to contain about 70 minutes of footage shot during filming of the movie.",
"When you finish a level or get past something important, you'll see more of the footage - or footage of an in-game cut scene, which can be really annoying.",
"Players can pick and choose which character they want to play, Niobe or Ghost, and the game is somewhat different, depending on the character.",
"For instance, in the driving scenes, Niobe drives while Ghost shoots.",
"At another, Ghost acts to distract enemy snipers while Niobe navigates around them to get inside a power plant complex.",
"Much of the game therefore consists of a behind-the-back third-person action game that really resembles Max Payne.",
"The 3d environments are, like the rest of the game, a mixture of good things and bad things - most of the environments seem empty and very nondescript, while others (typically smaller environments) are well-crafted and detailed, featuring polished marble floors and the like.",
"A few feature destructible objects and structures, though they seem to have no real purpose except to make players say \"wow that's cool.",
"\"\nGameplay is very combat oriented; you'll frequently encounter a host of human civilians, guards, police and military types, as well as the occasional agents and other rogue programs.",
"Enter the Matrix offers a variety of weapons to use, as well as a fair number of hand-to-hand combat moves.",
"For instance, you have your standard hand or kick-type attacks and combos, as well as disarming attacks, behind-the-back attacks, and so forth.",
"On top of all that, there is the slow-motion \"bullet-time\" Focus mode you can enter, which allows your character to do more fantastic or hard-hitting moves, aim better, run on walls, and other nigh-impossible things.",
"You only have limited focus points that regenerate slowly after time (health is the same way incidentally), so use it wisely.",
"The use of weapons can be a bit of a problem - in default third-person mode aim is very much accomplished by an internal auto-targeting mechanism, so you don't really get to aim but aim generally, your character takes care of the rest.",
"Since enemies go behind cover frequently, a number of shots will typically go astray.",
"This means going to first-person mode, though it hardly feels interactive at all - there's no recoil, just a stream of boring bullets; remember Duck Hunter?",
"You can't move forward or backward in first-person mode either.",
"Since combat is important, the interface should be equally up to the task, but it isn't.",
"In fact it feels clunky at times, and the third-person camera switches to inconceivable action-camera-style views and other angles at the worst moments, sometimes even blocking your view.",
"It sure helps that the enemy won't try to attack you while doing these super-cool moves.",
"All of this would sound cool generally, but there is a lot of things that really drag this game down.",
"The driving sequences, on a whole, really [stink].",
"It's hard to conceive of a worse gameplay mode Shiny could have put into this game.",
"The use of Focus mode suddenly makes everything very choppy, while it should be smooth and even - like Max Payne.",
"Some levels feature unlimited hordes of people to fight; others have the typical console-game boss creature.",
"There is only level-based saving, no in-game saves.",
"Some of the stupid plot points of the Matrix Reloaded make their way into the game, more than once.",
"It's very, very easy to waste ammunition, and you'll also spend a bit of time running away from something.",
"Finally, there's even an homage to Buffy the Vampire Slayer.",
"Okay, the tip system is very handy (though it gets in the way at times) and there is an entire Hacking mode which is devious and harkens back to old DOS days, letting you unlock things in the game before you get to them, if you're good enough).",
"After tallying off some good and bad points, you can see where this is a pretty cool game, though it's got so many negatives against it that it's very hard to recommend.",
"If you're a Matrix fan, sure, why not, but maybe this is better served as a bargain bin game.",
"Still...",
"80 million, for this?"
] |
What this unit is: a fun piece of kit that you can use to mess around with and effect audio. What it's not: a serious piece of DJ performance kit.
First, the fun. It's good for real time tweaking. It sounds great. It's easy to get started with the unit and get some cool sounds quickly. Having four independent effects is fun, and can be a little more creative than just using presets.
Why it's not a serious piece of DJ Kit. No sampler. No Midi. No ability to save settings. Plastic build. BPM Detect is questionable. Some of the FX groupings seem arbitrary, and it would be nice to assign effects to banks so you could have more flexibility.
Conclusion: It's fun. If you've got $300 to spend on adding some highly tweakable, easy to apply effects to your audio, this could be a good purchase. If you're looking for a serious piece of kit that you can build repeatable sets from, you may want to look elsewhere (say, maybe a KP3). | 1 | neutral | [
"What this unit is: a fun piece of kit that you can use to mess around with and effect audio.",
"What it's not: a serious piece of DJ performance kit.",
"First, the fun.",
"It's good for real time tweaking.",
"It sounds great.",
"It's easy to get started with the unit and get some cool sounds quickly.",
"Having four independent effects is fun, and can be a little more creative than just using presets.",
"Why it's not a serious piece of DJ Kit.",
"No sampler.",
"No Midi.",
"No ability to save settings.",
"Plastic build.",
"BPM Detect is questionable.",
"Some of the FX groupings seem arbitrary, and it would be nice to assign effects to banks so you could have more flexibility.",
"Conclusion: It's fun.",
"If you've got $300 to spend on adding some highly tweakable, easy to apply effects to your audio, this could be a good purchase.",
"If you're looking for a serious piece of kit that you can build repeatable sets from, you may want to look elsewhere (say, maybe a KP3)."
] |
I have been battling between two extremes regarding this product. The initial extreme was utter joy and delight at how much easier this is than using buckets on 40+ gallon tanks. Cleaning the tank is a breeze with this and I'm thrilled most of the time. It's a little frustrating that using the shut-off switch at the syphon-end after refilling can lead to pressure building up at the sink which can cause a small to moderate mess when water sprays, but I just learned to ignore that switch and make more trips to the sink. Overall, my positive experiences outweigh that one negative.
But then, there's the real downside. The thing that makes me wish I never bought this item or at least really considered the implications before using it on my kitchen sink. The massive downside to this thing is the need to remove the faucet aerator. Or, more correctly, the need to put the aerator back on to the faucet! I am willing to consider that maybe I simply inherited an aerator from Satan and perhaps it was forged in the lake of fire for the sole purpose of destroying my sanity. If this is the case, my apologies to the Python, it gets 4 1/2 stars (still losing half a star for the flow valve not being practical). However, if my aerator is just a neutral object then I have to warn people against taking them off their sinks. Mine has literally never held a seal since the day my Python arrived because it stubbornly refuses to screw back on properly. I have spent as much time fussing with the faucet as I used to hauling buckets. On the up side, that chore is less physically strenuous than hauling buckets, but on the downside I never before got sprayed in the face by my own kitchen sink on a regular basis.
Finally, the real kick in the teeth: At least some versions, confirmed in I think the UK at some point, came with an adapter that clamps around the whole faucet head and doesn't require anything to be removed. Of course it doesn't come with this one. I would do anything to go back in time and locate one of these magical items BEFORE ruining my faucet.
TL;DR: Product is mostly great, but putting an aerator back on a faucet is not nearly as simple as you might think so think twice before making the choice to remove it. | 1 | neutral | [
"I have been battling between two extremes regarding this product.",
"The initial extreme was utter joy and delight at how much easier this is than using buckets on 40+ gallon tanks.",
"Cleaning the tank is a breeze with this and I'm thrilled most of the time.",
"It's a little frustrating that using the shut-off switch at the syphon-end after refilling can lead to pressure building up at the sink which can cause a small to moderate mess when water sprays, but I just learned to ignore that switch and make more trips to the sink.",
"Overall, my positive experiences outweigh that one negative.",
"But then, there's the real downside.",
"The thing that makes me wish I never bought this item or at least really considered the implications before using it on my kitchen sink.",
"The massive downside to this thing is the need to remove the faucet aerator.",
"Or, more correctly, the need to put the aerator back on to the faucet!",
"I am willing to consider that maybe I simply inherited an aerator from Satan and perhaps it was forged in the lake of fire for the sole purpose of destroying my sanity.",
"If this is the case, my apologies to the Python, it gets 4 1/2 stars (still losing half a star for the flow valve not being practical).",
"However, if my aerator is just a neutral object then I have to warn people against taking them off their sinks.",
"Mine has literally never held a seal since the day my Python arrived because it stubbornly refuses to screw back on properly.",
"I have spent as much time fussing with the faucet as I used to hauling buckets.",
"On the up side, that chore is less physically strenuous than hauling buckets, but on the downside I never before got sprayed in the face by my own kitchen sink on a regular basis.",
"Finally, the real kick in the teeth: At least some versions, confirmed in I think the UK at some point, came with an adapter that clamps around the whole faucet head and doesn't require anything to be removed.",
"Of course it doesn't come with this one.",
"I would do anything to go back in time and locate one of these magical items BEFORE ruining my faucet.",
"TL;DR: Product is mostly great, but putting an aerator back on a faucet is not nearly as simple as you might think so think twice before making the choice to remove it."
] |
A short but sweet game overall Liberty City stories is another decent GTA installment. It's clear by the target of the PSP that was a short but fun ride into another GTA locations. I enjoyed this game a lot and wasn't expecting much reading a couple of reviews.
Story:
Toni Cipriani is a gangster in Liberty City who does odd jobs for the mafia. Often taken for granted Toni allies himself with a mob boss Don, Salvatore Leone, who sees the potential Toni in doing big things. Cipriani must now cut ties with his current boss and risk his life in various mob oriented missions.
Well that's my take on it. Like other GTA games we see tales of violence, police corruption, dirty politics and capitalism at work. If there were another franchise it get rather repetitive but Rockstar does a great job of using all these themes and mingling them into an interesting movie.
I liked Toni for the most part and the voice acting by Daniel Mastrogiorgio and Frank Vincent were great. Characters like the crazed drugged Donald Love were quite a riot along with Salvatore's crazed wife Maria.
Gameplay:
Well the gameplay is the same as the other GTA but instead of doing stuff like eating and working like in San Andrea unnecessary duties like these are cut which for me is a much better game. As mentioned the locations are fine but short we got Portland Island, and Stanton Island as the main areas. The missions though are varied and will never have you bored.
Graphics:
Graphics are about the same as other GTA game as Rockstar reuses the same models for all their games (at least that's what I think). Still though the cutscenes are always a joy to see.
Sound:
Well as mentioned same like the other GTA. We got the radio soundtrack, the pedestrians voices and voices for other objects. The only difference is that the dialogue is different.
Overall: Buy or Rent
Well the game will take veteran gamers only a week or so to pass other gamers it might take more. It's another decent installment that together with Vice City Stories and other GTA will hold gamers over till GTA IV comes out. Allegedly Liberty City is the focal point for GTA IV so it will be fun to see how Rockstar will remake this city. | 1 | neutral | [
"A short but sweet game overall Liberty City stories is another decent GTA installment.",
"It's clear by the target of the PSP that was a short but fun ride into another GTA locations.",
"I enjoyed this game a lot and wasn't expecting much reading a couple of reviews.",
"Story:\n\nToni Cipriani is a gangster in Liberty City who does odd jobs for the mafia.",
"Often taken for granted Toni allies himself with a mob boss Don, Salvatore Leone, who sees the potential Toni in doing big things.",
"Cipriani must now cut ties with his current boss and risk his life in various mob oriented missions.",
"Well that's my take on it.",
"Like other GTA games we see tales of violence, police corruption, dirty politics and capitalism at work.",
"If there were another franchise it get rather repetitive but Rockstar does a great job of using all these themes and mingling them into an interesting movie.",
"I liked Toni for the most part and the voice acting by Daniel Mastrogiorgio and Frank Vincent were great.",
"Characters like the crazed drugged Donald Love were quite a riot along with Salvatore's crazed wife Maria.",
"Gameplay:\n\nWell the gameplay is the same as the other GTA but instead of doing stuff like eating and working like in San Andrea unnecessary duties like these are cut which for me is a much better game.",
"As mentioned the locations are fine but short we got Portland Island, and Stanton Island as the main areas.",
"The missions though are varied and will never have you bored.",
"Graphics:\n\nGraphics are about the same as other GTA game as Rockstar reuses the same models for all their games (at least that's what I think).",
"Still though the cutscenes are always a joy to see.",
"Sound:\n\nWell as mentioned same like the other GTA.",
"We got the radio soundtrack, the pedestrians voices and voices for other objects.",
"The only difference is that the dialogue is different.",
"Overall: Buy or Rent\n\nWell the game will take veteran gamers only a week or so to pass other gamers it might take more.",
"It's another decent installment that together with Vice City Stories and other GTA will hold gamers over till GTA IV comes out.",
"Allegedly Liberty City is the focal point for GTA IV so it will be fun to see how Rockstar will remake this city."
] |
I purchased these monitors and upon unboxing them noticed that the trim on the first monitor of the pair was peeling already. At first I thought it might be in just one spot and that I might just be being overly critical but as I looked more closely I noticed that the trim was peeling in several places. I lugged them back to the store and got another pair. The second pair was fine and the sound is very good. The other reason that I gave them four stars is that they do have a weak bottom end which is somewhat forgivable from a five inch speaker. What is less forgivable is that the bottom end that is there can be muddy at times. Generally I am really happy with the speakers and they work well for my primary purpose which is voice-over work. I think they are a good value for the price but not a five star speaker. If you buy them I think you will be happy, just don't expect the sound of 10,000 dollar monitors.
