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First off, if you want this game for the basketball part, then don't buy it. However, if you want Mario, then you might consider buying it.
The Bad: Your teammates in this game are completely useless. They never go for the ball and they simply stand there waiting for the ball. it feels more like Mario Hoops 1 on 3. Lame. Also, after playing this for a while it gets extremely boring. Many times I'll be in the middle of a game and turn it off because I don't feel like finishing it. Another bad thing is the courts. They have nothing that relates to Mario (except Bowser castle). The items that you find in the game are very unreliable, and the AI can get frusturating in the harder difficulty. This game is also WAY overpriced for something that only lasts for a short time. This game also stands no chance against other Mario sports games, such as Mariokart and mario Superstar Baseball.
The Good: The graphics are nice, and there are a lot of courts, players, and unlockables. The game is also very fun at the beginning. The sound was great too and I enjoyed the grunts and shouts from my favorite mario characters. The special shots are awesome! The stylus controls work pretty well for the most part. That's about it.
Real basketball fans will be frusturated with this game, while Mario fans won't be amazed by it. Overall, this game is average. Rent or try this game out somehow to see if it's right for you. Thanks for reading. | 1 | neutral | [
"First off, if you want this game for the basketball part, then don't buy it.",
"However, if you want Mario, then you might consider buying it.",
"The Bad: Your teammates in this game are completely useless.",
"They never go for the ball and they simply stand there waiting for the ball.",
"it feels more like Mario Hoops 1 on 3.",
"Lame.",
"Also, after playing this for a while it gets extremely boring.",
"Many times I'll be in the middle of a game and turn it off because I don't feel like finishing it.",
"Another bad thing is the courts.",
"They have nothing that relates to Mario (except Bowser castle).",
"The items that you find in the game are very unreliable, and the AI can get frusturating in the harder difficulty.",
"This game is also WAY overpriced for something that only lasts for a short time.",
"This game also stands no chance against other Mario sports games, such as Mariokart and mario Superstar Baseball.",
"The Good: The graphics are nice, and there are a lot of courts, players, and unlockables.",
"The game is also very fun at the beginning.",
"The sound was great too and I enjoyed the grunts and shouts from my favorite mario characters.",
"The special shots are awesome!",
"The stylus controls work pretty well for the most part.",
"That's about it.",
"Real basketball fans will be frusturated with this game, while Mario fans won't be amazed by it.",
"Overall, this game is average.",
"Rent or try this game out somehow to see if it's right for you.",
"Thanks for reading."
] |
How the Church of Scientology seemingly protected Danny Masterson amid rape allegations
Scientologist actor Danny Masterson has been accused of rape by four women â and the Church of Scientology claims it knew nothing of the allegations against its longtime member.
However people deeply connected with the church say members did have knowledge of Masterson 's alleged behavior way before the media reports.
Several sources told Fox News that the Church of Scientology systematically covers up misdeeds of its most prominent members â and Masterson they say is no exception.
Ortega said this has directly impacted the women accusing Masterson of rape.
âFor example one of Masterson âs accusers ⦠went to the church in 2003 to report the incident â Ortega claimed.
âA little more than a year after the assault the church bombarded the LAPD with affidavit after affidavit from church members defending Masterson . The church rallied around him .â
Shelton predicts the church will stand by Masterson even as his public image begins to crumble. The actor denies any wrongdoing.
Masterson was fired by Netflix earlier this week ending his run on the streaming serviceâs series âThe Ranch.â
He has denied the claims against him saying in part "Law enforcement investigated these claims more than 15 years ago and determined them to be without merit. I have never been charged with a crime let alone convicted of one."
In a statement to the media the Church of Scientology denied it was involved in stifling the claims of Masterson âs accusers. | 1 | neutral | [
"How the Church of Scientology seemingly protected Danny Masterson amid rape allegations\nScientologist actor Danny Masterson has been accused of rape by four women â and the Church of Scientology claims it knew nothing of the allegations against its longtime member.",
"However people deeply connected with the church say members did have knowledge of Masterson 's alleged behavior way before the media reports.",
"Several sources told Fox News that the Church of Scientology systematically covers up misdeeds of its most prominent members â and Masterson they say is no exception.",
"Ortega said this has directly impacted the women accusing Masterson of rape.",
"âFor example one of Masterson âs accusers ⦠went to the church in 2003 to report the incident â Ortega claimed.",
"âA little more than a year after the assault the church bombarded the LAPD with affidavit after affidavit from church members defending Masterson.",
"The church rallied around him.",
"â\nShelton predicts the church will stand by Masterson even as his public image begins to crumble.",
"The actor denies any wrongdoing.",
"Masterson was fired by Netflix earlier this week ending his run on the streaming serviceâs series âThe Ranch.",
"â\n He has denied the claims against him saying in part \"Law enforcement investigated these claims more than 15 years ago and determined them to be without merit.",
"I have never been charged with a crime let alone convicted of one.",
"\"\nIn a statement to the media the Church of Scientology denied it was involved in stifling the claims of Masterson âs accusers."
] |
Black and White had some great innovations that really set the bar for Lionhead. Black and White II has changed the paradigm, for better or worse.
My biggest complaint is the lack of multiplayer. A game like Black and white has such huge potential for fun, exciting multiplayer yet it is strangely lacking, despite the fact that the first game supported it. They must have gotten lazy.
Another mixed blessing is the gameplay changes. The creature is far less important, which some gamers will love. You won't need to micromanage him...and if you want to wholesale ignore him it won't much matter. Gamers who enjoyed that aspect will be dissapointed.
They have released a patch that enables you to skip the tutorial parts of the game, but that really should have been included in release...the most annoying part of black and white I was the stupid "this is how to move your mouse" section that you had to endure every new game.
Overall, Black and White 2 fails to really deliver. However, it still is an average game, but don't expect it to wow you at the same level as the first one. | 1 | neutral | [
"Black and White had some great innovations that really set the bar for Lionhead.",
"Black and White II has changed the paradigm, for better or worse.",
"My biggest complaint is the lack of multiplayer.",
"A game like Black and white has such huge potential for fun, exciting multiplayer yet it is strangely lacking, despite the fact that the first game supported it.",
"They must have gotten lazy.",
"Another mixed blessing is the gameplay changes.",
"The creature is far less important, which some gamers will love.",
"You won't need to micromanage him...",
"and if you want to wholesale ignore him it won't much matter.",
"Gamers who enjoyed that aspect will be dissapointed.",
"They have released a patch that enables you to skip the tutorial parts of the game, but that really should have been included in release...",
"the most annoying part of black and white I was the stupid \"this is how to move your mouse\" section that you had to endure every new game.",
"Overall, Black and White 2 fails to really deliver.",
"However, it still is an average game, but don't expect it to wow you at the same level as the first one."
] |
I purchased this boxed set when it came out some years back, and my criticism of the sound quality pertains to that release. The sound may have been tinkered with since then, so take my negative comments as a heads-up. A lot of effort went into this box and it has a nice booklet, but the sound quality is uneven. It's a more dramatic sound than that of the original lps, but to my ears there is some blurryness and evidence of deterioration in the master tapes. It doesn't affect all the tracks equally, and some tracks do benefit from the newer technology. I notice that Amazon is offering a 2011 CD re-release of "Projections" and a 2004 import version of "Live at the Caf au Go Go" which previously comprised the band's recorded output. No samples of the latter are offered, but to judge from a couple samples of the former, it sounds better than the present Anthology and more like my original LPs, both of which sound fine. Compare the Anthology download of "I Can't Keep from Cryin'" to the Projectons version. I think you will notice a difference.
I used to hear the BP regularly back in the day (circa 1966). They were something like the house band at Cafe au Go Go in Greenwich Village. The Stone Ponies opened (a folk trio with Linda Ronstadt on vocals); then Richie Havens came on, and finally the Blues Project, which was the act every hormonal teenaged boy had come for (apart from ogling the striking if chastely clad Ms. Ronstadt.) It's ironic that Ronstadt went on to superstardom, Havens had a long career though never a superstar, and the BP broke up without ever becoming more than a New York legend. They were a great band and very representative of the era with their melding of blues, rock, jazz, Indian, and psychedelic influences.
Danny Kalb was a fabulous guitarist, with lightning fingers, and the other members were also outstanding musicians. This set includes all the songs from their first album, which featured vocalist Tommy Flanders, and their second, where the vocals are handled by Kooper, Katz, and Kalb, plus some bonus material. While the vocals are good, this band's main strength was their playing, which was extremely good. On the louder numbers they really knooked your socks off and they also produced some very lyrical pieces such as Steve's Song and Flute Thing (bassist Kulberg was trained as a classical flautist.)
As the band's name would suggest, there are plenty of blues covers, with the Howling Wolf, Muddy Waters, and Jimmy Reed versions souped up by Kalb's incendiaary guitar playing and Kooper's keyboards. But there are also rock originals (No Time Like the Right Time), jazz originals (Flute Thing), and songs with an Indian influence (Steve's Song.) Perhaps their biggest crowd pleasers were Kooper's arrangements of two folk/gospel numbers: Brother Joe May's 'Wake Me Shake Me' and Blind Willie Johnson's "I Can't Keep from Crying," both secularized and turned into throbbing psychedelic steam-hammers. (Actually, the originals are pretty good too - check out Blind Willie Johnson some time.)
So how big a problem is the sound quality? Well, the alternative is to buy "Projections" and "Live at ..." on CD or on vinyl (if you can find them.) Those two will give you most if not all the numbers the band performed regularly in their heyday. The CD of "Projections" sounds good as noted, while "Live at..." is a question mark until some reviews show up. (It occurred to me that one way to do this collection in digital would be to play NOS copies of the original lps through a digitizing turntable and start from there.) Since Anthology has additional tracks and a nice booklet, as well as greater sonic impact on selected tracks, a true fan will probably want it. | 1 | neutral | [
"I purchased this boxed set when it came out some years back, and my criticism of the sound quality pertains to that release.",
"The sound may have been tinkered with since then, so take my negative comments as a heads-up.",
"A lot of effort went into this box and it has a nice booklet, but the sound quality is uneven.",
"It's a more dramatic sound than that of the original lps, but to my ears there is some blurryness and evidence of deterioration in the master tapes.",
"It doesn't affect all the tracks equally, and some tracks do benefit from the newer technology.",
"I notice that Amazon is offering a 2011 CD re-release of \"Projections\" and a 2004 import version of \"Live at the Caf au Go Go\" which previously comprised the band's recorded output.",
"No samples of the latter are offered, but to judge from a couple samples of the former, it sounds better than the present Anthology and more like my original LPs, both of which sound fine.",
"Compare the Anthology download of \"I Can't Keep from Cryin'\" to the Projectons version.",
"I think you will notice a difference.",
"I used to hear the BP regularly back in the day (circa 1966).",
"They were something like the house band at Cafe au Go Go in Greenwich Village.",
"The Stone Ponies opened (a folk trio with Linda Ronstadt on vocals); then Richie Havens came on, and finally the Blues Project, which was the act every hormonal teenaged boy had come for (apart from ogling the striking if chastely clad Ms.",
"Ronstadt.",
") It's ironic that Ronstadt went on to superstardom, Havens had a long career though never a superstar, and the BP broke up without ever becoming more than a New York legend.",
"They were a great band and very representative of the era with their melding of blues, rock, jazz, Indian, and psychedelic influences.",
"Danny Kalb was a fabulous guitarist, with lightning fingers, and the other members were also outstanding musicians.",
"This set includes all the songs from their first album, which featured vocalist Tommy Flanders, and their second, where the vocals are handled by Kooper, Katz, and Kalb, plus some bonus material.",
"While the vocals are good, this band's main strength was their playing, which was extremely good.",
"On the louder numbers they really knooked your socks off and they also produced some very lyrical pieces such as Steve's Song and Flute Thing (bassist Kulberg was trained as a classical flautist.",
")\n\nAs the band's name would suggest, there are plenty of blues covers, with the Howling Wolf, Muddy Waters, and Jimmy Reed versions souped up by Kalb's incendiaary guitar playing and Kooper's keyboards.",
"But there are also rock originals (No Time Like the Right Time), jazz originals (Flute Thing), and songs with an Indian influence (Steve's Song.",
") Perhaps their biggest crowd pleasers were Kooper's arrangements of two folk/gospel numbers: Brother Joe May's 'Wake Me Shake Me' and Blind Willie Johnson's \"I Can't Keep from Crying,\" both secularized and turned into throbbing psychedelic steam-hammers.",
"(Actually, the originals are pretty good too - check out Blind Willie Johnson some time.",
")\n\nSo how big a problem is the sound quality?",
"Well, the alternative is to buy \"Projections\" and \"Live at...",
"\" on CD or on vinyl (if you can find them.",
") Those two will give you most if not all the numbers the band performed regularly in their heyday.",
"The CD of \"Projections\" sounds good as noted, while \"Live at...",
"\" is a question mark until some reviews show up.",
"(It occurred to me that one way to do this collection in digital would be to play NOS copies of the original lps through a digitizing turntable and start from there.",
") Since Anthology has additional tracks and a nice booklet, as well as greater sonic impact on selected tracks, a true fan will probably want it."
] |
the price and size were right to donate to humane society. My cats have refused to switch to purina or whiskas from Blue buffalo. I was seeking to reduce costs but just knew when I saw the big bag that there was no way my cats would eat it. I had thought it was fancy feast...white cat...gourmet...so when I realized its just a cheaper brand than even the purina ....well. As a donation though it helps Im sure.. The dogs will eat it if the cats wont..at my place the racoons get whatever the cats reject. | 1 | neutral | [
"the price and size were right to donate to humane society.",
"My cats have refused to switch to purina or whiskas from Blue buffalo.",
"I was seeking to reduce costs but just knew when I saw the big bag that there was no way my cats would eat it.",
"I had thought it was fancy feast...",
"white cat...",
"gourmet...",
"so when I realized its just a cheaper brand than even the purina....",
"well.",
"As a donation though it helps Im sure..",
"The dogs will eat it if the cats wont..",
"at my place the racoons get whatever the cats reject."
] |
This recording has much to recommend it. Abbado gives a wonderful performance, using the original version, which in many ways is far more vivid and gripping than the traditional version. Aside from the fact it dispenses with the tame recitatives added by others after Bizet's death, it actually restores some incredibly exciting music left out of most earlier recordings. This is most noticeable in the very last scene, at the moment Don Jose stabs Carmen. There is an orchestral swell, and a brief, almost frightening bit of music -- almost like an orchestral scream -- that seems to be missing from all the other versions I've heard. It's amazing, and absolutely perfect for that moment, and I can't for the life of me understand why it's been missing all these years. I've listened to several Carmens, and this one is excellent in many, many respects except one -- the MOST IMPORTANT. Berganza is utterly AWFUL in the title role. Apparently, she was "offended" by the "traditional" portrayal of the title character as something of a vamp, slut, vixen, dangerous woman, gypsy, etc. Really?? What ELSE is Carmen? It's clear from the way the opera is written that she is intended to be precisely that. I'm really sorry if this fact bothered Ms. Berganza, but she didn't have to ruin one of the greatest operas ever written to strike a blow for (Spanish) political correctness. The fact that Carmen is not a nice woman is clearly in the script, and the music underscores that fact in loudly and clearly, over and over again. Berganza imnposes her flaccid, strangely "regal" interpretation on an otherwise stellar cast. Abbado is a trifle slow and could use a bit more fire in parts, most noticeably in the gypsy song/dance at the beginning of Act II. But the main problem there, as elsewhere, is Berganza's listless, bloodless singing.
In short, I like the additional music and original version Abbado chooses. But Berganza smothers the entire production with her haughty, unsexy interpretation. Why, why, WHY did Abbado want Berganza for this role??? There is simply no comparison with either Reri Grist or Maria Callas in the role. | 1 | neutral | [
"This recording has much to recommend it.",
"Abbado gives a wonderful performance, using the original version, which in many ways is far more vivid and gripping than the traditional version.",
"Aside from the fact it dispenses with the tame recitatives added by others after Bizet's death, it actually restores some incredibly exciting music left out of most earlier recordings.",
"This is most noticeable in the very last scene, at the moment Don Jose stabs Carmen.",
"There is an orchestral swell, and a brief, almost frightening bit of music -- almost like an orchestral scream -- that seems to be missing from all the other versions I've heard.",
"It's amazing, and absolutely perfect for that moment, and I can't for the life of me understand why it's been missing all these years.",
"I've listened to several Carmens, and this one is excellent in many, many respects except one -- the MOST IMPORTANT.",
"Berganza is utterly AWFUL in the title role.",
"Apparently, she was \"offended\" by the \"traditional\" portrayal of the title character as something of a vamp, slut, vixen, dangerous woman, gypsy, etc.",
"Really??",
"What ELSE is Carmen?",
"It's clear from the way the opera is written that she is intended to be precisely that.",
"I'm really sorry if this fact bothered Ms.",
"Berganza, but she didn't have to ruin one of the greatest operas ever written to strike a blow for (Spanish) political correctness.",
"The fact that Carmen is not a nice woman is clearly in the script, and the music underscores that fact in loudly and clearly, over and over again.",
"Berganza imnposes her flaccid, strangely \"regal\" interpretation on an otherwise stellar cast.",
"Abbado is a trifle slow and could use a bit more fire in parts, most noticeably in the gypsy song/dance at the beginning of Act II.",
"But the main problem there, as elsewhere, is Berganza's listless, bloodless singing.",
"In short, I like the additional music and original version Abbado chooses.",
"But Berganza smothers the entire production with her haughty, unsexy interpretation.",
"Why, why, WHY did Abbado want Berganza for this role???",
"There is simply no comparison with either Reri Grist or Maria Callas in the role."
] |
Creature From The Black Lagoon, Legacy Collection, DVD
These three monochrome movies were produced in the mid-1950s, a time when people feared an atomic war that could destroy most of humanity. Atomic bomb testing was believed to have caused changes in the weather. One horror movie suggested this radiation could cause mutations in creatures, such as ants. When they became gigantic they would prey on mankind, coming from the Mojave Desert to then smog-free Los Angeles. Other films were variations on the horror movies from the 1930s, such as the scientific stories about invaders from outer space. These lower budget movies accompanied the Eisenhower recessions in the 1950s. There was a fad for three-dimensional films, but they required exact synchronization to prevent a blurry movie. There were a few vampire and werewolf films too. Note the changes in the actors. Were they unhappy to appear in these works of art?
"Creature From The Black Lagoon" (1954) presented a threat from inner space, the land beneath the water. You can compare it to the classic horror story from the dark ages "Beowulf" which also has a monster from the lake.
"Revenge of the Creature" (1955) continues the story. The "gill-man" is caught and put on display at an aquarium. But he escapes to go wandering. Finally he is found on the beach. The police shoot at him until her returns to the safety of the sea.
"The Creature Walks Among Us" (1956) was the last of this series. The creature adapts to living on the land after capture, becomes a witness to personal conflicts, then returns to the sea. Was this as good as the other movies?
The mummy films had an unusual creature that came to life to threaten the living. These seemed better than a humanoid sea creature. Did copyright laws or a lack of an audience limit the mummy films? Vampires and werewolves existed for centuries in the legends of many countries. The formula for the horror movies is to have a strange creature come upon the people to kill and terrorize them. Then a hero is found who can kill the monster and bring peace to the people. This goes back to when Theseus slew the Minotaur, or Saint George slew a dragon, to halt human sacrifices. Do people today still believe in sacrificing humans (unemployment) to appease Moloch (the economy)? | 1 | neutral | [
"Creature From The Black Lagoon, Legacy Collection, DVD\n\nThese three monochrome movies were produced in the mid-1950s, a time when people feared an atomic war that could destroy most of humanity.",
"Atomic bomb testing was believed to have caused changes in the weather.",
"One horror movie suggested this radiation could cause mutations in creatures, such as ants.",
"When they became gigantic they would prey on mankind, coming from the Mojave Desert to then smog-free Los Angeles.",
"Other films were variations on the horror movies from the 1930s, such as the scientific stories about invaders from outer space.",
"These lower budget movies accompanied the Eisenhower recessions in the 1950s.",
"There was a fad for three-dimensional films, but they required exact synchronization to prevent a blurry movie.",
"There were a few vampire and werewolf films too.",
"Note the changes in the actors.",
"Were they unhappy to appear in these works of art?",
"\"Creature From The Black Lagoon\" (1954) presented a threat from inner space, the land beneath the water.",
"You can compare it to the classic horror story from the dark ages \"Beowulf\" which also has a monster from the lake.",
"\"Revenge of the Creature\" (1955) continues the story.",
"The \"gill-man\" is caught and put on display at an aquarium.",
"But he escapes to go wandering.",
"Finally he is found on the beach.",
"The police shoot at him until her returns to the safety of the sea.",
"\"The Creature Walks Among Us\" (1956) was the last of this series.",
"The creature adapts to living on the land after capture, becomes a witness to personal conflicts, then returns to the sea.",
"Was this as good as the other movies?",
"The mummy films had an unusual creature that came to life to threaten the living.",
"These seemed better than a humanoid sea creature.",
"Did copyright laws or a lack of an audience limit the mummy films?",
"Vampires and werewolves existed for centuries in the legends of many countries.",
"The formula for the horror movies is to have a strange creature come upon the people to kill and terrorize them.",
"Then a hero is found who can kill the monster and bring peace to the people.",
"This goes back to when Theseus slew the Minotaur, or Saint George slew a dragon, to halt human sacrifices.",
"Do people today still believe in sacrificing humans (unemployment) to appease Moloch (the economy)?"
] |
1. Really liked the cover - not just another manly chest... and it was the cover that got me to purchase my first Beth Kery book.
2. Her plot was good, with strong conflict and suspense. Her characters were well fleshed-out and the sex scenes very well written - hot! - but more than that, the relationship was well-developed and reasonably realistic.
I gave this book a 3.5 because there was quite a bit of confusion in who said what-who felt what-paranormal happenings present or past, etc. It took me a bit of work to sort it all out. But there was never any question of finishing the book and enjoying it immensely...I just had to go back and check things a time or two to make it through to the ending. | 1 | neutral | [
"1.",
"Really liked the cover - not just another manly chest...",
"and it was the cover that got me to purchase my first Beth Kery book.",
"2.",
"Her plot was good, with strong conflict and suspense.",
"Her characters were well fleshed-out and the sex scenes very well written - hot!",
"- but more than that, the relationship was well-developed and reasonably realistic.",
"I gave this book a 3.",
"5 because there was quite a bit of confusion in who said what-who felt what-paranormal happenings present or past, etc.",
"It took me a bit of work to sort it all out.",
"But there was never any question of finishing the book and enjoying it immensely...",
"I just had to go back and check things a time or two to make it through to the ending."
] |
Have you ever read a book and when you finish you're not sure if you liked it? Well, I finished Gravity the other night and I'm still not sure if I liked it. It has definitely made me think, that's for sure. I even read a few other reviews on it and was amazed at how everyone raved about it. What did I miss in this book that everyone else seemed to love? Maybe I should go back and make sure I don't have a whole chapter or two that is missing!
Gravity by Tess Gerritsen focuses on the International Space Station (ISS) and a female astronaut, Dr. Emma Watson, who is a flight surgeon. Emma is sent up to replace a doctor aboard the space station whose wife was critically injured in an automobile accident. Since they have two small children at home, the astronaut is needed and Emma is sent up ahead of her crew's launch date. This was a bit strange too, as I didn't know that once in the ISS, you could be called home and retrieved within a day or two. An interesting tidbit of information there...
After the doctor learns of his wife's critical condition he mentally shuts down, only thinking about getting back home. While in deep depression, he makes a drastic error in an experiment with Archaeons, a supposedly harmless sea life form. Ok, why did NASA let him continue any of the experiments when he was in no condition to do anything except sit and stare out the station window looking back towards earth? This just didn't seem to fit with the rest of the story, but it was a must or there wouldn't be any story.
After the Archaeon is leaked into the sealed area used for experiments, a mouse is placed into the same sealed container. A blue-green globule floats by the mouse and she licks it making the Japanese astronaut handling it smile. Little did he know that the rodent was now contaminated and infected with a contagion. Ok, if you were a scientist, and a blue-green blob floats by, wouldn't you be a bit concerned? Again, it just doesn't work for me.
Then the mouse bites the Japanese astronaut and the spread of this deadly organism has begun. Sounds like a lot of circumstances to happen before the organism begins it's journey, and I wondered if it wasn't just a bit too much for the reader to actually believe. It actually sounds like the story line "This is the house that Jack built..."
Then the other angle to the book (the romantic side), is that of Emma's soon-to-be ex-husband, Jack McCallum. He too happens to be a doctor, happens to be on duty in the emergency room when the astronaut's wife is brought in from the traffic collision, happens to still be in love with Emma, happens to have been an astronaut but was kept off of active assignments for medical reasons, happens to still have access to Mission Control and other pertinent rooms, happens to ... well you get the idea. Again, way too many coincidences for my taste but necessary to bring the entire story together.
The book has a decent plot, but there are too many happenstance scenarios that need to take place in order for the story to move along and the organism continue on its wicked path.
I'm not sure if this book was written before Harvest and Bloodstream, but in my opinion, those two books were far superior to this one. Gerritsen's normal style of bringing in vividly descriptive medical procedures was overshadowed by her detail to the space program (and what was with all of the acronyms that had to be looked up in a glossary in the back of the book? One of my pet peeves is having to stop reading and look up an acronym!).
The ending seemed rushed and was very predictable, wavering between the medical thriller and romance genres just a bit too much. Jack rescuing the love of his life with his white charger, in this case a rocket made by a non-NASA company, was inevitable. And the happily-ever-after ending was a bit contrite.
I feel this one just stretched my imagine a bit too far. It was a decent novel, but not one that I'd recommend above many of the other summer reads out there - only when there's nothing else on the bookshelf. | 1 | neutral | [
"Have you ever read a book and when you finish you're not sure if you liked it?",
"Well, I finished Gravity the other night and I'm still not sure if I liked it.",
"It has definitely made me think, that's for sure.",
"I even read a few other reviews on it and was amazed at how everyone raved about it.",
"What did I miss in this book that everyone else seemed to love?",
"Maybe I should go back and make sure I don't have a whole chapter or two that is missing!",
"Gravity by Tess Gerritsen focuses on the International Space Station (ISS) and a female astronaut, Dr.",
"Emma Watson, who is a flight surgeon.",
"Emma is sent up to replace a doctor aboard the space station whose wife was critically injured in an automobile accident.",
"Since they have two small children at home, the astronaut is needed and Emma is sent up ahead of her crew's launch date.",
"This was a bit strange too, as I didn't know that once in the ISS, you could be called home and retrieved within a day or two.",
"An interesting tidbit of information there...",
"After the doctor learns of his wife's critical condition he mentally shuts down, only thinking about getting back home.",
"While in deep depression, he makes a drastic error in an experiment with Archaeons, a supposedly harmless sea life form.",
"Ok, why did NASA let him continue any of the experiments when he was in no condition to do anything except sit and stare out the station window looking back towards earth?",
"This just didn't seem to fit with the rest of the story, but it was a must or there wouldn't be any story.",
"After the Archaeon is leaked into the sealed area used for experiments, a mouse is placed into the same sealed container.",
"A blue-green globule floats by the mouse and she licks it making the Japanese astronaut handling it smile.",
"Little did he know that the rodent was now contaminated and infected with a contagion.",
"Ok, if you were a scientist, and a blue-green blob floats by, wouldn't you be a bit concerned?",
"Again, it just doesn't work for me.",
"Then the mouse bites the Japanese astronaut and the spread of this deadly organism has begun.",
"Sounds like a lot of circumstances to happen before the organism begins it's journey, and I wondered if it wasn't just a bit too much for the reader to actually believe.",
"It actually sounds like the story line \"This is the house that Jack built...",
"\"\n\nThen the other angle to the book (the romantic side), is that of Emma's soon-to-be ex-husband, Jack McCallum.",
"He too happens to be a doctor, happens to be on duty in the emergency room when the astronaut's wife is brought in from the traffic collision, happens to still be in love with Emma, happens to have been an astronaut but was kept off of active assignments for medical reasons, happens to still have access to Mission Control and other pertinent rooms, happens to...",
"well you get the idea.",
"Again, way too many coincidences for my taste but necessary to bring the entire story together.",
"The book has a decent plot, but there are too many happenstance scenarios that need to take place in order for the story to move along and the organism continue on its wicked path.",
"I'm not sure if this book was written before Harvest and Bloodstream, but in my opinion, those two books were far superior to this one.",
"Gerritsen's normal style of bringing in vividly descriptive medical procedures was overshadowed by her detail to the space program (and what was with all of the acronyms that had to be looked up in a glossary in the back of the book?",
"One of my pet peeves is having to stop reading and look up an acronym!",
").",
"The ending seemed rushed and was very predictable, wavering between the medical thriller and romance genres just a bit too much.",
"Jack rescuing the love of his life with his white charger, in this case a rocket made by a non-NASA company, was inevitable.",
"And the happily-ever-after ending was a bit contrite.",
"I feel this one just stretched my imagine a bit too far.",
"It was a decent novel, but not one that I'd recommend above many of the other summer reads out there - only when there's nothing else on the bookshelf."
] |
I was really hesitant to get this game after playing "Battlefront I". However, I got a good recommendation for it and praise that it was far superior to the first. That's pretty much exactly what I wanted to hear. "Battlefront I" is really cool in concept, but it was lacking a ton. Co-op was practically useless, too fast, and virtually no story. It was just boring! Luckily just about all these misgivings I had for "Battlefront I" were fixed in "Battlefront II".
I'm personally more into co-op based games than the online multiplayer scenarios and when it came to purchasing "Battlefront I" I felt like they forgot about the fans that play co-op. Not so with "Battlefront II". My friend and I spent quite a long time playing through this games campaign setting. It was absolutely awesome! Not to mention quite challenging at times. Basically you play as part of an elite squad of Storm Troopers called the 501st. You go with them on their campaigns as the growing empire sends them out to squash dissidents. It starts off around where "Episode III" leaves off and brings you into parts of "The Empire Strikes Back". It's really interesting because you get to see where the empire started to make a decisive stranglehold on the various systems we're all familiar with. My favorite part was being able to participate in the battle at Hoth from "The Empire Strikes Back". Yes! You get to drive an AT-AT, one of my favorite weapons of the Empire! My only disappointment is that I could not fly a Star Destroyer... although I imagine that would be clunky and I would've crashed it into all kinds of things... like planets.
Anyway, the missions are pretty fun to play. They're almost way too chaotic at times though. You have defined goals and points to conquer in each mission area and you have to complete all of them in order to move onto the next mission. So in mission one you could be asked to defend a location and they have a marker there for you to stand next to. When you succeed at that objective you get more orders to complete another task and so on until that particular mission/campaign is completed. In most cases you have a finite number of troops so if you keep dying and have to keep using bodies you will fail the mission. Once you get the hang of it, it's pretty fun. Usually at the start of any new area you're pretty confused until you map it out in your head what you're supposed to do and where you're supposed to go. One mission that was especially confusing was when you play the part in "A New Hope" as Darth Vader's storm troopers board Leia's ship. At the end you're supposed to find Leia, but there's no marker and enemies respawn infinitely, so my friend and I were insanely confused on that level for a little while. It was really fun to play as Darth Vader though. Anyway, aside from intense amounts of chaos it was really fun and the maps you get to explore are huge!
Now judging by my rating you can see there were some things that I didn't like about the game. The chaotic factor in the battles can get to you after a while, but I think that's a pretty realistic feature, so my gripe really isn't with that. The worst part of this was the space battles. Luckily it gives you the option to skip these, but I would have preferred not to, honestly. The space battles are simply the most confusing thing I've ever come across! They're absolutely insane and I found the ships fairly hard to control. I could rarely figure out where I was going half the time. Maybe I just have a natural aversion to flight simulator styled games, but I was very lost on these. For another perspective, my friend who actually does like flying games hated this part of the game too. He also got lost and incredibly confused, so I guess it doesn't work like other games of this nature. Other than that the only things I wish I had access to were more character options and more access to force powers when playing a Jedi. They do give you some options to play as different storm troopers, but I think it would've been cool to have the option to play as various aliens and so forth. Maybe the game was already too big with what little they had so they had to limit it.
Anyway, as you can see this is far superior to "Battlefront I". If you're thinking about getting a Star Wars game like this, definitely get this one. You won't be disappointed and if there are parts of the campaign you don't want to do the game allows you to skip them without it hindering your ability to complete the full campaign sequence. Of course if you skip it you don't get to see the story or cinematic sequences for that level. This is also really fun because you play entirely from the Dark Side! If you really liked that part of Star Wars you'll love this. All hail the Empire!
Overall Rating: 3.3 out of 5 | 1 | neutral | [
"I was really hesitant to get this game after playing \"Battlefront I\".",
"However, I got a good recommendation for it and praise that it was far superior to the first.",
"That's pretty much exactly what I wanted to hear.",
"\"Battlefront I\" is really cool in concept, but it was lacking a ton.",
"Co-op was practically useless, too fast, and virtually no story.",
"It was just boring!",
"Luckily just about all these misgivings I had for \"Battlefront I\" were fixed in \"Battlefront II\".",
"I'm personally more into co-op based games than the online multiplayer scenarios and when it came to purchasing \"Battlefront I\" I felt like they forgot about the fans that play co-op.",
"Not so with \"Battlefront II\".",
"My friend and I spent quite a long time playing through this games campaign setting.",
"It was absolutely awesome!",
"Not to mention quite challenging at times.",
"Basically you play as part of an elite squad of Storm Troopers called the 501st.",
"You go with them on their campaigns as the growing empire sends them out to squash dissidents.",
"It starts off around where \"Episode III\" leaves off and brings you into parts of \"The Empire Strikes Back\".",
"It's really interesting because you get to see where the empire started to make a decisive stranglehold on the various systems we're all familiar with.",
"My favorite part was being able to participate in the battle at Hoth from \"The Empire Strikes Back\".",
"Yes!",
"You get to drive an AT-AT, one of my favorite weapons of the Empire!",
"My only disappointment is that I could not fly a Star Destroyer...",
"although I imagine that would be clunky and I would've crashed it into all kinds of things...",
"like planets.",
"Anyway, the missions are pretty fun to play.",
"They're almost way too chaotic at times though.",
"You have defined goals and points to conquer in each mission area and you have to complete all of them in order to move onto the next mission.",
"So in mission one you could be asked to defend a location and they have a marker there for you to stand next to.",
"When you succeed at that objective you get more orders to complete another task and so on until that particular mission/campaign is completed.",
"In most cases you have a finite number of troops so if you keep dying and have to keep using bodies you will fail the mission.",
"Once you get the hang of it, it's pretty fun.",
"Usually at the start of any new area you're pretty confused until you map it out in your head what you're supposed to do and where you're supposed to go.",
"One mission that was especially confusing was when you play the part in \"A New Hope\" as Darth Vader's storm troopers board Leia's ship.",
"At the end you're supposed to find Leia, but there's no marker and enemies respawn infinitely, so my friend and I were insanely confused on that level for a little while.",
"It was really fun to play as Darth Vader though.",
"Anyway, aside from intense amounts of chaos it was really fun and the maps you get to explore are huge!",
"Now judging by my rating you can see there were some things that I didn't like about the game.",
"The chaotic factor in the battles can get to you after a while, but I think that's a pretty realistic feature, so my gripe really isn't with that.",
"The worst part of this was the space battles.",
"Luckily it gives you the option to skip these, but I would have preferred not to, honestly.",
"The space battles are simply the most confusing thing I've ever come across!",
"They're absolutely insane and I found the ships fairly hard to control.",
"I could rarely figure out where I was going half the time.",
"Maybe I just have a natural aversion to flight simulator styled games, but I was very lost on these.",
"For another perspective, my friend who actually does like flying games hated this part of the game too.",
"He also got lost and incredibly confused, so I guess it doesn't work like other games of this nature.",
"Other than that the only things I wish I had access to were more character options and more access to force powers when playing a Jedi.",
"They do give you some options to play as different storm troopers, but I think it would've been cool to have the option to play as various aliens and so forth.",
"Maybe the game was already too big with what little they had so they had to limit it.",
"Anyway, as you can see this is far superior to \"Battlefront I\".",
"If you're thinking about getting a Star Wars game like this, definitely get this one.",
"You won't be disappointed and if there are parts of the campaign you don't want to do the game allows you to skip them without it hindering your ability to complete the full campaign sequence.",
"Of course if you skip it you don't get to see the story or cinematic sequences for that level.",
"This is also really fun because you play entirely from the Dark Side!",
"If you really liked that part of Star Wars you'll love this.",
"All hail the Empire!",
"Overall Rating: 3.",
"3 out of 5"
] |
I liked the premise of the story. Firefighter saves girl, a couple years go by the meet again and feel automatic connection. The meeting however is under tragic circumstances, but the bond is very much real to them both. A few obstacles in their way, themselves included, but they persevere.
All that sounded good, the execution just wasn't that great. I hate to say that because I wanted to like this story so much.
Without being too negative, there were a quite a few errors. I can over some spelling and grammar errors, because let face it, we all do that sometimes. What I have a hard time overlooking is the misplacement of the character's names. This happened several times in this book. She would be talking about one character, but another characters name would be there. I also felt at time that the writing was more for a younger audience.
What I loved was that she showcased the fact that firefighters are indeed heroes because they take the risk of losing their lives in the process of trying to save someone's life. This book had the positive side of that, but also the negative side and how the family and friends have to deal with the aftermath.
I also felt that all of the emotions, including the grief was true to life. I can't say that it was a complete waste of time. I actually finished it, so that's saying something. | 1 | neutral | [
"I liked the premise of the story.",
"Firefighter saves girl, a couple years go by the meet again and feel automatic connection.",
"The meeting however is under tragic circumstances, but the bond is very much real to them both.",
"A few obstacles in their way, themselves included, but they persevere.",
"All that sounded good, the execution just wasn't that great.",
"I hate to say that because I wanted to like this story so much.",
"Without being too negative, there were a quite a few errors.",
"I can over some spelling and grammar errors, because let face it, we all do that sometimes.",
"What I have a hard time overlooking is the misplacement of the character's names.",
"This happened several times in this book.",
"She would be talking about one character, but another characters name would be there.",
"I also felt at time that the writing was more for a younger audience.",
"What I loved was that she showcased the fact that firefighters are indeed heroes because they take the risk of losing their lives in the process of trying to save someone's life.",
"This book had the positive side of that, but also the negative side and how the family and friends have to deal with the aftermath.",
"I also felt that all of the emotions, including the grief was true to life.",
"I can't say that it was a complete waste of time.",
"I actually finished it, so that's saying something."
] |
Component Cables are Red/Blue/Green = Video; White/Red = Audio
Standard AV Cables are Yellow = Video; White/Red = Audio
When using the Component Cables I noticed an immediate difference in the brightness, color and resolution of multiple Wii games. It isn't quite the difference between something like Standard AV to HDMI with a system such as the PS3 or Xbox360, but enough that it will make games more enjoyable. Backgrounds include more noticeable detail, a wider variety of colors and hues, and sharper contrasts between onscreen images.
HOWEVER, I have also noticed that when using Component cables many games (but not all) have slight horizontal lines across the screen that are NOT present with the Standard Wii AV cable. Does anyone else notice the same problem? At first I thought it was an issue with my individual Wii, so I contacted Nintendo. They didn't know what I was talking about and offered no explanation. I thereafter conducted a series of tests with multiple games and alternating between component cables (on EDTV 480p) and the regular AV (standard 480i).
Please note that to switch between the progressive and interlaced resolutions, you must switch the Wii Menu settings. 480i is the setting for standard definition using AV cables and 480p is the "enhanced" resolution using the Wii component cables for an EDTV or HDTV. The Wii does not support an actual HD setting, just "enhanced." This was the precursor to HD resolutions (between HD and Standard).
Hopefully I haven't lost you yet. I read one review that says that it is difficult to turn on the system and access the menu when you switch out the cables. That isn't true. When you change cables, just turn the system off and then back on. The system will start and display the menu regardless of what cable you have in. If you have standard AV cables, it will just put itself back into 480i (interlaced) standard display. If you have component, it will leave itself in 480i unless you have switched it to 480p (progressive). Once you have switched it to progressive it will stay there until you switch out the Component cables or manually turn the setting back to Standard 480i.
I found that Smash Bros., Metroid Collection, Sin and Punishment, Punch-Out!, Okami, Mario Kart, Zack and Wiki and Warioware had absolutely perfect resolution without horizontal lines using both cords on both settings. Therefore the component cable was better due to slightly enhanced definition and color. However, on Zelda: Twilight Princess, Link's Crossbow, Tiger Woods Golf 2010 and New Super Mario Bros. I noticed the faint horizontal lines only when using component cables. It is mildly distracting, but the images and colors are still much better than standard cables. On a few games such as Dead Space: Extraction and Goldeneye I noticed the horizontal lines no matter which cables I used. However, the picture was much more difficult to see in darker areas using the standard AV cables.
There is nothing wrong with the cable. When I first noticed the issue I returned my Official Nintendo Component Cable and bought the Monster Cable (I thought it was a shielding issue at first). However, I had all of the exact same problems and experienced all of the exact same results. After once again contacting Nintendo I was told that if I continued to use the Monster Cable and experienced any type of problem with the Wii itself, I would void all warranty because I was using a third party cable. I sold the Monster Cable and repurchased the Official Nintendo cable. I experienced the exact same results once again. Therefore, the problem does not lie within the cable. In addition, because some of the games look perfect (Okami/Smash Bros) when using the component cables, I do not believe there is anything wrong with my Wii system. I have the Wii connected to a Sony Bravia XBR4 32" 1080p HDTV. Anyone able to guess what the problem is? Anyone else see these same lines appear on the screen? If it was my TV, I don't understand why I only see it on some games and not all of them. My only conclusion is that some games were not designed to be used with a component cable connection, even though I do not really understand how apparent interlacing issues would present themselves when using one type of cable from another.
So overall, the Official Nintendo Component Cable will definitely give you better colors and sharper contrasts. However, it comes at a cost in that some games "may" have faint horizontal lines in the background. It seems pretty hit or miss on which games have the problem. Okami had no problems, Dead Space: Extraction and Goldeneye had problems with both cables, and Zelda: Twilight Princess only had the problem with the Component Cable. One might ask, if you don't see the lines on as many games when using the regular cables...why even bother using the component cables? The truth is that even with the lines on some games you will notice many many more details and better visuals using the Component Cables. It would be too much of a hassle to switch out the cord between different games. So is it worth the $20-25? I'd say yes. Go with Official Nintendo brand to keep your warranty. However, be aware that this is far from perfect.
I am pretty shocked to see nobody has mentioned the issue with horizontal lines anywhere at all. Any help or comments would be appreciated.
________________________________________________________
**Update 4/7/11**
Even though Wii sales are in decline and not as many people will be reading this post, I felt it imperative to insert one more comment in regards to the "horizontal lines" noted in my review.
After some more research I found that when the Wii is connected to HDTVs using component cables, the tv will use its scaler to alter the 480p display to match the native resolution (number of dots and lines onscreen) of the tv. In the case of my Sony Bravia XBR4 this output is 1,366 dots by 768 lines.
What this means is that when some games are encoded with different numbers of lines at lower resolutions the tv scaler will "fill in" some of the lines to to match the native resolution of that individual tv. Therefore, some Wii games played on certain tvs will ALWAYS have those annoying lines when using the component cables.
If you're LUCKY, you just might own a HDtv that will properly scale problematic games. This is why some people see resolution issues whereas others will not.
Nintendo built the Wii with HD as an afterthought which makes graphical differences much more noticeable today than they were in 2006.
I would rate these cables higher than a 3/5 if Nintendo sought fit to release a software update that could address some transparency issues.
________________________________________________________
**Update 5/5/11**
I just purchased a Sharp Aquos 32" tv with Vyper drive and these lines are much less visible. When quickly panning left to right the image is slightly distored (you can see a semblance of these lines), but otherwise colors are bright and vivid without as much distortion. Therefore the problem is LIKELY what I had previously assumed: the limitations of the Wii hardware (transparency issues) together with your individual tv's scaler will affect the clarity of your games. The type of HDTV you own determine whether or not these cables will be a wise purchase.
**Update 11/21/11** Regarding Skyward Sword and NEW Wii system
As I had previously mentioned, Twilight Princess was the most problematic game for both of my tvs (highly visible horizontal lines using component cables). I tried contacting Nintendo about the problem once again, and this time they really tried to determine the source of the problem. After sending in both the game and system, they ended up replacing my original Wii with a BRAND NEW system (original, vertical standing backwards compatible model). I was ecstatic, and thought Nintendo had found a problem with some of the hardware regarding transparency issues.
However, I was soon disappointed to learn that all of my games looked exactly the same. As a test, I left widescreen enabled and switched back to 480i. The game was slightly blurry, but ALL visible horizontal lines were gone. This finally gave me definitive proof that the problem is with the tv scaler and Wii transparency issues. 480i looks exactly as it should. Progressive scan adds lines to match the tv's native resolution.
I decided to purchase Skyward Sword on release day (yesterday) because I love the Zelda games. I also felt a lot more respect for Nintendo after they went to such great lengths to attempt to rectify the issue I described to them. Unfortunately, Skyward Sword DOES suffer slightly from the same problem as many other Wii games. Skyloft has horizontal lines across clouds, and also running through the text bars at the bottom of the screen. I have a 32" tv, so sitting about 10 ft away makes them difficult to see. However, I wish I could say that all of the problems were resolved with Nintendo's newest game. IGN has a multitude of complaints about these lines on their forums:[...]
As you can see, the HDtv you own will determine the extent of the problem. Fortunately Skyward Sword is much brighter than Twilight Princess with far less lines. I wish I could say it looked perfect using component, but on my tv it does not. All in all, I just wanted to point out the validity of my previous assumptions and that neither new cables, new hardware nor any system updates will rectify the issue if the scaler in your HDtv will not properly upscale 480p.
My 3/5 star review stands based on the facts above. Buying these cables is like rolling some dice. Depending on the tv you own they will either greatly improve your experience, or enhance it slightly with a few caveats. | 1 | neutral | [
"Component Cables are Red/Blue/Green = Video; White/Red = Audio\nStandard AV Cables are Yellow = Video; White/Red = Audio\n\nWhen using the Component Cables I noticed an immediate difference in the brightness, color and resolution of multiple Wii games.",
"It isn't quite the difference between something like Standard AV to HDMI with a system such as the PS3 or Xbox360, but enough that it will make games more enjoyable.",
"Backgrounds include more noticeable detail, a wider variety of colors and hues, and sharper contrasts between onscreen images.",
"HOWEVER, I have also noticed that when using Component cables many games (but not all) have slight horizontal lines across the screen that are NOT present with the Standard Wii AV cable.",
"Does anyone else notice the same problem?",
"At first I thought it was an issue with my individual Wii, so I contacted Nintendo.",
"They didn't know what I was talking about and offered no explanation.",
"I thereafter conducted a series of tests with multiple games and alternating between component cables (on EDTV 480p) and the regular AV (standard 480i).",
"Please note that to switch between the progressive and interlaced resolutions, you must switch the Wii Menu settings.",
"480i is the setting for standard definition using AV cables and 480p is the \"enhanced\" resolution using the Wii component cables for an EDTV or HDTV.",
"The Wii does not support an actual HD setting, just \"enhanced.",
"\" This was the precursor to HD resolutions (between HD and Standard).",
"Hopefully I haven't lost you yet.",
"I read one review that says that it is difficult to turn on the system and access the menu when you switch out the cables.",
"That isn't true.",
"When you change cables, just turn the system off and then back on.",
"The system will start and display the menu regardless of what cable you have in.",
"If you have standard AV cables, it will just put itself back into 480i (interlaced) standard display.",
"If you have component, it will leave itself in 480i unless you have switched it to 480p (progressive).",
"Once you have switched it to progressive it will stay there until you switch out the Component cables or manually turn the setting back to Standard 480i.",
"I found that Smash Bros.",
", Metroid Collection, Sin and Punishment, Punch-Out!",
", Okami, Mario Kart, Zack and Wiki and Warioware had absolutely perfect resolution without horizontal lines using both cords on both settings.",
"Therefore the component cable was better due to slightly enhanced definition and color.",
"However, on Zelda: Twilight Princess, Link's Crossbow, Tiger Woods Golf 2010 and New Super Mario Bros.",
"I noticed the faint horizontal lines only when using component cables.",
"It is mildly distracting, but the images and colors are still much better than standard cables.",
"On a few games such as Dead Space: Extraction and Goldeneye I noticed the horizontal lines no matter which cables I used.",
"However, the picture was much more difficult to see in darker areas using the standard AV cables.",
"There is nothing wrong with the cable.",
"When I first noticed the issue I returned my Official Nintendo Component Cable and bought the Monster Cable (I thought it was a shielding issue at first).",
"However, I had all of the exact same problems and experienced all of the exact same results.",
"After once again contacting Nintendo I was told that if I continued to use the Monster Cable and experienced any type of problem with the Wii itself, I would void all warranty because I was using a third party cable.",
"I sold the Monster Cable and repurchased the Official Nintendo cable.",
"I experienced the exact same results once again.",
"Therefore, the problem does not lie within the cable.",
"In addition, because some of the games look perfect (Okami/Smash Bros) when using the component cables, I do not believe there is anything wrong with my Wii system.",
"I have the Wii connected to a Sony Bravia XBR4 32\" 1080p HDTV.",
"Anyone able to guess what the problem is?",
"Anyone else see these same lines appear on the screen?",
"If it was my TV, I don't understand why I only see it on some games and not all of them.",
"My only conclusion is that some games were not designed to be used with a component cable connection, even though I do not really understand how apparent interlacing issues would present themselves when using one type of cable from another.",
"So overall, the Official Nintendo Component Cable will definitely give you better colors and sharper contrasts.",
"However, it comes at a cost in that some games \"may\" have faint horizontal lines in the background.",
"It seems pretty hit or miss on which games have the problem.",
"Okami had no problems, Dead Space: Extraction and Goldeneye had problems with both cables, and Zelda: Twilight Princess only had the problem with the Component Cable.",
"One might ask, if you don't see the lines on as many games when using the regular cables...",
"why even bother using the component cables?",
"The truth is that even with the lines on some games you will notice many many more details and better visuals using the Component Cables.",
"It would be too much of a hassle to switch out the cord between different games.",
"So is it worth the $20-25?",
"I'd say yes.",
"Go with Official Nintendo brand to keep your warranty.",
"However, be aware that this is far from perfect.",
"I am pretty shocked to see nobody has mentioned the issue with horizontal lines anywhere at all.",
"Any help or comments would be appreciated.",
"________________________________________________________\n\n**Update 4/7/11**\n\nEven though Wii sales are in decline and not as many people will be reading this post, I felt it imperative to insert one more comment in regards to the \"horizontal lines\" noted in my review.",
"After some more research I found that when the Wii is connected to HDTVs using component cables, the tv will use its scaler to alter the 480p display to match the native resolution (number of dots and lines onscreen) of the tv.",
"In the case of my Sony Bravia XBR4 this output is 1,366 dots by 768 lines.",
"What this means is that when some games are encoded with different numbers of lines at lower resolutions the tv scaler will \"fill in\" some of the lines to to match the native resolution of that individual tv.",
"Therefore, some Wii games played on certain tvs will ALWAYS have those annoying lines when using the component cables.",
"If you're LUCKY, you just might own a HDtv that will properly scale problematic games.",
"This is why some people see resolution issues whereas others will not.",
"Nintendo built the Wii with HD as an afterthought which makes graphical differences much more noticeable today than they were in 2006.",
"I would rate these cables higher than a 3/5 if Nintendo sought fit to release a software update that could address some transparency issues.",
"________________________________________________________\n\n**Update 5/5/11**\n\nI just purchased a Sharp Aquos 32\" tv with Vyper drive and these lines are much less visible.",
"When quickly panning left to right the image is slightly distored (you can see a semblance of these lines), but otherwise colors are bright and vivid without as much distortion.",
"Therefore the problem is LIKELY what I had previously assumed: the limitations of the Wii hardware (transparency issues) together with your individual tv's scaler will affect the clarity of your games.",
"The type of HDTV you own determine whether or not these cables will be a wise purchase.",
"**Update 11/21/11** Regarding Skyward Sword and NEW Wii system\n\nAs I had previously mentioned, Twilight Princess was the most problematic game for both of my tvs (highly visible horizontal lines using component cables).",
"I tried contacting Nintendo about the problem once again, and this time they really tried to determine the source of the problem.",
"After sending in both the game and system, they ended up replacing my original Wii with a BRAND NEW system (original, vertical standing backwards compatible model).",
"I was ecstatic, and thought Nintendo had found a problem with some of the hardware regarding transparency issues.",
"However, I was soon disappointed to learn that all of my games looked exactly the same.",
"As a test, I left widescreen enabled and switched back to 480i.",
"The game was slightly blurry, but ALL visible horizontal lines were gone.",
"This finally gave me definitive proof that the problem is with the tv scaler and Wii transparency issues.",
"480i looks exactly as it should.",
"Progressive scan adds lines to match the tv's native resolution.",
"I decided to purchase Skyward Sword on release day (yesterday) because I love the Zelda games.",
"I also felt a lot more respect for Nintendo after they went to such great lengths to attempt to rectify the issue I described to them.",
"Unfortunately, Skyward Sword DOES suffer slightly from the same problem as many other Wii games.",
"Skyloft has horizontal lines across clouds, and also running through the text bars at the bottom of the screen.",
"I have a 32\" tv, so sitting about 10 ft away makes them difficult to see.",
"However, I wish I could say that all of the problems were resolved with Nintendo's newest game.",
"IGN has a multitude of complaints about these lines on their forums:[...",
"]\n\nAs you can see, the HDtv you own will determine the extent of the problem.",
"Fortunately Skyward Sword is much brighter than Twilight Princess with far less lines.",
"I wish I could say it looked perfect using component, but on my tv it does not.",
"All in all, I just wanted to point out the validity of my previous assumptions and that neither new cables, new hardware nor any system updates will rectify the issue if the scaler in your HDtv will not properly upscale 480p.",
"My 3/5 star review stands based on the facts above.",
"Buying these cables is like rolling some dice.",
"Depending on the tv you own they will either greatly improve your experience, or enhance it slightly with a few caveats."
] |
Mark Ecko's Getting Up: Contents Under Pressure (Atari/PS2) attempts to bring to life one of Hip-Hop's most known and practiced elements. The art of tagging can be found from the streets of New York City to the farms of Iowa to the hills of Europe and Getting Up attempts to bring that to life. The game gives users the opportunity to travel around a fictitious city (similar to NYC) tagging surfaces, and fighting cats, meanwhile building a rep in the process. There are very few, if any, games with a similar premise and Atari definitely has taken "cyber tagging" to a new level with this game.
The story revolves around Trane, a young urban misfit who hopes to get a rep by tagging over rival crews pieces and whatever surface he can get his paint on. He lives in the oppressive futuristic city of New Radius and is ambitious about becoming a star graf artist, but there are a ton of obstacles to contend with. Rival tagging crews and fascist-like police officers called the Civil Conduct Keepers (CCK) are very much interested in stopping Trane and destroying his art. These obstacles are just miniscule parts of missions given for Trane to complete however. While fighting is important, the game is clearly centered on tagging. Each mission will have Trane completing a set number of graffiti-related objectives. The actual play mechanic for laying down your tags is easily picked up and you'll add new ways to apply tags as the game progresses. However, tagging anywhere just simply isn't an option. Even if you want to tag certain areas that look like they'd be perfect locations, the game will not allow you to do it. You'll be guided in your tagging quests by your intuition. In Trane's case, his intuition shows him the way to a sweet spot for putting up his tag.
As previously mentioned, obstacles such as the rival graffiti gangs and the CCK brings us to one of the most important game aspects into play: combat. Here you use punches, kicks and even some impromptu weapons such as paint cans, poles and the like. The combat system is not exactly on the level of say, Mortal Kombat, but it does have and punch combos, grabs, and power moves. The issue is that it seems like a lot of button mashing and senseless fighting. Also, the combat controls just aren't responsive enough to make the fighting really enjoyable. In fact it is almost reminiscent of old Nintendo controls, A, B, A, B.
On a positive note, Getting Up features a very difficult to rival soundtrack, story line and dialogue to accompany game play. However, while all of Getting Up's diverse elements come together as a moderately entertaining experience; it really could have used a bit more polish before it hit store shelves. If you are in to the graf culture then this is the game for you. However, if you're looking for an epic game that requires actual skill, then Getting Up is for toys. | 1 | neutral | [
"Mark Ecko's Getting Up: Contents Under Pressure (Atari/PS2) attempts to bring to life one of Hip-Hop's most known and practiced elements.",
"The art of tagging can be found from the streets of New York City to the farms of Iowa to the hills of Europe and Getting Up attempts to bring that to life.",
"The game gives users the opportunity to travel around a fictitious city (similar to NYC) tagging surfaces, and fighting cats, meanwhile building a rep in the process.",
"There are very few, if any, games with a similar premise and Atari definitely has taken \"cyber tagging\" to a new level with this game.",
"The story revolves around Trane, a young urban misfit who hopes to get a rep by tagging over rival crews pieces and whatever surface he can get his paint on.",
"He lives in the oppressive futuristic city of New Radius and is ambitious about becoming a star graf artist, but there are a ton of obstacles to contend with.",
"Rival tagging crews and fascist-like police officers called the Civil Conduct Keepers (CCK) are very much interested in stopping Trane and destroying his art.",
"These obstacles are just miniscule parts of missions given for Trane to complete however.",
"While fighting is important, the game is clearly centered on tagging.",
"Each mission will have Trane completing a set number of graffiti-related objectives.",
"The actual play mechanic for laying down your tags is easily picked up and you'll add new ways to apply tags as the game progresses.",
"However, tagging anywhere just simply isn't an option.",
"Even if you want to tag certain areas that look like they'd be perfect locations, the game will not allow you to do it.",
"You'll be guided in your tagging quests by your intuition.",
"In Trane's case, his intuition shows him the way to a sweet spot for putting up his tag.",
"As previously mentioned, obstacles such as the rival graffiti gangs and the CCK brings us to one of the most important game aspects into play: combat.",
"Here you use punches, kicks and even some impromptu weapons such as paint cans, poles and the like.",
"The combat system is not exactly on the level of say, Mortal Kombat, but it does have and punch combos, grabs, and power moves.",
"The issue is that it seems like a lot of button mashing and senseless fighting.",
"Also, the combat controls just aren't responsive enough to make the fighting really enjoyable.",
"In fact it is almost reminiscent of old Nintendo controls, A, B, A, B.",
"On a positive note, Getting Up features a very difficult to rival soundtrack, story line and dialogue to accompany game play.",
"However, while all of Getting Up's diverse elements come together as a moderately entertaining experience; it really could have used a bit more polish before it hit store shelves.",
"If you are in to the graf culture then this is the game for you.",
"However, if you're looking for an epic game that requires actual skill, then Getting Up is for toys."
] |
This is a pretty decent look at the battle for the Huertgen Forest, otherwise known as the "forgotten front". This is one of those episodes that doesn't find frequent mention in the history books, but strangely it wound up with its own movie.
When I watched this, I couldn't help being reminded of the Vietnam flick "Platoon." The emphasis here is on showing the gritty, unglamorous side of infantry combat, and it's well done. Heroism, cowardice, mud, blood and fratricide are all featured in this story of a scared G.I. who's determined to survive the war at any cost, even if it means the loss of his honor.
The story opens with a young private, brand new to the war, who is the sole survivor after his platoon attacks a German position and is wiped out. His survival is qualification enough to earn him a promotion to sergeant, and not long after, to lieutenant. He wants neither. All he wants to do is survive at any cost, and he doesn't care what his superiors or subordinates think about it.
The action scenes are generally believable and well done, even if some of the mock-ups of the German tanks aren't. Several of the scenes are particularly intense and bloody, a little reminiscent of Private Ryan, but not to the same degree of utter carnage. In general I thought the acting was okay, but seeing Dwight Yoakam as a light colonel was a little surreal for me. The ending, in my humble opinion, was a little corny, and didn't do justice to the rest of the movie, which otherwise might have rated four stars instead of just three. Still, it's definitely worth watching for anyone who likes war flicks. | 1 | neutral | [
"This is a pretty decent look at the battle for the Huertgen Forest, otherwise known as the \"forgotten front\".",
"This is one of those episodes that doesn't find frequent mention in the history books, but strangely it wound up with its own movie.",
"When I watched this, I couldn't help being reminded of the Vietnam flick \"Platoon.",
"\" The emphasis here is on showing the gritty, unglamorous side of infantry combat, and it's well done.",
"Heroism, cowardice, mud, blood and fratricide are all featured in this story of a scared G.",
"I. who's determined to survive the war at any cost, even if it means the loss of his honor.",
"The story opens with a young private, brand new to the war, who is the sole survivor after his platoon attacks a German position and is wiped out.",
"His survival is qualification enough to earn him a promotion to sergeant, and not long after, to lieutenant.",
"He wants neither.",
"All he wants to do is survive at any cost, and he doesn't care what his superiors or subordinates think about it.",
"The action scenes are generally believable and well done, even if some of the mock-ups of the German tanks aren't.",
"Several of the scenes are particularly intense and bloody, a little reminiscent of Private Ryan, but not to the same degree of utter carnage.",
"In general I thought the acting was okay, but seeing Dwight Yoakam as a light colonel was a little surreal for me.",
"The ending, in my humble opinion, was a little corny, and didn't do justice to the rest of the movie, which otherwise might have rated four stars instead of just three.",
"Still, it's definitely worth watching for anyone who likes war flicks."