Update: I lived with these for a few months and I found that there was a pronounced crackle on the top end even a low and moderate volumes. It was significant enough that I could not use them for mixing and so had to replace them with a pair of VXT6 monitors from KRK (I will be posting a review soon). Sadly, at this point I can no longer recommend the BX5a's. | 1 | neutral | [
"I purchased these monitors and upon unboxing them noticed that the trim on the first monitor of the pair was peeling already.",
"At first I thought it might be in just one spot and that I might just be being overly critical but as I looked more closely I noticed that the trim was peeling in several places.",
"I lugged them back to the store and got another pair.",
"The second pair was fine and the sound is very good.",
"The other reason that I gave them four stars is that they do have a weak bottom end which is somewhat forgivable from a five inch speaker.",
"What is less forgivable is that the bottom end that is there can be muddy at times.",
"Generally I am really happy with the speakers and they work well for my primary purpose which is voice-over work.",
"I think they are a good value for the price but not a five star speaker.",
"If you buy them I think you will be happy, just don't expect the sound of 10,000 dollar monitors.",
"Update: I lived with these for a few months and I found that there was a pronounced crackle on the top end even a low and moderate volumes.",
"It was significant enough that I could not use them for mixing and so had to replace them with a pair of VXT6 monitors from KRK (I will be posting a review soon).",
"Sadly, at this point I can no longer recommend the BX5a's."
] |
This is a great toy, nicely made, feels good to touch, I don't mind looking at it in my living room. But as a teaching toy it has just one trick, and is really suited to a much younger age range than you might think. Even kids who can't name colors can tell them apart, and very young children can "count" even if they don't know that's what they're doing. So the main, and only, learning objective of this toy is easily accomplished by many children well below two. And then they're done. I know that bright wooden pieces are good for lots of other things if you've got an imaginative child, and that's what we'll be moving on to now, as my 27 month old sorts this puzzle out in about 30 seconds.
I highly recommend the Lauri Shape and Color Sorter as a substitute. There are many more things you can do with that one. My older children all got good use out of it throughout their preschool years.
http://www.amazon.com/Lauri-Toys-Shape-Color-Sorter/dp/B00000IV8D/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=toys-and-games&qid=1290035450&sr=8-1 | 1 | neutral | [
"This is a great toy, nicely made, feels good to touch, I don't mind looking at it in my living room.",
"But as a teaching toy it has just one trick, and is really suited to a much younger age range than you might think.",
"Even kids who can't name colors can tell them apart, and very young children can \"count\" even if they don't know that's what they're doing.",
"So the main, and only, learning objective of this toy is easily accomplished by many children well below two.",
"And then they're done.",
"I know that bright wooden pieces are good for lots of other things if you've got an imaginative child, and that's what we'll be moving on to now, as my 27 month old sorts this puzzle out in about 30 seconds.",
"I highly recommend the Lauri Shape and Color Sorter as a substitute.",
"There are many more things you can do with that one.",
"My older children all got good use out of it throughout their preschool years.",
"http://www.",
"amazon.",
"com/Lauri-Toys-Shape-Color-Sorter/dp/B00000IV8D/ref=sr_1_1?",
"ie=UTF8&s=toys-and-games&qid=1290035450&sr=8-1"
] |
I was torn between this pickup and the Jbaggs system. I chose this based on a friends revue. I installed the pickup (no instructions came with the package). but the install is straight forward. I checked the operation of the pickup several times during the process and when I was sure everything worked finished up. one more test was a failure, motor boat sounds, tapped on the circuit board and it worked for a minute but then back to the motor boat sound. nothing could be heard by tapping on the saddle pizeo either. So ..... I have sent it back to Amazon asking for a replacement. I will report back when I get that one installed. I know these work well and maybe I just got a bad one, so I'll try to stay optomistic. till then, ...... It would have been nice to have some instructions though, but oh well.
UPDATE: I got a replacement product and it went in without a hitch. The wire holders (stick things) were missing but no big deal. The pickup sounds great and installation is quite simple and logical. there are no instructions with the unit (or very few) but if you need help you can get it online. sure beats cutting big holes in the guitar. | 1 | neutral | [
"I was torn between this pickup and the Jbaggs system.",
"I chose this based on a friends revue.",
"I installed the pickup (no instructions came with the package).",
"but the install is straight forward.",
"I checked the operation of the pickup several times during the process and when I was sure everything worked finished up.",
"one more test was a failure, motor boat sounds, tapped on the circuit board and it worked for a minute but then back to the motor boat sound.",
"nothing could be heard by tapping on the saddle pizeo either.",
"So....",
".",
"I have sent it back to Amazon asking for a replacement.",
"I will report back when I get that one installed.",
"I know these work well and maybe I just got a bad one, so I'll try to stay optomistic.",
"till then,....",
"..",
"It would have been nice to have some instructions though, but oh well.",
"UPDATE: I got a replacement product and it went in without a hitch.",
"The wire holders (stick things) were missing but no big deal.",
"The pickup sounds great and installation is quite simple and logical.",
"there are no instructions with the unit (or very few) but if you need help you can get it online.",
"sure beats cutting big holes in the guitar."
] |
This a good addition to the series, as Flare continues to try to figure out if he is the monster predicted to be born by Kelcer. Flare is likable, as are his friends. You get to know them well during the race for "Ossendar." There are numerous other characters I found interesting and likable. The story line becomes a little predictable toward the end however of Book 2, and i found it somewhat boring in places, causing me to move on and read something else. There were problems with editing, as well. "Not" for "no," "it" for "is,". And so on. Nothing serious, still distracting. Overall, i did did enjoy the book, i will eventually read Book 3. | 1 | neutral | [
"This a good addition to the series, as Flare continues to try to figure out if he is the monster predicted to be born by Kelcer.",
"Flare is likable, as are his friends.",
"You get to know them well during the race for \"Ossendar.",
"\" There are numerous other characters I found interesting and likable.",
"The story line becomes a little predictable toward the end however of Book 2, and i found it somewhat boring in places, causing me to move on and read something else.",
"There were problems with editing, as well.",
"\"Not\" for \"no,\" \"it\" for \"is,\".",
"And so on.",
"Nothing serious, still distracting.",
"Overall, i did did enjoy the book, i will eventually read Book 3."
] |
This book caught my eye when I was looking for another book to mooch from someone from whom I was already mooching one. It is about a middle-aged writer of no particularly strong faith who finds the Blessed Virgin Mary in her living room one day. Mary wants someplace to chill for a week and has chosen her house. She allows Mary to stay, and while there, they talk about their lives. We find out what Mary has been doing for the last 2000 years. This is one of the few novels I've read that contains an extensive bibilography. The author has obviously researched Marian apparitions and devotions and her presentation of them in the book is matter-of-fact. This isn't a devotional book that leads to faith in the apparitions, nor some "scientfic" book that tries to explain them away as mass-hysteria, cultural artifacts or self-hypnoisis. It describes Mary's appearances at famous spots like Lourdes and Fatima as well as less-known or even recanted ones. For all the history in the book however, it is a novel, as much about the nameless narrator as it is about Mary. Having Mary in her home causes her to take another look at her life, where it has been and where it is going. If you like literary fiction and refereces to philosophers and poets, you should like this book. It is one of the books that makes you think more than it entertains you. | 1 | neutral | [
"This book caught my eye when I was looking for another book to mooch from someone from whom I was already mooching one.",
"It is about a middle-aged writer of no particularly strong faith who finds the Blessed Virgin Mary in her living room one day.",
"Mary wants someplace to chill for a week and has chosen her house.",
"She allows Mary to stay, and while there, they talk about their lives.",
"We find out what Mary has been doing for the last 2000 years.",
"This is one of the few novels I've read that contains an extensive bibilography.",
"The author has obviously researched Marian apparitions and devotions and her presentation of them in the book is matter-of-fact.",
"This isn't a devotional book that leads to faith in the apparitions, nor some \"scientfic\" book that tries to explain them away as mass-hysteria, cultural artifacts or self-hypnoisis.",
"It describes Mary's appearances at famous spots like Lourdes and Fatima as well as less-known or even recanted ones.",
"For all the history in the book however, it is a novel, as much about the nameless narrator as it is about Mary.",
"Having Mary in her home causes her to take another look at her life, where it has been and where it is going.",
"If you like literary fiction and refereces to philosophers and poets, you should like this book.",
"It is one of the books that makes you think more than it entertains you."
] |
Good for your non serious-gamer type or traveller. This isn't a sit down and play game. It gets too boring that way. But if you just turn on the DS and play every once in a while, then it's a fun game.
Concept: BE the villain, ohhh how inspired and original. Feh.
Gameplay: Choose from a couple different control modes, whatever floats your boat. The DS touchscreen isn't so useful here, you're supposed to use your thumbs to look in different directions. Which is bad. I use the non-touchscreen mode (even though I do love the touchscreen), which isn't half bad. All of it feels very static and 2D. 3/5
Plotline: They say you meat pussy galore? No, you meet the chopper that Pussy Galore is in. The plotline is basic, kind of an excuse to take bad guys hostage, and not the other way around. At least it's not corny. 2/5
Graphics: In game graphics are decent. It's the title cutscene that had me barfing. They got pictures of Bond characters, condensed their format and moved them around the screen in a blocky and pixelated fashion. They didn't even seem to be trying there. 3/5
Sound: "It could have been *more* than just your eye." cutscenes again try to suck here. The music also is terrible, but the SFX are okay. 2/5
Replayability: Probably the best feature. Due to the basic nature of the game, it was very "pick up and play"-able. 3/5 stars.
Not bad for the first full-length shooter on the DS. I can't wait for Metroid Prime to come out, though.
*Edited May 19th* Scores were revised to reflect my current opinion. Back when this was one of maybe 10 games on the DS, it was probably the second best of the bunch. It was worth time back then... Now the system has all the good games it deserves, and this isn't one of them. If you're looking for an awesome DS shooter, try Metroid Prime Hunters. | 1 | neutral | [
"Good for your non serious-gamer type or traveller.",
"This isn't a sit down and play game.",
"It gets too boring that way.",
"But if you just turn on the DS and play every once in a while, then it's a fun game.",
"Concept: BE the villain, ohhh how inspired and original.",
"Feh.",
"Gameplay: Choose from a couple different control modes, whatever floats your boat.",
"The DS touchscreen isn't so useful here, you're supposed to use your thumbs to look in different directions.",
"Which is bad.",
"I use the non-touchscreen mode (even though I do love the touchscreen), which isn't half bad.",
"All of it feels very static and 2D.",
"3/5\n\nPlotline: They say you meat pussy galore?",
"No, you meet the chopper that Pussy Galore is in.",
"The plotline is basic, kind of an excuse to take bad guys hostage, and not the other way around.",
"At least it's not corny.",
"2/5\n\nGraphics: In game graphics are decent.",
"It's the title cutscene that had me barfing.",
"They got pictures of Bond characters, condensed their format and moved them around the screen in a blocky and pixelated fashion.",
"They didn't even seem to be trying there.",
"3/5\n\nSound: \"It could have been *more* than just your eye.",
"\" cutscenes again try to suck here.",
"The music also is terrible, but the SFX are okay.",
"2/5\n\nReplayability: Probably the best feature.",
"Due to the basic nature of the game, it was very \"pick up and play\"-able.",
"3/5 stars.",
"Not bad for the first full-length shooter on the DS.",
"I can't wait for Metroid Prime to come out, though.",
"*Edited May 19th* Scores were revised to reflect my current opinion.",
"Back when this was one of maybe 10 games on the DS, it was probably the second best of the bunch.",
"It was worth time back then...",
"Now the system has all the good games it deserves, and this isn't one of them.",
"If you're looking for an awesome DS shooter, try Metroid Prime Hunters."
] |
Deep in the heart of New Orleans, Arelia and her best friend Sabrina are hired to work at an old plantation estate for the summer. Darkwood has a murky history rich in slavery and magic.
The moment Arelia steps foot on the plantation, she knows there is something different about the house. Coming from a line of voodoo queens, she starts to experience visits from the spirits who give her clues about her destiny.
Arelia is soon drawn to the plantation owner, Lucas. While he is handsome and charming, there is much more to him than meets the eye and Arelia is soon all too aware of that fact as her real reason for working at the estate becomes clear. Darkwood holds a secret, one that dates back to the earliest of New Orleans history.
With a setting as vibrant as any character, Bound delves into the voodoo religion in a true and honest way. Arelia is an interesting figure as she comes to terms with her fate as a voodoo queen.
While the story does tend to slow down at times, the storyline is unique and gives a glimpse into the New Orleans shadows. The first book a series, it promises of interesting things to come. | 1 | neutral | [
"Deep in the heart of New Orleans, Arelia and her best friend Sabrina are hired to work at an old plantation estate for the summer.",
"Darkwood has a murky history rich in slavery and magic.",
"The moment Arelia steps foot on the plantation, she knows there is something different about the house.",
"Coming from a line of voodoo queens, she starts to experience visits from the spirits who give her clues about her destiny.",
"Arelia is soon drawn to the plantation owner, Lucas.",
"While he is handsome and charming, there is much more to him than meets the eye and Arelia is soon all too aware of that fact as her real reason for working at the estate becomes clear.",
"Darkwood holds a secret, one that dates back to the earliest of New Orleans history.",
"With a setting as vibrant as any character, Bound delves into the voodoo religion in a true and honest way.",
"Arelia is an interesting figure as she comes to terms with her fate as a voodoo queen.",
"While the story does tend to slow down at times, the storyline is unique and gives a glimpse into the New Orleans shadows.",
"The first book a series, it promises of interesting things to come."
] |
This facial moisturizer is a very good lightweight daily moisturizer. I haven't noticed any significant changes in my skin from this moisturizer and it probably better as a summer skincare product. I love the ingredients and I am confident using all the Juice Beauty products on my sensitive skin because of the high quality, organic ingredients that really do improve the texture and glow of delicate facial tissue. Additionally, I am not crazy about the scent, while it's certainly acceptable and very subtle, it almost smells, 'stale' or flat, for the lack of a better description. I would prefer it have more of a 'fresh' apple or fruit-like, light and organic fragrance, than this same scent that seems pretty common in many of the other similar organic products I have used before.
I really love the other products I am using from Juice Beauty - The Stem Cellular Booster Serum is fantastic and when used together with this Age Defy Moisturizer, I would give this moisturizer four stars rather than just three. Also the Cellular Instant Eye Lift is an innovative and surprisingly effective eye and skin treatment! I give both of those products by Juice Beauty -- five stars. Alone, the Green Apple Age Defy Moisturizer seems to be just an average daily skincare product, but clean and safe for all skin types. (This review was written by my wife) | 1 | neutral | [
"This facial moisturizer is a very good lightweight daily moisturizer.",
"I haven't noticed any significant changes in my skin from this moisturizer and it probably better as a summer skincare product.",
"I love the ingredients and I am confident using all the Juice Beauty products on my sensitive skin because of the high quality, organic ingredients that really do improve the texture and glow of delicate facial tissue.",
"Additionally, I am not crazy about the scent, while it's certainly acceptable and very subtle, it almost smells, 'stale' or flat, for the lack of a better description.",
"I would prefer it have more of a 'fresh' apple or fruit-like, light and organic fragrance, than this same scent that seems pretty common in many of the other similar organic products I have used before.",
"I really love the other products I am using from Juice Beauty - The Stem Cellular Booster Serum is fantastic and when used together with this Age Defy Moisturizer, I would give this moisturizer four stars rather than just three.",
"Also the Cellular Instant Eye Lift is an innovative and surprisingly effective eye and skin treatment!",
"I give both of those products by Juice Beauty -- five stars.",
"Alone, the Green Apple Age Defy Moisturizer seems to be just an average daily skincare product, but clean and safe for all skin types.",
"(This review was written by my wife)"
] |
As most users do, I put the disk into the CD drive and let the machine do its thing. I did not, repeat not, read the instruction manual (since most users won't do this either). This program took four minutes to install and an additional minute to download and install the program updates.
The program gives you to option to register and immediately start the Ancestry.com trial period - I did not do this. Thus, I did not have the option of linking to Ancestry.com to see what information they already had on their web site. For the average user that would probably be a good option. However, I wanted to see how easy the program was to use in a manual mode.
It is very straight forward for data entry. I had several generations of my ancestry up on the computer and flipped back and forth between screens doing the input. I had no problems following the entry procedures, although I found the date format not one that I use normally, so I put dates into the computer in M/D/Y format and let the program do the conversion to the "1 Jan 2012" type of format.
I liked the pull down menus with location names, which avoided my doing some of the typing.
Very easy to use, but the information initially collected is fairly basic and there is not an easy way to show the source of the information you enter.
If you are just getting into tracing your family tree this will be a good place to keep the information as you find it. | 1 | neutral | [
"As most users do, I put the disk into the CD drive and let the machine do its thing.",
"I did not, repeat not, read the instruction manual (since most users won't do this either).",
"This program took four minutes to install and an additional minute to download and install the program updates.",
"The program gives you to option to register and immediately start the Ancestry.",
"com trial period - I did not do this.",
"Thus, I did not have the option of linking to Ancestry.",
"com to see what information they already had on their web site.",
"For the average user that would probably be a good option.",
"However, I wanted to see how easy the program was to use in a manual mode.",
"It is very straight forward for data entry.",
"I had several generations of my ancestry up on the computer and flipped back and forth between screens doing the input.",
"I had no problems following the entry procedures, although I found the date format not one that I use normally, so I put dates into the computer in M/D/Y format and let the program do the conversion to the \"1 Jan 2012\" type of format.",
"I liked the pull down menus with location names, which avoided my doing some of the typing.",
"Very easy to use, but the information initially collected is fairly basic and there is not an easy way to show the source of the information you enter.",
"If you are just getting into tracing your family tree this will be a good place to keep the information as you find it."
] |
This is a box of 20 cards depicting clothing items. The English word is bolded and then the name of the item is written in 16 additional languages. There is a symbol key they you need to refer to; the languages are only specified by symbol on the cards. For some languages there is a pronounciation aid but not all.
This is an expensive set for 20 cards. They are not laminated so won't have much longevity. Our in-office day care has a few native Thai speaking children. The Thai language offerings have no pronounciation help. That means the teacher really has no use for these cards unless she/he speaks Thai.
The photos are clear and I like that they show clothes on a clothesline. That is how most of the world dries their clothing so it is culturally appropriate. Disappointed in the lack of pronunciation help for all the languages; it makes these less useful than they intended, | 1 | neutral | [
"This is a box of 20 cards depicting clothing items.",
"The English word is bolded and then the name of the item is written in 16 additional languages.",
"There is a symbol key they you need to refer to; the languages are only specified by symbol on the cards.",
"For some languages there is a pronounciation aid but not all.",
"This is an expensive set for 20 cards.",
"They are not laminated so won't have much longevity.",
"Our in-office day care has a few native Thai speaking children.",
"The Thai language offerings have no pronounciation help.",
"That means the teacher really has no use for these cards unless she/he speaks Thai.",
"The photos are clear and I like that they show clothes on a clothesline.",
"That is how most of the world dries their clothing so it is culturally appropriate.",
"Disappointed in the lack of pronunciation help for all the languages; it makes these less useful than they intended,"
] |
This item is very cute and nicely made. However, as one reviewer mentioned before about the purple color pictured and the pink color arriving, the photo is NOT accurate. I purchased this set thinking it was white and PASTEL pink as shown, to match my daughter's new kitchen set. It arrived cream and hot pink. It is the same items, but the color is way off. In terms of size, it is a bit small. I would say this would best fit a child no older than an average 4 year old, although it's stated as a 3+ toy. It fits my 2.5 year old well. Great items if you aren't as picky with the color and are shopping for a toddler instead of a little girl. | 1 | neutral | [
"This item is very cute and nicely made.",
"However, as one reviewer mentioned before about the purple color pictured and the pink color arriving, the photo is NOT accurate.",
"I purchased this set thinking it was white and PASTEL pink as shown, to match my daughter's new kitchen set.",
"It arrived cream and hot pink.",
"It is the same items, but the color is way off.",
"In terms of size, it is a bit small.",
"I would say this would best fit a child no older than an average 4 year old, although it's stated as a 3+ toy.",
"It fits my 2.",
"5 year old well.",
"Great items if you aren't as picky with the color and are shopping for a toddler instead of a little girl."
] |
The foam cutouts are about 6 3/8" tall, but the foam will compress to allow the 6 3/4" tall CAD C195 mics to fit in nicely. The inside height of the case metal edge to metal edge is 7 3/4", slightly more plastic to plastic.
I agree with others about how flimsy the foam at the bottom of the case is. It feels like something you would use for an air filter -- not for protecting a microphone from shock.
When mine arrived, the strap that limits the lid motion had a half twist in it. It was impossible to train it to fall into the case as the lid was closed. Fortunately it is secured with hot-melt glue, so it was easy to pull it loose, roll the glue off the inside of the case, take out the half twist and re-glue the strap to the case.
In my opinion, the latches are nicely designed. The latch-plate is circular and surrounded by a circular ridge of the case except for the opening where your finger can slide in to open the latch. That gives reasonable protection from accidental opening, and you can tell by feel if the case is top-side-up by whether the opening is at the bottom. The latch has an over-center spring in the pivot side that provides a force tending to keep the latch closed.
In summary, the case has some flaws and some nice features. It is a whole lot nicer than the cardboard box I was using before. | 1 | neutral | [
"The foam cutouts are about 6 3/8\" tall, but the foam will compress to allow the 6 3/4\" tall CAD C195 mics to fit in nicely.",
"The inside height of the case metal edge to metal edge is 7 3/4\", slightly more plastic to plastic.",
"I agree with others about how flimsy the foam at the bottom of the case is.",
"It feels like something you would use for an air filter -- not for protecting a microphone from shock.",
"When mine arrived, the strap that limits the lid motion had a half twist in it.",
"It was impossible to train it to fall into the case as the lid was closed.",
"Fortunately it is secured with hot-melt glue, so it was easy to pull it loose, roll the glue off the inside of the case, take out the half twist and re-glue the strap to the case.",
"In my opinion, the latches are nicely designed.",
"The latch-plate is circular and surrounded by a circular ridge of the case except for the opening where your finger can slide in to open the latch.",
"That gives reasonable protection from accidental opening, and you can tell by feel if the case is top-side-up by whether the opening is at the bottom.",
"The latch has an over-center spring in the pivot side that provides a force tending to keep the latch closed.",
"In summary, the case has some flaws and some nice features.",
"It is a whole lot nicer than the cardboard box I was using before."
] |
This is a hard fun game. You have the opportunity to do may cool kung fu moves and upgrade your character a thousand times. This is all very cool. The fighting is fun, with the only major drawback being you will never block an attack until you have been hit about 3-4 times. Eventually you get used to this, but it would have been nice to be able to block instantly. It reminds me of fighting my big brother as a kid. I wasn't quick enough, so he would get in a few nasty jabs before I could block them. Ouch! It wasn't fun then, and it isn't fun now. THe other major drawback is that the boss fights can be infuriating. For example, the first boss will spank you at least ten times before you can beat him. This wouldn't be so bad if you could instantly go back to the fight. Unfortunately, you have to sit through 2-3 minutes of dialogue you have already heard before you can fight him again. AAAAAHHH! If you are looking for a game that is all action and no talking. Look elsewhere again. THis game has plenty of talking. All in all a good game though for those into RPG's and hard but rewarding battles. | 1 | neutral | [
"This is a hard fun game.",
"You have the opportunity to do may cool kung fu moves and upgrade your character a thousand times.",
"This is all very cool.",
"The fighting is fun, with the only major drawback being you will never block an attack until you have been hit about 3-4 times.",
"Eventually you get used to this, but it would have been nice to be able to block instantly.",
"It reminds me of fighting my big brother as a kid.",
"I wasn't quick enough, so he would get in a few nasty jabs before I could block them.",
"Ouch!",
"It wasn't fun then, and it isn't fun now.",
"THe other major drawback is that the boss fights can be infuriating.",
"For example, the first boss will spank you at least ten times before you can beat him.",
"This wouldn't be so bad if you could instantly go back to the fight.",
"Unfortunately, you have to sit through 2-3 minutes of dialogue you have already heard before you can fight him again.",
"AAAAAHHH!",
"If you are looking for a game that is all action and no talking.",
"Look elsewhere again.",
"THis game has plenty of talking.",
"All in all a good game though for those into RPG's and hard but rewarding battles."
] |
Great environments and boss fights. The boss fights are sorta typical of adventure games, it's a combination of both action and puzzle. What makes this game different is that the boss fights usually involve finding ways to climb large moving creatures and staying on them. All there is is 16 boss fights, and when you're not fighting them, then you're traveling around the environments searching for them. It's fun and innovative gameplay for the most part.
The down sides of the game (to me) are the graphics and narrative. Despite cool scenery the graphics themselves are kinda blurry. The biggest problem is the narrative. What's an adventure game without a cool plot? There's no voice acting and the story clips are only at the beginning and end, the actual story leaves a lot for the imagination. The game is always compared to ICO, I never played ICO but I'm guessing it's also something like a silent movie. That's the feeling Shadow of the Colossus gave me and it's probably the style the developer goes for. | 1 | neutral | [
"Great environments and boss fights.",
"The boss fights are sorta typical of adventure games, it's a combination of both action and puzzle.",
"What makes this game different is that the boss fights usually involve finding ways to climb large moving creatures and staying on them.",
"All there is is 16 boss fights, and when you're not fighting them, then you're traveling around the environments searching for them.",
"It's fun and innovative gameplay for the most part.",
"The down sides of the game (to me) are the graphics and narrative.",
"Despite cool scenery the graphics themselves are kinda blurry.",
"The biggest problem is the narrative.",
"What's an adventure game without a cool plot?",
"There's no voice acting and the story clips are only at the beginning and end, the actual story leaves a lot for the imagination.",
"The game is always compared to ICO, I never played ICO but I'm guessing it's also something like a silent movie.",
"That's the feeling Shadow of the Colossus gave me and it's probably the style the developer goes for."
] |
This lotion has only a very light medicinal fragrance and is easily absorbed by the skin.
The ingredients include arbutin, another name for glycosylated hydroquinone, which reduces melanin production, plus alpha hydroxy acids to remove dead skin cells and give skin a fresh appearance. It slightly improves the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles with regular use, but is not noticeably effective in reducing age spots or other areas of increased pigmentation.