] |
It's bad enough that Electronic Arts let me down so much with its license "Two Towers" game. The graphics were poor, considering the standards set by many graphical feats like Resident Evil, Silent Hill 3, and even the Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker. The sound could have been better, and the game was very short, but was still fun to play. But to get a game based on the book that is such a tremendous let down? Good thing I got this game out of a bargain bin.
I will say that I personally feel that this games graphics were light years better than Two Towers, however, I prefer the artistic direction of the film and its licenses over the somewhat cheesy look of this video game. I must also comment that its hard for me to have to look at this games interpretations of the characters and not wish that Elijah Wood, and the other actors from the film were portraying these characters... but where this game is really going to get torn apart by me is its presentation of the story. As a long time fan of Lord of the Rings I am insulted by such a savage butchery of the story. I'm sorry but its true. Here's THE GAME that could have easily outshined the movie, it was licensed from the book, meaning they could have translated ever last detail of the novel to the book, but they didn't. The skipped past a lot of important events in the beginning, probably assuming that it would be too difficult to handle the big birthday bash... but you know what? A lot of RPG fans play for the story as well as the game play. Xenogears anyone? We sat through hours of text, and very few (that I know of) complained. This game had voice acting!
The game boasted that it would have all these intricate details (like Frodo beginning his quest on his birthday) that the movie forgot, how nice that they managed to forget a ton of important details themselves. The Council at Rivendale scene was so shorted and dumbed down it was pathetic. Its like the whole game was made just to toss Tom Bombadale out into the open... and even that was butchered. It seems to me that the experts working on the film trilogy did a much better job of making a visual interpretation of Tolkein's masterpiece than Vivindi Universal did.
Over I think I may like this game better than the Two Towers video game but only from the standpoint of being a fan of Action RPGs. On the other hand neither of the Lord of the Rings games light a candle to the book, or film that they are based on.
I sincerely hope that someday a developer will come a long who will take the license seriously, rather than just slapping a product together, slapping the popular label of Lord of the Rings on it and using it as an attempted cash cow. I am severely offended that the producers of this game spent so much time attacking the movies, yet managed to produce a product that is the biggest (...) job of a Lord of the Rings product since the cartoon Lord of the Rings from the 1970s. The movie did a much much better job. If you're a fan looking for a visual interpretation of the book, stick with the films. If I hadn't gotten this game out of a bargain bin I'd be really mad at myself for buying this game. Thankfully I paid so little for it that I might actually make a small profit were I to trade it in... But I won't because of its title. | 1 | neutral | [
"It's bad enough that Electronic Arts let me down so much with its license \"Two Towers\" game.",
"The graphics were poor, considering the standards set by many graphical feats like Resident Evil, Silent Hill 3, and even the Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker.",
"The sound could have been better, and the game was very short, but was still fun to play.",
"But to get a game based on the book that is such a tremendous let down?",
"Good thing I got this game out of a bargain bin.",
"I will say that I personally feel that this games graphics were light years better than Two Towers, however, I prefer the artistic direction of the film and its licenses over the somewhat cheesy look of this video game.",
"I must also comment that its hard for me to have to look at this games interpretations of the characters and not wish that Elijah Wood, and the other actors from the film were portraying these characters...",
"but where this game is really going to get torn apart by me is its presentation of the story.",
"As a long time fan of Lord of the Rings I am insulted by such a savage butchery of the story.",
"I'm sorry but its true.",
"Here's THE GAME that could have easily outshined the movie, it was licensed from the book, meaning they could have translated ever last detail of the novel to the book, but they didn't.",
"The skipped past a lot of important events in the beginning, probably assuming that it would be too difficult to handle the big birthday bash...",
"but you know what?",
"A lot of RPG fans play for the story as well as the game play.",
"Xenogears anyone?",
"We sat through hours of text, and very few (that I know of) complained.",
"This game had voice acting!",
"The game boasted that it would have all these intricate details (like Frodo beginning his quest on his birthday) that the movie forgot, how nice that they managed to forget a ton of important details themselves.",
"The Council at Rivendale scene was so shorted and dumbed down it was pathetic.",
"Its like the whole game was made just to toss Tom Bombadale out into the open...",
"and even that was butchered.",
"It seems to me that the experts working on the film trilogy did a much better job of making a visual interpretation of Tolkein's masterpiece than Vivindi Universal did.",
"Over I think I may like this game better than the Two Towers video game but only from the standpoint of being a fan of Action RPGs.",
"On the other hand neither of the Lord of the Rings games light a candle to the book, or film that they are based on.",
"I sincerely hope that someday a developer will come a long who will take the license seriously, rather than just slapping a product together, slapping the popular label of Lord of the Rings on it and using it as an attempted cash cow.",
"I am severely offended that the producers of this game spent so much time attacking the movies, yet managed to produce a product that is the biggest (...",
") job of a Lord of the Rings product since the cartoon Lord of the Rings from the 1970s.",
"The movie did a much much better job.",
"If you're a fan looking for a visual interpretation of the book, stick with the films.",
"If I hadn't gotten this game out of a bargain bin I'd be really mad at myself for buying this game.",
"Thankfully I paid so little for it that I might actually make a small profit were I to trade it in...",
"But I won't because of its title."
] |
Lifeline is a voice controlled video game for the PS2. You help a waitress investigate a space station, killing aliens and rescuing guests.
For most Playstation 2 users, this is the first time they'll need to buy a microphone/headset. While many XBox games (especially XBox Live) use a microphone extensively, few PS2 games have taken this step.
On first glance this seems a REALLY cool idea. You "are" a male in the game. But as a guest trapped in a monitor room, you are really "controlling" a woman, telling her what to shoot, where to check and what to do. The female character is spunky and alert, handling her gun with ease and bantering with the people she meets along the way.
The graphics are reasonably well done - the Honeymoon Suite has floor to ceiling windows that give you a nice view of earth, the rooms have an elegant, posh hotel look. There aren't rich details as in many current XBox games, but you do get a sense that you're in a space-hotel of the future.
The sounds that exist have attention to detail. As you walk across various surfaces, your footsteps change. However, usually you are just walking through an empty space-hotel so there aren't many ambient sounds, which is a shame.
But when you actually start to PLAY the game, you realize immediately the huge limitations of the voice recognition software. Your entire interface with the game is the way you speak. They begin with a tutorial which is maddening. All they say is "Good" (or "excellent") if you say the word properly, or "BAD!" if you don't say it well. They don't tell you HOW you missed - too loud? Too soft? Too high? Too low? Too fast? Too slow? I have tried this game with many different people and certain phrases - specifically "shoot shoot shoot" and another "shoot reload" sequence - could get people stuck for 10 minutes or more. The game just keeps saying "BAD" "BAD" "BAD" which gets frustrating to no end. The game seems geared towards kids' voices, if we raised the pitch of our commands and spoke quickly it eventually caught on. But the frustration level was at a pitch by then. There was no way to 'skip' a word or phrase.
This gets even worse during actual gameplay. I do admit the game is addictive so I would literally sit there for 20 minutes trying to investigate a given item on a table. "Check book" I'd say. "Leave room?" she'd say and start leaving. There's a 3 second delay where you can't say anything, and then you say "CHECK TABLE!" to get her back to the table area. Then you try again. "Check books" - and now she's heading to the bathroom.
Half of the problem is her poor ability to understand what you're saying, even if you're being extremely clear and distinct. The other half of the problem is that you don't KNOW what the things on the screen are. Case in point. At one point you're in a living area and can see various items, including a blue, striped box. You can try "check box" or "check blue box" or "check striped box" or anything else - and either she'll say "Huh?" or she'll misinterpret your phrase and go wandering off elsewhere in the room. It turns out this thing you're looking at is a RATIONS and unless you say that, she won't actually look at it.
This problem happens EVERYWHERE. On one chair is a curved object. It's a "helmet" but unless you make that leap of logic, you're doomed. In another room, a white square lays next to a bed. You can try "document" or "paper" or "report" or any other combination of words to no avail. You can try "look under bed" or "look by bed" or "white rectangle" or "white square", and either she'll look at you in glazed non-understanding or mis-interpret your command to go elsewhere. Eventually you figure out this thing is a "laptop" and she does actually try to look at it - but she can't!!
I keep playing because I want to find out if things get better. But they never do. There are "category games" where you take turns naming things - astrology signs, islands in the caribbean, cities that have football teams. But no matter how clearly you say your chosen category choices - "Capricorn!" "Aries!" "Virgo!" she says "sorry you lose! Ha ha, I win!" It is just amazingly frustrating.
Maybe someday a game will be developed that DOES understand what you are saying - and that has good enough graphics that you can see what you're trying to do in the first place. But when you combine poor graphics, no ability to zoom ON AN ITEM (the zoom just zooms to a random spot in the center of the screen), combat issues where half the time you can't see what you are fighting, and a voice recognition system that wastes 20 minutes on an unimportant object in a room, the game tests even the most patient of adventure-game lovers' nerves.
A good game to play to see the direction that adventure game is heading in. But this is NOT quick to play. Allocate many, many days to get through this one. | 1 | neutral | [
"Lifeline is a voice controlled video game for the PS2.",
"You help a waitress investigate a space station, killing aliens and rescuing guests.",
"For most Playstation 2 users, this is the first time they'll need to buy a microphone/headset.",
"While many XBox games (especially XBox Live) use a microphone extensively, few PS2 games have taken this step.",
"On first glance this seems a REALLY cool idea.",
"You \"are\" a male in the game.",
"But as a guest trapped in a monitor room, you are really \"controlling\" a woman, telling her what to shoot, where to check and what to do.",
"The female character is spunky and alert, handling her gun with ease and bantering with the people she meets along the way.",
"The graphics are reasonably well done - the Honeymoon Suite has floor to ceiling windows that give you a nice view of earth, the rooms have an elegant, posh hotel look.",
"There aren't rich details as in many current XBox games, but you do get a sense that you're in a space-hotel of the future.",
"The sounds that exist have attention to detail.",
"As you walk across various surfaces, your footsteps change.",
"However, usually you are just walking through an empty space-hotel so there aren't many ambient sounds, which is a shame.",
"But when you actually start to PLAY the game, you realize immediately the huge limitations of the voice recognition software.",
"Your entire interface with the game is the way you speak.",
"They begin with a tutorial which is maddening.",
"All they say is \"Good\" (or \"excellent\") if you say the word properly, or \"BAD!",
"\" if you don't say it well.",
"They don't tell you HOW you missed - too loud?",
"Too soft?",
"Too high?",
"Too low?",
"Too fast?",
"Too slow?",
"I have tried this game with many different people and certain phrases - specifically \"shoot shoot shoot\" and another \"shoot reload\" sequence - could get people stuck for 10 minutes or more.",
"The game just keeps saying \"BAD\" \"BAD\" \"BAD\" which gets frustrating to no end.",
"The game seems geared towards kids' voices, if we raised the pitch of our commands and spoke quickly it eventually caught on.",
"But the frustration level was at a pitch by then.",
"There was no way to 'skip' a word or phrase.",
"This gets even worse during actual gameplay.",
"I do admit the game is addictive so I would literally sit there for 20 minutes trying to investigate a given item on a table.",
"\"Check book\" I'd say.",
"\"Leave room?",
"\" she'd say and start leaving.",
"There's a 3 second delay where you can't say anything, and then you say \"CHECK TABLE!",
"\" to get her back to the table area.",
"Then you try again.",
"\"Check books\" - and now she's heading to the bathroom.",
"Half of the problem is her poor ability to understand what you're saying, even if you're being extremely clear and distinct.",
"The other half of the problem is that you don't KNOW what the things on the screen are.",
"Case in point.",
"At one point you're in a living area and can see various items, including a blue, striped box.",
"You can try \"check box\" or \"check blue box\" or \"check striped box\" or anything else - and either she'll say \"Huh?",
"\" or she'll misinterpret your phrase and go wandering off elsewhere in the room.",
"It turns out this thing you're looking at is a RATIONS and unless you say that, she won't actually look at it.",
"This problem happens EVERYWHERE.",
"On one chair is a curved object.",
"It's a \"helmet\" but unless you make that leap of logic, you're doomed.",
"In another room, a white square lays next to a bed.",
"You can try \"document\" or \"paper\" or \"report\" or any other combination of words to no avail.",
"You can try \"look under bed\" or \"look by bed\" or \"white rectangle\" or \"white square\", and either she'll look at you in glazed non-understanding or mis-interpret your command to go elsewhere.",
"Eventually you figure out this thing is a \"laptop\" and she does actually try to look at it - but she can't!!",
"I keep playing because I want to find out if things get better.",
"But they never do.",
"There are \"category games\" where you take turns naming things - astrology signs, islands in the caribbean, cities that have football teams.",
"But no matter how clearly you say your chosen category choices - \"Capricorn!",
"\" \"Aries!",
"\" \"Virgo!",
"\" she says \"sorry you lose!",
"Ha ha, I win!",
"\" It is just amazingly frustrating.",
"Maybe someday a game will be developed that DOES understand what you are saying - and that has good enough graphics that you can see what you're trying to do in the first place.",
"But when you combine poor graphics, no ability to zoom ON AN ITEM (the zoom just zooms to a random spot in the center of the screen), combat issues where half the time you can't see what you are fighting, and a voice recognition system that wastes 20 minutes on an unimportant object in a room, the game tests even the most patient of adventure-game lovers' nerves.",
"A good game to play to see the direction that adventure game is heading in.",
"But this is NOT quick to play.",
"Allocate many, many days to get through this one."
] |
Okay, this game sold a million or so units worldwide, but this game falls in the same vein as Max Payne and Dead to Rights.
But here's the real deal on the game. This game does have some excellent film footage from the movie "Matrix: Reloaded" and some extra footage to provide some extra background that was shown near the end of the movie. The environments actually resemble those encountered in the movie; and in fact, the character models as well. However, the environmental graphics and graphics overall are about Dead to Rights quality; in other words, very arcade-like. The character movement is not quite as fluid as expected, but it's palatable. The default controls are a wee bit awkward, but it's usable. The hacking (cheat) system is the most unique cheat system that I have ever encountered, and this feature, not the films or the game itself, that makes this game worth keeping. Overall, this game is fairly decent, but don't expect anything new. As I said to other people, this game is essentially a "glorified Max Payne." | 1 | neutral | [
"Okay, this game sold a million or so units worldwide, but this game falls in the same vein as Max Payne and Dead to Rights.",
"But here's the real deal on the game.",
"This game does have some excellent film footage from the movie \"Matrix: Reloaded\" and some extra footage to provide some extra background that was shown near the end of the movie.",
"The environments actually resemble those encountered in the movie; and in fact, the character models as well.",
"However, the environmental graphics and graphics overall are about Dead to Rights quality; in other words, very arcade-like.",
"The character movement is not quite as fluid as expected, but it's palatable.",
"The default controls are a wee bit awkward, but it's usable.",
"The hacking (cheat) system is the most unique cheat system that I have ever encountered, and this feature, not the films or the game itself, that makes this game worth keeping.",
"Overall, this game is fairly decent, but don't expect anything new.",
"As I said to other people, this game is essentially a \"glorified Max Payne.",
"\""
] |
I am submitting another review. I am working on a project today and had to sharpen some more pencils. More cores are broken within the pencil. These are brand new. I have not removed them from my art station since they were delivered so damage could not have happened after arrival of the product. I have seen other reviews stating the cores break easily. I have also seen recommendations on youtube to melt them back together. I don't really have the time to watch over a pencil inside a heating pad to wait for it melt back together. Perhaps the seller has another suggestion for me regarding the breakage. Thank you. | 1 | neutral | [
"I am submitting another review.",
"I am working on a project today and had to sharpen some more pencils.",
"More cores are broken within the pencil.",
"These are brand new.",
"I have not removed them from my art station since they were delivered so damage could not have happened after arrival of the product.",
"I have seen other reviews stating the cores break easily.",
"I have also seen recommendations on youtube to melt them back together.",
"I don't really have the time to watch over a pencil inside a heating pad to wait for it melt back together.",
"Perhaps the seller has another suggestion for me regarding the breakage.",
"Thank you."
] |
The game has the best adaptation to the 3rd edition rules. The character models look great and the landscapes, while 2D, get you in the mood they are trying to set.
In this game, like Icewind Dale, you can create a whole party. This was a lot of fun.
Sadly the game play itself was not as great. I enjoyed the Hommlet portion. The side quests are mostly FedEX quests and it just takes time to complete. The adventure 'dungeon' was fun and almost room for room from the module in terms of locations. The Temple of Elemental Evil itself was just too large (again, much like the module). If you take a wrong turn (and I took several) you end up in rooms where you can not possibly survive (I know, I died many, many times in these places).
Overall: The engine was well done and could be used for future games. Making a 'module' based system where you buy the modules to play would probably stretch the value for this game. Though the programmers need to put a bit more 'role-playing' in this 'roll-playing' game. | 1 | neutral | [
"The game has the best adaptation to the 3rd edition rules.",
"The character models look great and the landscapes, while 2D, get you in the mood they are trying to set.",
"In this game, like Icewind Dale, you can create a whole party.",
"This was a lot of fun.",
"Sadly the game play itself was not as great.",
"I enjoyed the Hommlet portion.",
"The side quests are mostly FedEX quests and it just takes time to complete.",
"The adventure 'dungeon' was fun and almost room for room from the module in terms of locations.",
"The Temple of Elemental Evil itself was just too large (again, much like the module).",
"If you take a wrong turn (and I took several) you end up in rooms where you can not possibly survive (I know, I died many, many times in these places).",
"Overall: The engine was well done and could be used for future games.",
"Making a 'module' based system where you buy the modules to play would probably stretch the value for this game.",
"Though the programmers need to put a bit more 'role-playing' in this 'roll-playing' game."
] |
yes , i did . emm ... very good place ... because emm ... -lrb- sniffs , looks up thinking -rrb- it is a quiet place ... and ... emm ... people there are more professional an families and they're not ... not many students there . ehh ... | 1 | neutral | [
"yes , i did.",
"emm...",
"very good place...",
"because emm...",
"-lrb- sniffs , looks up thinking -rrb- it is a quiet place...",
"and...",
"emm...",
"people there are more professional an families and they're not...",
"not many students there.",
"ehh..."
] |
John Updike, writing about this novel, says that "a novel of real ambition must invent its own language." This novel certainly does invent its own language, but that doesn't make it a great novel. Frankly, I disagree with Updike's assertion; there are plenty of great, ambitious novels whose strengths lie in character delevopment, epic sweep, great dialogue, deep insights into human nature, etc. and don't invent their own language. But whether Updike is correct is neither here nor there. The newly invented language in this novel is cute for about twenty pages, then grows tiresome and feels forced. It tends to confuse and bewilder more than impress. Countless catchy turns of phrase simply had me scratching my head.
Furthermore, the plot meanders aimlessly in a way that is at best distracting. Roy is ambitious in her plot structure, too ambitious in my opinion. A simpler narration would have been far more powerful. This novel is a perfect example of a gifted yet inexperienced author reaching too far and coming up short. | 1 | neutral | [
"John Updike, writing about this novel, says that \"a novel of real ambition must invent its own language.",
"\" This novel certainly does invent its own language, but that doesn't make it a great novel.",
"Frankly, I disagree with Updike's assertion; there are plenty of great, ambitious novels whose strengths lie in character delevopment, epic sweep, great dialogue, deep insights into human nature, etc.",
"and don't invent their own language.",
"But whether Updike is correct is neither here nor there.",
"The newly invented language in this novel is cute for about twenty pages, then grows tiresome and feels forced.",
"It tends to confuse and bewilder more than impress.",
"Countless catchy turns of phrase simply had me scratching my head.",
"Furthermore, the plot meanders aimlessly in a way that is at best distracting.",
"Roy is ambitious in her plot structure, too ambitious in my opinion.",
"A simpler narration would have been far more powerful.",
"This novel is a perfect example of a gifted yet inexperienced author reaching too far and coming up short."
] |
Let me start by saying, I am not a Madden Fanboy and go back to 2K football on my beloved Dreamcast. 2K5 football was the best football game ever made, so I had very high hoped for this game bringing me similar joy for my 360. I'm just going to give you all the basics on my review, because I don't feel like giving a thesis style review any longer. The game created on the premise of playing with All-Pro football players, along with either computer generated players, or your own creations. That being said, there are simply too few "legends" and many of them had modest NFL careers. With so many retired or dead former NFL players, why is Brian Bosworth and others like him in the game? So the former great roster isn't that deep, but the names of Rice, Marino, Star, Unitus, Sanders, and Earl Campbell are nice to play with. There are many former greats, but too many not so greats take up too much on the legends of the game rosters. Lets get to the meat: graphics and gameplay.
Graphics are nothing more than my Xbox version in HD. There is a little more detail, but it is nothing like Madden 07. Not even close and this is very disappointing that I'm just playing a 2k5 type game on the 360. Don't get me wrong, everything looks nice but its not next gen at all. Same old 2k5 engine, same voice over and its very very disappointing from the eye candy standpoint.
Gameplay: This game seems so much slow than Madden 07 even on all-pro settings. You have the typical formations from 2k5 with similar controls for both passing and running. Nothing really new here, except certain legends has the skill to steal a signal, so you can blitz or change the play accordingly. Then there is kicking interface to deal with. This is just plain horrible 2K! Maybe kicking and punting is too easy on Madden and on 2K5, but this Mike Tyson....LUDICROUS!!! There is no direction bar or power up bar...its all about timing. YOu simply hold the right stick back and then push it forward to kick as you approach the ball. Easy enough you say? I'll make a 41 yard field goal, but then miss several 25 yard ones. You'll literally kick the ball all over the place, unless you get your timing down. Then your right stick better be centered and not slightly off because it will effect the kick...so frustrating.
The only....only I say...redeeming quality of this game is the team creation mode, and thats it! You can create your team from a list of chosen cities and given team logos. You can then change the colors anyway you want. You can create rosters to your liking and play with them online! I have created 3 teams, and one of them is loaded with Harry Potter created players, another one from my HS football teammates, and the last one is my family members. This is the reason for buying this game, and this is what makes it fun. You can constantly change your rosters to your liking so you aren't stuck with typical preset Madden roster.
In all, 2k really dropped the ball with this game. Its like when I went to see T3 a decade after seeing T2. There was such a huge letdown, though it was still a good movie. This game is that way to me. Its better than NFL Fever for the Xbox, but way less than Madden 07 for the 360. 2K was on the right track with this game, but the $60 price tag isn't justified. I hope they make a new version next year, with updated graphics engine, new announcers, and a better playbook. Thats another thing..the playbooks are basically the same for all teams. This is a good game, but don't buy it new or right now. Wait a few weeks or buy it new. I'm stunned to see 40 copies selling used on Amazon at the time of my review. Oops...i did write alot of mess here, but at least it wasn't in thesis form. The game is good..not great and doesn't justify the Sixty dollar price tag. Buy it used or wait for a sale. | 1 | neutral | [
"Let me start by saying, I am not a Madden Fanboy and go back to 2K football on my beloved Dreamcast.",
"2K5 football was the best football game ever made, so I had very high hoped for this game bringing me similar joy for my 360.",
"I'm just going to give you all the basics on my review, because I don't feel like giving a thesis style review any longer.",
"The game created on the premise of playing with All-Pro football players, along with either computer generated players, or your own creations.",
"That being said, there are simply too few \"legends\" and many of them had modest NFL careers.",
"With so many retired or dead former NFL players, why is Brian Bosworth and others like him in the game?",
"So the former great roster isn't that deep, but the names of Rice, Marino, Star, Unitus, Sanders, and Earl Campbell are nice to play with.",
"There are many former greats, but too many not so greats take up too much on the legends of the game rosters.",
"Lets get to the meat: graphics and gameplay.",
"Graphics are nothing more than my Xbox version in HD.",
"There is a little more detail, but it is nothing like Madden 07.",
"Not even close and this is very disappointing that I'm just playing a 2k5 type game on the 360.",
"Don't get me wrong, everything looks nice but its not next gen at all.",
"Same old 2k5 engine, same voice over and its very very disappointing from the eye candy standpoint.",
"Gameplay: This game seems so much slow than Madden 07 even on all-pro settings.",
"You have the typical formations from 2k5 with similar controls for both passing and running.",
"Nothing really new here, except certain legends has the skill to steal a signal, so you can blitz or change the play accordingly.",
"Then there is kicking interface to deal with.",
"This is just plain horrible 2K!",
"Maybe kicking and punting is too easy on Madden and on 2K5, but this Mike Tyson....",
"LUDICROUS!!!",
"There is no direction bar or power up bar...",
"its all about timing.",
"YOu simply hold the right stick back and then push it forward to kick as you approach the ball.",
"Easy enough you say?",
"I'll make a 41 yard field goal, but then miss several 25 yard ones.",
"You'll literally kick the ball all over the place, unless you get your timing down.",
"Then your right stick better be centered and not slightly off because it will effect the kick...",
"so frustrating.",
"The only....",
"only I say...",
"redeeming quality of this game is the team creation mode, and thats it!",
"You can create your team from a list of chosen cities and given team logos.",
"You can then change the colors anyway you want.",
"You can create rosters to your liking and play with them online!",
"I have created 3 teams, and one of them is loaded with Harry Potter created players, another one from my HS football teammates, and the last one is my family members.",
"This is the reason for buying this game, and this is what makes it fun.",
"You can constantly change your rosters to your liking so you aren't stuck with typical preset Madden roster.",
"In all, 2k really dropped the ball with this game.",
"Its like when I went to see T3 a decade after seeing T2.",
"There was such a huge letdown, though it was still a good movie.",
"This game is that way to me.",
"Its better than NFL Fever for the Xbox, but way less than Madden 07 for the 360.",
"2K was on the right track with this game, but the $60 price tag isn't justified.",
"I hope they make a new version next year, with updated graphics engine, new announcers, and a better playbook.",
"Thats another thing..",
"the playbooks are basically the same for all teams.",
"This is a good game, but don't buy it new or right now.",
"Wait a few weeks or buy it new.",
"I'm stunned to see 40 copies selling used on Amazon at the time of my review.",
"Oops...",
"i did write alot of mess here, but at least it wasn't in thesis form.",
"The game is good..",
"not great and doesn't justify the Sixty dollar price tag.",
"Buy it used or wait for a sale."
] |
It was the Kindle itself that made me decide that I wanted an e-reader. When Kindle 2 came out, I decided it was finally time to purchase one, and decided to use Amazon's customer reviews to guide me. Several things stood out to me that I believed would be a problem for me in the future that I could not overlook: the proprietary nature of the Kindle e-book format and inability to read other formats, the absence of an expansion slot for an SD card, and the organizational issues that people were having with their books on the device when not using the online services. After searching for a bit, I discovered that almost all the complaints from Kindle 2 users were addressed by Barnes & Noble in the Nook, including the (limited) ability to loan books (which wasn't really an issue for me, but I could see as a plus in the future.)
The device is beautiful, and it feels good in my hands. It is a joy to read on it, and I find the size is perfect for me. After I was able to get it out of its substantial and extremely protective packing,I plugged it in to charge per the instructions and proceeded to try it out. When I pulled up a book that I had been reading using their e-reader software while waiting for my Nook to arrive, it froze on the loading screen and could not be rebooted using any method in their manual. Upon searching the forums, I discovered that if your device and B&N's library are out of sync, the software gets "confused" about what page to open to and will freeze. The solution was to completely remove the battery and plug the machine in without it before re-inserting the battery. That was rather annoying, but the version update seemed to fix that problem for me.
I gave the device 4 stars out of 5 because it has the potential to be perfect, but has a few issues that leave it short of the mark. The first is that the battery management leaves a LOT to be desired. It simply doesn't perform as advertised. It sucks battery power like mad (for an e-reader) even with all their power-saving strategies in place. If you are in a position to charge your Nook every night or ever other night, then this wouldn't be an issue for you. The second is that the response of the machine is laggy. I understand that it is improved from where it started, but even so, it is slow to load, and slow to respond to taps and key presses. Even so, it's still not slower than turning a page in an actual book. It makes entering anything in via keyboard excruciating.
The 3G is amazing. I love the ability to "interface with the mother-ship" as someone on the forums so aptly termed it. I love the ability to "hot-spot" my home network to increase my interface speed. I love to buy a book from my wish-list on a whim and at the push of a button. I love the ability to scroll through the book covers to find the novel I want without having to tab through every book I own. I don't love how much the touchpad sucks the battery. It's a very cool tool that must be used sparingly, and as such, almost completely takes the advantage of having it away. I don't like that the entire back has to pop off to get to the battery or the SD card. I had envisioned buying a batch of cards and using them as a kind of "bookshelf". However, the inability to easily access it takes the convenience of that away as well. The expansion and extra storage is there, but will only be of efficient use if you want to expand beyond 1,500 books to 1,501 and so on.
I had rather hoped that I could replace my book-buying habit with e-books, but have since discovered that not all the books I want are in e-book format, Kindle or otherwise. No Harry Potter books? That one hurts. Ender's Game Series? Negative. Stephen Lawhead? Many of those I can't replace with digital copies. Oh so much older science fiction that I'd love to have at my fingertips...we're just not there yet.
Bottom line, though: if the battery were to last the full 10 days using it under standard reading conditions, if I could easily organize my books into a logical order that I like and not have to use the virtual keyboard to search, and if the response of the system were quick enough to make the virtual keyboard easier to use, it would be everything that I want it to be. The rest is up to the authors and their publishers.
**EDIT 08-23-11**
Well, I had to send the first unit back after 7 months of use because one of the arrow buttons cracked in the middle, and I almost exclusively use the window-swipe portion for page turning, which is a feature I really adore. No problem, they shipped me a new (refurbished, as per the rules) one without no trouble at all. In fact, they had a new one to me within a few days, at which point all I had to do was package it in the same box and return it. Great customer service.
HOWEVER...over the months since, I have experienced the e-ink display "greying-out" a bit at a time. The text become lighter and more difficult to read. It would become dark again when I flipped the page, but still disconcerting. Fast-forward to a week ago. There was a hardware update for the machine, and once complete, I now have screen artifacts that will not go away. It started as one horizontal and one vertical line. I reset it to factory defaults, but it was too late. More appeared, along with darkening of the screen to the point that I can no longer see anything and have to reset it. The screen is ruined. I don't know what happened, but since then it has gotten even worse. It is no longer possible for me to read on it, it's out of warranty, and I cannot afford to replace it with a 3g version. So...although I loved it, I no longer trust Nook. I will miss it, but I think it's time to finally go with Kindle. Now how the heck am I ever going to replace all those books I bought that I can no longer READ?? I realize that isn't exclusively a Barnes and Noble issue, but I paid for a book that I can no longer LEGALLY read on another device. Just shows you that you have to make sure you have a reliable reader before plopping down hundreds of dollars. | 1 | neutral | [
"It was the Kindle itself that made me decide that I wanted an e-reader.",
"When Kindle 2 came out, I decided it was finally time to purchase one, and decided to use Amazon's customer reviews to guide me.",
"Several things stood out to me that I believed would be a problem for me in the future that I could not overlook: the proprietary nature of the Kindle e-book format and inability to read other formats, the absence of an expansion slot for an SD card, and the organizational issues that people were having with their books on the device when not using the online services.",
"After searching for a bit, I discovered that almost all the complaints from Kindle 2 users were addressed by Barnes & Noble in the Nook, including the (limited) ability to loan books (which wasn't really an issue for me, but I could see as a plus in the future.",
")\n\nThe device is beautiful, and it feels good in my hands.",
"It is a joy to read on it, and I find the size is perfect for me.",
"After I was able to get it out of its substantial and extremely protective packing,I plugged it in to charge per the instructions and proceeded to try it out.",
"When I pulled up a book that I had been reading using their e-reader software while waiting for my Nook to arrive, it froze on the loading screen and could not be rebooted using any method in their manual.",
"Upon searching the forums, I discovered that if your device and B&N's library are out of sync, the software gets \"confused\" about what page to open to and will freeze.",
"The solution was to completely remove the battery and plug the machine in without it before re-inserting the battery.",
"That was rather annoying, but the version update seemed to fix that problem for me.",
"I gave the device 4 stars out of 5 because it has the potential to be perfect, but has a few issues that leave it short of the mark.",
"The first is that the battery management leaves a LOT to be desired.",
"It simply doesn't perform as advertised.",
"It sucks battery power like mad (for an e-reader) even with all their power-saving strategies in place.",
"If you are in a position to charge your Nook every night or ever other night, then this wouldn't be an issue for you.",
"The second is that the response of the machine is laggy.",
"I understand that it is improved from where it started, but even so, it is slow to load, and slow to respond to taps and key presses.",
"Even so, it's still not slower than turning a page in an actual book.",
"It makes entering anything in via keyboard excruciating.",
"The 3G is amazing.",
"I love the ability to \"interface with the mother-ship\" as someone on the forums so aptly termed it.",
"I love the ability to \"hot-spot\" my home network to increase my interface speed.",
"I love to buy a book from my wish-list on a whim and at the push of a button.",
"I love the ability to scroll through the book covers to find the novel I want without having to tab through every book I own.",
"I don't love how much the touchpad sucks the battery.",
"It's a very cool tool that must be used sparingly, and as such, almost completely takes the advantage of having it away.",
"I don't like that the entire back has to pop off to get to the battery or the SD card.",
"I had envisioned buying a batch of cards and using them as a kind of \"bookshelf\".",
"However, the inability to easily access it takes the convenience of that away as well.",
"The expansion and extra storage is there, but will only be of efficient use if you want to expand beyond 1,500 books to 1,501 and so on.",
"I had rather hoped that I could replace my book-buying habit with e-books, but have since discovered that not all the books I want are in e-book format, Kindle or otherwise.",
"No Harry Potter books?",
"That one hurts.",
"Ender's Game Series?",
"Negative.",
"Stephen Lawhead?",
"Many of those I can't replace with digital copies.",
"Oh so much older science fiction that I'd love to have at my fingertips...",
"we're just not there yet.",
"Bottom line, though: if the battery were to last the full 10 days using it under standard reading conditions, if I could easily organize my books into a logical order that I like and not have to use the virtual keyboard to search, and if the response of the system were quick enough to make the virtual keyboard easier to use, it would be everything that I want it to be.",
"The rest is up to the authors and their publishers.",
"**EDIT 08-23-11**\nWell, I had to send the first unit back after 7 months of use because one of the arrow buttons cracked in the middle, and I almost exclusively use the window-swipe portion for page turning, which is a feature I really adore.",
"No problem, they shipped me a new (refurbished, as per the rules) one without no trouble at all.",
"In fact, they had a new one to me within a few days, at which point all I had to do was package it in the same box and return it.",
"Great customer service.",
"HOWEVER...",
"over the months since, I have experienced the e-ink display \"greying-out\" a bit at a time.",
"The text become lighter and more difficult to read.",
"It would become dark again when I flipped the page, but still disconcerting.",
"Fast-forward to a week ago.",
"There was a hardware update for the machine, and once complete, I now have screen artifacts that will not go away.",
"It started as one horizontal and one vertical line.",
"I reset it to factory defaults, but it was too late.",
"More appeared, along with darkening of the screen to the point that I can no longer see anything and have to reset it.",
"The screen is ruined.",
"I don't know what happened, but since then it has gotten even worse.",
"It is no longer possible for me to read on it, it's out of warranty, and I cannot afford to replace it with a 3g version.",
"So...",
"although I loved it, I no longer trust Nook.",
"I will miss it, but I think it's time to finally go with Kindle.",
"Now how the heck am I ever going to replace all those books I bought that I can no longer READ??",
"I realize that isn't exclusively a Barnes and Noble issue, but I paid for a book that I can no longer LEGALLY read on another device.",
"Just shows you that you have to make sure you have a reliable reader before plopping down hundreds of dollars."
] |
These come in a cute box that does warn not to use these on thin skin, irritated, or sensitive skin. I had put a streak on my leg with some self-tanner to test this with, right on the front of my shin, and it came off quickly without a lot of rubbing at all. It left the sponge looking like it had just a bit of makeup on it. I just wet the area that I was going to use, and rubbed it up and down about twice and the streak was gone. My skin is ok- my skin is normally pretty good though and doesn't get irritated easily.
However, these really are just small, decorative melamine sponges and they won't last for long if they are used a lot. They are a good quality, supple melamine at least. They really are quite abrasive and I've no doubt this is working by taking the top layer of skin off. The potential to damage skin is definitely there if one is not careful.
It leaves me feeling a bit ambivalent about this product. It does work, but there are less expensive melamine sponges, and it should be used with a lot of care not to abrade the skin too much. | 1 | neutral | [
"These come in a cute box that does warn not to use these on thin skin, irritated, or sensitive skin.",
"I had put a streak on my leg with some self-tanner to test this with, right on the front of my shin, and it came off quickly without a lot of rubbing at all.",
"It left the sponge looking like it had just a bit of makeup on it.",
"I just wet the area that I was going to use, and rubbed it up and down about twice and the streak was gone.",
"My skin is ok- my skin is normally pretty good though and doesn't get irritated easily.",
"However, these really are just small, decorative melamine sponges and they won't last for long if they are used a lot.",
"They are a good quality, supple melamine at least.",
"They really are quite abrasive and I've no doubt this is working by taking the top layer of skin off.",
"The potential to damage skin is definitely there if one is not careful.",
"It leaves me feeling a bit ambivalent about this product.",
"It does work, but there are less expensive melamine sponges, and it should be used with a lot of care not to abrade the skin too much."
] |
I must admit that when I first heard that Capcom was cooking up a Mega Man X RPG, I was very interested. Considering the state of his side-scrolling adventures in the past few years, and even if Mega Man X8 was pretty decent, that game alone isn't enough to bring the series back from the dead.
Originally I had planned to buy this game soon after it came out, but I decided to wait until a price drop due to the fact my friend purchased it before I did and informed me that the game could be completed in a mere 25-30 hours. Call me cheap, call me spoiled from Square-Enix titles, but when I put down 40-50 dollars for a RPG, I usually expect 60+ hours of gameplay at least.
The small gameplay time factor aside, Mega Man X Command Mission is a pretty faithful rendition of X and and crew in a PRG world. The game isn't gonna knock your socks off, or win any awards, but Capcom could have done a lot worse than they did (as if they haven't proven that with the X series).
On the negative side, the game does have it's downs. The battle system is decent, but mainly borrows bits and pieces from almost anykind of RPG battle system you can think of. The battle system's only spark of originally it the Final Strike ability, which I must admit is cool destroying an enemy with a massive volley of attacks, like the first 50 times you do it. After that, it just gets annoying having to mash all the buttons on the controller (couldn't have they put an auto mode in there?). Also, some of the Action Triggers get quite old after doing them over and over, but not to the point of Legend of Dragoon's Addition System (which ranks as my all-time crap of a battle system).
The dungeon layout has to be game's weakest overall aspect, most of which just consist of rooms, hallways, rooms, oh, what's this, ah, another hallway! (oh, and your occansional lift or elevator). They really leave something to be desired, especially when compared to the dungeon designs and layouts in Mega Man Legends 2, which where great (speaking of which, are they ever gonna make another one of those?)
The game's story is another stumbling block. It's not horrible, it is just really disposable. All the twists in the plot are pretty much no brainers, does Capcom think that gamers have the attention span of a goldfish or something? To add to the overly simplified storyline, Capcom pulls a 180 on you buy trying to introduce this whole "are the bad guys really that bad for having a different view or prospective of the world" or "who are you to judge us and our actions" thing. Seriously, what's so wrong with the whole: there's the enemy, their bad, shoot them thing.
Overall, If you like Mega Man and RPG's this is a no-brainer of a purpose. If you like RPG's and don't like Mega Man, you can live without playing this (unless you've decemated every other RPG on the market). | 1 | neutral | [
"I must admit that when I first heard that Capcom was cooking up a Mega Man X RPG, I was very interested.",
"Considering the state of his side-scrolling adventures in the past few years, and even if Mega Man X8 was pretty decent, that game alone isn't enough to bring the series back from the dead.",
"Originally I had planned to buy this game soon after it came out, but I decided to wait until a price drop due to the fact my friend purchased it before I did and informed me that the game could be completed in a mere 25-30 hours.",
"Call me cheap, call me spoiled from Square-Enix titles, but when I put down 40-50 dollars for a RPG, I usually expect 60+ hours of gameplay at least.",
"The small gameplay time factor aside, Mega Man X Command Mission is a pretty faithful rendition of X and and crew in a PRG world.",
"The game isn't gonna knock your socks off, or win any awards, but Capcom could have done a lot worse than they did (as if they haven't proven that with the X series).",
"On the negative side, the game does have it's downs.",
"The battle system is decent, but mainly borrows bits and pieces from almost anykind of RPG battle system you can think of.",
"The battle system's only spark of originally it the Final Strike ability, which I must admit is cool destroying an enemy with a massive volley of attacks, like the first 50 times you do it.",
"After that, it just gets annoying having to mash all the buttons on the controller (couldn't have they put an auto mode in there?",
").",
"Also, some of the Action Triggers get quite old after doing them over and over, but not to the point of Legend of Dragoon's Addition System (which ranks as my all-time crap of a battle system).",
"The dungeon layout has to be game's weakest overall aspect, most of which just consist of rooms, hallways, rooms, oh, what's this, ah, another hallway!",
"(oh, and your occansional lift or elevator).",
"They really leave something to be desired, especially when compared to the dungeon designs and layouts in Mega Man Legends 2, which where great (speaking of which, are they ever gonna make another one of those?",
")\n\nThe game's story is another stumbling block.",
"It's not horrible, it is just really disposable.",
"All the twists in the plot are pretty much no brainers, does Capcom think that gamers have the attention span of a goldfish or something?",
"To add to the overly simplified storyline, Capcom pulls a 180 on you buy trying to introduce this whole \"are the bad guys really that bad for having a different view or prospective of the world\" or \"who are you to judge us and our actions\" thing.",
"Seriously, what's so wrong with the whole: there's the enemy, their bad, shoot them thing.",
"Overall, If you like Mega Man and RPG's this is a no-brainer of a purpose.",
"If you like RPG's and don't like Mega Man, you can live without playing this (unless you've decemated every other RPG on the market)."
] |
Despite the old heads whose opinions it is that these do not work, there has to be some truth to their rumors. This has always given me seemingly accurate, never bizarre, readings.
To test, I tested my aquarium water and recorded it.
I then rinsed the hydrometer with fresh bottled water, and let air dry.
I then filled the hydrometer with pure bottled water. (Fiji) obviously this registered at 0, and I let air dry.
I finally mixed, to the 'T' 5 gallons of saltwater to the specific gravity advertised on the bag of salt mix. I then took the SG and it matched, within maybe .005 of the preferred SG.
As far as I'm concerned that's a win for this little hydrometer. I'd love to be able to buy an expensive refractometer, but I'm Ballin on a budget. | 1 | neutral | [
"Despite the old heads whose opinions it is that these do not work, there has to be some truth to their rumors.",
"This has always given me seemingly accurate, never bizarre, readings.",
"To test, I tested my aquarium water and recorded it.",
"I then rinsed the hydrometer with fresh bottled water, and let air dry.",
"I then filled the hydrometer with pure bottled water.",
"(Fiji) obviously this registered at 0, and I let air dry.",
"I finally mixed, to the 'T' 5 gallons of saltwater to the specific gravity advertised on the bag of salt mix.",
"I then took the SG and it matched, within maybe.",
"005 of the preferred SG.",
"As far as I'm concerned that's a win for this little hydrometer.",
"I'd love to be able to buy an expensive refractometer, but I'm Ballin on a budget."
] |
In my mind, the only thing that stands out in Karl Bohm's Ninth are the closing chords. There are some attractive moments but, for the most part, throughout virtually the entire symphony the "wrist" is rather limp and its pulse rather weak. Even in the final movement, the chorus and orchestra just seem to amble along to the very end. The vital forces that should resound in this work have taken a holiday....But the Third or "Eroica" is a horse of a different color as far as I am concerned. Bohm gives it one of the finest performances I have encountered. The kinds of musical details he brings out and the way he expresses them make for very satisfying listening. This is especially true of his rendering of the first and fourth movements. But it is in the funeral march where he really scores. While Bruno Walter is particularly effective at conveying the solemnity of the occasion, Bohm digs even deeper, and delivers an even more thoroughly felt combination of seriousness, tragedy and nobility. To cite another comparison, while Karajan in his 1962 "Eroica" is dramatic here, he is unable to break through to a more profound level of emotional expression. In closing, this Bohm/Eroica deserves to be on the short list of excellent Beethoven Thirds. | 1 | neutral | [
"In my mind, the only thing that stands out in Karl Bohm's Ninth are the closing chords.",
"There are some attractive moments but, for the most part, throughout virtually the entire symphony the \"wrist\" is rather limp and its pulse rather weak.",
"Even in the final movement, the chorus and orchestra just seem to amble along to the very end.",
"The vital forces that should resound in this work have taken a holiday....",
"But the Third or \"Eroica\" is a horse of a different color as far as I am concerned.",
"Bohm gives it one of the finest performances I have encountered.",
"The kinds of musical details he brings out and the way he expresses them make for very satisfying listening.",
"This is especially true of his rendering of the first and fourth movements.",
"But it is in the funeral march where he really scores.",
"While Bruno Walter is particularly effective at conveying the solemnity of the occasion, Bohm digs even deeper, and delivers an even more thoroughly felt combination of seriousness, tragedy and nobility.",
"To cite another comparison, while Karajan in his 1962 \"Eroica\" is dramatic here, he is unable to break through to a more profound level of emotional expression.",
"In closing, this Bohm/Eroica deserves to be on the short list of excellent Beethoven Thirds."
] |
The story is Good. The movies are always entertaining, and the story is always interesting. It never reaches the emotional depths that the last game did. There seems to be a greater emphasis on making the whole thing more...unrealistic. The first game presented a believable future - all the technology was explained, things behaved realistically, etc. That's all thrown out in this game...it might sound strange, but it seems to be more "Japanese" than Episode 1. Characters now swordfight in a Samurai style and shout things in what sounds very similar to Japanese. They shoot lasers out of their swords (and it's never explained why). There's even a character that wears samurai-ish robes. It destroys any believability this universe had.
Also, I'm personally disappointed that the game focused so much on Jr. (couldn't stand him from the first game), and not so much on wonderful KOS-MOS, who's not even present in the first half, and barely says two words in the second. And this is a Very Good Thing, because some of the voice actor changes were not for the better. Shion's VA is improved, but KOS-MOS's was a huge downgrade.
The music is also terrible compared to last game's. Episode 1 marked the first time I ran out and bought the soundtrack to a game. The beautiful orchestra and haunting chorus from that game have been replaced by forgettable boppy tunes, with maybe one decent melody in the whole thing.
Now, one to Dark One's taint = the gameplay. The battle system is easily the worst I have ever seen in any RPG. Ever. They aren't random - the enemies are onscreen. This is the One and Only Good thing. When you do touch an enemy, it takes a strangely long time to load. Your characters appear, one-by one. Then the monsters appear, one-by one. Sometimes, you'll be surrounded by the enemy. Other times, you'll surround the enemy yourself. This is Completely Random. Even if you attack an enemy from behind, you won't start the battle at the enemy's back. Which is too bad, as Back Attacks do more damage, and every time you enter a battle, you'll be desperate to scrape up as much damage as possible.
There's no such things as Powerful Moves here. You're forced to hit an enemy in specific "zones", which you do by hitting Triangle or Circle (did I mention the moves you do have no titles? Bye-bye, Moonlight Serenade or Spell Ray). Hit Triangle/Circle in the right order, and you get what's called a Zone Break. Now, you have to Boost your other characters in so they can damage the enemy while it's in this "break" stage. You boost the other characters by having them sit there and Not Attack during their own attack phase.
You are FORCED to do this - while some enemies do have special weaknesses, they're not exactly mind-blowing helpful for the majority of enemy types. Instead, you have to do the Zone Break, or all of your moves will do about 20 damage...to a creature that has 5,000 HP. And there's still 3 other creatures in the battle, all with 10,000 HP each.
Sound fun to you? Admittedly, once you DO get an enemy's weakness down, and get a Zone Break in, then Boost all of your characters in a row to take advantage of the enemy's weakness and the zone break, you can rack up huge damage. Sometimes it's even enough to take a single enemy down - and it only took 10 minutes to build up!
So, yes, the battle system will corrode your soul. Expect every battle to last at least 5 minutes, and that's if you're quick and know what you're doing. Meaning that you've already fought this enemy before and have either memorized it's Zone Break and weaknesses, or you've taught one of your characters a Memory skill.
And here's another embarassing part of the game. Every single character can learn every single skill. This completely destroys any individuality the characters had. KOS-MOS still has a couple special skills only she can use, but they're not nearly as impressive as the classics from the first game. Instead of being awed by what your characters are capable of, you cooly assign specific skills to each character based on what attributes you want in each battle. If that sounds fun to you, it's not. Many of these skills are useless, and characters will repeat skills that are helpful.
It's possible to "unlock" new skills and Double Attacks (two characters team up to attack) by undergoing the torture that is the game's sidequests. You run around, doing good deeds for people. These good deeds are very loosely explained, and very often involve playing fetch from place to place. I didn't even attempt it.
Other things that will leave you a blackened husk inside when the game is done: The puzzles in the dungeons. Oh how I wish my mind could let me forget them so I could live again. Unfortunately I can't, and so I will always remember shooting boxes to form a bridge, shooting boxes to clear a bridge, and shooting boxes of a specific color that explode other boxes of the same color around them. To form a bridge.
In conclusion, let me just say that I hope Episode 3 is better, or I will go insane. Or the Red Ajah will come for me in the form of Final Fantasy XII. | 1 | neutral | [
"The story is Good.",
"The movies are always entertaining, and the story is always interesting.",
"It never reaches the emotional depths that the last game did.",
"There seems to be a greater emphasis on making the whole thing more...",
"unrealistic.",
"The first game presented a believable future - all the technology was explained, things behaved realistically, etc.",
"That's all thrown out in this game...",
"it might sound strange, but it seems to be more \"Japanese\" than Episode 1.",
"Characters now swordfight in a Samurai style and shout things in what sounds very similar to Japanese.",
"They shoot lasers out of their swords (and it's never explained why).",
"There's even a character that wears samurai-ish robes.",
"It destroys any believability this universe had.",
"Also, I'm personally disappointed that the game focused so much on Jr.",
"(couldn't stand him from the first game), and not so much on wonderful KOS-MOS, who's not even present in the first half, and barely says two words in the second.",
"And this is a Very Good Thing, because some of the voice actor changes were not for the better.",
"Shion's VA is improved, but KOS-MOS's was a huge downgrade.",
"The music is also terrible compared to last game's.",
"Episode 1 marked the first time I ran out and bought the soundtrack to a game.",
"The beautiful orchestra and haunting chorus from that game have been replaced by forgettable boppy tunes, with maybe one decent melody in the whole thing.",
"Now, one to Dark One's taint = the gameplay.",
"The battle system is easily the worst I have ever seen in any RPG.",
"Ever.",
"They aren't random - the enemies are onscreen.",
"This is the One and Only Good thing.",
"When you do touch an enemy, it takes a strangely long time to load.",
"Your characters appear, one-by one.",
"Then the monsters appear, one-by one.",
"Sometimes, you'll be surrounded by the enemy.",
"Other times, you'll surround the enemy yourself.",
"This is Completely Random.",
"Even if you attack an enemy from behind, you won't start the battle at the enemy's back.",
"Which is too bad, as Back Attacks do more damage, and every time you enter a battle, you'll be desperate to scrape up as much damage as possible.",
"There's no such things as Powerful Moves here.",
"You're forced to hit an enemy in specific \"zones\", which you do by hitting Triangle or Circle (did I mention the moves you do have no titles?",
"Bye-bye, Moonlight Serenade or Spell Ray).",
"Hit Triangle/Circle in the right order, and you get what's called a Zone Break.",
"Now, you have to Boost your other characters in so they can damage the enemy while it's in this \"break\" stage.",
"You boost the other characters by having them sit there and Not Attack during their own attack phase.",
"You are FORCED to do this - while some enemies do have special weaknesses, they're not exactly mind-blowing helpful for the majority of enemy types.",
"Instead, you have to do the Zone Break, or all of your moves will do about 20 damage...",
"to a creature that has 5,000 HP.",
"And there's still 3 other creatures in the battle, all with 10,000 HP each.",
"Sound fun to you?",
"Admittedly, once you DO get an enemy's weakness down, and get a Zone Break in, then Boost all of your characters in a row to take advantage of the enemy's weakness and the zone break, you can rack up huge damage.",
"Sometimes it's even enough to take a single enemy down - and it only took 10 minutes to build up!",
"So, yes, the battle system will corrode your soul.",
"Expect every battle to last at least 5 minutes, and that's if you're quick and know what you're doing.",
"Meaning that you've already fought this enemy before and have either memorized it's Zone Break and weaknesses, or you've taught one of your characters a Memory skill.",
"And here's another embarassing part of the game.",
"Every single character can learn every single skill.",
"This completely destroys any individuality the characters had.",
"KOS-MOS still has a couple special skills only she can use, but they're not nearly as impressive as the classics from the first game.",
"Instead of being awed by what your characters are capable of, you cooly assign specific skills to each character based on what attributes you want in each battle.",
"If that sounds fun to you, it's not.",
"Many of these skills are useless, and characters will repeat skills that are helpful.",
"It's possible to \"unlock\" new skills and Double Attacks (two characters team up to attack) by undergoing the torture that is the game's sidequests.",
"You run around, doing good deeds for people.",
"These good deeds are very loosely explained, and very often involve playing fetch from place to place.",
"I didn't even attempt it.",
"Other things that will leave you a blackened husk inside when the game is done: The puzzles in the dungeons.",
"Oh how I wish my mind could let me forget them so I could live again.",
"Unfortunately I can't, and so I will always remember shooting boxes to form a bridge, shooting boxes to clear a bridge, and shooting boxes of a specific color that explode other boxes of the same color around them.",
"To form a bridge.",
"In conclusion, let me just say that I hope Episode 3 is better, or I will go insane.",
"Or the Red Ajah will come for me in the form of Final Fantasy XII."
] |
For starters, this review is specifically for the <a data-hook="product-link-linked" class="a-link-normal" href="/2-disc-deluxe-edition-released-by-Funky-Town-Grooves/dp/B01EK08A0W/ref=cm_cr_arp_d_rvw_txt?ie=UTF8">2 disc deluxe edition released by Funky Town Grooves</a> and shouldn't be reflected on the outcome of this 5 star album.
This 2 disc edition contains the original 12 track album of Toni Braxton's 5 star debut with 21 extra remixes and radio edits. Plus, Her B-sided track "The Christmas song" that was featured on several singles from this album is included.
it's been digitally remastered and sounds awesome but the tracks Funky Town Grooves selected is kind of disappointing, so I gave this edition only 3 stars
It's packed with 7 pointless radio edits for
1/2. you mean the world to me (Album version radio edit and remix Radio edit)
3/4. How many ways (Album version Radio Edit and R. Kelly Remix Radio Edit)
5. Love Shoulda brought you home
6. Breathe again
7. Seven whole days
These 7 radio edits were pointless, in my opinion because they're just edits that are reduced for time. What's the point when the full version is also on the cd? Also, They labeled "Love shoulda brought you home"s radio edit as Featuring babyface, when he's not featured on it.
Instead of the radio edits, In my opinion, I think these 5 mixes should have been on instead
"breathe again" (Spanish Version)
"Seven Whole Days" (Ghetto Vibe)
"How Many Ways" (the vh1 mix)
"Seven Whole Days" (Quiet Mix)
"How Many Ways" (Bad Boy Remix, Extended Mix featuring Notorious BIG and Puff Daddy)
Overall, I still say it's a good re-release and worth the purchase because the remixes are awesome. I just wish they left the radio edit versions off and put on more remixes | 1 | neutral | [
"For starters, this review is specifically for the <a data-hook=\"product-link-linked\" class=\"a-link-normal\" href=\"/2-disc-deluxe-edition-released-by-Funky-Town-Grooves/dp/B01EK08A0W/ref=cm_cr_arp_d_rvw_txt?",
"ie=UTF8\">2 disc deluxe edition released by Funky Town Grooves</a> and shouldn't be reflected on the outcome of this 5 star album.",
"This 2 disc edition contains the original 12 track album of Toni Braxton's 5 star debut with 21 extra remixes and radio edits.",
"Plus, Her B-sided track \"The Christmas song\" that was featured on several singles from this album is included.",
"it's been digitally remastered and sounds awesome but the tracks Funky Town Grooves selected is kind of disappointing, so I gave this edition only 3 stars\n\nIt's packed with 7 pointless radio edits for\n1/2.",
"you mean the world to me (Album version radio edit and remix Radio edit)\n3/4.",
"How many ways (Album version Radio Edit and R.",
"Kelly Remix Radio Edit)\n5.",
"Love Shoulda brought you home\n6.",
"Breathe again\n7.",
"Seven whole days\n\nThese 7 radio edits were pointless, in my opinion because they're just edits that are reduced for time.",
"What's the point when the full version is also on the cd?",
"Also, They labeled \"Love shoulda brought you home\"s radio edit as Featuring babyface, when he's not featured on it.",
"Instead of the radio edits, In my opinion, I think these 5 mixes should have been on instead\n\n\"breathe again\" (Spanish Version)\n\"Seven Whole Days\" (Ghetto Vibe)\n\"How Many Ways\" (the vh1 mix)\n\"Seven Whole Days\" (Quiet Mix)\n\"How Many Ways\" (Bad Boy Remix, Extended Mix featuring Notorious BIG and Puff Daddy)\n\nOverall, I still say it's a good re-release and worth the purchase because the remixes are awesome.",
"I just wish they left the radio edit versions off and put on more remixes"
] |
It's sad to watch a series that was as good as Mega Man X slide into the ruin it's been sliding into for the last few years. Mega Man X8 works hard to revive what was once a great series. The problem is, the series may be a bit too tarnished after the last three installments. That means Mega Man X8 has to work hard for forgiveness. The good news is that it is better than X7. The bad news? The game could've been so much better.
The Jakob Project, an effort to get humans to the moon away from the repolid war, is in danger. Sigma (it's always Sigma) has threatened the leader of this project, Lumine. As usual, it's up to X and company to stop him.
The Mega Man X series has never been much for plot, and in X8 it's no different. While there is story, and it tries hard to be a satisfying one, it just isn't all that great. If you've been with Mega Man X since the first one, you probably aren't as interested in the storyline as you are in the actual action of the gameplay. Newcomers to the series might like the story telling aspect, but for those who've been with Mega Man in general since the 80's know that a game can hold together if it's a lot of fun.
Mega Man X8 has unique gameplay mechanics. It's really no different than the basic gameplay presented in the very first Mega Man X game. It's basically run and gun. Anything that's in your way you shoot and kill. You'll select a level to go into, march your way through and defeat the big bad boss at the end. The difference is you can do this in a tag team style way. Before each level you'll be given a choice of two characters you want to take into a level and a navigator. There's X, Zero and Axl, and they all have their own distinct abilities. X is no different than he has been in previous games. Zero has his Z-Saber as well as a multitude of other weapons and Axl has a rapid fire weapon and can hover in the air. Unlike previous games, the characters begin with abilities they'd otherwise have to acquire. For example, Zero begins the game with his double jump rather than you actually having to acquire it.
In each level you can switch between your two characters at the click of a button. If one character is low on health, you can switch. Likewise, if one character dies, the other steps in and fights the rest of the battle out. The only time this doesn't happen is if it's a one hit kill.
There have also been some unique changes to the gameplay. You now collect metals in each level. Similar to the Mega Man Zero games, you can exchange them for items. Energy bottles to restore health, powerups for your characters and more. The game also has rare metals. These are metals that will let you purchase bigger and better abilities for your characters. One, for example, might be another weapon for Zero. Another might be a sub tank. You'll also spend metals to increase a characters health or weapon capacity.
The game isn't without fault, and unfortunately, despite all the unique treatment the game has gone through that could make elements better, the faults of this game are more than enough to frustrate gamers. For one, the game is very challenging. Difficulty usually makes a game a lot of fun to play. The problem with Mega Man X8's difficulty is that too much of it derives from trial and error. In one instance you're supposed to jump into a pit, but you'll meet an untimely death because of the spikes below which there's no foreshadowing. In previous Mega Man X games, this was not a problem. They were hard, but not unreasonable, and I never had to go through several trial and error moments. The difficulty doesn't help the game, it only frustrates. Mix that with the unreasonable "retry" system instead of actually having lives. You only get five retries (and you have to buy three of them) and if you use them all, then you have to re-enter the level and start from the very beginning. This didn't bug me as much, seeing as how most levels are short anyway, but with the trial and error moments, you'll blow through most of your retries.
The level design of most of these levels is also not up to par. The main problem stemming from the levels where you ride vehicles. They move fast, and you don't. It's too easy to fall into a pit and die in one of them. Again, there are also plenty of trial and error moments there too, and these moments really degrade the game. Finally, the bosses aren't creative enough. Many of them just aren't really fun to battle against, and the abilities and weapons you get from them aren't exciting. Most of these weapons (save perhaps for some of Axl's) aren't going to be of much use to you. You're better off using your default shot than anything you'll get from the bosses.
Graphically, Mega Man X8 doesn't look too bad. Not the best graphics out there, but the game is still nice to look at. It's also fast paced with few frame rate issues (they don't come until the last level). If you're looking for a 3D side scroller that looks good, you've certainly found it for Mega Man X8. I can't say the same for the music unfortunately. Most of the voice acting is bad. At least Mega Man actually sounds like a guy in this one. This doesn't mean other voices are good. All the main characters have fairly good voices. Other characters, such as the bosses, have terrible voices. The minor characters didn't seem to be of any importance, and it shows in their voices. The level music isn't all that exciting either. There are maybe one or two good tracks (Sigma's Palace, for instance), but nothing remarkably special. Which is strange seeing as how even the Mega Man X games that aren't well liked (such as X5) even had good music.