A chemical peel can irritate the skin, especially with exposure to solar radiation, but this formula is fairly mild and contains skin conditioners, plus I have not spent much time in the mild winter sun, so I have had no problems using it.
I am surprised that this product is sold by Amazon, because the Obagi Medical Products website states that (g)enuine Obagi products are available only through physicians, medical spas, and other skin care professionals and Obagi Systems and Products are physician-dispensed and should be used only under the guidance of your skin care physician. Obviously, neither statement is true.
Directions are to apply to affected area twice daily or as directed by a physician.
The small plastic bottle has a secure cap and holds 2 oz. or 57 g.
Comparison shopping with similar products would be advised to find the best value for the common ingredients of arbutin and mild alpha hydroxy acids.
Ingredients: Water, arbutin, cetyl alcohol, glycerin, sodium lauryl sulfate, stearyl alcohol, tocopheryl acetate, ascorbic acid, saponins, sodium metabisulfite, BHT, lactic acid, disodium EDTA, butylparaben, methylparaben, propylparaben. | 1 | neutral | [
"This lotion has only a very light medicinal fragrance and is easily absorbed by the skin.",
"The ingredients include arbutin, another name for glycosylated hydroquinone, which reduces melanin production, plus alpha hydroxy acids to remove dead skin cells and give skin a fresh appearance.",
"It slightly improves the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles with regular use, but is not noticeably effective in reducing age spots or other areas of increased pigmentation.",
"A chemical peel can irritate the skin, especially with exposure to solar radiation, but this formula is fairly mild and contains skin conditioners, plus I have not spent much time in the mild winter sun, so I have had no problems using it.",
"I am surprised that this product is sold by Amazon, because the Obagi Medical Products website states that (g)enuine Obagi products are available only through physicians, medical spas, and other skin care professionals and Obagi Systems and Products are physician-dispensed and should be used only under the guidance of your skin care physician.",
"Obviously, neither statement is true.",
"Directions are to apply to affected area twice daily or as directed by a physician.",
"The small plastic bottle has a secure cap and holds 2 oz.",
"or 57 g.",
"Comparison shopping with similar products would be advised to find the best value for the common ingredients of arbutin and mild alpha hydroxy acids.",
"Ingredients: Water, arbutin, cetyl alcohol, glycerin, sodium lauryl sulfate, stearyl alcohol, tocopheryl acetate, ascorbic acid, saponins, sodium metabisulfite, BHT, lactic acid, disodium EDTA, butylparaben, methylparaben, propylparaben."
] |
Ok, I will admit that I was happy as hell when I heard that Priest had found themselves a new singer and were going to be releasing albums again. Those few years without the Priest were empty and dull. When I first fired this cd up, my first impressions were, holy crap!!, can this guy belt it out. I was impressed with his range and power. Further listens gave my a slight smile as I grew to enjoy it more and more. However as impressed as I was with Rippers singing, in time the songs seemed to lack something. The staying power wasn't there and after about a year I grew tired of this offering and have since traded in it as I simple did not listen to it anymore. Considering all the time they had to write these tunes, I would have thought they would have taken on a life of their own like all other Priest songs seem to do. This cd is ok and Ripper is impressive, but it's lacking truly good songs. Their are a few gems, but overall it just gets boring after awhile. The Follow up cd, Demolition was worse than this and just a poor effort all around. Between the two, this one is better, but both are sub par for what we've have come to expect from Priest. Halford is back and all is right with the world again!! | 1 | neutral | [
"Ok, I will admit that I was happy as hell when I heard that Priest had found themselves a new singer and were going to be releasing albums again.",
"Those few years without the Priest were empty and dull.",
"When I first fired this cd up, my first impressions were, holy crap!!",
", can this guy belt it out.",
"I was impressed with his range and power.",
"Further listens gave my a slight smile as I grew to enjoy it more and more.",
"However as impressed as I was with Rippers singing, in time the songs seemed to lack something.",
"The staying power wasn't there and after about a year I grew tired of this offering and have since traded in it as I simple did not listen to it anymore.",
"Considering all the time they had to write these tunes, I would have thought they would have taken on a life of their own like all other Priest songs seem to do.",
"This cd is ok and Ripper is impressive, but it's lacking truly good songs.",
"Their are a few gems, but overall it just gets boring after awhile.",
"The Follow up cd, Demolition was worse than this and just a poor effort all around.",
"Between the two, this one is better, but both are sub par for what we've have come to expect from Priest.",
"Halford is back and all is right with the world again!!"
] |
This book is full of dragging detail and gross scenes. There is a little bit of sickness for everyone. Lots of sick sex scenes. Some discusting kill scenes. Some ghosts and an angel. Oh and some characters that you end up hoping will just die so the book will end. The book drags on and on. I gave it three stars because the discusting details are pretty good. I have to give Barker credit for not disappointing me on the gore. I don't think i could really in good concience recommend this book to anyone. Maybe to someone who just wanted to skim for certain kinds of scenes. | 1 | neutral | [
"This book is full of dragging detail and gross scenes.",
"There is a little bit of sickness for everyone.",
"Lots of sick sex scenes.",
"Some discusting kill scenes.",
"Some ghosts and an angel.",
"Oh and some characters that you end up hoping will just die so the book will end.",
"The book drags on and on.",
"I gave it three stars because the discusting details are pretty good.",
"I have to give Barker credit for not disappointing me on the gore.",
"I don't think i could really in good concience recommend this book to anyone.",
"Maybe to someone who just wanted to skim for certain kinds of scenes."
] |
I hope my title is off, really. They are adding multiplayer, which may be the closest anyone gets to GTA multi for a long while--thanks PS2, you bixatch. There was talk of the missions being redone so as to not be so monotonous, as well. I'm also curious to see how this one ports to XBOX. The key word there is 'port', as in 'hardly ever any good.' For the price of a CD, I may try it again, though I strongly urge you to wait for the gamespot.com or ign.com review before you pick this up. Better to be safe...(ends with an adage and an elipsis, but why?) | 1 | neutral | [
"I hope my title is off, really.",
"They are adding multiplayer, which may be the closest anyone gets to GTA multi for a long while--thanks PS2, you bixatch.",
"There was talk of the missions being redone so as to not be so monotonous, as well.",
"I'm also curious to see how this one ports to XBOX.",
"The key word there is 'port', as in 'hardly ever any good.",
"' For the price of a CD, I may try it again, though I strongly urge you to wait for the gamespot.",
"com or ign.",
"com review before you pick this up.",
"Better to be safe...",
"(ends with an adage and an elipsis, but why?",
")"
] |
Elton, having conquered country rock and pop rock, now wanted to conquer art-rock. HOORAY!! And what better way to prove you've gone progressive than call yourself 'captain fantastic' and have a front cover with all types of weird creatures from little tea pot men doing calls on nature in front of everyone to half finch half human creatures. What a way to prove how artistic you art... I mean are.
And then proceed ten songs that portray Elton and Bernie recounting how life was so tough but they were so brave and strong and overcame all the huge obstacles, all nicely topped off with a smug look of 'IIMM friends with JOHNNNN LENNON you know'. And, not taking all that too seriously, it's only meant to be entertainment (although they don't really give anything away that they 'don't really mean it')(!)
But you'd think an album that is basically meant to be inspired by late 60's psychedelia and 70's art-rock would be better than this? Still, 'Bitter Fingers', 'Better off dead' and 'Someone saved my life tonight' are excellent psych/art-rock melodies, with gorgeous vocal harmonies, and the gut-wrenchingly gorgeous ballad 'We all fall in love sometimes' is even better. And if you expect the rest to be as outlandish or as much fun as the front cover might suggest, then you may understand the 'brown dirt' reference. Rating *** | 1 | neutral | [
"Elton, having conquered country rock and pop rock, now wanted to conquer art-rock.",
"HOORAY!!",
"And what better way to prove you've gone progressive than call yourself 'captain fantastic' and have a front cover with all types of weird creatures from little tea pot men doing calls on nature in front of everyone to half finch half human creatures.",
"What a way to prove how artistic you art...",
"I mean are.",
"And then proceed ten songs that portray Elton and Bernie recounting how life was so tough but they were so brave and strong and overcame all the huge obstacles, all nicely topped off with a smug look of 'IIMM friends with JOHNNNN LENNON you know'.",
"And, not taking all that too seriously, it's only meant to be entertainment (although they don't really give anything away that they 'don't really mean it')(!",
")\n\nBut you'd think an album that is basically meant to be inspired by late 60's psychedelia and 70's art-rock would be better than this?",
"Still, 'Bitter Fingers', 'Better off dead' and 'Someone saved my life tonight' are excellent psych/art-rock melodies, with gorgeous vocal harmonies, and the gut-wrenchingly gorgeous ballad 'We all fall in love sometimes' is even better.",
"And if you expect the rest to be as outlandish or as much fun as the front cover might suggest, then you may understand the 'brown dirt' reference.",
"Rating ***"
] |
Robin Hobb is a master of characterization. The characters in this book are so real and amazing; they are what made me want to finish the book. However, the book is thick, and it is evident that it was going to be a slog to get to the end. I found the events to be needlessly repetitive. Since the events were so gritty and unpleasant, I could not see why they had to happen over and over again. It seemed pointless, and it didn't make the main character more endearing or anything; it just called attention away from the story as I thought, "Oh, not again!" Additionally, for three stinking books, there has been a promise of salvation from mysterious beasts, which I thought would end up being dragons. When salvation finally arrives, the author simply sums up all of the action in one page.
In sum: This is a good book for you if you love strong characters and like seeing them suffer a bit with a bit of triumph in the end. You will not find it so appealing if you enjoy strong action scenes. The dragon on the cover of the book, just so you know, gets about one page of action. | 1 | neutral | [
"Robin Hobb is a master of characterization.",
"The characters in this book are so real and amazing; they are what made me want to finish the book.",
"However, the book is thick, and it is evident that it was going to be a slog to get to the end.",
"I found the events to be needlessly repetitive.",
"Since the events were so gritty and unpleasant, I could not see why they had to happen over and over again.",
"It seemed pointless, and it didn't make the main character more endearing or anything; it just called attention away from the story as I thought, \"Oh, not again!",
"\" Additionally, for three stinking books, there has been a promise of salvation from mysterious beasts, which I thought would end up being dragons.",
"When salvation finally arrives, the author simply sums up all of the action in one page.",
"In sum: This is a good book for you if you love strong characters and like seeing them suffer a bit with a bit of triumph in the end.",
"You will not find it so appealing if you enjoy strong action scenes.",
"The dragon on the cover of the book, just so you know, gets about one page of action."
] |
Don't get me wrong, Blue Matter has its share of memorable songs, but this is clearly an example where the band was still firmly in the beginning stages and wasn't quite inventive enough at this point. On Blue Matter they're basically copying more original artists such as Cream with their jams and songwriting. That in itself is still a rather impressive feat, don't get me wrong.
"Louisiana Blues" is a perfect example. A nice cover version of the Muddy Waters classic, but not interesting enough compared to Savoy Brown's future albums such as Street Talking Corner or A Step Further. The first minute and a half contains excellent guitar riffage but quickly the vocal melody comes in; a melody the band members do nothing particularly amazing with and instead choose to chug along a rather bland guitar riff reminiscent of Cream's "Crossroads". The guitar jam is commendable and gives us a sneak peek at the bands melodic guitar soloing skills so it ain't all bad.
The intro to "May Be Wrong" is straight up electric blues with a purpose and it absolutely *rules*. This is borderline Zeppelin-quality stuff here folks! The Allman Brothers Band would go on to perform (and perfect) this formula a few years later. The vocals are solid enough though perhaps not as appealing as other blues rock singers- he has the range but I'm not quite *feeling* his passion in the way he sings these lines. The piano solo later on is appropriate and enjoyable all the same. Imagine if the entire song was based around the intro- that would be sweet as heaven!
"It Hurts Me Too" has more or less the same structure with good vocals but nothing that really stands out in the originality department. Actually a similar vocal melody would be used by Humble Pie later on for their amazingly soulful and bluesy "I Wonder" classic. A song like "Tolling Bells" would fair much better without all that gosh darn piano playing. Normally I'd never complain about piano work (especially when it comes to blues) but in this case it's really plentiful and intolerable, and the vocals aren't interesting enough to ignore it either.