As unique as Capcom made Mega Man X8, it can't quite live up to previous installments. The game serves its purpose as fan service, but doesn't have enough quality. From the trial and error moments to the not so special story, Mega Man X8 is only sending the series further into ruin. It's much better than Mega Man X7, and has a lot of secrets to unearth (more than even Mega Man X3), but it's just not a satisfying experience.
The Good
+The game, for the most part, doesn't look bad
+Some tweaks to the gameplay are very helpful
+Tag teaming works
+Plenty of extra secrets to unearth
+For a Mega Man game, the length is pretty satisfying, actually taking more than ten hours to do everything there is to be done.
The Bad
-Frustrating difficulty
-Way too many trial and error moments
-Level design isn't good
-Lame bosses
-Lame voices
-The music isn't really all that great
So while there are some pretty neat tweaks to the gameplay, it can't save Mega Man X8. What had potential to be a truly remarkable game, is nothing of the sort at all. | 1 | neutral | [
"It's sad to watch a series that was as good as Mega Man X slide into the ruin it's been sliding into for the last few years.",
"Mega Man X8 works hard to revive what was once a great series.",
"The problem is, the series may be a bit too tarnished after the last three installments.",
"That means Mega Man X8 has to work hard for forgiveness.",
"The good news is that it is better than X7.",
"The bad news?",
"The game could've been so much better.",
"The Jakob Project, an effort to get humans to the moon away from the repolid war, is in danger.",
"Sigma (it's always Sigma) has threatened the leader of this project, Lumine.",
"As usual, it's up to X and company to stop him.",
"The Mega Man X series has never been much for plot, and in X8 it's no different.",
"While there is story, and it tries hard to be a satisfying one, it just isn't all that great.",
"If you've been with Mega Man X since the first one, you probably aren't as interested in the storyline as you are in the actual action of the gameplay.",
"Newcomers to the series might like the story telling aspect, but for those who've been with Mega Man in general since the 80's know that a game can hold together if it's a lot of fun.",
"Mega Man X8 has unique gameplay mechanics.",
"It's really no different than the basic gameplay presented in the very first Mega Man X game.",
"It's basically run and gun.",
"Anything that's in your way you shoot and kill.",
"You'll select a level to go into, march your way through and defeat the big bad boss at the end.",
"The difference is you can do this in a tag team style way.",
"Before each level you'll be given a choice of two characters you want to take into a level and a navigator.",
"There's X, Zero and Axl, and they all have their own distinct abilities.",
"X is no different than he has been in previous games.",
"Zero has his Z-Saber as well as a multitude of other weapons and Axl has a rapid fire weapon and can hover in the air.",
"Unlike previous games, the characters begin with abilities they'd otherwise have to acquire.",
"For example, Zero begins the game with his double jump rather than you actually having to acquire it.",
"In each level you can switch between your two characters at the click of a button.",
"If one character is low on health, you can switch.",
"Likewise, if one character dies, the other steps in and fights the rest of the battle out.",
"The only time this doesn't happen is if it's a one hit kill.",
"There have also been some unique changes to the gameplay.",
"You now collect metals in each level.",
"Similar to the Mega Man Zero games, you can exchange them for items.",
"Energy bottles to restore health, powerups for your characters and more.",
"The game also has rare metals.",
"These are metals that will let you purchase bigger and better abilities for your characters.",
"One, for example, might be another weapon for Zero.",
"Another might be a sub tank.",
"You'll also spend metals to increase a characters health or weapon capacity.",
"The game isn't without fault, and unfortunately, despite all the unique treatment the game has gone through that could make elements better, the faults of this game are more than enough to frustrate gamers.",
"For one, the game is very challenging.",
"Difficulty usually makes a game a lot of fun to play.",
"The problem with Mega Man X8's difficulty is that too much of it derives from trial and error.",
"In one instance you're supposed to jump into a pit, but you'll meet an untimely death because of the spikes below which there's no foreshadowing.",
"In previous Mega Man X games, this was not a problem.",
"They were hard, but not unreasonable, and I never had to go through several trial and error moments.",
"The difficulty doesn't help the game, it only frustrates.",
"Mix that with the unreasonable \"retry\" system instead of actually having lives.",
"You only get five retries (and you have to buy three of them) and if you use them all, then you have to re-enter the level and start from the very beginning.",
"This didn't bug me as much, seeing as how most levels are short anyway, but with the trial and error moments, you'll blow through most of your retries.",
"The level design of most of these levels is also not up to par.",
"The main problem stemming from the levels where you ride vehicles.",
"They move fast, and you don't.",
"It's too easy to fall into a pit and die in one of them.",
"Again, there are also plenty of trial and error moments there too, and these moments really degrade the game.",
"Finally, the bosses aren't creative enough.",
"Many of them just aren't really fun to battle against, and the abilities and weapons you get from them aren't exciting.",
"Most of these weapons (save perhaps for some of Axl's) aren't going to be of much use to you.",
"You're better off using your default shot than anything you'll get from the bosses.",
"Graphically, Mega Man X8 doesn't look too bad.",
"Not the best graphics out there, but the game is still nice to look at.",
"It's also fast paced with few frame rate issues (they don't come until the last level).",
"If you're looking for a 3D side scroller that looks good, you've certainly found it for Mega Man X8.",
"I can't say the same for the music unfortunately.",
"Most of the voice acting is bad.",
"At least Mega Man actually sounds like a guy in this one.",
"This doesn't mean other voices are good.",
"All the main characters have fairly good voices.",
"Other characters, such as the bosses, have terrible voices.",
"The minor characters didn't seem to be of any importance, and it shows in their voices.",
"The level music isn't all that exciting either.",
"There are maybe one or two good tracks (Sigma's Palace, for instance), but nothing remarkably special.",
"Which is strange seeing as how even the Mega Man X games that aren't well liked (such as X5) even had good music.",
"As unique as Capcom made Mega Man X8, it can't quite live up to previous installments.",
"The game serves its purpose as fan service, but doesn't have enough quality.",
"From the trial and error moments to the not so special story, Mega Man X8 is only sending the series further into ruin.",
"It's much better than Mega Man X7, and has a lot of secrets to unearth (more than even Mega Man X3), but it's just not a satisfying experience.",
"The Good\n\n+The game, for the most part, doesn't look bad\n\n+Some tweaks to the gameplay are very helpful\n\n+Tag teaming works\n\n+Plenty of extra secrets to unearth\n\n+For a Mega Man game, the length is pretty satisfying, actually taking more than ten hours to do everything there is to be done.",
"The Bad\n\n-Frustrating difficulty\n\n-Way too many trial and error moments\n\n-Level design isn't good\n\n-Lame bosses\n\n-Lame voices\n\n-The music isn't really all that great\n\nSo while there are some pretty neat tweaks to the gameplay, it can't save Mega Man X8.",
"What had potential to be a truly remarkable game, is nothing of the sort at all."
] |
Elizabeth DeMarco is a research botonist who's soul purpose for being in the Amazon jungle was to try and find plant life that would garner the cure for cancer. She's left everything and everyone behind in hopes of saving others like she couldn't save her mother or sister. The cause is noble, but even from the very beginning seemed a little shortsighted.
When the Amazon warriors rescue her from a kidnapping attempt, she figures she's been saved. She didn't know that she was just in another form of kidnapping. She never attempts to escape, just keeps going on doing her research, blah, blah, blah.
It's not until her jilted lover/boyfriend, Logan Spencer, is brought into the Amazon Valley that Elizabeth develops a sense of needing to run away from the Amazons. Suddenly, the possibility of Logan being gang raped by a bunch of crazy women has lit a fire under Elizabeth to get the hell out of Dodge.
Logan is one of those men that we all hope our significant others will be should some dyer situation come up where we're missing. He never gave up looking for Elizabeth. She broke his heart and left him, but he takes every opportunity to trudge through the Amazon jungle looking for her. Despite the anger he felt when she left him, he still knew that Elizabeth was the one for him and just about sprayed her with his desire. Logan was hot, I'm just not sure Elizabeth was the the one for him.
A lot is crammed into this short read. While the premise of the storyline is promising, I just couldn't get past my dislike of Elizabeth to fully enjoy what was happening. | 1 | neutral | [
"Elizabeth DeMarco is a research botonist who's soul purpose for being in the Amazon jungle was to try and find plant life that would garner the cure for cancer.",
"She's left everything and everyone behind in hopes of saving others like she couldn't save her mother or sister.",
"The cause is noble, but even from the very beginning seemed a little shortsighted.",
"When the Amazon warriors rescue her from a kidnapping attempt, she figures she's been saved.",
"She didn't know that she was just in another form of kidnapping.",
"She never attempts to escape, just keeps going on doing her research, blah, blah, blah.",
"It's not until her jilted lover/boyfriend, Logan Spencer, is brought into the Amazon Valley that Elizabeth develops a sense of needing to run away from the Amazons.",
"Suddenly, the possibility of Logan being gang raped by a bunch of crazy women has lit a fire under Elizabeth to get the hell out of Dodge.",
"Logan is one of those men that we all hope our significant others will be should some dyer situation come up where we're missing.",
"He never gave up looking for Elizabeth.",
"She broke his heart and left him, but he takes every opportunity to trudge through the Amazon jungle looking for her.",
"Despite the anger he felt when she left him, he still knew that Elizabeth was the one for him and just about sprayed her with his desire.",
"Logan was hot, I'm just not sure Elizabeth was the the one for him.",
"A lot is crammed into this short read.",
"While the premise of the storyline is promising, I just couldn't get past my dislike of Elizabeth to fully enjoy what was happening."
] |
This series has brought me a great deal of joy, but A Dance With Dragons can be a bit cumbersome at times. It took a while for me to get through it, but I appreciate the information it imparted regarding my favorite characters and it left me anxious for the next book.
The scope of the A Song of Ice and Fire series is mind-boggling. I can understand why it took two books to lay groundwork. However, Im a bit perplexed at some of the plot twists. Maybe thats good, it could mean Ill be surprised in future installments. I was glad to revisit some of my favorite characters and extra pleased that everything came full circle by the end of this book.
Arya has certainly grown into a multi-dimensional character. As she eschewed the girly aspects of her life at Winterfell her ease at adapting to her circumstances seems natural. I cant imagine Sansa surviving in quite the same way. Jon has taken to leadership quite well and a bitterness is beginning to overtake him. I was very displeased with the way Martin left things with him.
Tyrion has taken a turn that I didn't expect. Ive always seen the good in him, but as the world continues to kick the crap out of him that light of goodness grows more dim. Cersei has gotten some of what she deserves, but Im not sure she realizes that shes been bested. It will be interesting to see how things play out with her. And Jaime, the man I love to hate or hate to love is learning to sift through the emotional illusions and grab onto certainties. Will it be too late?
Im bewildered by the actions of Daenerys. I don't know why shes stayed so far from Westeros. I can only imagine Martin is holding her back to set up some twist in the future. The introduction of a few new characters in A Feast for Crows looked to be promising, but fell flat in this book. Their presence seemed pointless.
A Dance With Dragons is the first book of this series to which I gave a rating of less than four stars. It comes down to the perplexing plot twists and its length. Ive in no way lost interest and as soon as I read some lighter fare, will probably begin reading the series from the beginning. It will be tough to wait on the next books release. | 1 | neutral | [
"This series has brought me a great deal of joy, but A Dance With Dragons can be a bit cumbersome at times.",
"It took a while for me to get through it, but I appreciate the information it imparted regarding my favorite characters and it left me anxious for the next book.",
"The scope of the A Song of Ice and Fire series is mind-boggling.",
"I can understand why it took two books to lay groundwork.",
"However, Im a bit perplexed at some of the plot twists.",
"Maybe thats good, it could mean Ill be surprised in future installments.",
"I was glad to revisit some of my favorite characters and extra pleased that everything came full circle by the end of this book.",
"Arya has certainly grown into a multi-dimensional character.",
"As she eschewed the girly aspects of her life at Winterfell her ease at adapting to her circumstances seems natural.",
"I cant imagine Sansa surviving in quite the same way.",
"Jon has taken to leadership quite well and a bitterness is beginning to overtake him.",
"I was very displeased with the way Martin left things with him.",
"Tyrion has taken a turn that I didn't expect.",
"Ive always seen the good in him, but as the world continues to kick the crap out of him that light of goodness grows more dim.",
"Cersei has gotten some of what she deserves, but Im not sure she realizes that shes been bested.",
"It will be interesting to see how things play out with her.",
"And Jaime, the man I love to hate or hate to love is learning to sift through the emotional illusions and grab onto certainties.",
"Will it be too late?",
"Im bewildered by the actions of Daenerys.",
"I don't know why shes stayed so far from Westeros.",
"I can only imagine Martin is holding her back to set up some twist in the future.",
"The introduction of a few new characters in A Feast for Crows looked to be promising, but fell flat in this book.",
"Their presence seemed pointless.",
"A Dance With Dragons is the first book of this series to which I gave a rating of less than four stars.",
"It comes down to the perplexing plot twists and its length.",
"Ive in no way lost interest and as soon as I read some lighter fare, will probably begin reading the series from the beginning.",
"It will be tough to wait on the next books release."
] |
`G-Spot', to this day is my absolute favorite Noire book. Hands down, no contest, end of story. That book was so brutal, so raw, so real, and so sexual that there are still passages that I read to this day. When I heard `G-Spot 2' was coming out I (of course) got really happy. When I heard it was going to be a serial novel, my excitement waned a bit. Pulling off a serial novel is HARD. You have to keep the reader drawn in with much fewer pages over a longer period of time, and that has proven to be the Achilles' heel for a number of authors. It's been said that writing a short story is infinitely harder than writing a full length novel, and there is definite truth in that.
Noire tries to follow up `G-Spot' a FULL fledged in-your-face novel with a snippet... and it just didn't work. I understand why authors are doing the .99 e-book thing now, but I wish they wouldn't and just put out a full book instead of cutting it up. Unless your work STARTED as a serial novel, it shouldn't progress toward a serial novel. Now, I did enjoy this story but not with the same zeal that I did the first one. Something was missing. And that something was... the rest of the damn story. Oh I know I'm going to catch hell over saying that, especially since I went in knowing that it was a short story to begin with! But understand where I'm coming from... `G-Spot' is easily in my Top 10 erotic novels and then to read a midget version of part 2. Ummmm no.
What I'm going to do is wait until Noire publishes ALL the serial novels in this series because then I'll have everything and not snippets. Yes, I still plan to buy and read each installment because I still think Noire can write. It was just tough to go from slow dancing with Toni Braxton to slow dancing with my high school P.E. teacher. | 1 | neutral | [
"`G-Spot', to this day is my absolute favorite Noire book.",
"Hands down, no contest, end of story.",
"That book was so brutal, so raw, so real, and so sexual that there are still passages that I read to this day.",
"When I heard `G-Spot 2' was coming out I (of course) got really happy.",
"When I heard it was going to be a serial novel, my excitement waned a bit.",
"Pulling off a serial novel is HARD.",
"You have to keep the reader drawn in with much fewer pages over a longer period of time, and that has proven to be the Achilles' heel for a number of authors.",
"It's been said that writing a short story is infinitely harder than writing a full length novel, and there is definite truth in that.",
"Noire tries to follow up `G-Spot' a FULL fledged in-your-face novel with a snippet...",
"and it just didn't work.",
"I understand why authors are doing the.",
"99 e-book thing now, but I wish they wouldn't and just put out a full book instead of cutting it up.",
"Unless your work STARTED as a serial novel, it shouldn't progress toward a serial novel.",
"Now, I did enjoy this story but not with the same zeal that I did the first one.",
"Something was missing.",
"And that something was...",
"the rest of the damn story.",
"Oh I know I'm going to catch hell over saying that, especially since I went in knowing that it was a short story to begin with!",
"But understand where I'm coming from...",
"`G-Spot' is easily in my Top 10 erotic novels and then to read a midget version of part 2.",
"Ummmm no.",
"What I'm going to do is wait until Noire publishes ALL the serial novels in this series because then I'll have everything and not snippets.",
"Yes, I still plan to buy and read each installment because I still think Noire can write.",
"It was just tough to go from slow dancing with Toni Braxton to slow dancing with my high school P.",
"E. teacher."
] |
Night Breed the 2nd book in the series. It was okay I enjoyed it while I was reading it. It was a little unbelievable the whole light seekers. Maybe because it left off with so many thing not put together. I understand another book will be coming out but still! I did really enjoy Sara the new character and the new vampire lover! But the ending for them was just frustrating don't worry they are together. Of course we romantics could not have it any other way. I did need more action! I was a little bored at times with the writing. Not as good as the first one but I will read the next book. I will hope it will bring everthing together and make me love the series. I don't think I will try any of her other novels. | 1 | neutral | [
"Night Breed the 2nd book in the series.",
"It was okay I enjoyed it while I was reading it.",
"It was a little unbelievable the whole light seekers.",
"Maybe because it left off with so many thing not put together.",
"I understand another book will be coming out but still!",
"I did really enjoy Sara the new character and the new vampire lover!",
"But the ending for them was just frustrating don't worry they are together.",
"Of course we romantics could not have it any other way.",
"I did need more action!",
"I was a little bored at times with the writing.",
"Not as good as the first one but I will read the next book.",
"I will hope it will bring everthing together and make me love the series.",
"I don't think I will try any of her other novels."
] |
I thought it was going to be clear, but it's creamy white. I only needed bout half the amount I usually use to get a full head of suds. It feels foamy and soft creamy. It smelled more like mint to me, but I didn't feel anything special on my scalp. In fact it felt more like a foamy conditioner. It left my hair really soft, even a little flyaway, but not staticky. My hair feels really nice, and blew dry really quickly. It's a great value because of how small amount needed, and love the way my hair feels. I don't have dandruff but I do have a very itchy scalp, this helps a lot.
Update: I find this shampoo makes my head break out | 1 | neutral | [
"I thought it was going to be clear, but it's creamy white.",
"I only needed bout half the amount I usually use to get a full head of suds.",
"It feels foamy and soft creamy.",
"It smelled more like mint to me, but I didn't feel anything special on my scalp.",
"In fact it felt more like a foamy conditioner.",
"It left my hair really soft, even a little flyaway, but not staticky.",
"My hair feels really nice, and blew dry really quickly.",
"It's a great value because of how small amount needed, and love the way my hair feels.",
"I don't have dandruff but I do have a very itchy scalp, this helps a lot.",
"Update: I find this shampoo makes my head break out"
] |
UPDATE: The seller sent another product to me due to the issues I was having. The new keyboard is working much better. I have tested every key on the new board, and so far I have had no problems. If the mouse works better with no lag, I will update my review again. Original Review: There is a delay in the mouse movement occasionally. The mouse also feels very cheap. Some may like the lightness of it. The keyboard was very impressive at first, but already the Caps Lock key sticks randomly and you have to repeatedly pound it to release. I had high hopes for this product. If any more problems occur I will be returning for different set. | 1 | neutral | [
"UPDATE: The seller sent another product to me due to the issues I was having.",
"The new keyboard is working much better.",
"I have tested every key on the new board, and so far I have had no problems.",
"If the mouse works better with no lag, I will update my review again.",
"Original Review: There is a delay in the mouse movement occasionally.",
"The mouse also feels very cheap.",
"Some may like the lightness of it.",
"The keyboard was very impressive at first, but already the Caps Lock key sticks randomly and you have to repeatedly pound it to release.",
"I had high hopes for this product.",
"If any more problems occur I will be returning for different set."
] |
It works. Apparently, it'll last.
Forest floor trash does not stick to this one the way it does to others.
Whether snow will stick and eventually soak it is yet to be determined.
I wouldn't buy another one.
Why not? Because while it "works" usually means something like "It's good," in this case it means, "Yeah, so it keeps the humus off my butt, and the lower internal build 'seems' to be sturdy, the second or upper internal 'sponge' rubber is apparently not sealed foam but some 20% suitable foam that collapses rather than supports. (The manufacturer could have done much better by their customers.) The result is that while my sciatica-related back and leg pain is not as badly aggravated as it is on a wooden chair seat, still it is not as relieved as it would be, as it ought to be by a seat that is shipped and delivered at three+ inches thick but collapses to nearly nothing when one sits on it.
On the other hand...has anyone out there in cyber-response land found ANY woods seat, heated or unheated, that really works (?) and that might truly be a comfort, might truly ease such rump pains as sciatica? DO LET ME KNOW. | 1 | neutral | [
"It works.",
"Apparently, it'll last.",
"Forest floor trash does not stick to this one the way it does to others.",
"Whether snow will stick and eventually soak it is yet to be determined.",
"I wouldn't buy another one.",
"Why not?",
"Because while it \"works\" usually means something like \"It's good,\" in this case it means, \"Yeah, so it keeps the humus off my butt, and the lower internal build 'seems' to be sturdy, the second or upper internal 'sponge' rubber is apparently not sealed foam but some 20% suitable foam that collapses rather than supports.",
"(The manufacturer could have done much better by their customers.",
") The result is that while my sciatica-related back and leg pain is not as badly aggravated as it is on a wooden chair seat, still it is not as relieved as it would be, as it ought to be by a seat that is shipped and delivered at three+ inches thick but collapses to nearly nothing when one sits on it.",
"On the other hand...",
"has anyone out there in cyber-response land found ANY woods seat, heated or unheated, that really works (?",
") and that might truly be a comfort, might truly ease such rump pains as sciatica?",
"DO LET ME KNOW."
] |
Angela has been hiding from Knox for decades. She knows how much the Alpha werewolf hates vampires and cannot face the idea of her former lover killing her. Only the kidnapping of her friend gives her the courage to risk her heart and her life by seeing him again.
Knox has hated vampires since they destroyed his family centuries before. He believes they are all evil and should be killed on sight. That is until his lover is turned against her will.
He has searched for her for decades without success and suddenly she is on his land and in his power. Can he convince her that his feelings about vampires have changed, but his feelings for her never have?
This story was a quick read at slightly over sixty pages. Although the forbidden relationship between a vampire and a werewolf is not unique, the author develops the story well in regards to how the pack does or does not accept Angela.
Most of the tension in this book has less to do with Knox convincing Angela that he still loves her as it does with Angela not understanding his reactions as a werewolf. That is not much different than human women not understanding human men . . . now is it?
My only reservation with this story is that it is a story. I would love an expanded version that explores the dynamics of Angela's vampire tribe and Knox's werewolf pack. I would also like to see more of how the female werewolves accept her as their Alpha female. | 1 | neutral | [
"Angela has been hiding from Knox for decades.",
"She knows how much the Alpha werewolf hates vampires and cannot face the idea of her former lover killing her.",
"Only the kidnapping of her friend gives her the courage to risk her heart and her life by seeing him again.",
"Knox has hated vampires since they destroyed his family centuries before.",
"He believes they are all evil and should be killed on sight.",
"That is until his lover is turned against her will.",
"He has searched for her for decades without success and suddenly she is on his land and in his power.",
"Can he convince her that his feelings about vampires have changed, but his feelings for her never have?",
"This story was a quick read at slightly over sixty pages.",
"Although the forbidden relationship between a vampire and a werewolf is not unique, the author develops the story well in regards to how the pack does or does not accept Angela.",
"Most of the tension in this book has less to do with Knox convincing Angela that he still loves her as it does with Angela not understanding his reactions as a werewolf.",
"That is not much different than human women not understanding human men.",
".",
".",
"now is it?",
"My only reservation with this story is that it is a story.",
"I would love an expanded version that explores the dynamics of Angela's vampire tribe and Knox's werewolf pack.",
"I would also like to see more of how the female werewolves accept her as their Alpha female."
] |
Trying to decide whether to give this movie three or four stars was a bit tricky, for I'm not totally sure what it is about this movie that made me dislike it. I thoroughly enjoyed the plot, which is based on a Richard Matheson novel, and Kevin Bacon's performance is superb. Yet, when the end of the story nears, one might consider that there are too many people involved in the final climactic ending, and I use the term loosely. Kevin Bacon plays an inner-city construction worker, who is married and has a small boy. He and his family live in a small residential neighborhood filled wit lots of people who care for their image of a well-rounded community. However, at a party, Bacon is hypnotized by his wife's friend, and he beins to have visions of a girl, and it seems that she's being attacked. This begins his spiralling downfall, as he begins to tear apart his life and his home for the clues to the final answer, forsaking his job, his social life and his family. The storyline of the movie is terrific, with an evident element of suspense that is sure to please fans of The Sixth Sense. Yet, when the ending comes, it seems as though the filmmakers traded originality for a typical Hollywood ending scenario. True, that may be what was in the book, but I personally think that they could've done just a little better. Like the everlasting At First Sight, this is a movie that you should rent first before diving into the purchase pot. | 1 | neutral | [
"Trying to decide whether to give this movie three or four stars was a bit tricky, for I'm not totally sure what it is about this movie that made me dislike it.",
"I thoroughly enjoyed the plot, which is based on a Richard Matheson novel, and Kevin Bacon's performance is superb.",
"Yet, when the end of the story nears, one might consider that there are too many people involved in the final climactic ending, and I use the term loosely.",
"Kevin Bacon plays an inner-city construction worker, who is married and has a small boy.",
"He and his family live in a small residential neighborhood filled wit lots of people who care for their image of a well-rounded community.",
"However, at a party, Bacon is hypnotized by his wife's friend, and he beins to have visions of a girl, and it seems that she's being attacked.",
"This begins his spiralling downfall, as he begins to tear apart his life and his home for the clues to the final answer, forsaking his job, his social life and his family.",
"The storyline of the movie is terrific, with an evident element of suspense that is sure to please fans of The Sixth Sense.",
"Yet, when the ending comes, it seems as though the filmmakers traded originality for a typical Hollywood ending scenario.",
"True, that may be what was in the book, but I personally think that they could've done just a little better.",
"Like the everlasting At First Sight, this is a movie that you should rent first before diving into the purchase pot."
] |
UPDATE
After rechecking all the saw adjustments by the book, I've now ripped some poplar stock, 1-1/2 by 2-1/2. I had better luck with it. The blade does try to grab the stock just as it enters the teeth on the back side, though. You'll hear it as a warning. Once the blade was fully in the workpiece, I had no further problems.
-----
This blade really is a blessing in most ways for my old DeWalt radial arm saw. It truly does cut like butter and does not load the saw motor. It crosscuts better than my older Freud combination blade.
Unfortunately, the blade I received is more prone to kickback than any I've had in years. It is fine if you are merely shaving the edge of a board, and it might be fine with heavy stock. But for your own safety, if you're ripping relatively small stock, use featherboards and push sticks, install the anti-kickback fingers, and take every safety precaution.
I ripped the edges of six 2x2 boards and the blade violently kicked back nine times. It destroyed one work piece. My saw is square and never had this problem with the older Freud blade. The lumber was soft pine, straight-grained, and knot free. | 1 | neutral | [
"UPDATE\n\nAfter rechecking all the saw adjustments by the book, I've now ripped some poplar stock, 1-1/2 by 2-1/2.",
"I had better luck with it.",
"The blade does try to grab the stock just as it enters the teeth on the back side, though.",
"You'll hear it as a warning.",
"Once the blade was fully in the workpiece, I had no further problems.",
"-----\n\nThis blade really is a blessing in most ways for my old DeWalt radial arm saw.",
"It truly does cut like butter and does not load the saw motor.",
"It crosscuts better than my older Freud combination blade.",
"Unfortunately, the blade I received is more prone to kickback than any I've had in years.",
"It is fine if you are merely shaving the edge of a board, and it might be fine with heavy stock.",
"But for your own safety, if you're ripping relatively small stock, use featherboards and push sticks, install the anti-kickback fingers, and take every safety precaution.",
"I ripped the edges of six 2x2 boards and the blade violently kicked back nine times.",
"It destroyed one work piece.",
"My saw is square and never had this problem with the older Freud blade.",
"The lumber was soft pine, straight-grained, and knot free."
] |
The game has the best adaptation to the 3rd edition rules. The character models look great and the landscapes, while 2D, get you in the mood they are trying to set.
In this game, like Icewind Dale, you can create a whole party. This was a lot of fun.
Sadly the game play itself was not as great. I enjoyed the Hommlet portion. The side quests are mostly FedEX quests and it just takes time to complete. The adventure 'dungeon' was fun and almost room for room from the module in terms of locations. The Temple of Elemental Evil itself was just too large (again, much like the module). If you take a wrong turn (and I took several) you end up in rooms where you can not possibly survive (I know, I died many, many times in these places).
Overall: The engine was well done and could be used for future games. Making a 'module' based system where you buy the modules to play would probably stretch the value for this game. Though the programmers need to put a bit more 'role-playing' in this 'roll-playing' game. | 1 | neutral | [
"The game has the best adaptation to the 3rd edition rules.",
"The character models look great and the landscapes, while 2D, get you in the mood they are trying to set.",
"In this game, like Icewind Dale, you can create a whole party.",
"This was a lot of fun.",
"Sadly the game play itself was not as great.",
"I enjoyed the Hommlet portion.",
"The side quests are mostly FedEX quests and it just takes time to complete.",
"The adventure 'dungeon' was fun and almost room for room from the module in terms of locations.",
"The Temple of Elemental Evil itself was just too large (again, much like the module).",
"If you take a wrong turn (and I took several) you end up in rooms where you can not possibly survive (I know, I died many, many times in these places).",
"Overall: The engine was well done and could be used for future games.",
"Making a 'module' based system where you buy the modules to play would probably stretch the value for this game.",
"Though the programmers need to put a bit more 'role-playing' in this 'roll-playing' game."
] |
Exasperated military judge halts USS Cole bombing case
The decision by Air Force Col. Vance Spath who voiced exasperation at what he characterized as repeated defiance of his authority by defense attorneys is a striking illustration of the deep-rooted problems plaguing the judicial process set up in the wake of the Sept. 11 2001 attacks.
That crisis was compounded when Spath held Brig. Gen. John G. Baker the chief defense counsel for the commissions in contempt and ordered him confined to quarters when he supported the lawyers’ departure.
Spath ’s frustration mounted when two of Nashiri’s former lawyers Rosa Eliades and Mary Spears did not obey his orders to appear in court via video and as Piette a relatively junior attorney argued that he could not proceed without a co-counsel experienced in capital cases.
According to Michel Paradis Nashiri’s Pentagon-appointed appellate lawyer Nashiri’s case was abated previously in 2015 while the Court of Military Commission Review reviewed several measures. He said Spath ’s decision was different.
“He’s basically saying this case has become a dumpster fire ” he said. “The good news I think is that Colonel Spath finally came around and realized this dumpster fire could not keep going.”
Spath closing court proceedings told the court that he would decide in coming weeks whether to retire.
“We’re out ” he then said. | 1 | neutral | [
"Exasperated military judge halts USS Cole bombing case\nThe decision by Air Force Col.",
"Vance Spath who voiced exasperation at what he characterized as repeated defiance of his authority by defense attorneys is a striking illustration of the deep-rooted problems plaguing the judicial process set up in the wake of the Sept.",
"11 2001 attacks.",
"That crisis was compounded when Spath held Brig.",
"Gen.",
"John G.",
"Baker the chief defense counsel for the commissions in contempt and ordered him confined to quarters when he supported the lawyers’ departure.",
"Spath ’s frustration mounted when two of Nashiri’s former lawyers Rosa Eliades and Mary Spears did not obey his orders to appear in court via video and as Piette a relatively junior attorney argued that he could not proceed without a co-counsel experienced in capital cases.",
"According to Michel Paradis Nashiri’s Pentagon-appointed appellate lawyer Nashiri’s case was abated previously in 2015 while the Court of Military Commission Review reviewed several measures.",
"He said Spath ’s decision was different.",
"“He’s basically saying this case has become a dumpster fire ” he said.",
"“The good news I think is that Colonel Spath finally came around and realized this dumpster fire could not keep going.",
"”\nSpath closing court proceedings told the court that he would decide in coming weeks whether to retire.",
"“We’re out ” he then said."
] |
It's not the best...but it works great for my purpose. I got it to make Greek frappe coffee. It won't froth milk...(not powerful enough)..but it does make a good frappe. I really can't see it doing milk shakes...but it some have...that's awesome. One thing for sure is...it looks cute on my counter. | 1 | neutral | [
"It's not the best...",
"but it works great for my purpose.",
"I got it to make Greek frappe coffee.",
"It won't froth milk...",
"(not powerful enough)..",
"but it does make a good frappe.",
"I really can't see it doing milk shakes...",
"but it some have...",
"that's awesome.",
"One thing for sure is...",
"it looks cute on my counter."
] |
"Runaway," of course, started it all. The Bon Jovi legacy that has made it over three decades, despite how all of the 80's haters have tried to scar this band with a scarlet letter of its own. Resilience has kept the band out of the grave, which is much more than the once brutal grunge army can say for their beloved Cobain. Despite the fact that there is a large legion of those who use a wave of their hand to dismiss 80's rock as pretensious, Bon Jovi is indeed one of the rare examples of products as commercially in-your-face as the Big Mac who made it to that point by offering us something as creatively/artistically crafted as a gourmet entree at a prestigious New York City dining establishment.
I was 4 when this album came out, and didn't start rocking with them till "New Jersey" came out. I can't say for sure if I would have thought Bon Jovi the greatest thing ever to exist, if I was a teenager at the time. Fortunately, I'll never have to answer that. Indeed, Jovi's first 2 albums, while LOVED by a stubborn (in a good way) minority, aren't like the rest. They're less diverse, not as unique, offer less musically, and just about every song is about women and/or some sort of heart-break; which, as I noted on my Farenheit review, is just PERFECT musical therapy for certain times in everyone's life. Otherwise, though, this album isn't very multi-purpose for you the listener. Still, this first album, while not as meaningful as "Slippery..." or "Keep the Faith," somehow finds a bit of timelessness simply by being the "classic breakthrough that started it all."
Asides from the songs being generally perfect for rocking out every now and then, the debut's longevity hasn't really been owed to the music itself (I'm not referring to "Runaway", which was recorded with a different set of musicians before the final group was in place). JBJ himself said he didn't know what he should write, for example if the record company wanted 10 more "Runaways"... which is understandable for a band just getting into the biz and wanting to learn the ropes, but also hinting at one of Jon's attitudes that he still unfortunately sort of holds, that being, always think about what commercially will sell... Take those words carefully, I am not suggesting the band has ever "sold out", and indeed, this mentality has helped them get as big as they did, I am just saying that when it comes down to it, their first release doesn't have too much artistic integrity (though it made up for it with ambition), and thus it pales in comparison to most of their other recordings. Even a "bad" Jovi record, which this is NOT, can never be any less than good, however, so I'm throwing three stars its way just because even in their early 20's, there's an embryonic emotional spirit that is possessed in these 5 souls, necessary for eventually helping lots and lots of people through music. A talent given by God, and given to few.
The songs themselves - the music is much better than the lyrics, previously referred to as being largely "heartbreak lyrics." As far as 80's metal (though not heavy like Iron Maiden), it is nothing short of awe inspiring to hear David (who would have gone off to Juliard if not for the band) tinkering with ways to put keyboard effects and enhancements to music the way only prog-rockers had previously done. As a pianist myself, every note David has ever played has heavily influenced my take on how to craft music. As for Richie, this is wayyy before he gets self-conscious and starts underplaying, so you get some kickass soloing going on, again, especially for a person as young as he was at the time. The only general thing for some of you to look out for is this album has the 80's SOUND, if there ever was such a thing... so if you are one of those people who can't tolerate dated sounds, you might have some problems. For the rest of us, you'll notice I haven't really mentioned song titles - that's because this album really is very similar, it's almost not quite worthy enough of featuring certain songs over others. ALMOST. Here's my favorites (asides from "Runaway"): "She Don't Know Me" (though written by someone else), "Shot Through the Heart" (NOT the mass hit "You Give Love A Bad Name" that far too many people make the mistake about), "Get Ready" (The ONLY song in a major key on the whole record!!!!!). Particular songs aren't worth arguing over, I've saved THAT for my "Keep the Faith" review!!!
This album is what it is, and not much needs to be said other than it's nothing special but it rocks, especially when you're pissed off about a relationship situation. I still think everyone should own this, as everyone should own all Bon Jovi albums!!! Just make this and "7800 degrees..." the end of your collection, so you aren't hit with "Roulette" being your first impression. This album plays a very important role in the history of the band, and it just doesn't feel right without it. | 1 | neutral | [
"\"Runaway,\" of course, started it all.",
"The Bon Jovi legacy that has made it over three decades, despite how all of the 80's haters have tried to scar this band with a scarlet letter of its own.",
"Resilience has kept the band out of the grave, which is much more than the once brutal grunge army can say for their beloved Cobain.",
"Despite the fact that there is a large legion of those who use a wave of their hand to dismiss 80's rock as pretensious, Bon Jovi is indeed one of the rare examples of products as commercially in-your-face as the Big Mac who made it to that point by offering us something as creatively/artistically crafted as a gourmet entree at a prestigious New York City dining establishment.",
"I was 4 when this album came out, and didn't start rocking with them till \"New Jersey\" came out.",
"I can't say for sure if I would have thought Bon Jovi the greatest thing ever to exist, if I was a teenager at the time.",
"Fortunately, I'll never have to answer that.",
"Indeed, Jovi's first 2 albums, while LOVED by a stubborn (in a good way) minority, aren't like the rest.",
"They're less diverse, not as unique, offer less musically, and just about every song is about women and/or some sort of heart-break; which, as I noted on my Farenheit review, is just PERFECT musical therapy for certain times in everyone's life.",
"Otherwise, though, this album isn't very multi-purpose for you the listener.",
"Still, this first album, while not as meaningful as \"Slippery...",
"\" or \"Keep the Faith,\" somehow finds a bit of timelessness simply by being the \"classic breakthrough that started it all.",
"\"\nAsides from the songs being generally perfect for rocking out every now and then, the debut's longevity hasn't really been owed to the music itself (I'm not referring to \"Runaway\", which was recorded with a different set of musicians before the final group was in place).",
"JBJ himself said he didn't know what he should write, for example if the record company wanted 10 more \"Runaways\"...",
"which is understandable for a band just getting into the biz and wanting to learn the ropes, but also hinting at one of Jon's attitudes that he still unfortunately sort of holds, that being, always think about what commercially will sell...",
"Take those words carefully, I am not suggesting the band has ever \"sold out\", and indeed, this mentality has helped them get as big as they did, I am just saying that when it comes down to it, their first release doesn't have too much artistic integrity (though it made up for it with ambition), and thus it pales in comparison to most of their other recordings.",
"Even a \"bad\" Jovi record, which this is NOT, can never be any less than good, however, so I'm throwing three stars its way just because even in their early 20's, there's an embryonic emotional spirit that is possessed in these 5 souls, necessary for eventually helping lots and lots of people through music.",
"A talent given by God, and given to few.",
"The songs themselves - the music is much better than the lyrics, previously referred to as being largely \"heartbreak lyrics.",
"\" As far as 80's metal (though not heavy like Iron Maiden), it is nothing short of awe inspiring to hear David (who would have gone off to Juliard if not for the band) tinkering with ways to put keyboard effects and enhancements to music the way only prog-rockers had previously done.",
"As a pianist myself, every note David has ever played has heavily influenced my take on how to craft music.",
"As for Richie, this is wayyy before he gets self-conscious and starts underplaying, so you get some kickass soloing going on, again, especially for a person as young as he was at the time.",
"The only general thing for some of you to look out for is this album has the 80's SOUND, if there ever was such a thing...",
"so if you are one of those people who can't tolerate dated sounds, you might have some problems.",
"For the rest of us, you'll notice I haven't really mentioned song titles - that's because this album really is very similar, it's almost not quite worthy enough of featuring certain songs over others.",
"ALMOST.",
"Here's my favorites (asides from \"Runaway\"): \"She Don't Know Me\" (though written by someone else), \"Shot Through the Heart\" (NOT the mass hit \"You Give Love A Bad Name\" that far too many people make the mistake about), \"Get Ready\" (The ONLY song in a major key on the whole record!!!!",
"!",
").",
"Particular songs aren't worth arguing over, I've saved THAT for my \"Keep the Faith\" review!!!",
"This album is what it is, and not much needs to be said other than it's nothing special but it rocks, especially when you're pissed off about a relationship situation.",
"I still think everyone should own this, as everyone should own all Bon Jovi albums!!!",
"Just make this and \"7800 degrees...",
"\" the end of your collection, so you aren't hit with \"Roulette\" being your first impression.",
"This album plays a very important role in the history of the band, and it just doesn't feel right without it."
] |
Someone once told me that fashion and trends tend to repeat themselves every 20 years or so. He-Man is back, Pretty Pretty Princes is back, Rainbow Bright has returned, as has Care Bears (which has my wife very happy), and Strawberry Shortcake... and so too have the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles returned with an updated look and style designated for a modern audience.
I remember watching the old cartoons as a kid, and playing the old Konami Ninja Turtle games in the arcade, and on my NES or Super NES and loving them. Then the fad fizzled out. I lost interest when I discovered X-Men, a story I've been following since I abandoned the Ninja turtles.
Having beaten all my GBA titles thus far my wife and I went searching for an inexpensive new addition to keep me occupied during slow time at work. That was Saturday... today I am rearranging my budget to look for a new game to keep me busy at work during down time.
Its not that this game is bad, far from it, its just ridiculously short. This game takes about three hours to clear completely, with next to nothing to extend the game play or encourage replay. Worse yet there's no two-player modes at all, and as far as I can tell no unlockable secrets. Also the stories seem to be based on episodes from the new series, which could explain why there seems to be such a minimally connected narrative between the games "chapters". Played even remotely out of order and it will make the story completely incoherent. (I recommend playing Leo, Raph, Mike, and then Don for the most coherent story). This game is a lot of fun, but there simply isn't enough of it. It was fun to relive a piece of my childhood, but overall I wish I had gotten Metroid Zero Mission instead, even if it did cost a bit more. | 1 | neutral | [
"Someone once told me that fashion and trends tend to repeat themselves every 20 years or so.",
"He-Man is back, Pretty Pretty Princes is back, Rainbow Bright has returned, as has Care Bears (which has my wife very happy), and Strawberry Shortcake...",
"and so too have the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles returned with an updated look and style designated for a modern audience.",
"I remember watching the old cartoons as a kid, and playing the old Konami Ninja Turtle games in the arcade, and on my NES or Super NES and loving them.",
"Then the fad fizzled out.",
"I lost interest when I discovered X-Men, a story I've been following since I abandoned the Ninja turtles.",
"Having beaten all my GBA titles thus far my wife and I went searching for an inexpensive new addition to keep me occupied during slow time at work.",
"That was Saturday...",
"today I am rearranging my budget to look for a new game to keep me busy at work during down time.",
"Its not that this game is bad, far from it, its just ridiculously short.",
"This game takes about three hours to clear completely, with next to nothing to extend the game play or encourage replay.",
"Worse yet there's no two-player modes at all, and as far as I can tell no unlockable secrets.",
"Also the stories seem to be based on episodes from the new series, which could explain why there seems to be such a minimally connected narrative between the games \"chapters\".",
"Played even remotely out of order and it will make the story completely incoherent.",
"(I recommend playing Leo, Raph, Mike, and then Don for the most coherent story).",
"This game is a lot of fun, but there simply isn't enough of it.",
"It was fun to relive a piece of my childhood, but overall I wish I had gotten Metroid Zero Mission instead, even if it did cost a bit more."
] |
I searched on Amazon for RV and this was one of the titles given. I read reviews (not all) and the list of chapters. Sounded good. We are both retired and spending more time on the road in an RV. I expected to learn more about life in an RV full time. After all, RV is what I searched for and this title was near the beginning of over 500 titles available about RVing.
I was disappointed to learn it was about a young man who has given up a traditional lifestyle to travel the world full time. It didn't have the information I wanted. If I had paid more for it I would have been upset.
He tells of his own experiences and offers websites others can use for travel. | 1 | neutral | [
"I searched on Amazon for RV and this was one of the titles given.",
"I read reviews (not all) and the list of chapters.",
"Sounded good.",
"We are both retired and spending more time on the road in an RV.",
"I expected to learn more about life in an RV full time.",
"After all, RV is what I searched for and this title was near the beginning of over 500 titles available about RVing.",
"I was disappointed to learn it was about a young man who has given up a traditional lifestyle to travel the world full time.",
"It didn't have the information I wanted.",
"If I had paid more for it I would have been upset.",
"He tells of his own experiences and offers websites others can use for travel."
] |
The positives: The price of this Japan-based SACD was very fair (at the time of purchase), and was what you'd pay direct from Japan. Audiophile disc retailers are charging around $50 for the same SACD. I own both this SACD and the SHM-CD version (also a Japanese pressing). What is odd is that the same producer did both versions, but the SHM-CD version is MUCH more musical. The SACD is ultra-clean and detailed, but the SHM version has greater ambience and richer tonality. There is more "shimmer and chime" to the guitars, and the disc has both detail AND warmth. I'm not sure what went wrong here--In my experience, SHM-CDs are usually very close to SACD, but lack some of the harmonic richness of SACD (though the differences are usually minimal). In this case, it's the other way around. Grab the SHM-CD version from cdjapan before they're all gone. It's $10 cheaper and sounds better. How can you beat that? | 1 | neutral | [
"The positives: The price of this Japan-based SACD was very fair (at the time of purchase), and was what you'd pay direct from Japan.",
"Audiophile disc retailers are charging around $50 for the same SACD.",
"I own both this SACD and the SHM-CD version (also a Japanese pressing).",
"What is odd is that the same producer did both versions, but the SHM-CD version is MUCH more musical.",
"The SACD is ultra-clean and detailed, but the SHM version has greater ambience and richer tonality.",
"There is more \"shimmer and chime\" to the guitars, and the disc has both detail AND warmth.",
"I'm not sure what went wrong here--In my experience, SHM-CDs are usually very close to SACD, but lack some of the harmonic richness of SACD (though the differences are usually minimal).",
"In this case, it's the other way around.",
"Grab the SHM-CD version from cdjapan before they're all gone.",
"It's $10 cheaper and sounds better.",
"How can you beat that?"
] |
I had two problems getting this to work, one had to do with my transformer output, and the other was with the "privacy code" jumpers.
First of all, this device does not work on door chimes that are not at least 16 volts, 10 amps under load. I previously had 10 volt 5 amp system, and it would not work. When hooked up, it drew enough power so the existing door chime would barely engage. Also, it says on the instructions, that if you have a lighted doorbell, or two chimes, it may not work (not enough amps). Getting a better transformer should do the trick in most cases, if you already have a 16v system.
My old 10v transformer was reading 9-10v with no load, and down to 5-6 under load from just the chime. The replacement transformer reads 20v under no load, and stays at 16v under load.
Second, the device didn't work at first, and this was because one of the "privacy code" jumpers on the transmitter was severed, but not on the receiver. I had to clip the jumper on the receiver, and it then worked great. So if yours isn't working, make sure that both transmitter and receiver have the same series.
There is a plastic sticker on the back that allows you access to the volume switch and the privacy jumpers. A replacement sticker is provided, as well as two drywall screws/anchors, and a double sided foam sticker for the transmitter. The plastic sticker is for water resistance, so use it if you want.
The configuration for the chimes is done but placing 2 small jumpers on some pins on the transmitter. This is a little annoying because it can be hard to access if you ever want to change. Some chimes are much louder than others, so you'll have to test and see which will work for you.
The transmitter itself is fairly small, but large enough so that it won't conceal nicely into a chime box. I have the nutone chime which is fairly large, and it does not fit inside of the housing. I was able to remove the chime from the wall (2 screws), and stick the transmitter behind that, as there was a hole in the drywall behind it.
Overall, this device is cheaply made. It's entirely through-hole components with poor hand soldered joints. Also, there is a decent amount of glue on the PCB in various places to hold stuff in place, or insulate things (antenna, etc). The antenna on the transmitter is a small metal bar soldered to the PCB. On the receiver, the antenna is a small white wire that comes out in the battery compartment. The range seems fine to me (using it in the back room some 50 feet away through 4 walls), but if you wanted a lot more range, it would not be hard to solder onto and extend the antenna on either the transmitter or the receiver. | 1 | neutral | [
"I had two problems getting this to work, one had to do with my transformer output, and the other was with the \"privacy code\" jumpers.",
"First of all, this device does not work on door chimes that are not at least 16 volts, 10 amps under load.",
"I previously had 10 volt 5 amp system, and it would not work.",
"When hooked up, it drew enough power so the existing door chime would barely engage.",
"Also, it says on the instructions, that if you have a lighted doorbell, or two chimes, it may not work (not enough amps).",
"Getting a better transformer should do the trick in most cases, if you already have a 16v system.",
"My old 10v transformer was reading 9-10v with no load, and down to 5-6 under load from just the chime.",
"The replacement transformer reads 20v under no load, and stays at 16v under load.",
"Second, the device didn't work at first, and this was because one of the \"privacy code\" jumpers on the transmitter was severed, but not on the receiver.",
"I had to clip the jumper on the receiver, and it then worked great.",
"So if yours isn't working, make sure that both transmitter and receiver have the same series.",
"There is a plastic sticker on the back that allows you access to the volume switch and the privacy jumpers.",
"A replacement sticker is provided, as well as two drywall screws/anchors, and a double sided foam sticker for the transmitter.",
"The plastic sticker is for water resistance, so use it if you want.",
"The configuration for the chimes is done but placing 2 small jumpers on some pins on the transmitter.",
"This is a little annoying because it can be hard to access if you ever want to change.",
"Some chimes are much louder than others, so you'll have to test and see which will work for you.",
"The transmitter itself is fairly small, but large enough so that it won't conceal nicely into a chime box.",
"I have the nutone chime which is fairly large, and it does not fit inside of the housing.",
"I was able to remove the chime from the wall (2 screws), and stick the transmitter behind that, as there was a hole in the drywall behind it.",
"Overall, this device is cheaply made.",
"It's entirely through-hole components with poor hand soldered joints.",
"Also, there is a decent amount of glue on the PCB in various places to hold stuff in place, or insulate things (antenna, etc).",
"The antenna on the transmitter is a small metal bar soldered to the PCB.",
"On the receiver, the antenna is a small white wire that comes out in the battery compartment.",
"The range seems fine to me (using it in the back room some 50 feet away through 4 walls), but if you wanted a lot more range, it would not be hard to solder onto and extend the antenna on either the transmitter or the receiver."
] |
Funny and well crafted album though not a highlight from Jarre. It is a predecessor of all the altered voice albums we can hear nowadays. The main songs are really funny to listen and the titles say it all. 'Zoolook????', 'Zoolooklogie'?????
'Wooloomoooloooo????????'
Really funny stuff... I reckon Jarre wanted to get a bit loose in this album after his ambitious project of the Concerts in China, and add a bit of nonsensely, surreal fun factor to his work.
The first track, 'Ethnicolor' is strong and interesnting. The second one, 'Diva', although a bit boring it's strange and interesting; as Laurie Anderson speaks a lot of silly noises and some voices say some things. Jarre paints kind of a human jungle with voices for all over the world which is something nobody thought of before.
The closing 'Ethnicolor II' is for me a highlight in spite of it's short duration, as it closes the album with a great, strange atmosphere and that cello evoking a lot of different emotions. A nice album, very original and a classic of instrumental synth music as well. | 1 | neutral | [
"Funny and well crafted album though not a highlight from Jarre.",
"It is a predecessor of all the altered voice albums we can hear nowadays.",
"The main songs are really funny to listen and the titles say it all.",
"'Zoolook????",
"', 'Zoolooklogie'????",
"?",
"'Wooloomoooloooo????",
"????",
"'\n\nReally funny stuff...",
"I reckon Jarre wanted to get a bit loose in this album after his ambitious project of the Concerts in China, and add a bit of nonsensely, surreal fun factor to his work.",
"The first track, 'Ethnicolor' is strong and interesnting.",
"The second one, 'Diva', although a bit boring it's strange and interesting; as Laurie Anderson speaks a lot of silly noises and some voices say some things.",
"Jarre paints kind of a human jungle with voices for all over the world which is something nobody thought of before.",
"The closing 'Ethnicolor II' is for me a highlight in spite of it's short duration, as it closes the album with a great, strange atmosphere and that cello evoking a lot of different emotions.",
"A nice album, very original and a classic of instrumental synth music as well."
] |
The Torturer Pushing the Iran Regimeâs Great Conspiracy Theory About the Popular Protests
This week one of IRIBâs popular nightly talk shows was dedicated to the protests. The Channel Two show featured Ahmad Amirabadi Farahani a conservative MP and Reza Seraj introduced as an âexpert on strategic questions and a university professor.â
Seraj is well-known to many Iranian activists although not exactly in those terms. Many of the thousands who have gone through the notorious interrogations blindfolded in Tehranâs Evin Prison remember his voice as an âexpert interrogator.â He is known for meting out psychological torture rather than physical torture by flaunting his supposed knowledge of the intricate webs of espionage with which any given activist is allegedly involved.
Born in the southwestern city of Ahvaz in 1966 Seraj has cut his teeth in different wings of the IRGC especially its autonomous volunteer paramilitary the Basij. One story alleges that in 1988 the then-21-year-old Seraj galvanized a group of angry Basijis to stop a speech by Ali Khameneiâwho was president at the timeâto soldiers on the frontlines of the war with Iraq. Back then President Khamenei was engaged in a power struggle with Prime Minister Mir-Hossein Mousavi who was regarded as being more revolutionary and closer to the founder of the Islamic Republic Ayatollah Khomeini.
As it turned out two decades later in 2009 Seraj played a lead role in defending Khamenei by then the supreme leader harassing and torturing supporters of Mousavi who was by that time the leader of the Green Movement that threatened Khamenei.
â 'The Americans the Israelis and the Saudis had a strategic operational plan that was to be put in action next year ' Seraj said 'but some factors led them into hastening it .' â
Seraj headed the student organization of Basij from 2008 to 2010 and was lauded by the pro-IRGC Fars News Agency as a transformative Basiji figure. In the years since he has become known for working with outlets like Fars and the state broadcaster to defend the regime and spin tales of foreign espionage.
His real identity didnât remain hidden for long. Ali Afshari the student activist who was driven to exile after bouts of prison and torture in Iran recalled Seraj very well in an interview he gave to the New Haven-based Iran Human Rights Documentation Center.
âWhen I gave up they had taken my blindfold [off] and I could see my interrogator â Afshari said. âHe introduced himself as Alavi but I later found out that his name was Seraj. He sometimes writes for Fars now and is the head of student Basij. I complained to the judge and asked for a different interrogator. Seraj used to tell me that it was he who told the judge what to do not the other way around.â
Adding more to spice up the story Amirabadi claimed that part of the U.S. plan was to bring the forces of ISIS to Iranian territory but this had been thwarted by the Quds Force (a part of the IRGC which is not supposed to operate on Iranian territory) and the Unknown Soldiers of the Twelfth Imam (the name used for the forces of Iranâs ministry of intelligence.) Seraj quickly agreed with this claim.
According to Seraj now that the Americansâ âPlan Aâ had been defeated they had resorted to âPlan B â which had been started by U.S. Ambassador Nikki Haleyâs calling on the United Nations Security Council to meet about Iran.
âTheir plan is to lead Iran to miscalculation and to change its behavior according to what U.S. and the European countries want â Seraj said. âThey had designed a game of dominoes. The Americans were to threaten us with leaving the JCPOA [nuclear agreement] and ramping up the sanctions while the Europeans were to play the good cop.â
Confirming "the Conspiracy" and Worries for Whatâs Next
Seraj doesnât officially speak for the IRGC so someone unfamiliar with his significance might dismiss his elaborate theory as the thoughts of one man. But Iranian Chief Prosecutor Mohammad Jafar Montazeri has given a version of events that coincides very closely with Serajâs.
Montazeri then gave numerous details to back up the story put forth by Seraj and Amirabadiâand added some new claims. The cities of Herat in Afghanistan and Erbil in Iraqi Kurdistan had been picked as centers of operation he said and ISIS forces were to come to Iran from there. He also claimed that Michael DâAndreaâwho was revealed in U.S. media reports back in June as the newly appointed head of the CIAâs Iran Mission Centerâhad organized the protests a claim previously made by some pro-government Turkish newspapers (these reports were so inaccurate they had mistakenly published photographs of U.S. actors instead of DâAndrea.)
The Green Movement of 2009 was followed by Stalinesque show trials during which the accused confessed to involvement in elaborate espionage plans. Seraj is known to have played a role in concocting those fantasy plans. So now many worry that a similar fate awaits more than 1 500 people who have been arrested over the last few days. | 1 | neutral | [
"The Torturer Pushing the Iran Regimeâs Great Conspiracy Theory About the Popular Protests\nThis week one of IRIBâs popular nightly talk shows was dedicated to the protests.",
"The Channel Two show featured Ahmad Amirabadi Farahani a conservative MP and Reza Seraj introduced as an âexpert on strategic questions and a university professor.",
"â\n Seraj is well-known to many Iranian activists although not exactly in those terms.",
"Many of the thousands who have gone through the notorious interrogations blindfolded in Tehranâs Evin Prison remember his voice as an âexpert interrogator.",
"â He is known for meting out psychological torture rather than physical torture by flaunting his supposed knowledge of the intricate webs of espionage with which any given activist is allegedly involved.",
"Born in the southwestern city of Ahvaz in 1966 Seraj has cut his teeth in different wings of the IRGC especially its autonomous volunteer paramilitary the Basij.",
"One story alleges that in 1988 the then-21-year-old Seraj galvanized a group of angry Basijis to stop a speech by Ali Khameneiâwho was president at the timeâto soldiers on the frontlines of the war with Iraq.",
"Back then President Khamenei was engaged in a power struggle with Prime Minister Mir-Hossein Mousavi who was regarded as being more revolutionary and closer to the founder of the Islamic Republic Ayatollah Khomeini.",
"As it turned out two decades later in 2009 Seraj played a lead role in defending Khamenei by then the supreme leader harassing and torturing supporters of Mousavi who was by that time the leader of the Green Movement that threatened Khamenei.",
"â 'The Americans the Israelis and the Saudis had a strategic operational plan that was to be put in action next year ' Seraj said 'but some factors led them into hastening it.",
"' â\n Seraj headed the student organization of Basij from 2008 to 2010 and was lauded by the pro-IRGC Fars News Agency as a transformative Basiji figure.",
"In the years since he has become known for working with outlets like Fars and the state broadcaster to defend the regime and spin tales of foreign espionage.",
"His real identity didnât remain hidden for long.",
"Ali Afshari the student activist who was driven to exile after bouts of prison and torture in Iran recalled Seraj very well in an interview he gave to the New Haven-based Iran Human Rights Documentation Center.",
"âWhen I gave up they had taken my blindfold [off] and I could see my interrogator â Afshari said.",
"âHe introduced himself as Alavi but I later found out that his name was Seraj.",
"He sometimes writes for Fars now and is the head of student Basij.",
"I complained to the judge and asked for a different interrogator.",
"Seraj used to tell me that it was he who told the judge what to do not the other way around.",
"â\nAdding more to spice up the story Amirabadi claimed that part of the U.",
"S. plan was to bring the forces of ISIS to Iranian territory but this had been thwarted by the Quds Force (a part of the IRGC which is not supposed to operate on Iranian territory) and the Unknown Soldiers of the Twelfth Imam (the name used for the forces of Iranâs ministry of intelligence.",
") Seraj quickly agreed with this claim.",
"According to Seraj now that the Americansâ âPlan Aâ had been defeated they had resorted to âPlan B â which had been started by U.",
"S. Ambassador Nikki Haleyâs calling on the United Nations Security Council to meet about Iran.",
"âTheir plan is to lead Iran to miscalculation and to change its behavior according to what U.",
"S. and the European countries want â Seraj said.",
"âThey had designed a game of dominoes.",
"The Americans were to threaten us with leaving the JCPOA [nuclear agreement] and ramping up the sanctions while the Europeans were to play the good cop.",
"â\nConfirming \"the Conspiracy\" and Worries for Whatâs Next\nSeraj doesnât officially speak for the IRGC so someone unfamiliar with his significance might dismiss his elaborate theory as the thoughts of one man.",
"But Iranian Chief Prosecutor Mohammad Jafar Montazeri has given a version of events that coincides very closely with Serajâs.",
"Montazeri then gave numerous details to back up the story put forth by Seraj and Amirabadiâand added some new claims.",
"The cities of Herat in Afghanistan and Erbil in Iraqi Kurdistan had been picked as centers of operation he said and ISIS forces were to come to Iran from there.",
"He also claimed that Michael DâAndreaâwho was revealed in U.",
"S. media reports back in June as the newly appointed head of the CIAâs Iran Mission Centerâhad organized the protests a claim previously made by some pro-government Turkish newspapers (these reports were so inaccurate they had mistakenly published photographs of U.",
"S. actors instead of DâAndrea.",
")\nThe Green Movement of 2009 was followed by Stalinesque show trials during which the accused confessed to involvement in elaborate espionage plans.",
"Seraj is known to have played a role in concocting those fantasy plans.",
"So now many worry that a similar fate awaits more than 1 500 people who have been arrested over the last few days."
] |
I bought a few Toto albums back in the day. I particularly enjoyed the debut and IV. I played each of them quite a lot in the months after their release. However, when CDs made their appearance I was never inclined to acquire these record in the new format. Fast forward to 2012. My Car's CD player isn't working and I have to play the radio. As I flip from station to station on comes Hold the Line. Catchy song. So as soon as I get home I order these two CDs. They have now arrived and I have had the opportunity to listen to each three or four times and..............