Overall, a pretty good album but Savoy Brown was obviously still in the process of finding their style, and they haven't reached it yet on Blue Matter. Still, the guitar jams are decent and the singing is above average so this one of those rare exceptions when I can recommend a 3-star album. | 1 | neutral | [
"Don't get me wrong, Blue Matter has its share of memorable songs, but this is clearly an example where the band was still firmly in the beginning stages and wasn't quite inventive enough at this point.",
"On Blue Matter they're basically copying more original artists such as Cream with their jams and songwriting.",
"That in itself is still a rather impressive feat, don't get me wrong.",
"\"Louisiana Blues\" is a perfect example.",
"A nice cover version of the Muddy Waters classic, but not interesting enough compared to Savoy Brown's future albums such as Street Talking Corner or A Step Further.",
"The first minute and a half contains excellent guitar riffage but quickly the vocal melody comes in; a melody the band members do nothing particularly amazing with and instead choose to chug along a rather bland guitar riff reminiscent of Cream's \"Crossroads\".",
"The guitar jam is commendable and gives us a sneak peek at the bands melodic guitar soloing skills so it ain't all bad.",
"The intro to \"May Be Wrong\" is straight up electric blues with a purpose and it absolutely *rules*.",
"This is borderline Zeppelin-quality stuff here folks!",
"The Allman Brothers Band would go on to perform (and perfect) this formula a few years later.",
"The vocals are solid enough though perhaps not as appealing as other blues rock singers- he has the range but I'm not quite *feeling* his passion in the way he sings these lines.",
"The piano solo later on is appropriate and enjoyable all the same.",
"Imagine if the entire song was based around the intro- that would be sweet as heaven!",
"\"It Hurts Me Too\" has more or less the same structure with good vocals but nothing that really stands out in the originality department.",
"Actually a similar vocal melody would be used by Humble Pie later on for their amazingly soulful and bluesy \"I Wonder\" classic.",
"A song like \"Tolling Bells\" would fair much better without all that gosh darn piano playing.",
"Normally I'd never complain about piano work (especially when it comes to blues) but in this case it's really plentiful and intolerable, and the vocals aren't interesting enough to ignore it either.",
"Overall, a pretty good album but Savoy Brown was obviously still in the process of finding their style, and they haven't reached it yet on Blue Matter.",
"Still, the guitar jams are decent and the singing is above average so this one of those rare exceptions when I can recommend a 3-star album."
] |
I bought this game today and have been playing it most of the day (about 8 hours max). The review is correct, it is a fun game but there is very little to keep you playing again and again in the long run. Still, it's a game i would take out now and then to play during car trips since it has a very good save feature that lets you save mid-game.
As far as catching pokemon, i don't understand what the point of it is. It's fun to catch them but to me it feels as if im catching different snapshots of monsters. There is no use for them, atleast none that I can think of. Catching pokemon in this pinball game isn't going to make your game any better, you will still play the same board and use the same ball. The only benefit to catching them is to complete your list of captured monsters and get points. Too bad they don't unlock mini-games where you actualy control your pokemon. Speaking of minigames, i love them in this pinball game. Each gives you a new theme and makes your pinball feel very much like a shootem-up game. For instance, you have to tag all the monsters at a graveyard with your ball before a timer runs out so that a boss appears. Each boss has their own little defence to keep from geting hit. In fact, i enjoy the minigames more then the pinball board itself since it is constantly changing.
Dont get me wrong, this game is good for a pinball game but not something you would pay full price for. Look for it as a rental or as a used one. In fact, having a used one may be better since someone else has captured some of the pokemon for you and will give you a set of high scores for you to beat. | 1 | neutral | [
"I bought this game today and have been playing it most of the day (about 8 hours max).",
"The review is correct, it is a fun game but there is very little to keep you playing again and again in the long run.",
"Still, it's a game i would take out now and then to play during car trips since it has a very good save feature that lets you save mid-game.",
"As far as catching pokemon, i don't understand what the point of it is.",
"It's fun to catch them but to me it feels as if im catching different snapshots of monsters.",
"There is no use for them, atleast none that I can think of.",
"Catching pokemon in this pinball game isn't going to make your game any better, you will still play the same board and use the same ball.",
"The only benefit to catching them is to complete your list of captured monsters and get points.",
"Too bad they don't unlock mini-games where you actualy control your pokemon.",
"Speaking of minigames, i love them in this pinball game.",
"Each gives you a new theme and makes your pinball feel very much like a shootem-up game.",
"For instance, you have to tag all the monsters at a graveyard with your ball before a timer runs out so that a boss appears.",
"Each boss has their own little defence to keep from geting hit.",
"In fact, i enjoy the minigames more then the pinball board itself since it is constantly changing.",
"Dont get me wrong, this game is good for a pinball game but not something you would pay full price for.",
"Look for it as a rental or as a used one.",
"In fact, having a used one may be better since someone else has captured some of the pokemon for you and will give you a set of high scores for you to beat."
] |
OK, I suppose this 1975 release was necessary, given the historical importance of the sessions and Dylan's reluctance to release them. Apparently, however, there was some re-recording done by Robertson and others to "clean up" the originals, plus the Band-only songs are mostly from totally different, much later sessions. Of course, being too much of a purist here is counterproductive anyway, as many of the songs most identified with the basement were actually recorded elsewhere, at places like the "red room" at Dylan's house.
Some of the best moments in the "basement" were incomplete versions of songs, and these are always ignored here in favor of more complete, though sometimes inferior, versions ("Too Much Of Nothing" & "Nothing Was Delivered" come to mind). And then, of course, there are "I'm Not There", "Sign On The Cross" and others that are completely absent. Not to mention, of course, some really fun stuff like "...Allen Ginsberg" & "The Spanish Song" that not only show how much fun everybody was having, but also the volume of substances they were consuming.
Even some of the better versions that were used here don't have the impact of the original, pre-"cooked" versions. "Goin' To Acapulco" virtually jumps out of the speakers at you in Garth Hudson's original mix, for example, where this official release version sounds relatively limp by comparison.
So, by all means, purchase this if you are looking for an easily obtainable sampling of what went on in that basement (and elsewhere) 42 years ago. If, however, you are a serious Dylan listener, or a student of modern popular music, then you must hear the complete sessions that are available only on "unofficial" releases. "The Genuine Basement Tapes" was the standard for many years, but is of inconsistent quality despite its completeness. I recently obtained the newer version, "A Tree With Roots", and I'm still looking for my socks, which were knocked off in the first few minutes of listening. If you really want to hear the Basement Tapes, you must find and listen to this. | 1 | neutral | [
"OK, I suppose this 1975 release was necessary, given the historical importance of the sessions and Dylan's reluctance to release them.",
"Apparently, however, there was some re-recording done by Robertson and others to \"clean up\" the originals, plus the Band-only songs are mostly from totally different, much later sessions.",
"Of course, being too much of a purist here is counterproductive anyway, as many of the songs most identified with the basement were actually recorded elsewhere, at places like the \"red room\" at Dylan's house.",
"Some of the best moments in the \"basement\" were incomplete versions of songs, and these are always ignored here in favor of more complete, though sometimes inferior, versions (\"Too Much Of Nothing\" & \"Nothing Was Delivered\" come to mind).",
"And then, of course, there are \"I'm Not There\", \"Sign On The Cross\" and others that are completely absent.",
"Not to mention, of course, some really fun stuff like \"...",
"Allen Ginsberg\" & \"The Spanish Song\" that not only show how much fun everybody was having, but also the volume of substances they were consuming.",
"Even some of the better versions that were used here don't have the impact of the original, pre-\"cooked\" versions.",
"\"Goin' To Acapulco\" virtually jumps out of the speakers at you in Garth Hudson's original mix, for example, where this official release version sounds relatively limp by comparison.",
"So, by all means, purchase this if you are looking for an easily obtainable sampling of what went on in that basement (and elsewhere) 42 years ago.",
"If, however, you are a serious Dylan listener, or a student of modern popular music, then you must hear the complete sessions that are available only on \"unofficial\" releases.",
"\"The Genuine Basement Tapes\" was the standard for many years, but is of inconsistent quality despite its completeness.",
"I recently obtained the newer version, \"A Tree With Roots\", and I'm still looking for my socks, which were knocked off in the first few minutes of listening.",
"If you really want to hear the Basement Tapes, you must find and listen to this."
] |
The 2 Wall albums are classic albums, "Is There Anybody Out There" a great document of the live shows, and the box set is packaged nicely, love the passes.
The 2 "Works in Progress" are a fascinating listen, but I think it would've been better if they had done it song by song with some sort of commentary. To me, it's not something people are going to listen to a lot, and when I heard the "Experience" version, felt that covered what people would want to hear. Definitely some changes in lyrics happened from the demos to the end result. For the hardcore fans want it all, they should get "Immersion".
The DVD, I was hoping for the full length concert film, even the circulated bootleg footage would be fine, but all we get is a couple of minutes from the unreleased concert film. Real disappointing, at least put "Comfortably Numb" and the fan favorites on there! We get the "Another Brick in the Wall II" promo, which is expected.
My problem with the documentary is that they've told the same story elsewhere, and there's always the same thing missing - the making of "The Wall" album itself. We didn't need a making of the film when we already have that!! We don't have a "making of the album" documentary, like we do with "Dark Side of the Moon" and "Wish You Were Here". We need one.
Other than the unreleased concert film, what really would've been the icing on the cake was the Jim Ladd interview Roger did in 1980. Track by track, explaining each song, and because it was audio only, would've had plenty of room to include on the DVD. Ladd had also interviewed Roger last year, and maybe there would've been some things to add from that 'revisit' to The Wall.
And as other people have mentioned, even if they didn't do a 5.1 mix, why didn't we get the 24 bit, 96 KHz mix on the DVD??
To me, "Experience" gives you everything you need and get your money's worth. That's my recommendation, unless you can find this one heavily discounted and got a gift card for Xmas.
I would also recommend getting Gerald's "Making of Pink Floyd The Wall" book. | 1 | neutral | [
"The 2 Wall albums are classic albums, \"Is There Anybody Out There\" a great document of the live shows, and the box set is packaged nicely, love the passes.",
"The 2 \"Works in Progress\" are a fascinating listen, but I think it would've been better if they had done it song by song with some sort of commentary.",
"To me, it's not something people are going to listen to a lot, and when I heard the \"Experience\" version, felt that covered what people would want to hear.",
"Definitely some changes in lyrics happened from the demos to the end result.",
"For the hardcore fans want it all, they should get \"Immersion\".",
"The DVD, I was hoping for the full length concert film, even the circulated bootleg footage would be fine, but all we get is a couple of minutes from the unreleased concert film.",
"Real disappointing, at least put \"Comfortably Numb\" and the fan favorites on there!",
"We get the \"Another Brick in the Wall II\" promo, which is expected.",
"My problem with the documentary is that they've told the same story elsewhere, and there's always the same thing missing - the making of \"The Wall\" album itself.",
"We didn't need a making of the film when we already have that!!",
"We don't have a \"making of the album\" documentary, like we do with \"Dark Side of the Moon\" and \"Wish You Were Here\".",
"We need one.",
"Other than the unreleased concert film, what really would've been the icing on the cake was the Jim Ladd interview Roger did in 1980.",
"Track by track, explaining each song, and because it was audio only, would've had plenty of room to include on the DVD.",
"Ladd had also interviewed Roger last year, and maybe there would've been some things to add from that 'revisit' to The Wall.",
"And as other people have mentioned, even if they didn't do a 5.",
"1 mix, why didn't we get the 24 bit, 96 KHz mix on the DVD??",
"To me, \"Experience\" gives you everything you need and get your money's worth.",
"That's my recommendation, unless you can find this one heavily discounted and got a gift card for Xmas.",
"I would also recommend getting Gerald's \"Making of Pink Floyd The Wall\" book."
] |
Fuzzy Wuzzy's Summary:
Somewhat recommended, with reservations and only lukewarm fuzzies.
My main wildlife problem is squirrels, specifically with squirrels living in the attic during the winter months. For deterring squirrels, this spray is partially effective, depending upon whether you are spraying it to keep squirrels from eating something or spraying an area to keep squirrels from going into the area. This fluid is most effective when sprayed directly onto plants and vegetation that you do not want squirrels to eat, and when sprayed around bird feeders. But as a perimeter defense to repel and deter squirrels from entering a garden area, hopping onto trees, getting onto roofs, or getting inside attics, spraying these areas with this "Deer Off II" made absolutely no difference in keeping squirrels off of trees, roofs, or attic areas. I sprayed a total of 112 ounces of "Deer Off II", which supposedly is enough to cover areas up to 1750 square feet. 1750 square feet worth of "Deer Off II" should have been more than enough to keep the squirrels off of some trees, some roof areas, and within an interior attic space. But the squirrels were totally oblivious to this spray for the past three weeks!
This fluid is supposed to repel deer, rabbits, and squirrels using a dual-action approach based on both scent and taste. Its active ingredients are pretty simple: 4.63% putrescent whole egg solids, 0.001% Capsaicin, and 0.001% garlic. "Putrescent egg" is just bits of rotten egg solids, and capsaicin is the spicy hot essence of chile peppers. For a homemade deer/rabbit/squirrel repellent based on these three ingredients, you can boil 3 teaspoons of cayenne pepper powder and 2 tablespoons of finely minced garlic in a quart of water, boil while stirring for five minutes, let the mixture cool, add the garlic-pepper juice to a blender with 4 eggs, thoroughly blend at high speed, strain the mixture through cheesecloth, combine the filtered fluid with two more quarts of water, add 1 tablespoon of either mild dishwashing detergent or (even better) a retentive such as "Wilt-Pruf" or "Vapor-Gard" to make the fluid stick better and last longer, let the mixture sit for a week in a warm area to let the eggs get putrid, and then spray the fluid using a trigger spray bottle or pump sprayer after thoroughly shaking the fluid mixture. Even though both "Wilt-Pruf" and "Vapor-Gard" are both natural pine oil emulsions, if you are spraying this homemade mixture onto food crops and leafy green vegetables, you may prefer to use the 1 tablespoon of mild dishwashing detergent instead; but adding "Wilt-Pruf" or "Vapor-Gard" will help the spray to stick better and be more resistant to washing off from rain.
The putrescent egg in this "Deer Off II" supposedly mimics the scent of a dead animal and triggers a fearful "flight" response in deer, making them think that a predator is nearby. And the garlic and capsaicin chile pepper flavors are supposed to deter deer from eating plants that have been sprayed with this. But if a deer is really hungry, it will accept the inconvenience of consuming foul-tasting plants and even very thorny plants (e.g. rugosa roses) for the sake of its own sustenance and survival. I have seen deer completely eating thorny rose stems and leaves. When "Deer Off II" is sprayed around bird feeders and directly onto plants, it actually works a bit better to keep squirrels from dining in the sprayed areas. But hungry deer can be very tolerant of the garlic-pepper taste if they are hungry, which can be the situation especially in winter if you live near open space and all of the deciduous plants have shed their leaves. As for triggering a fearful "flight" response in squirrels, I really do not think the tree squirrels in my area associate the smell with a big flashing "DANGER, DANGER, PREDATOR NEARBY! RUN AWAY!" mental alert. The squirrels just merrily walked all over the trees, roofs, and attic areas where I had sprayed this "Deer Off II" for the past three weeks.
Even though this product consists of 4.63% putrescent whole egg solids, it does not have the sulfur odor that is often associated with rotten eggs. To me, the container of fluid only has a slight odor more reminiscent of vinegar or diluted salad dressing. Once the fluid has dried, the residue does not have any noticeable odor (to humans, at least). Havahart does not recommend spraying this liquid onto fruits and vegetables due to the presence of egg solids that could cause health problems for people with egg allergies. If you are allergic to eggs, you should be careful to spray this on a windless day, or consider wearing a respirator mask. Because this spray also contains the capsaicin hot pepper essence, you should wear goggles or sunglasses when spraying this. When I phoned Havahart's customer support and asked if it was okay to spray this on vegetables if I was absolutely sure that everyone who will be consuming the vegetables does not have egg allergies, their support representative replied, "Well, you do so at your own risk." The thought of spraying leafy greens or fruits with a fluid containing rotten eggs is not too appetizing, but it still constitutes organic gardening, and spraying this fluid on food crops is far safer than using pesticides, fungicides, or synthetic fertilizers. Havahart states that if you do spray it on food crops, those fruits and vegetables should not be harvested within two weeks after being directly sprayed. And even though it mentions that the fluid is effective for up to three months, rain or snow can considerably reduce its effectiveness and require more frequent spraying.
My 3-star rating is based on the following separate ratings: As a deterrent to prevent squirrels from eating vegetable crops or hanging around bird feeders, I would rate this 5 stars. As a deterrent to prevent deer from eating plants, I would rate this 2 stars. If a deer is hungry enough, egg/pepper/garlic spray or very thorny roses will not deter the deer's appetite. And as a deterrent to keep squirrels off of property, roofs, and attics, I would rate this 1 star. The product description for this "Deer Off II" includes two photos that were obviously Photoshopped, showing a deer running away from a garden and a squirrel and rabbit running away from planted vegetables. For the past three weeks, my tree squirrels never stayed away from the trees, roofs, and attic areas that I sprayed after using up 112 ounces of "Deer Off II".
However, for the past two weeks, I have had great success trapping and relocating squirrels using a <a data-hook="product-link-linked" class="a-link-normal" href="/Havahart-1078-Live-Animal-Professional-Style-One-Door-Rabbit-Skunk-Mink-and-Squirrel-Cage-Trap/dp/B000BQPGQQ/ref=cm_cr_arp_d_rvw_txt?ie=UTF8">Havahart 1078 Live Animal Professional Style One-Door Rabbit, Skunk, Mink, and Squirrel Cage Trap</a>, which I have reviewed with a 5-star rating. I trapped 13 squirrels during the first 15 days of use. After I trapped each squirrel using a small lump of peanut butter to lure the squirrel into the cage trap, I drove it the squirrel out at least 7 miles away to an open space area before releasing it to (hopefully) minimize the possibility that the squirrel's homing instincts can find its way back to my location. I no longer hear squirrels in the attic or see squirrels romping around the outside areas of my property. If you are trying to get rid of pesky squirrels or rabbits, using this "Deer Off II" may keep them from eating your plants and vegetables, but this spray may not keep the critters from roaming around or near your property. To permanently repel squirrels and rabbits, physically trapping and relocating the squirrels or rabbits is more effective than using this spray. | 1 | neutral | [
"Fuzzy Wuzzy's Summary:\n Somewhat recommended, with reservations and only lukewarm fuzzies.",
"My main wildlife problem is squirrels, specifically with squirrels living in the attic during the winter months.",
"For deterring squirrels, this spray is partially effective, depending upon whether you are spraying it to keep squirrels from eating something or spraying an area to keep squirrels from going into the area.",
"This fluid is most effective when sprayed directly onto plants and vegetation that you do not want squirrels to eat, and when sprayed around bird feeders.",
"But as a perimeter defense to repel and deter squirrels from entering a garden area, hopping onto trees, getting onto roofs, or getting inside attics, spraying these areas with this \"Deer Off II\" made absolutely no difference in keeping squirrels off of trees, roofs, or attic areas.",
"I sprayed a total of 112 ounces of \"Deer Off II\", which supposedly is enough to cover areas up to 1750 square feet.",
"1750 square feet worth of \"Deer Off II\" should have been more than enough to keep the squirrels off of some trees, some roof areas, and within an interior attic space.",
"But the squirrels were totally oblivious to this spray for the past three weeks!",
"This fluid is supposed to repel deer, rabbits, and squirrels using a dual-action approach based on both scent and taste.",
"Its active ingredients are pretty simple: 4.",
"63% putrescent whole egg solids, 0.",
"001% Capsaicin, and 0.",
"001% garlic.",
"\"Putrescent egg\" is just bits of rotten egg solids, and capsaicin is the spicy hot essence of chile peppers.",
"For a homemade deer/rabbit/squirrel repellent based on these three ingredients, you can boil 3 teaspoons of cayenne pepper powder and 2 tablespoons of finely minced garlic in a quart of water, boil while stirring for five minutes, let the mixture cool, add the garlic-pepper juice to a blender with 4 eggs, thoroughly blend at high speed, strain the mixture through cheesecloth, combine the filtered fluid with two more quarts of water, add 1 tablespoon of either mild dishwashing detergent or (even better) a retentive such as \"Wilt-Pruf\" or \"Vapor-Gard\" to make the fluid stick better and last longer, let the mixture sit for a week in a warm area to let the eggs get putrid, and then spray the fluid using a trigger spray bottle or pump sprayer after thoroughly shaking the fluid mixture.",
"Even though both \"Wilt-Pruf\" and \"Vapor-Gard\" are both natural pine oil emulsions, if you are spraying this homemade mixture onto food crops and leafy green vegetables, you may prefer to use the 1 tablespoon of mild dishwashing detergent instead; but adding \"Wilt-Pruf\" or \"Vapor-Gard\" will help the spray to stick better and be more resistant to washing off from rain.",
"The putrescent egg in this \"Deer Off II\" supposedly mimics the scent of a dead animal and triggers a fearful \"flight\" response in deer, making them think that a predator is nearby.",
"And the garlic and capsaicin chile pepper flavors are supposed to deter deer from eating plants that have been sprayed with this.",
"But if a deer is really hungry, it will accept the inconvenience of consuming foul-tasting plants and even very thorny plants (e.",
"g. rugosa roses) for the sake of its own sustenance and survival.",
"I have seen deer completely eating thorny rose stems and leaves.",
"When \"Deer Off II\" is sprayed around bird feeders and directly onto plants, it actually works a bit better to keep squirrels from dining in the sprayed areas.",
"But hungry deer can be very tolerant of the garlic-pepper taste if they are hungry, which can be the situation especially in winter if you live near open space and all of the deciduous plants have shed their leaves.",
"As for triggering a fearful \"flight\" response in squirrels, I really do not think the tree squirrels in my area associate the smell with a big flashing \"DANGER, DANGER, PREDATOR NEARBY!",
"RUN AWAY!",
"\" mental alert.",
"The squirrels just merrily walked all over the trees, roofs, and attic areas where I had sprayed this \"Deer Off II\" for the past three weeks.",
"Even though this product consists of 4.",
"63% putrescent whole egg solids, it does not have the sulfur odor that is often associated with rotten eggs.",
"To me, the container of fluid only has a slight odor more reminiscent of vinegar or diluted salad dressing.",
"Once the fluid has dried, the residue does not have any noticeable odor (to humans, at least).",
"Havahart does not recommend spraying this liquid onto fruits and vegetables due to the presence of egg solids that could cause health problems for people with egg allergies.",
"If you are allergic to eggs, you should be careful to spray this on a windless day, or consider wearing a respirator mask.",
"Because this spray also contains the capsaicin hot pepper essence, you should wear goggles or sunglasses when spraying this.",
"When I phoned Havahart's customer support and asked if it was okay to spray this on vegetables if I was absolutely sure that everyone who will be consuming the vegetables does not have egg allergies, their support representative replied, \"Well, you do so at your own risk.",
"\" The thought of spraying leafy greens or fruits with a fluid containing rotten eggs is not too appetizing, but it still constitutes organic gardening, and spraying this fluid on food crops is far safer than using pesticides, fungicides, or synthetic fertilizers.",
"Havahart states that if you do spray it on food crops, those fruits and vegetables should not be harvested within two weeks after being directly sprayed.",
"And even though it mentions that the fluid is effective for up to three months, rain or snow can considerably reduce its effectiveness and require more frequent spraying.",
"My 3-star rating is based on the following separate ratings: As a deterrent to prevent squirrels from eating vegetable crops or hanging around bird feeders, I would rate this 5 stars.",
"As a deterrent to prevent deer from eating plants, I would rate this 2 stars.",
"If a deer is hungry enough, egg/pepper/garlic spray or very thorny roses will not deter the deer's appetite.",
"And as a deterrent to keep squirrels off of property, roofs, and attics, I would rate this 1 star.",
"The product description for this \"Deer Off II\" includes two photos that were obviously Photoshopped, showing a deer running away from a garden and a squirrel and rabbit running away from planted vegetables.",
"For the past three weeks, my tree squirrels never stayed away from the trees, roofs, and attic areas that I sprayed after using up 112 ounces of \"Deer Off II\".",
"However, for the past two weeks, I have had great success trapping and relocating squirrels using a <a data-hook=\"product-link-linked\" class=\"a-link-normal\" href=\"/Havahart-1078-Live-Animal-Professional-Style-One-Door-Rabbit-Skunk-Mink-and-Squirrel-Cage-Trap/dp/B000BQPGQQ/ref=cm_cr_arp_d_rvw_txt?",
"ie=UTF8\">Havahart 1078 Live Animal Professional Style One-Door Rabbit, Skunk, Mink, and Squirrel Cage Trap</a>, which I have reviewed with a 5-star rating.",
"I trapped 13 squirrels during the first 15 days of use.",
"After I trapped each squirrel using a small lump of peanut butter to lure the squirrel into the cage trap, I drove it the squirrel out at least 7 miles away to an open space area before releasing it to (hopefully) minimize the possibility that the squirrel's homing instincts can find its way back to my location.",
"I no longer hear squirrels in the attic or see squirrels romping around the outside areas of my property.",
"If you are trying to get rid of pesky squirrels or rabbits, using this \"Deer Off II\" may keep them from eating your plants and vegetables, but this spray may not keep the critters from roaming around or near your property.",
"To permanently repel squirrels and rabbits, physically trapping and relocating the squirrels or rabbits is more effective than using this spray."
] |
The one thing that I really liked about this novel was the format it was written in. The story is told through the characters journals, memos, letters, etc. I also think this novel was ahead of its time, but the novel was lacking something that I can't quite put my finger on. I would like to say the novel dragged, but I'm not sure that it did. I think the whole story of Lucy, and what happened to her lasted too long. It was more than half of the novel, and she was the only focus, and I did not find it rather exciting. Everything seemed too long and drawn out, and Stoker's attempt to keep me guessing left me bored and uninspired. I kept turning the pages because I wanted to finish the book. I also felt the love story between Mina and Jonathan was boring. Jonathan was overly sensitive, and Mina seemed to wear the pants between the both of them. During the novel, not much was said about Dracula. He was just the villian who appeared out of nowhere to hunt Jonathan, and the gang. If history on Dracula was provided, the novel would have had a better feel. Overall this is a book you should read because it is the basis for most vampire themes. While watching the movie the Lost Boys last week, I found the history through that movie was centered on this book. Dracula is not a page turner, but more of a history lesson on the beginning of our obsession with Vampires, and creatures of the night. Do not look to read this book with the thought that you will not be able to put it down. | 1 | neutral | [
"The one thing that I really liked about this novel was the format it was written in.",
"The story is told through the characters journals, memos, letters, etc.",
"I also think this novel was ahead of its time, but the novel was lacking something that I can't quite put my finger on.",
"I would like to say the novel dragged, but I'm not sure that it did.",
"I think the whole story of Lucy, and what happened to her lasted too long.",
"It was more than half of the novel, and she was the only focus, and I did not find it rather exciting.",
"Everything seemed too long and drawn out, and Stoker's attempt to keep me guessing left me bored and uninspired.",
"I kept turning the pages because I wanted to finish the book.",
"I also felt the love story between Mina and Jonathan was boring.",
"Jonathan was overly sensitive, and Mina seemed to wear the pants between the both of them.",
"During the novel, not much was said about Dracula.",
"He was just the villian who appeared out of nowhere to hunt Jonathan, and the gang.",
"If history on Dracula was provided, the novel would have had a better feel.",
"Overall this is a book you should read because it is the basis for most vampire themes.",
"While watching the movie the Lost Boys last week, I found the history through that movie was centered on this book.",
"Dracula is not a page turner, but more of a history lesson on the beginning of our obsession with Vampires, and creatures of the night.",
"Do not look to read this book with the thought that you will not be able to put it down."