Well, first off, there is no denying that there is much talent on display here. The musicians are first rate, the vocalists are competent and the songs are infectious; a few are killers. I am enjoying my reunion with Toto, but (and this is Jennifer Lopez sized but), it all sounds like it was done in a "paint by numbers" way. It is soulless and formulaic. I always found Styx and Journey (after the first two LPs) To be similar. I have a few Styx albums and really enjoy some of that band's music. Similarly, I find Toto palatable and occasionally inspired. Nonetheless I have a suspicion that these two CDs will soon find there way into the stacks and will gather dust before I play them again.
Each is entitled to his opinion. However, as much as I disagree with those who consider Toto IV one of the great records (and there are lots of you), I take issue with those who grant this just one star. Catchy and well- made pop does have it's place. It's just that if I want clinical, note perfect efficiency I'll turn to Steely Dan. | 1 | neutral | [
"I bought a few Toto albums back in the day.",
"I particularly enjoyed the debut and IV.",
"I played each of them quite a lot in the months after their release.",
"However, when CDs made their appearance I was never inclined to acquire these record in the new format.",
"Fast forward to 2012.",
"My Car's CD player isn't working and I have to play the radio.",
"As I flip from station to station on comes Hold the Line.",
"Catchy song.",
"So as soon as I get home I order these two CDs.",
"They have now arrived and I have had the opportunity to listen to each three or four times and....",
"....",
"....",
"..",
"Well, first off, there is no denying that there is much talent on display here.",
"The musicians are first rate, the vocalists are competent and the songs are infectious; a few are killers.",
"I am enjoying my reunion with Toto, but (and this is Jennifer Lopez sized but), it all sounds like it was done in a \"paint by numbers\" way.",
"It is soulless and formulaic.",
"I always found Styx and Journey (after the first two LPs) To be similar.",
"I have a few Styx albums and really enjoy some of that band's music.",
"Similarly, I find Toto palatable and occasionally inspired.",
"Nonetheless I have a suspicion that these two CDs will soon find there way into the stacks and will gather dust before I play them again.",
"Each is entitled to his opinion.",
"However, as much as I disagree with those who consider Toto IV one of the great records (and there are lots of you), I take issue with those who grant this just one star.",
"Catchy and well- made pop does have it's place.",
"It's just that if I want clinical, note perfect efficiency I'll turn to Steely Dan."
] |
I know what you're thinking - how can I give 3 stars to a film that I called "fantastically well-made" and that has a wide array of DVD extras? Because technical skill is not enough - the film must be worthwhile viewing and certainly must not let me down at the end.
The good points: Director Fincher and cinematographer Darius Khondji deserve special mention for making the film dark, moody, and of exactly the right pitch for the material. Although I couldn't tell on my system (I don't have surround sound), I'm told that the sound itself is worth the price of the DVD. Brad Pitt and Morgan Freeman are perfect, as is the "guest star" serial killer, whose name I won't reveal because it's a neat surprise (his name is not given in the opening credits so it's not for me to reveal his name, although other reviews do). The idea is creative - a serial killer "sermon" on the deadly sins. Many have commented on how disturbing the film is, which is true, but not any more so than some true story serial killers, and I would have no problem recommending the film to others (but take the R-rating very seriously!)
However.... At the end of the film, for all its technical skill, I was not left with the impression that the experience was worthwhile. The more I thought about it, the less I liked the ending and the protrayal of the serial killer. Some of the murders (e.g. greed and sloth) are grisly, but not really poetic justice. Likewise, the ending is very irritating. Not so much for its predictability, but for the fact that it cheats. Count up the number of murders at the end, and you don't get seven. I have other objections, but they would require revealing too much, so I won't post them here.
Seven is one of these moody pieces where the audience is jerked around but where it should all come together at the end. Think about two films with some of the same stars, namely 12 Monkeys and The Usual Suspects: the endings of these films are consistent with the buildup and don't cheat the audience. Seven does cheat, so it loses status in my star rating.
The DVD edition is quite a good package. There are 4 audio commentaries, although most of them (and many of the other extras) are technical in nature. One entire commentary is devoted to the sound alone! My favourite extra - cut and/or alternate scenes - is interesting, especially the original opening sequence of the film and the subplot it generated. There is also an alternate ending that was storyboarded, which contains an interesting difference from the one that was filmed. | 1 | neutral | [
"I know what you're thinking - how can I give 3 stars to a film that I called \"fantastically well-made\" and that has a wide array of DVD extras?",
"Because technical skill is not enough - the film must be worthwhile viewing and certainly must not let me down at the end.",
"The good points: Director Fincher and cinematographer Darius Khondji deserve special mention for making the film dark, moody, and of exactly the right pitch for the material.",
"Although I couldn't tell on my system (I don't have surround sound), I'm told that the sound itself is worth the price of the DVD.",
"Brad Pitt and Morgan Freeman are perfect, as is the \"guest star\" serial killer, whose name I won't reveal because it's a neat surprise (his name is not given in the opening credits so it's not for me to reveal his name, although other reviews do).",
"The idea is creative - a serial killer \"sermon\" on the deadly sins.",
"Many have commented on how disturbing the film is, which is true, but not any more so than some true story serial killers, and I would have no problem recommending the film to others (but take the R-rating very seriously!",
")\nHowever....",
"At the end of the film, for all its technical skill, I was not left with the impression that the experience was worthwhile.",
"The more I thought about it, the less I liked the ending and the protrayal of the serial killer.",
"Some of the murders (e.",
"g. greed and sloth) are grisly, but not really poetic justice.",
"Likewise, the ending is very irritating.",
"Not so much for its predictability, but for the fact that it cheats.",
"Count up the number of murders at the end, and you don't get seven.",
"I have other objections, but they would require revealing too much, so I won't post them here.",
"Seven is one of these moody pieces where the audience is jerked around but where it should all come together at the end.",
"Think about two films with some of the same stars, namely 12 Monkeys and The Usual Suspects: the endings of these films are consistent with the buildup and don't cheat the audience.",
"Seven does cheat, so it loses status in my star rating.",
"The DVD edition is quite a good package.",
"There are 4 audio commentaries, although most of them (and many of the other extras) are technical in nature.",
"One entire commentary is devoted to the sound alone!",
"My favourite extra - cut and/or alternate scenes - is interesting, especially the original opening sequence of the film and the subplot it generated.",
"There is also an alternate ending that was storyboarded, which contains an interesting difference from the one that was filmed."
] |
So I haven't read very many classics and I wanted to so I joined a classics read-a-long and Dracula was our first read. I started Dracula at the beginning of August expecting to breeze through it but then for the first time ever I thought that it would be a good idea to read other books while working my way through Dracula. That was a terrible idea because then it took me a whole month to read, which I never take that long. Anyways, Dracula was just okay for me. I was expecting way more vampire and gore and I didn't get that. I did learn a new word because of this book, "epistolary" which is defined as a novel written as a series of documents, ex: letters, diary entries, newspaper clippings, etc... Now with that being said that's the part of this novel that I didn't like, all the diary entries. I found a lot of them to be quite boring.
So this hasn't changed my mind on reading classics but I probably won't read Dracula again. I would recommend it to those who don't mind slow novels lol. | 1 | neutral | [
"So I haven't read very many classics and I wanted to so I joined a classics read-a-long and Dracula was our first read.",
"I started Dracula at the beginning of August expecting to breeze through it but then for the first time ever I thought that it would be a good idea to read other books while working my way through Dracula.",
"That was a terrible idea because then it took me a whole month to read, which I never take that long.",
"Anyways, Dracula was just okay for me.",
"I was expecting way more vampire and gore and I didn't get that.",
"I did learn a new word because of this book, \"epistolary\" which is defined as a novel written as a series of documents, ex: letters, diary entries, newspaper clippings, etc...",
"Now with that being said that's the part of this novel that I didn't like, all the diary entries.",
"I found a lot of them to be quite boring.",
"So this hasn't changed my mind on reading classics but I probably won't read Dracula again.",
"I would recommend it to those who don't mind slow novels lol."
] |
I’m mixed on my feelings towards this unit. The price is amazing. It works really well, especially on relieving my lower back pain when I have it. (Main reason I bought this unit) Unfortunately today I accidentally dropped it from a very short height and the screen broke. The glass screen looks to be incredibly thin. I’m not blaming the product. I dropped it. But just making others aware that the screen is very fragile. The unit is still working but with the screen braking so easy, it does worry me a little about what else may have gone wrong. Warranty does not cover accidents so if you do get this unit, be extra careful with it. | 1 | neutral | [
"I’m mixed on my feelings towards this unit.",
"The price is amazing.",
"It works really well, especially on relieving my lower back pain when I have it.",
"(Main reason I bought this unit) Unfortunately today I accidentally dropped it from a very short height and the screen broke.",
"The glass screen looks to be incredibly thin.",
"I’m not blaming the product.",
"I dropped it.",
"But just making others aware that the screen is very fragile.",
"The unit is still working but with the screen braking so easy, it does worry me a little about what else may have gone wrong.",
"Warranty does not cover accidents so if you do get this unit, be extra careful with it."
] |
This game is a great Mario game, but does still suffer a few flaws. Here's my great ol' review for this red fella's happy adventure.
Story: 6/10 Okay storyline, but abit pointless. They say that the Shine sprites were captured, and you try to take them back. But you find that some of the residents of Delfino island actually HAVE THE sprites. So what they are looking for, the have it????!!!!! Also, its abit too happy. Other games like eternal darkness is more dark and serious. This game is just abit TOO happy.
Gameplay 6/10 Fun and challenging gameplay, with many moves and twists. The camera angles are a bit bad, though, even with the C stick. The game also gets quite boring when you're stuck. THere is not much options left....[Bowser] is vey easy to beat in the end of the game.
Controls: 9/10 Well made, every control is easy to use. Good enough.
Graphics: 7/10 Good enough. VERY GOOD WATER GRAPHICS, AS REALISTIC AS POSSIBLE. Some courses are not well done.
Sound: 5/10 Very annoying music. Water sounds, and environment sounds are good enough, just the music.
Value: 7/10 You can go for sprites again and again. It's just gets abit boring. You can also go for secret stars, and go for all 120.
Overall 6.5/10 A good enough Mario game for its type, but just doesn't deliver enough. A bit boring, but still a worth it game for all Mario fans. Buy it. | 1 | neutral | [
"This game is a great Mario game, but does still suffer a few flaws.",
"Here's my great ol' review for this red fella's happy adventure.",
"Story: 6/10 Okay storyline, but abit pointless.",
"They say that the Shine sprites were captured, and you try to take them back.",
"But you find that some of the residents of Delfino island actually HAVE THE sprites.",
"So what they are looking for, the have it????",
"!!!!",
"!",
"Also, its abit too happy.",
"Other games like eternal darkness is more dark and serious.",
"This game is just abit TOO happy.",
"Gameplay 6/10 Fun and challenging gameplay, with many moves and twists.",
"The camera angles are a bit bad, though, even with the C stick.",
"The game also gets quite boring when you're stuck.",
"THere is not much options left....",
"[Bowser] is vey easy to beat in the end of the game.",
"Controls: 9/10 Well made, every control is easy to use.",
"Good enough.",
"Graphics: 7/10 Good enough.",
"VERY GOOD WATER GRAPHICS, AS REALISTIC AS POSSIBLE.",
"Some courses are not well done.",
"Sound: 5/10 Very annoying music.",
"Water sounds, and environment sounds are good enough, just the music.",
"Value: 7/10 You can go for sprites again and again.",
"It's just gets abit boring.",
"You can also go for secret stars, and go for all 120.",
"Overall 6.",
"5/10 A good enough Mario game for its type, but just doesn't deliver enough.",
"A bit boring, but still a worth it game for all Mario fans.",
"Buy it."
] |
This book was such an enjoyable read! I loved the Victorian writing style and the fact that is was set in 1900's in England/London. This book is told from several differnt perspectives of people. Mr. Jonathan Harker goes to Transylvania to to discuss selling real estate for Count Dracula. Mr. Harker has no idea what Dracula is or what he is capable of. Mr. Harker soon discovers things he couldn't even dream imaginable. He tells the story by writing all the events that take place in his journal. After this, much more disturbing events start to take place and Mr. Harker along with others go on a quest to rid the world of Dracula and his kind.
It was interesting to see the way vampires were perceived then as opposed to now (with Twilight and other sereies out now). I really loved the first half of this book and could not put it down, but then it really started to drag for me. This book was really hard for me to finally finish, which is why I only gave it 3 stars. I did love the ending once I got to it though! | 1 | neutral | [
"This book was such an enjoyable read!",
"I loved the Victorian writing style and the fact that is was set in 1900's in England/London.",
"This book is told from several differnt perspectives of people.",
"Mr.",
"Jonathan Harker goes to Transylvania to to discuss selling real estate for Count Dracula.",
"Mr.",
"Harker has no idea what Dracula is or what he is capable of.",
"Mr.",
"Harker soon discovers things he couldn't even dream imaginable.",
"He tells the story by writing all the events that take place in his journal.",
"After this, much more disturbing events start to take place and Mr.",
"Harker along with others go on a quest to rid the world of Dracula and his kind.",
"It was interesting to see the way vampires were perceived then as opposed to now (with Twilight and other sereies out now).",
"I really loved the first half of this book and could not put it down, but then it really started to drag for me.",
"This book was really hard for me to finally finish, which is why I only gave it 3 stars.",
"I did love the ending once I got to it though!"
] |
It appears that no Broadway cast recording will be made, so we are stuck with the London cast recording.
The British in general do not produce strong musicals. (Any country that reveres the works of Andrew Lloyd Webber is immediately suspect.) As it happens, BILLY ELLIOT is a strong show thanks to its source material.
Elton John's score, while functional in a dramatic context, does not contain one single breakout tune. It's telling that the most memorable melody in the show accompanies an extended ballet sequence set to music from SWAN LAKE (Tchaikovsky) that is not included on this CD.
This show is centered on dance, which obviously cannot be seen on the CD.
What we can hear are the songs with some dialogue. A little more dialogue would help, but the recording conveys much of the story.
The performances are quite good and the show has been a huge hit in London and already a hot ticket in New York. The show is vry entertaining. If you are a fan of musicals you will want to hear this, though Elton John fans looking for music with a harder edge may be disappointed. | 1 | neutral | [
"It appears that no Broadway cast recording will be made, so we are stuck with the London cast recording.",
"The British in general do not produce strong musicals.",
"(Any country that reveres the works of Andrew Lloyd Webber is immediately suspect.",
") As it happens, BILLY ELLIOT is a strong show thanks to its source material.",
"Elton John's score, while functional in a dramatic context, does not contain one single breakout tune.",
"It's telling that the most memorable melody in the show accompanies an extended ballet sequence set to music from SWAN LAKE (Tchaikovsky) that is not included on this CD.",
"This show is centered on dance, which obviously cannot be seen on the CD.",
"What we can hear are the songs with some dialogue.",
"A little more dialogue would help, but the recording conveys much of the story.",
"The performances are quite good and the show has been a huge hit in London and already a hot ticket in New York.",
"The show is vry entertaining.",
"If you are a fan of musicals you will want to hear this, though Elton John fans looking for music with a harder edge may be disappointed."
] |
This game is virtually the same as all of the other old school Resident Evil games. Limited supplies, lots of puzzles, item management, and zombies. The limited items creates a tense atmosphere and there are plenty of jump scares. If you liked any of the previous RE games, you'll probably enjoy the gameplay of this one. Now, don't get me wrong, I love old school RE gameplay, there are just a few things about this one that are FAR more frustrating than they are fun.
First of all, it has way more backtracking than I remember in any other Resident Evil game. They all have backtracking, but they don't involve you going back and forth across a giant island multiple times. You cross the island, only to get an item that unlocks a door two screens away from where you started. I'm not a fan of the plot, which at times gets rather ridiculous. There are also a lot of annoying enemies. Bandersnatches are nearly impossible to dodge, as their arms can stretch across an area to smack you, and can jump from level to level. Getting past them is a chore, and they show up early on in the game (at least it waits til the end to throw Hunters at you). I recall a few puzzles where I was completely stumped, and upon looking up the solution in a walkthrough, would have NEVER figured it out. I don't recall any puzzles like that in other RE games. There is also a room full of moths that plant eggs on your back, which hatch and poison you. Now, the moths are fairly easy to dispose of (one shot from anything kills them) and the room has an infinite supply of blue herbs, but once the eggs are laid, you can't get rid of them, and they'll hatch in inconvenient places. Also, none of the bosses are ANY fun. One boss involves you running down a hallway being chased, but unless you want to lose a powerful weapon for the rest of the game, it's impossible to get past without taking damage. They also throw you in a room you can't backtrack out of, so unless you actually came prepared and have a relatively close save, you can get stuck. Another boss has tons of little minion things that push you around and deal near-constant damage. It makes the battle far too difficult, especially considering the amount of shots it takes to end it. There are some other minor things, but I won't list them
If you want traditional survival horror gameplay, then this will provide that. It is an earlier Resident Evil title, after all. However, it's incredibly frustrating, in the unfair sort of way. (Demon's Souls was a difficult game, but one that I thought was fair. This isn't) If you want a great Resident Evil experience, go for the Gamecube remake of the original. | 1 | neutral | [
"This game is virtually the same as all of the other old school Resident Evil games.",
"Limited supplies, lots of puzzles, item management, and zombies.",
"The limited items creates a tense atmosphere and there are plenty of jump scares.",
"If you liked any of the previous RE games, you'll probably enjoy the gameplay of this one.",
"Now, don't get me wrong, I love old school RE gameplay, there are just a few things about this one that are FAR more frustrating than they are fun.",
"First of all, it has way more backtracking than I remember in any other Resident Evil game.",
"They all have backtracking, but they don't involve you going back and forth across a giant island multiple times.",
"You cross the island, only to get an item that unlocks a door two screens away from where you started.",
"I'm not a fan of the plot, which at times gets rather ridiculous.",
"There are also a lot of annoying enemies.",
"Bandersnatches are nearly impossible to dodge, as their arms can stretch across an area to smack you, and can jump from level to level.",
"Getting past them is a chore, and they show up early on in the game (at least it waits til the end to throw Hunters at you).",
"I recall a few puzzles where I was completely stumped, and upon looking up the solution in a walkthrough, would have NEVER figured it out.",
"I don't recall any puzzles like that in other RE games.",
"There is also a room full of moths that plant eggs on your back, which hatch and poison you.",
"Now, the moths are fairly easy to dispose of (one shot from anything kills them) and the room has an infinite supply of blue herbs, but once the eggs are laid, you can't get rid of them, and they'll hatch in inconvenient places.",
"Also, none of the bosses are ANY fun.",
"One boss involves you running down a hallway being chased, but unless you want to lose a powerful weapon for the rest of the game, it's impossible to get past without taking damage.",
"They also throw you in a room you can't backtrack out of, so unless you actually came prepared and have a relatively close save, you can get stuck.",
"Another boss has tons of little minion things that push you around and deal near-constant damage.",
"It makes the battle far too difficult, especially considering the amount of shots it takes to end it.",
"There are some other minor things, but I won't list them\n\nIf you want traditional survival horror gameplay, then this will provide that.",
"It is an earlier Resident Evil title, after all.",
"However, it's incredibly frustrating, in the unfair sort of way.",
"(Demon's Souls was a difficult game, but one that I thought was fair.",
"This isn't) If you want a great Resident Evil experience, go for the Gamecube remake of the original."
] |
There are spoilers in this review so read it at your own risk :-).
I liked all the books so far in the Legacy series. I loved James from Alexandra's story and was a little sad that he was left to be alpha by himself. I loved how Shelley/Rachel fought to free herself. She didn't wait for someone to rescue her but she rescued herself. I absolutely love how N.J. interwove the lives of all the characters involved. As I suspected in the last book, Quinn showed up in this story with a very important role in this story. He was looking for his twin sister and was working with the hunters to see if they had information about her whereabouts. I thought that Shelley/Rachel was his sister since she couldn't remember anything about her past. But no...surprise of all surpises...she was Joshua (Alexandra's Legacy hero) and Isaiah's (Isaiah's Haven) sister who they thought was killed thirty-five years earlier. And the fact that Shelley/Rachel fell in love with James, Alexandra's father was strange but interesting twist. And lets not forget Quinn. After the battle with the hunters, we find out that he is none other that Donovan's long lost and unknown son. Sheesh...can you say all mixed together. It was a good story at about 50% in but it was a little slow taking off.
I look forward to reading Quinn's Quest, the fourth book in the Legacy series that will be released in February 2012. I'm sure we'll find out more about him and Donovan who was only a superficial character in the last two stories. | 1 | neutral | [
"There are spoilers in this review so read it at your own risk :-).",
"I liked all the books so far in the Legacy series.",
"I loved James from Alexandra's story and was a little sad that he was left to be alpha by himself.",
"I loved how Shelley/Rachel fought to free herself.",
"She didn't wait for someone to rescue her but she rescued herself.",
"I absolutely love how N.",
"J. interwove the lives of all the characters involved.",
"As I suspected in the last book, Quinn showed up in this story with a very important role in this story.",
"He was looking for his twin sister and was working with the hunters to see if they had information about her whereabouts.",
"I thought that Shelley/Rachel was his sister since she couldn't remember anything about her past.",
"But no...",
"surprise of all surpises...",
"she was Joshua (Alexandra's Legacy hero) and Isaiah's (Isaiah's Haven) sister who they thought was killed thirty-five years earlier.",
"And the fact that Shelley/Rachel fell in love with James, Alexandra's father was strange but interesting twist.",
"And lets not forget Quinn.",
"After the battle with the hunters, we find out that he is none other that Donovan's long lost and unknown son.",
"Sheesh...",
"can you say all mixed together.",
"It was a good story at about 50% in but it was a little slow taking off.",
"I look forward to reading Quinn's Quest, the fourth book in the Legacy series that will be released in February 2012.",
"I'm sure we'll find out more about him and Donovan who was only a superficial character in the last two stories."
] |
I love Vincent ever since playing FFVII.So of course I was determined to buy this game. I read a lot of reviews on amazon so I was aware of what Im buying. And still...
The game is nothing but a monotonus action. Basically its something like finishing a level, only to see a nicely made video after it. This is what kept me going. I wanted to see Vincent in good graphics and to learn more about his story. Without this, the whole game isn't even worth playing. Shooter action? There are much more better games of this genre out there.
I also found the plot to be quite ridiculous. The only things which made sense were about Vincents past (such as moments from the original FFVII shown in new graphics).
Usually, I like to collect games, even if I don't play them often, I still keep them for my nice gaming collection. But Dirge of cerberus. I sold it on ebay after finishing 1 time, I knew I never gonna touch this game anymore.
Videos? download them or watch on youtube, the game isn't worth buying because of them.
Rent this game, and see what is it for you. | 1 | neutral | [
"I love Vincent ever since playing FFVII.",
"So of course I was determined to buy this game.",
"I read a lot of reviews on amazon so I was aware of what Im buying.",
"And still...",
"The game is nothing but a monotonus action.",
"Basically its something like finishing a level, only to see a nicely made video after it.",
"This is what kept me going.",
"I wanted to see Vincent in good graphics and to learn more about his story.",
"Without this, the whole game isn't even worth playing.",
"Shooter action?",
"There are much more better games of this genre out there.",
"I also found the plot to be quite ridiculous.",
"The only things which made sense were about Vincents past (such as moments from the original FFVII shown in new graphics).",
"Usually, I like to collect games, even if I don't play them often, I still keep them for my nice gaming collection.",
"But Dirge of cerberus.",
"I sold it on ebay after finishing 1 time, I knew I never gonna touch this game anymore.",
"Videos?",
"download them or watch on youtube, the game isn't worth buying because of them.",
"Rent this game, and see what is it for you."
] |
The other reviews said this has a lot of fan noise...it does. Sounds like making a margarita.
The other reviews said this has a strong odor...it does. I'm not particularly sensitive to smells, but this is starting to give me a headache.
The power is a little noisy, but not horrible. There's about 60mV of noise when set to 3.3V.
As a product, I would have given this thing 2 stars, but at this price point it gets an extra star. | 1 | neutral | [
"The other reviews said this has a lot of fan noise...",
"it does.",
"Sounds like making a margarita.",
"The other reviews said this has a strong odor...",
"it does.",
"I'm not particularly sensitive to smells, but this is starting to give me a headache.",
"The power is a little noisy, but not horrible.",
"There's about 60mV of noise when set to 3.",
"3V.",
"As a product, I would have given this thing 2 stars, but at this price point it gets an extra star."
] |
I heard this album while I was in the Air Force. I heard "Your Possible Pasts" play on the radio. I was wondering what Pink Floyd would do to follow up on "The Wall" album, so when I went out to buy the new album of "The Final Cut", I was greatly disappointed. It sounded so personal. Kinda angry, and bitter, and with much more emphasis on words, where the music behind it offered very little to what we would expect of a Pink Floyd album. This is just Roger Waters pouring his heart out about his father's death in World War II. He shared a little of that on "The Wall" album, but he really expressed his bitterness on this album. I'm surprised Gilmour, Wright, and Mason even allowed themselves to call this a Pink Floyd album. Because, it is Roger Waters all the way.
This album, of course, shot right up to Number One on the Billboard charts, but only because we had high expectations of another great album to follow the super successful album of "The Wall".
Well anyway, I got to enjoy just a few single tracks from this album, and only if I shuffled them with other songs from 1983. They were part of my personal soundtrack of my Air Force party life that I was enjoying at Hickam Air Force Base in Hawaii. I guess the three biggest songs from this album were "Your Possible Pasts", "A Hero's Return", and "Not Now John."
But, just recently, I found this CD used, and very cheap, so I bought it again and brought it home to give it another chance. I haven't played this album in it's entirety for more than 25 years, so it was almost refreshing because I was aware of those few tracks that I mentioned, but what caught me by surprise is that they added a bonus track. I already had the single of "When the Tigers Broke Free". That was only heard in the movie of "Pink Floyd The Wall". Now it has been applied to "The Final Cut" album and sieged into the middle of side one. That made all of side one so much more interesting to listen to. I am actually glad that I bought this CD, even though I bought it used. So, when did they actually decide to put "When the Tigers Broke Free" on this album? Anyway, I'm glad they did.
To be honest, I really don't care too much for side two of this album, but who knows, maybe in another 25 years, that may grow on me too. | 1 | neutral | [
"I heard this album while I was in the Air Force.",
"I heard \"Your Possible Pasts\" play on the radio.",
"I was wondering what Pink Floyd would do to follow up on \"The Wall\" album, so when I went out to buy the new album of \"The Final Cut\", I was greatly disappointed.",
"It sounded so personal.",
"Kinda angry, and bitter, and with much more emphasis on words, where the music behind it offered very little to what we would expect of a Pink Floyd album.",
"This is just Roger Waters pouring his heart out about his father's death in World War II.",
"He shared a little of that on \"The Wall\" album, but he really expressed his bitterness on this album.",
"I'm surprised Gilmour, Wright, and Mason even allowed themselves to call this a Pink Floyd album.",
"Because, it is Roger Waters all the way.",
"This album, of course, shot right up to Number One on the Billboard charts, but only because we had high expectations of another great album to follow the super successful album of \"The Wall\".",
"Well anyway, I got to enjoy just a few single tracks from this album, and only if I shuffled them with other songs from 1983.",
"They were part of my personal soundtrack of my Air Force party life that I was enjoying at Hickam Air Force Base in Hawaii.",
"I guess the three biggest songs from this album were \"Your Possible Pasts\", \"A Hero's Return\", and \"Not Now John.",
"\"\n\nBut, just recently, I found this CD used, and very cheap, so I bought it again and brought it home to give it another chance.",
"I haven't played this album in it's entirety for more than 25 years, so it was almost refreshing because I was aware of those few tracks that I mentioned, but what caught me by surprise is that they added a bonus track.",
"I already had the single of \"When the Tigers Broke Free\".",
"That was only heard in the movie of \"Pink Floyd The Wall\".",
"Now it has been applied to \"The Final Cut\" album and sieged into the middle of side one.",
"That made all of side one so much more interesting to listen to.",
"I am actually glad that I bought this CD, even though I bought it used.",
"So, when did they actually decide to put \"When the Tigers Broke Free\" on this album?",
"Anyway, I'm glad they did.",
"To be honest, I really don't care too much for side two of this album, but who knows, maybe in another 25 years, that may grow on me too."
] |
I'm a very big Street Fighter fan. When I first heard about Street Fighter Anniversary Collection, I was stoked. You should take the word 'Collection' in the title with a grain of salt though. This is a half baked collection, consisting of really just two games. The two games included here are top notch classics, though. Hyper Street Fighter II: The Anniversary Edition (confusing enough?) is a cool little collection of all the Street Fighter II games in one. However, they're all basically the same with some minor differences, and you'll notice that some of the fun little features found in the original Street Fighter II games, such as the car and brick smashing stages, are absent. Why, Capcom, why? Also, why cant you play these games seperately? And is it just me, or is Blanka's A.I. annoyingly cheap? Still, Hyper Street Fighter II: The Anniversary Edition is great fun, and even more enjoyable if you have a friend to play with you.
The real meat in this "collection" is the vastly underrated Street Fighter III: Third Strike. Although the first two Street Fighter III games weren't included (SF III and Double Impact - again, why, Capcom, why? Are you going to milk us for all us gamers are worth? I guess so). Third Strike is a must play for any hardcore fighting fan, although the charecters aren't as good as the original SF II cast. The graphics are also pretty good for a 2D fighter - its a visual whirlwhind of 2D animation. That is what makes this worth owning.
Although this could have been so much more, its a great buy. You may rather want to purchase the Xbox version instead, though, since that includes online play. Now where is Street Fighter Alpha Collection? | 1 | neutral | [
"I'm a very big Street Fighter fan.",
"When I first heard about Street Fighter Anniversary Collection, I was stoked.",
"You should take the word 'Collection' in the title with a grain of salt though.",
"This is a half baked collection, consisting of really just two games.",
"The two games included here are top notch classics, though.",
"Hyper Street Fighter II: The Anniversary Edition (confusing enough?",
") is a cool little collection of all the Street Fighter II games in one.",
"However, they're all basically the same with some minor differences, and you'll notice that some of the fun little features found in the original Street Fighter II games, such as the car and brick smashing stages, are absent.",
"Why, Capcom, why?",
"Also, why cant you play these games seperately?",
"And is it just me, or is Blanka's A.",
"I. annoyingly cheap?",
"Still, Hyper Street Fighter II: The Anniversary Edition is great fun, and even more enjoyable if you have a friend to play with you.",
"The real meat in this \"collection\" is the vastly underrated Street Fighter III: Third Strike.",
"Although the first two Street Fighter III games weren't included (SF III and Double Impact - again, why, Capcom, why?",
"Are you going to milk us for all us gamers are worth?",
"I guess so).",
"Third Strike is a must play for any hardcore fighting fan, although the charecters aren't as good as the original SF II cast.",
"The graphics are also pretty good for a 2D fighter - its a visual whirlwhind of 2D animation.",
"That is what makes this worth owning.",
"Although this could have been so much more, its a great buy.",
"You may rather want to purchase the Xbox version instead, though, since that includes online play.",
"Now where is Street Fighter Alpha Collection?"