] |
This is a novella, actually it's part of a novella, if we were talking regular book, I think it would be the first few chapters (3 maybe 5). This is about Leslie, Irial and Niall. I enjoyed reading about Leslie again, but for those who miss Seth Ash and Keenan, you probably won't like this short story.
In a smaller nutshell, Stopping Time shows glimpses into Leslie's life as she tries to move on and live without seeing Niall or talking to Irial. This of course doesn't prevent Irial from visiting her or Niall from calling her on the phone a lot. Leslie I don't think realizes yet that she won't be able to move on. She has a choice that she won't make, she can't touch Irial without fatal consequences, and to be with Niall means she has to become one of the monsters in the Dark Court, either way she loses who she is.
I really enjoyed the story, I'm one of the fans that don't mind branching out with different characters, in fact I hadn't read about Leslie since Ink Exchange, so I was very pleased Melissa Marr gave us this two part story. At only a dollar you have to ask yourself if you want to know whether or not Leslie comes back in to the Fey fold or not. I have already pre-ordered the second part in the book which will be released at the end of this month I believe. | 1 | neutral | [
"This is a novella, actually it's part of a novella, if we were talking regular book, I think it would be the first few chapters (3 maybe 5).",
"This is about Leslie, Irial and Niall.",
"I enjoyed reading about Leslie again, but for those who miss Seth Ash and Keenan, you probably won't like this short story.",
"In a smaller nutshell, Stopping Time shows glimpses into Leslie's life as she tries to move on and live without seeing Niall or talking to Irial.",
"This of course doesn't prevent Irial from visiting her or Niall from calling her on the phone a lot.",
"Leslie I don't think realizes yet that she won't be able to move on.",
"She has a choice that she won't make, she can't touch Irial without fatal consequences, and to be with Niall means she has to become one of the monsters in the Dark Court, either way she loses who she is.",
"I really enjoyed the story, I'm one of the fans that don't mind branching out with different characters, in fact I hadn't read about Leslie since Ink Exchange, so I was very pleased Melissa Marr gave us this two part story.",
"At only a dollar you have to ask yourself if you want to know whether or not Leslie comes back in to the Fey fold or not.",
"I have already pre-ordered the second part in the book which will be released at the end of this month I believe."
] |
I agree with the 3 star review on the main page. This lens is nice... for certain things. I've used it indoor with flash and gotten some good results (you have to be at least 6 feet away from the subject for it to focus, it's not an awesome indoor lens, but you can get it to work if you can get far away from your subject). I've used it outdoors and unless it's incredibly sunny or nice out, I haven't gotten good results. You definitely need a tripod at dusk/dawn, or even if it's cloudy at all. And even sometimes if it is literally as bright as it is going to get during the day. I have steady hands and have other lenses that perform much better that are actually slower (f speed) at the same light settings. I'm not saying this is a bad lens. But it fits a very specific niche. You need a tripod, basically, for it to be worth using, or incredible lighting/flash. I would have been much better off saving up for the f2.8 IS or at least the f4 IS. The IS would definitely help with the amount of light this lens needs for it to work correctly. So overall, it's a good lens... but it doesn't really suit my needs very well. And it might not suit yours unless you plan to use a tripod or there are exceptional lighting conditions. | 1 | neutral | [
"I agree with the 3 star review on the main page.",
"This lens is nice...",
"for certain things.",
"I've used it indoor with flash and gotten some good results (you have to be at least 6 feet away from the subject for it to focus, it's not an awesome indoor lens, but you can get it to work if you can get far away from your subject).",
"I've used it outdoors and unless it's incredibly sunny or nice out, I haven't gotten good results.",
"You definitely need a tripod at dusk/dawn, or even if it's cloudy at all.",
"And even sometimes if it is literally as bright as it is going to get during the day.",
"I have steady hands and have other lenses that perform much better that are actually slower (f speed) at the same light settings.",
"I'm not saying this is a bad lens.",
"But it fits a very specific niche.",
"You need a tripod, basically, for it to be worth using, or incredible lighting/flash.",
"I would have been much better off saving up for the f2.",
"8 IS or at least the f4 IS.",
"The IS would definitely help with the amount of light this lens needs for it to work correctly.",
"So overall, it's a good lens...",
"but it doesn't really suit my needs very well.",
"And it might not suit yours unless you plan to use a tripod or there are exceptional lighting conditions."
] |
First, I would like to say that I think it's very important to know the difference between all Dragon NaturallySpeaking 9 editions. I thought I knew. . . but after first ordering the Standard edition, and finding out what is not included, I returned it and ordered the "Preferred" edition. Now I wish I had stuck with the Standard edition, for a lot less $$.
Second, I think you need to think about exactly how you are going to use this software, and that too will help you decide upon which edition you might purchase. Here are some items which are NOT included with the Standard edition but ARE included with the Preferred edition (list came from the side of the box I received)
~~~~
* Microsoft Excel
* Automatically transcribe recordings from handheld digital recorders, Pocket PC's or Palm Tungsten
* Wireless microphone support, including Bluetooth
* Includes Nuance RealSpeak for turning text into human-sounding speech
* Play back your dictation for easier correction and proofing
* Insert your signature, logo or boilerplate text with a simple voice command
* Import/export your user files to use on any PC with Dragon Naturally Speaking.
~~~~~
Here's my review. . . .. .
I have been using this product, off and on, for a little over a month now. Here's my take on it. . . . If you are either a slow typist, or have a disability which does not allow you to type, then I think that this software is probably going to be helpful for you. The box says that most people type no more than 40 words per minute. I type over twice that. I use this software when I want to send a letter to a friend. I would not use this for business purposes. You spend a lot of time correcting and "training" the system. I find far fewer mistakes when I'm typing it myself than when I'm using this software. But again, I type relatively fast. Having spent a LOT of extra money to purchase the "Preferred" edition, I really wish I had stuck with the "Standard" edition. Using it for Excel (not available on the Standard edition) is cumbersome at best, and being that often times numbers are so important in spreadsheets, it's quite "error prone" and correcting a lot of numbers in a spreadsheet is not fun. Again, I'm not really knocking the software. I think it does a relatively good job overall, and I'm sure that if you take the time to make all of the corrections it gets better. . .. but. . . I think if you type fast to begin with, you're probably not going to be too happy with this software. Unless the above "extras" included in the Preferred edition are really worth a lot to you, I would recommend the Standard edition and save yourself some $$.
<a data-hook="product-link-linked" class="a-link-normal" href="/Dragon-NaturallySpeaking-9-Standard/dp/B000GUDDXA/ref=cm_cr_arp_d_rvw_txt?ie=UTF8">Dragon NaturallySpeaking 9 Standard</a> | 1 | neutral | [
"First, I would like to say that I think it's very important to know the difference between all Dragon NaturallySpeaking 9 editions.",
"I thought I knew.",
".",
".",
"but after first ordering the Standard edition, and finding out what is not included, I returned it and ordered the \"Preferred\" edition.",
"Now I wish I had stuck with the Standard edition, for a lot less $$.",
"Second, I think you need to think about exactly how you are going to use this software, and that too will help you decide upon which edition you might purchase.",
"Here are some items which are NOT included with the Standard edition but ARE included with the Preferred edition (list came from the side of the box I received)\n~~~~\n* Microsoft Excel\n* Automatically transcribe recordings from handheld digital recorders, Pocket PC's or Palm Tungsten\n* Wireless microphone support, including Bluetooth\n* Includes Nuance RealSpeak for turning text into human-sounding speech\n* Play back your dictation for easier correction and proofing\n* Insert your signature, logo or boilerplate text with a simple voice command\n* Import/export your user files to use on any PC with Dragon Naturally Speaking.",
"~~~~~\n\nHere's my review.",
".",
".",
"..",
".",
"I have been using this product, off and on, for a little over a month now.",
"Here's my take on it.",
".",
".",
".",
"If you are either a slow typist, or have a disability which does not allow you to type, then I think that this software is probably going to be helpful for you.",
"The box says that most people type no more than 40 words per minute.",
"I type over twice that.",
"I use this software when I want to send a letter to a friend.",
"I would not use this for business purposes.",
"You spend a lot of time correcting and \"training\" the system.",
"I find far fewer mistakes when I'm typing it myself than when I'm using this software.",
"But again, I type relatively fast.",
"Having spent a LOT of extra money to purchase the \"Preferred\" edition, I really wish I had stuck with the \"Standard\" edition.",
"Using it for Excel (not available on the Standard edition) is cumbersome at best, and being that often times numbers are so important in spreadsheets, it's quite \"error prone\" and correcting a lot of numbers in a spreadsheet is not fun.",
"Again, I'm not really knocking the software.",
"I think it does a relatively good job overall, and I'm sure that if you take the time to make all of the corrections it gets better.",
".",
"..",
"but.",
".",
".",
"I think if you type fast to begin with, you're probably not going to be too happy with this software.",
"Unless the above \"extras\" included in the Preferred edition are really worth a lot to you, I would recommend the Standard edition and save yourself some $$.",
"<a data-hook=\"product-link-linked\" class=\"a-link-normal\" href=\"/Dragon-NaturallySpeaking-9-Standard/dp/B000GUDDXA/ref=cm_cr_arp_d_rvw_txt?",
"ie=UTF8\">Dragon NaturallySpeaking 9 Standard</a>"
] |
I have air tubing going from my Tetra Whisper to my Plenn Plax Bubble Wall for my 10 gallon aquarium. It works perfectly! However, the bubble wall is too big. The description states that it "fits across a 10 gallon aquarium." This is not accurate as there are two 14" bubble sticks. I have only one air diffuser in the tank and it is a tight fit. But it works and it was cheap! What more can you ask for?
I have three fantail goldfish, one common 38cent Goldfish, and one calico fantail in a 10 gallon aquarium. I know it is small for 5 fish, but the college policy states students cannot have a tank bigger than 10 gallons in the resident halls. My goldfish are happy and love playing in the bubbles. It adds a lot of oxygen to the tank (which is needed for such a small tank.) Before I installed an air pump, my fish were struggling for air at the top of the tank and their fins flat. The goldfish stopped going to the top for air and their fins raised immediately after installing the filter. I highly recommend everyone install a similar setup for their aquarium.
Update on 10/20: I lowered the stars from 4 to 3. Why? Because after a few days, one side of tubing stopping working. Poking holes like direction suggested barely brings it back to how it was on day one. For the price, I guess it is okay.
Update 2/4/14: It completely stopped working. | 1 | neutral | [
"I have air tubing going from my Tetra Whisper to my Plenn Plax Bubble Wall for my 10 gallon aquarium.",
"It works perfectly!",
"However, the bubble wall is too big.",
"The description states that it \"fits across a 10 gallon aquarium.",
"\" This is not accurate as there are two 14\" bubble sticks.",
"I have only one air diffuser in the tank and it is a tight fit.",
"But it works and it was cheap!",
"What more can you ask for?",
"I have three fantail goldfish, one common 38cent Goldfish, and one calico fantail in a 10 gallon aquarium.",
"I know it is small for 5 fish, but the college policy states students cannot have a tank bigger than 10 gallons in the resident halls.",
"My goldfish are happy and love playing in the bubbles.",
"It adds a lot of oxygen to the tank (which is needed for such a small tank.",
") Before I installed an air pump, my fish were struggling for air at the top of the tank and their fins flat.",
"The goldfish stopped going to the top for air and their fins raised immediately after installing the filter.",
"I highly recommend everyone install a similar setup for their aquarium.",
"Update on 10/20: I lowered the stars from 4 to 3.",
"Why?",
"Because after a few days, one side of tubing stopping working.",
"Poking holes like direction suggested barely brings it back to how it was on day one.",
"For the price, I guess it is okay.",
"Update 2/4/14: It completely stopped working."
] |
Llevo un mes con este telefono, y aunque al principio tarde en entender su uso, me doy cuenta que es tan sencillo de usar como cualquier otro telefono. Como yo venia de usar un nokia e63 queria pasar a un "smart phone" con pantalla tactil, pero queria permanecer en Nokia. Y bueno el telefono funciona bien, las aplicaciones funcionan bien, los juegos funcionan bien. Es un buen telefono para empezar a utilizar los telefonos estilo iphone.
Los contras:
1. La pantalla horizontal: cuando quiero escribir en la pantalla horizontal muchas veces tarda mas de lo que quisiera para que el telefono entienda que gire la pantalla.. y muchas veces el telefono ni sabe, asi que tengo que darle unas sacudidas para que entienda.
2. La batera, aunque dicen que poda durar como 4 das, la ma, al final del da, ya tiene 2 o 3 rayitas. Y es uqe el telefono pasa buscando como conectarse a internet, asi que hay que desactivar el escaneo wi-fi automatico, activar una opcion que dice algo de widgets en modo desconectado, desactivar el bluetooth, y no jugar mucho.. tal vez asi dure 2 dias.
3. La cmara, 8 mega pixeles y todo eso, pero todava sigue siendo una cmara mediocre de celular. He visto fotos en black berrys o iphones, y esas cmaras son mucho mejores. Ademas esta no tiene autofocus, as que muchas fotos, la mayora, saldrn borrosas.
4. Los mensajes de texto: escribir en la pantalla tctil es un dolor de cabeza. En mi viejo e63 escriba a buena velocidad. Aqu es muy complicado, y es muy difcil presionar la tecla que uno quiere. Lo bueno es que tiene el sistema de autocompletar que es relativamente inteligente. | 1 | neutral | [
"Llevo un mes con este telefono, y aunque al principio tarde en entender su uso, me doy cuenta que es tan sencillo de usar como cualquier otro telefono.",
"Como yo venia de usar un nokia e63 queria pasar a un \"smart phone\" con pantalla tactil, pero queria permanecer en Nokia.",
"Y bueno el telefono funciona bien, las aplicaciones funcionan bien, los juegos funcionan bien.",
"Es un buen telefono para empezar a utilizar los telefonos estilo iphone.",
"Los contras:\n1.",
"La pantalla horizontal: cuando quiero escribir en la pantalla horizontal muchas veces tarda mas de lo que quisiera para que el telefono entienda que gire la pantalla..",
"y muchas veces el telefono ni sabe, asi que tengo que darle unas sacudidas para que entienda.",
"2.",
"La batera, aunque dicen que poda durar como 4 das, la ma, al final del da, ya tiene 2 o 3 rayitas.",
"Y es uqe el telefono pasa buscando como conectarse a internet, asi que hay que desactivar el escaneo wi-fi automatico, activar una opcion que dice algo de widgets en modo desconectado, desactivar el bluetooth, y no jugar mucho..",
"tal vez asi dure 2 dias.",
"3.",
"La cmara, 8 mega pixeles y todo eso, pero todava sigue siendo una cmara mediocre de celular.",
"He visto fotos en black berrys o iphones, y esas cmaras son mucho mejores.",
"Ademas esta no tiene autofocus, as que muchas fotos, la mayora, saldrn borrosas.",
"4.",
"Los mensajes de texto: escribir en la pantalla tctil es un dolor de cabeza.",
"En mi viejo e63 escriba a buena velocidad.",
"Aqu es muy complicado, y es muy difcil presionar la tecla que uno quiere.",
"Lo bueno es que tiene el sistema de autocompletar que es relativamente inteligente."
] |
I might have enjoyed this story more if I'd heard of Anya Bast before and maybe read one or two of her novels. This story obviously needs a bit more context than what is here. That said, I am trying to not let that affect my evaluation of this story.
I rate this a solid "eh". In terms of voice and mechanics, Bast does a competent or better job 80% of the time, and the rest of the time falls into moments of "telling" or just plain stating the blindingly obvious. The sex is fun. Nothing special.
The story itself has two major flaws, ignoring my lack of larger context for the character. The first is that I am so sick of seeing shapeshifter romances where the couple being together is foregone conclusion because they're "mates". It's one step above "Their love is prophesied" in fantasy. I might not even have noticed this too much if I found the characters likeable, and again, I might lack a lot of context, but I found the characters to be nothing special. Cardboard macho hero, cardboard rebellious heroine who really just wants to belong. The hero, as a matter of fact, made me quite angry at the beginning of the story with a few scenes of non-consenting sexual contact being eroticized. Gross.
When the big climactic battle came, I got confused and made sure I hadn't somehow flipped past five pages. It came out of nowhere, and then was over, I guess, and I was like, "So is everything solved now? Great! I guess."
Not recommended if you haven't read Anya Bast's novels, perhaps not strongly recommended in general. | 1 | neutral | [
"I might have enjoyed this story more if I'd heard of Anya Bast before and maybe read one or two of her novels.",
"This story obviously needs a bit more context than what is here.",
"That said, I am trying to not let that affect my evaluation of this story.",
"I rate this a solid \"eh\".",
"In terms of voice and mechanics, Bast does a competent or better job 80% of the time, and the rest of the time falls into moments of \"telling\" or just plain stating the blindingly obvious.",
"The sex is fun.",
"Nothing special.",
"The story itself has two major flaws, ignoring my lack of larger context for the character.",
"The first is that I am so sick of seeing shapeshifter romances where the couple being together is foregone conclusion because they're \"mates\".",
"It's one step above \"Their love is prophesied\" in fantasy.",
"I might not even have noticed this too much if I found the characters likeable, and again, I might lack a lot of context, but I found the characters to be nothing special.",
"Cardboard macho hero, cardboard rebellious heroine who really just wants to belong.",
"The hero, as a matter of fact, made me quite angry at the beginning of the story with a few scenes of non-consenting sexual contact being eroticized.",
"Gross.",
"When the big climactic battle came, I got confused and made sure I hadn't somehow flipped past five pages.",
"It came out of nowhere, and then was over, I guess, and I was like, \"So is everything solved now?",
"Great!",
"I guess.",
"\"\n\nNot recommended if you haven't read Anya Bast's novels, perhaps not strongly recommended in general."
] |
This Cellet Horizontal Noble Case for Motorola Droid Razr Maxx is a good (not great) leather case. It looks like a bulky glasses case. The workmanship is not particularly good. The case I received is a little lopsided but that is not an issue for my purposes. I just wanted a case that I could clip on to my belt when I was out working.
My Razr Maxx fits well in the case by itself but it is very snug if the phone is in a flexible case. I don't think it would be practical if it is so tight that you struggle to get the phone out of the case.
UPDATE: I've found that my phone does fit snugly with a flexible case but it is practicable. It feels very secure. However the magnetic closure is not aligned well so it takes some effort to make sure the case is properly closed. Overall not bad but not a 5 star product. | 1 | neutral | [
"This Cellet Horizontal Noble Case for Motorola Droid Razr Maxx is a good (not great) leather case.",
"It looks like a bulky glasses case.",
"The workmanship is not particularly good.",
"The case I received is a little lopsided but that is not an issue for my purposes.",
"I just wanted a case that I could clip on to my belt when I was out working.",
"My Razr Maxx fits well in the case by itself but it is very snug if the phone is in a flexible case.",
"I don't think it would be practical if it is so tight that you struggle to get the phone out of the case.",
"UPDATE: I've found that my phone does fit snugly with a flexible case but it is practicable.",
"It feels very secure.",
"However the magnetic closure is not aligned well so it takes some effort to make sure the case is properly closed.",
"Overall not bad but not a 5 star product."
] |
It's on sale because it isn't very good and it's not accurate (compared to more expensive units), but for me that's OK because it's not that serious. For the price and what it does, it's hard to complain. So it's off 2 or 3 degrees........I just want a general idea of what to expect when I go outside - - more than likely it's going to be hot in the summer. So what if it's off. It's $11.00 Where else can you find a wireless outdoor thermometer at this price? I couldn't even find a sensor at this price. For me it works and I like it. | 1 | neutral | [
"It's on sale because it isn't very good and it's not accurate (compared to more expensive units), but for me that's OK because it's not that serious.",
"For the price and what it does, it's hard to complain.",
"So it's off 2 or 3 degrees....",
"....",
"I just want a general idea of what to expect when I go outside - - more than likely it's going to be hot in the summer.",
"So what if it's off.",
"It's $11.",
"00 Where else can you find a wireless outdoor thermometer at this price?",
"I couldn't even find a sensor at this price.",
"For me it works and I like it."
] |
Before you order this, you should be aware that it is not a full length novel, but only a novella which will almost certainly take you less than an hour to read. Written in Child's distinctively relentless style, it's a story about Jack Reacher as a 13 year old in 1974. It fills in some of his family's back history and sheds a little more insight into what makes Reacher the way that he is.
Reacher's father, Stan, works for the Marines and when the story opens he has just been posted to Okinawa in the East China Sea. Reacher and his brother Joe (funnily enough, it had never occurred to me before that they were named after the first two Kennedy boys) are used to having to assimilate into new places and Okinawa will present the usual challenges. Much as he does in the entire series, Reacher will take on the local bully, find the best looking girl and solve a couple of minor mysteries involving his father and brother.
I enjoyed the story but it doesn't amount to much. It's too straightforward to create much tension and the way that the 13 year old Reacher can outsmart everyone else feels less than credible. Nevertheless it's enough of a "Reacher fix" to keep you going until <a data-hook="product-link-linked" class="a-link-normal" href="/The-Affair-A-Reacher-Novel-Jack-Reacher/dp/B004P8JPS6/ref=cm_cr_arp_d_rvw_txt?ie=UTF8">The Affair: A Reacher Novel (Jack Reacher)</a> arrives. | 1 | neutral | [
"Before you order this, you should be aware that it is not a full length novel, but only a novella which will almost certainly take you less than an hour to read.",
"Written in Child's distinctively relentless style, it's a story about Jack Reacher as a 13 year old in 1974.",
"It fills in some of his family's back history and sheds a little more insight into what makes Reacher the way that he is.",
"Reacher's father, Stan, works for the Marines and when the story opens he has just been posted to Okinawa in the East China Sea.",
"Reacher and his brother Joe (funnily enough, it had never occurred to me before that they were named after the first two Kennedy boys) are used to having to assimilate into new places and Okinawa will present the usual challenges.",
"Much as he does in the entire series, Reacher will take on the local bully, find the best looking girl and solve a couple of minor mysteries involving his father and brother.",
"I enjoyed the story but it doesn't amount to much.",
"It's too straightforward to create much tension and the way that the 13 year old Reacher can outsmart everyone else feels less than credible.",
"Nevertheless it's enough of a \"Reacher fix\" to keep you going until <a data-hook=\"product-link-linked\" class=\"a-link-normal\" href=\"/The-Affair-A-Reacher-Novel-Jack-Reacher/dp/B004P8JPS6/ref=cm_cr_arp_d_rvw_txt?",
"ie=UTF8\">The Affair: A Reacher Novel (Jack Reacher)</a> arrives."
] |
In 1963, Miles Davis took his new quintet-- tenor saxophonist George Coleman, pianist Herbie Hancock, bassist Ron Carter and drummer Tony Williams on the road. No less than three live albums-- "Miles Davis in Europe", "My Funny Valentine", and "Four and More" were drawn from these shows. "Miles Davis in Europe" is the weakest of these.
The set consists of a handful of originals and standards Davis had been associated with for several years and Victor Feldman's "Joshua", recorded in this studio the previous month. The performances are decent enough, but it seems to lack something. Part of the problem is that Davis is at times detached-- his performance on "Autumn Leaves" for example finds him pretty really not digging in at all (curiously enough, Coleman digs deep and produces a real gem of a performance). Much of the rest of the set shows that this was a very new band-- "Milestones" and "Joshua" both find Davis running full bore and soloing explosively (particularly the latter, where Tony Williams pushes him on and on), but when Davis' solo ends and Coleman takes over, the intensity drops way down, particularly on "Milestones" where Coleman seems to run out of steam.
For all these gripes, there are still quite a bit of brilliant performances-- "Walkin'" is probably worth the price of the disc alone-- Davis comes skidding in and whirls through his solo before turning over to Coleman, whose angular solo is unceasingly inventive. And Davis really digs in deep on "I Thought About You", opening in a ballad form and really cutting loose into a deep blues feel.
Still, all in all, there are other recordings by this band that are significantly better-- start with the studio effort or the other two live albums (recorded some time later), come back to this one if you need more. | 1 | neutral | [
"In 1963, Miles Davis took his new quintet-- tenor saxophonist George Coleman, pianist Herbie Hancock, bassist Ron Carter and drummer Tony Williams on the road.",
"No less than three live albums-- \"Miles Davis in Europe\", \"My Funny Valentine\", and \"Four and More\" were drawn from these shows.",
"\"Miles Davis in Europe\" is the weakest of these.",
"The set consists of a handful of originals and standards Davis had been associated with for several years and Victor Feldman's \"Joshua\", recorded in this studio the previous month.",
"The performances are decent enough, but it seems to lack something.",
"Part of the problem is that Davis is at times detached-- his performance on \"Autumn Leaves\" for example finds him pretty really not digging in at all (curiously enough, Coleman digs deep and produces a real gem of a performance).",
"Much of the rest of the set shows that this was a very new band-- \"Milestones\" and \"Joshua\" both find Davis running full bore and soloing explosively (particularly the latter, where Tony Williams pushes him on and on), but when Davis' solo ends and Coleman takes over, the intensity drops way down, particularly on \"Milestones\" where Coleman seems to run out of steam.",
"For all these gripes, there are still quite a bit of brilliant performances-- \"Walkin'\" is probably worth the price of the disc alone-- Davis comes skidding in and whirls through his solo before turning over to Coleman, whose angular solo is unceasingly inventive.",
"And Davis really digs in deep on \"I Thought About You\", opening in a ballad form and really cutting loose into a deep blues feel.",
"Still, all in all, there are other recordings by this band that are significantly better-- start with the studio effort or the other two live albums (recorded some time later), come back to this one if you need more."
] |
Subsets and Splits
No community queries yet
The top public SQL queries from the community will appear here once available.