] |
I usually love melon scents. I enjoyed the original eucalyptus, thought the melon in consecrate would be nice for all around cleaning. Yuck, yuck, sickening yuck. I cant explain it, like baby powder mixed with turpentine to my nose. I know lots of people think its mild compared to the original but for me it instantly made me sick and I can taste it, dropped another $20 immediately to order the original as fast as I can because now my house smells like the melon and I am getting a migraine flare up (migraines react to smells your body finds overwhelming). So, do yourself a favor and go to tjestore and smell it first. I mean at $13, its not a big deal. I will find someone who likes it and gift it to them, it does clean everything so it replaces a lot of cleaners and will save a ton of money. Makes up to 32 gallons, should last a decade lol.
Oh man, now it smells kind of musty. | 1 | neutral | [
"I usually love melon scents.",
"I enjoyed the original eucalyptus, thought the melon in consecrate would be nice for all around cleaning.",
"Yuck, yuck, sickening yuck.",
"I cant explain it, like baby powder mixed with turpentine to my nose.",
"I know lots of people think its mild compared to the original but for me it instantly made me sick and I can taste it, dropped another $20 immediately to order the original as fast as I can because now my house smells like the melon and I am getting a migraine flare up (migraines react to smells your body finds overwhelming).",
"So, do yourself a favor and go to tjestore and smell it first.",
"I mean at $13, its not a big deal.",
"I will find someone who likes it and gift it to them, it does clean everything so it replaces a lot of cleaners and will save a ton of money.",
"Makes up to 32 gallons, should last a decade lol.",
"Oh man, now it smells kind of musty."
] |
So, is Black as good as everyone was hoping it would be? Not really. Unfortunately, the game screams "mediocre" in just about every way and does not do anything well enough to distinguish itself from the rest of the typical Xbox shooters. It brings nothing new to the genre, and everything it does we have seen done better in other games.
Let's start with the weaponry in the game, as Criterion has said they are the star of the show. The assortment of weapons is your typical shooter selection. You have your machine guns, assault rifles, shotguns, sniper rifles, and your big rocket launcher. There is not much to distinguish each of the bullet weapons from each other. They all appear to do pretty much the same amount of damage, with only the range or rate of fire being slightly different. The weapon models themselves are unremarkable. Sometimes you have the ability to attach a silencer to the guns, but it does not have much of an effect, and this is hardly a stealth game.
Actually shooting the weapons feels pretty good as they can tear into some things, ripping it apart as everything erupts into dust. However, the environments themselves are not that destructible, and remind me of Red Faction II. Only things designed to be broken can be, and you can even see the lines in the geometry where the item will break when you shoot it, which takes out a lot of the fun. There are many situations when you can blow a hole in a thick concrete wall, but a chain fence will withstand a blast from a rocket launcher. As for shooting the enemies, they don't react much to being shot, and there are only a few death animations that you will see over and over again.
The graphics are pretty good for a last generation game. The particle effects like dust and smoke look pretty good, and the environments look pretty decent. The explosions are great as well. Shooting into things like walls, boxes and cars looks pretty cool, though no where near as good as F.E.A.R. looks when you are blowing objects to pieces.
There are eight levels in the campaign, and they are over pretty quickly. Other reviews have said the game lasts about 6-8 hours, but the game timer clocked in at less than 4 hours when I was done. At first the game starts off with a pretty energetic and explosive level, but shortly after you realize that you have seen pretty much everything there is to see after the first level. The level design is pretty boring overall, only the first few missions are interesting. The gameplay itself pretty much breaks down to looking for barrels and other conveniently placed explosives to shoot to take out enemies. The AI is pretty suspect, and you face the same few types of enemies for the entire game. The only difference is that some of them have extra armor or a face mask, which just means that you have to shoot them in the head a few times before they go down. There is not much strategy to this game at all, so put your brain on hold and fire away. Your indestructible teammates don't do much to mix up the gameplay during the few levels that they appear, and are pretty much useless.
There are some secondary objectives in the game, the most of which are pretty lame. You will be walking around a level and find a locked safe randomly on the ground in an empty room that you are supposed to shoot, or you might be walking around and see a random laptop with a red screen that you need to destroy. The secondary objectives feel contrived and completely unrealistic.
The plot is your typical black ops story line and the characters in the game are two dimensional. The story is told by live action flash backs. It feels as if the only purpose of the plot is to try to give you some minimal justification as to why you are where you are and to try to explain what you are doing. It just comes off as a bad excuse to give you a reason to shoot some dudes. Also, the game ends pretty quickly without much closure and the plot is paper thin.
The lack of any multiplayer component also hurts the games value a lot. Since the game is extremely short, at least some multiplayer mode could have allowed you to get some further mileage with this game. Though given the gameplay, I don't think they could have made a compelling multiplayer game unless they drastically changed some of the core shooting mechanics for online play.
Overall, the game is competent and can be fun for a short amount of time, but due to how short and unremarkable it is I would suggest renting this game over buying it. If you were not interested in it before, there is no reason to check it out at all. | 1 | neutral | [
"So, is Black as good as everyone was hoping it would be?",
"Not really.",
"Unfortunately, the game screams \"mediocre\" in just about every way and does not do anything well enough to distinguish itself from the rest of the typical Xbox shooters.",
"It brings nothing new to the genre, and everything it does we have seen done better in other games.",
"Let's start with the weaponry in the game, as Criterion has said they are the star of the show.",
"The assortment of weapons is your typical shooter selection.",
"You have your machine guns, assault rifles, shotguns, sniper rifles, and your big rocket launcher.",
"There is not much to distinguish each of the bullet weapons from each other.",
"They all appear to do pretty much the same amount of damage, with only the range or rate of fire being slightly different.",
"The weapon models themselves are unremarkable.",
"Sometimes you have the ability to attach a silencer to the guns, but it does not have much of an effect, and this is hardly a stealth game.",
"Actually shooting the weapons feels pretty good as they can tear into some things, ripping it apart as everything erupts into dust.",
"However, the environments themselves are not that destructible, and remind me of Red Faction II.",
"Only things designed to be broken can be, and you can even see the lines in the geometry where the item will break when you shoot it, which takes out a lot of the fun.",
"There are many situations when you can blow a hole in a thick concrete wall, but a chain fence will withstand a blast from a rocket launcher.",
"As for shooting the enemies, they don't react much to being shot, and there are only a few death animations that you will see over and over again.",
"The graphics are pretty good for a last generation game.",
"The particle effects like dust and smoke look pretty good, and the environments look pretty decent.",
"The explosions are great as well.",
"Shooting into things like walls, boxes and cars looks pretty cool, though no where near as good as F.",
"E.A.R. looks when you are blowing objects to pieces.",
"There are eight levels in the campaign, and they are over pretty quickly.",
"Other reviews have said the game lasts about 6-8 hours, but the game timer clocked in at less than 4 hours when I was done.",
"At first the game starts off with a pretty energetic and explosive level, but shortly after you realize that you have seen pretty much everything there is to see after the first level.",
"The level design is pretty boring overall, only the first few missions are interesting.",
"The gameplay itself pretty much breaks down to looking for barrels and other conveniently placed explosives to shoot to take out enemies.",
"The AI is pretty suspect, and you face the same few types of enemies for the entire game.",
"The only difference is that some of them have extra armor or a face mask, which just means that you have to shoot them in the head a few times before they go down.",
"There is not much strategy to this game at all, so put your brain on hold and fire away.",
"Your indestructible teammates don't do much to mix up the gameplay during the few levels that they appear, and are pretty much useless.",
"There are some secondary objectives in the game, the most of which are pretty lame.",
"You will be walking around a level and find a locked safe randomly on the ground in an empty room that you are supposed to shoot, or you might be walking around and see a random laptop with a red screen that you need to destroy.",
"The secondary objectives feel contrived and completely unrealistic.",
"The plot is your typical black ops story line and the characters in the game are two dimensional.",
"The story is told by live action flash backs.",
"It feels as if the only purpose of the plot is to try to give you some minimal justification as to why you are where you are and to try to explain what you are doing.",
"It just comes off as a bad excuse to give you a reason to shoot some dudes.",
"Also, the game ends pretty quickly without much closure and the plot is paper thin.",
"The lack of any multiplayer component also hurts the games value a lot.",
"Since the game is extremely short, at least some multiplayer mode could have allowed you to get some further mileage with this game.",
"Though given the gameplay, I don't think they could have made a compelling multiplayer game unless they drastically changed some of the core shooting mechanics for online play.",
"Overall, the game is competent and can be fun for a short amount of time, but due to how short and unremarkable it is I would suggest renting this game over buying it.",
"If you were not interested in it before, there is no reason to check it out at all."
] |
Don't try to use this for anything that is thicker than a few sheets of paper; or something that is thick enough to touch the height-limiting rail.
And forget cutting transparent sheets. The assembly is too lightweight and the blade too dull to do the job for this material. A single transparent will tend to buckle or fold when actuating the blade lever.
With transparencies: I've played with fast, slow and even incremental techniques (cut a bit, lift blade, cut a little more, repeat.) Yet I've found no reliable method of making a flush cut.
In the end, I just gave in and used the board's grid and an Exacto-knife to manually cut a straight edge.
It works well for paper applications, but if you try to cut a piece of foam board, then expect to risk warping or breaking the the blade lever if you push things.
I wouldn't advise trying to cut foam board past the 6" or 7" distance markings. You lose way too much lever-arm to apply the necessary force.
If you're looking for precision and efficiency for anything other than a small amount of regular paper, I recommend looking elsewhere.
Otherwise, it's decent for general paper cutting. | 1 | neutral | [
"Don't try to use this for anything that is thicker than a few sheets of paper; or something that is thick enough to touch the height-limiting rail.",
"And forget cutting transparent sheets.",
"The assembly is too lightweight and the blade too dull to do the job for this material.",
"A single transparent will tend to buckle or fold when actuating the blade lever.",
"With transparencies: I've played with fast, slow and even incremental techniques (cut a bit, lift blade, cut a little more, repeat.",
") Yet I've found no reliable method of making a flush cut.",
"In the end, I just gave in and used the board's grid and an Exacto-knife to manually cut a straight edge.",
"It works well for paper applications, but if you try to cut a piece of foam board, then expect to risk warping or breaking the the blade lever if you push things.",
"I wouldn't advise trying to cut foam board past the 6\" or 7\" distance markings.",
"You lose way too much lever-arm to apply the necessary force.",
"If you're looking for precision and efficiency for anything other than a small amount of regular paper, I recommend looking elsewhere.",
"Otherwise, it's decent for general paper cutting."
] |
Isabelle "Izzy" Ballantine has moved to Coconut Bay, Florida so she can live her own life. She is tired of her very wealthy father interfering in every aspect of her life. Bartending is not her dream job, but for now she is happy, and independent - or so she thinks.
Unknown to Izzy, her father has hired ex-marine Adam Marcellus to not only keep an eye on Izzy's safety, but to also convince her to move back to her hometown of Savannah, Georgia. If Adam is successful, Izzy's father has agreed to give Adam a big security contract. Adam and his brother have been working so hard to get their security company off the ground. This could just be the break they need. Adam has to start putting the pressure on Izzy, since he only has five weeks to make this happen. When he starts working at her bar, and starts spending time with her, all thoughts of the deal with her dad go out the window. He is very attracted to her and the guilt of lying lays heavy on his shoulders.
Izzy has never felt this way about a man. She starts to really enjoy the time spent with him, but outside conflict starts to make her life difficult. There is a sexual predator on the loose in their small town. Izzy is getting prank phone calls, and soon too many things happen to make it a coincidence. Izzy is the next target, and Adam will do anything to keep her safe.
Dangerous Secrets is the first book I have read by Katie Reus. I enjoy romantic suspense books and in this one we get a very creepy sexual predator. One where his confidence rises with each girl he captures. When Izzy screws up his plans one night, she becomes his next target, and he starts to become more violent. We get his point of view throughout the book, making him a man that is very scary and repulsive.
Adam is one of those southern gentlemen. Always opening the door, always putting Izzy first. He is a man of few words, but his actions speak very loud. He has that low rumble of a laugh, and is very intense in the bedroom. The sex scenes in this book are very hot and plentiful. Hello to sex in the ocean! Adam keeps the secret of being Izzy's guardian for a long time. I felt like the way it played out is very predictable which took away a bit from the ending.
I liked Izzy in that she comes from a very wealthy background, and although likes to be independent, once in awhile Adam or even herself catches her falling back into the spoiled,wealthy life she used to live in. It made her seem more real and not so perfect. I didn't love a move she makes at the end resulting in a big conflict, again I felt it to be predictable. But I think the ending resolution with the villain eventually plays out well.
Overall though, this is a sexy suspense book and I will definitely be checking out the next in the series.
Rating: C+ | 1 | neutral | [
"Isabelle \"Izzy\" Ballantine has moved to Coconut Bay, Florida so she can live her own life.",
"She is tired of her very wealthy father interfering in every aspect of her life.",
"Bartending is not her dream job, but for now she is happy, and independent - or so she thinks.",
"Unknown to Izzy, her father has hired ex-marine Adam Marcellus to not only keep an eye on Izzy's safety, but to also convince her to move back to her hometown of Savannah, Georgia.",
"If Adam is successful, Izzy's father has agreed to give Adam a big security contract.",
"Adam and his brother have been working so hard to get their security company off the ground.",
"This could just be the break they need.",
"Adam has to start putting the pressure on Izzy, since he only has five weeks to make this happen.",
"When he starts working at her bar, and starts spending time with her, all thoughts of the deal with her dad go out the window.",
"He is very attracted to her and the guilt of lying lays heavy on his shoulders.",
"Izzy has never felt this way about a man.",
"She starts to really enjoy the time spent with him, but outside conflict starts to make her life difficult.",
"There is a sexual predator on the loose in their small town.",
"Izzy is getting prank phone calls, and soon too many things happen to make it a coincidence.",
"Izzy is the next target, and Adam will do anything to keep her safe.",
"Dangerous Secrets is the first book I have read by Katie Reus.",
"I enjoy romantic suspense books and in this one we get a very creepy sexual predator.",
"One where his confidence rises with each girl he captures.",
"When Izzy screws up his plans one night, she becomes his next target, and he starts to become more violent.",
"We get his point of view throughout the book, making him a man that is very scary and repulsive.",
"Adam is one of those southern gentlemen.",
"Always opening the door, always putting Izzy first.",
"He is a man of few words, but his actions speak very loud.",
"He has that low rumble of a laugh, and is very intense in the bedroom.",
"The sex scenes in this book are very hot and plentiful.",
"Hello to sex in the ocean!",
"Adam keeps the secret of being Izzy's guardian for a long time.",
"I felt like the way it played out is very predictable which took away a bit from the ending.",
"I liked Izzy in that she comes from a very wealthy background, and although likes to be independent, once in awhile Adam or even herself catches her falling back into the spoiled,wealthy life she used to live in.",
"It made her seem more real and not so perfect.",
"I didn't love a move she makes at the end resulting in a big conflict, again I felt it to be predictable.",
"But I think the ending resolution with the villain eventually plays out well.",
"Overall though, this is a sexy suspense book and I will definitely be checking out the next in the series.",
"Rating: C+"
] |
I love the pack ....but DAD?!! sigh. I had a hard time reading about Alex's dad and a younger girl for some reason. call me old fashioned I kept seeing a lil girl especially when u find out(which is really easy to figure out in the beginning)who she is. I mean u start to forget since it does have some action but I wish it would have been about another striker brother.....maybe next time. all in all a good read and I am happy the story of them all filled out. I will def keep reading more about this group. | 1 | neutral | [
"I love the pack....",
"but DAD?!!",
"sigh.",
"I had a hard time reading about Alex's dad and a younger girl for some reason.",
"call me old fashioned I kept seeing a lil girl especially when u find out(which is really easy to figure out in the beginning)who she is.",
"I mean u start to forget since it does have some action but I wish it would have been about another striker brother....",
".",
"maybe next time.",
"all in all a good read and I am happy the story of them all filled out.",
"I will def keep reading more about this group."
] |
Acting is good and story line is too. Graphics are good too. Still suffers from the police out of nowhere syndrome. I check to see if I can proceed but when I turn around and turn back they are there. Had this same issue on previous games. Also they are just way too good at shooting from long distances through the car when it is moving.
Park a car not in exactly the right spot and it will be gone if walk away too long. I just walked around the nearest building and when I cam back it was gone.
I consider myself a slow player. When others are done in 50 hours I can take 500 hours but this game was just over too quick even for me. Finished in a couple of weeks after playing a few hours a night.
You still can not jump from a car before it stops but you can if it is going 100 MPH?
Hiding still is sketchy because the character will hide in plain site even when there is a closer more suitable location right in front of him. If the game is going to make decisions on it's own it should at least make them correctly.
Again I wish the designers would separate the online parts from the game at sale because I will not play online and I would like to not have to pay for those that do. Also it seems every time they include online play, they take away from the campaign. They will never learn that some of the most popular games ever (doom) (older GTA's) needed no online content or complicated controls. I challenge them to separate the 2 types of play see who buys what. Online could be an add on.
There is a casino but you can not enter. What at tease!
On the controls page they still insist on paging through the variations automatically and again too confusingly. I never found the control designation for throwing a grenade but I did figure out how.
Music is not very good or there is not enough so it would have been better had they let us play our own from the hard drive like other games do.
In their favor, you can still play the game with no new story progression. You can get and do side jobs still. You can buy properties etc. I found at least one set of Easter eggs in the form of letters. Only found 2 of fifty. This could still be played with.
They could sell more new games and not have to worry about people selling used ones if the game was just so long or good that no one would want to give it up. But they would rather attempt to prevent us from selling used games like XBox tried to do. That way they don't have to try. Having a hard time figuring out why it took so long to release this since their seems to be no visible groundbreaking new stuff in this game. I would still like to see the characters use my name when speaking to me (even if it was synthesized). Would also like to see my face on the character. More real cities maybe. More stuff that stays destroyed for longer or at least shows a crew cleaning up the devastation. More consequences for more actions all around. | 1 | neutral | [
"Acting is good and story line is too.",
"Graphics are good too.",
"Still suffers from the police out of nowhere syndrome.",
"I check to see if I can proceed but when I turn around and turn back they are there.",
"Had this same issue on previous games.",
"Also they are just way too good at shooting from long distances through the car when it is moving.",
"Park a car not in exactly the right spot and it will be gone if walk away too long.",
"I just walked around the nearest building and when I cam back it was gone.",
"I consider myself a slow player.",
"When others are done in 50 hours I can take 500 hours but this game was just over too quick even for me.",
"Finished in a couple of weeks after playing a few hours a night.",
"You still can not jump from a car before it stops but you can if it is going 100 MPH?",
"Hiding still is sketchy because the character will hide in plain site even when there is a closer more suitable location right in front of him.",
"If the game is going to make decisions on it's own it should at least make them correctly.",
"Again I wish the designers would separate the online parts from the game at sale because I will not play online and I would like to not have to pay for those that do.",
"Also it seems every time they include online play, they take away from the campaign.",
"They will never learn that some of the most popular games ever (doom) (older GTA's) needed no online content or complicated controls.",
"I challenge them to separate the 2 types of play see who buys what.",
"Online could be an add on.",
"There is a casino but you can not enter.",
"What at tease!",
"On the controls page they still insist on paging through the variations automatically and again too confusingly.",
"I never found the control designation for throwing a grenade but I did figure out how.",
"Music is not very good or there is not enough so it would have been better had they let us play our own from the hard drive like other games do.",
"In their favor, you can still play the game with no new story progression.",
"You can get and do side jobs still.",
"You can buy properties etc.",
"I found at least one set of Easter eggs in the form of letters.",
"Only found 2 of fifty.",
"This could still be played with.",
"They could sell more new games and not have to worry about people selling used ones if the game was just so long or good that no one would want to give it up.",
"But they would rather attempt to prevent us from selling used games like XBox tried to do.",
"That way they don't have to try.",
"Having a hard time figuring out why it took so long to release this since their seems to be no visible groundbreaking new stuff in this game.",
"I would still like to see the characters use my name when speaking to me (even if it was synthesized).",
"Would also like to see my face on the character.",
"More real cities maybe.",
"More stuff that stays destroyed for longer or at least shows a crew cleaning up the devastation.",
"More consequences for more actions all around."
] |
I wholeheartedly agree that Brave New World is an important book -- I just can't stand it. The satire is thin, the extrapolations from the trends which Huxley observed in his time are too plain, and none of the characters are even remotely likable. The combination of childlike persons and the heavy emphasis of their sexual activities turned my stomach.
The Soviet Union with its planned economy and society was clearly one of the big inspirations for Huxley, and if so, he completely misunderstood it. Of course, in hindsight it's much easier to see that communism is just another form or brutal dictatorship that never was meant to do anything else but maximize the power in the hands of a few and to enslave everyone else, yet I think that Huxley should have seen this also. I think that George Orwell was a much keener observer of this fact. Indeed my biggest problem with the novel is that I disagree with Huxley's vision of totalitarianism. I cannot imagine a dictatorship that 1) is not based on an aristocracy that (either openly or covertly) enslaves and brutalizes those beneath them and 2) does not deal swiftly and brutally with its dissenters. Huxley's world is run by World Controllers, who plan and command everything, yet who genuinely seem to be concerned about making people happy (even if this means they have to make sure that a large number of people are born as cretins, and if they have to drug everyone in society) even at the cost of sacrificing their own happiness. If some of the intelligent ones actually start questioning the system, this regime just ships them off to a remote island of their choice, to be with similar-minded people. At one point the all-powerful Mustapha Mond openly envies those who get to go to the island. This is where the book finally and completely lost me. It has been said that "power corrupts and absolute power corrupts absolutely", and this is why I find Orwell's and Bradbury's dystopias far more believable than Huxley's. | 1 | neutral | [
"I wholeheartedly agree that Brave New World is an important book -- I just can't stand it.",
"The satire is thin, the extrapolations from the trends which Huxley observed in his time are too plain, and none of the characters are even remotely likable.",
"The combination of childlike persons and the heavy emphasis of their sexual activities turned my stomach.",
"The Soviet Union with its planned economy and society was clearly one of the big inspirations for Huxley, and if so, he completely misunderstood it.",
"Of course, in hindsight it's much easier to see that communism is just another form or brutal dictatorship that never was meant to do anything else but maximize the power in the hands of a few and to enslave everyone else, yet I think that Huxley should have seen this also.",
"I think that George Orwell was a much keener observer of this fact.",
"Indeed my biggest problem with the novel is that I disagree with Huxley's vision of totalitarianism.",
"I cannot imagine a dictatorship that 1) is not based on an aristocracy that (either openly or covertly) enslaves and brutalizes those beneath them and 2) does not deal swiftly and brutally with its dissenters.",
"Huxley's world is run by World Controllers, who plan and command everything, yet who genuinely seem to be concerned about making people happy (even if this means they have to make sure that a large number of people are born as cretins, and if they have to drug everyone in society) even at the cost of sacrificing their own happiness.",
"If some of the intelligent ones actually start questioning the system, this regime just ships them off to a remote island of their choice, to be with similar-minded people.",
"At one point the all-powerful Mustapha Mond openly envies those who get to go to the island.",
"This is where the book finally and completely lost me.",
"It has been said that \"power corrupts and absolute power corrupts absolutely\", and this is why I find Orwell's and Bradbury's dystopias far more believable than Huxley's."
] |
This album is quite a departure for Weather Report. It is a foray into "World Music" (mostly African influenced) and vocals. I think it is great when groups push the extremes and experiment into musical styles.
This adventure is fairly successful. Some of the tracks are excellent. Hot Cargo and Ice-Pick Willy are great. Confians is more like a progressive rock song, than a jazz number. I don't like the way the album opens with Corner Pocket.
The biggest problem is that this album is a mixture of "World Music" and jazz. While the World Music tracks are what's good, the traditional jazz tracks are not up to par. The jazz tracks have none of that spark that Weather Report usually has and almost border on being boring. It is as if the jazz tracks were added in just for filler or to placate the old Weather Report fans.
This album would have been better if they had kept the World Music theme going throughout. This album isn't bad, it just doesn't keep a high level throughout. It almost rates 4 stars, except for a few slow spots. | 1 | neutral | [
"This album is quite a departure for Weather Report.",
"It is a foray into \"World Music\" (mostly African influenced) and vocals.",
"I think it is great when groups push the extremes and experiment into musical styles.",
"This adventure is fairly successful.",
"Some of the tracks are excellent.",
"Hot Cargo and Ice-Pick Willy are great.",
"Confians is more like a progressive rock song, than a jazz number.",
"I don't like the way the album opens with Corner Pocket.",
"The biggest problem is that this album is a mixture of \"World Music\" and jazz.",
"While the World Music tracks are what's good, the traditional jazz tracks are not up to par.",
"The jazz tracks have none of that spark that Weather Report usually has and almost border on being boring.",
"It is as if the jazz tracks were added in just for filler or to placate the old Weather Report fans.",
"This album would have been better if they had kept the World Music theme going throughout.",
"This album isn't bad, it just doesn't keep a high level throughout.",
"It almost rates 4 stars, except for a few slow spots."
] |
I have had the LG800G Tracfone for about four months and have differing thoughts. It is a good deal for a touch screen. When it first came out, the price point was at $59.99. Now (July 2012) it is at $49.99. When I got mine through the Tracfone website, it was at $39.99. Amazon is offering it for $32.99, which is a good deal. The phone is easy to use and for a prepaid phone is a giant leap for the technology available. Everything about the phone is fantastic except for texting. There is no stylus provided with the phone and texting with your fingers is difficult. There are different methods of texting input. You can use the ABC method like the older analaog phones were. You can use the QWERTY keyboard, which is difficult to do unless you use a pencil or other "stylus". You can use the hand writing method. I have been told that I print like a walking typewriter (Thanks to Mrs Foster my fourth grade teacher). Even with this, I have to attempt up to five times to get a "T" not to register as a "J". Be careful also about how you carry the phone when not in use. The touch screen is very sensative and could engage when you don't want it to. It is also annoying when getting a call. As soon as you get the call, the screen goes into the lock mode and you have to hold the unlock icon if you need to press any keys for input, (Like when the prompt comes for you to enter 1 for this or enter 2 for that). I do like the phone for daily use. I just can't text with it. Tracfones are relatively inexpensive so I have a second one that I use for texting. My friends and family have gotten used to me having more than the one phone number. Is it a Smart Phone? It could be with the right apps. Tracfone is pretty "propriotary" with their software and can only be downloaded through their sites so you are very limited on what you can do. I am retired now and do not use my phone as I used to but like to have an upgrade from the "clamshell" type of phones. If you can use a phone with touchscreen but again do not use the phone as your PC, this one is good. If you use your phone for texting, this one could really slow you down. Make sure you know what you are getting into when you get this one. I might just retire this one into one of my desk drawers and go back to my LG500C. After writng this review, I have done just what I said I might do. Retired the LG800G into the top right drawer of my desk and used my LG500G I got from Amazon. I hope this helped you make your decision of getting this phone or not. | 1 | neutral | [
"I have had the LG800G Tracfone for about four months and have differing thoughts.",
"It is a good deal for a touch screen.",
"When it first came out, the price point was at $59.",
"99.",
"Now (July 2012) it is at $49.",
"99.",
"When I got mine through the Tracfone website, it was at $39.",
"99.",
"Amazon is offering it for $32.",
"99, which is a good deal.",
"The phone is easy to use and for a prepaid phone is a giant leap for the technology available.",
"Everything about the phone is fantastic except for texting.",
"There is no stylus provided with the phone and texting with your fingers is difficult.",
"There are different methods of texting input.",
"You can use the ABC method like the older analaog phones were.",
"You can use the QWERTY keyboard, which is difficult to do unless you use a pencil or other \"stylus\".",
"You can use the hand writing method.",
"I have been told that I print like a walking typewriter (Thanks to Mrs Foster my fourth grade teacher).",
"Even with this, I have to attempt up to five times to get a \"T\" not to register as a \"J\".",
"Be careful also about how you carry the phone when not in use.",
"The touch screen is very sensative and could engage when you don't want it to.",
"It is also annoying when getting a call.",
"As soon as you get the call, the screen goes into the lock mode and you have to hold the unlock icon if you need to press any keys for input, (Like when the prompt comes for you to enter 1 for this or enter 2 for that).",
"I do like the phone for daily use.",
"I just can't text with it.",
"Tracfones are relatively inexpensive so I have a second one that I use for texting.",
"My friends and family have gotten used to me having more than the one phone number.",
"Is it a Smart Phone?",
"It could be with the right apps.",
"Tracfone is pretty \"propriotary\" with their software and can only be downloaded through their sites so you are very limited on what you can do.",
"I am retired now and do not use my phone as I used to but like to have an upgrade from the \"clamshell\" type of phones.",
"If you can use a phone with touchscreen but again do not use the phone as your PC, this one is good.",
"If you use your phone for texting, this one could really slow you down.",
"Make sure you know what you are getting into when you get this one.",
"I might just retire this one into one of my desk drawers and go back to my LG500C.",
"After writng this review, I have done just what I said I might do.",
"Retired the LG800G into the top right drawer of my desk and used my LG500G I got from Amazon.",
"I hope this helped you make your decision of getting this phone or not."
] |
this will just be echoing what many others are saying, but i'll put in my 2 cents. i didn't know what to expect from ninja gaiden because usually i play FPS's. i wasn't very impressed with devil may cry 3 (probably the closest equivalent to this game). as it turns out, ninja gaiden is an outstanding game in almost every way. the graphics look terrific even though it's a bit "old" by now. people fawn over the graphics of games like gears of war.. give me a break, this game looks way better than that. the controls feel very tight (another thing people don't think about in games). the weapons and special moves are awesome, the game features a plot and stores similar to resident evil 4, which is great. most importantly IT'S JUST FUN. and that's more than i can say for most games.
the thing that brings this game down is the difficulty. i read an interview with the maker of ninja gaiden, and he says he likes games that are hard and it should feel like an accomplishment, yada yada.. that's great in theory and all, except i'm not playing games to brag to other people about what a great gamer i am. i'm playing them to have fun, and it's not fun to lose over and over again. i definitely agree most games are too easy now, and i'd much rather play a game like this than a game that's hard for bad reasons like poor game design or bugs. however, there's something to be said for balance. why not have an easy game mode for gamers like me who don't want to suffer? would that really be so bad? at least you can save your game, which helps..
the other flaw i found in the game is nowhere in the manual or game did it say which buttons to press to use the ninpo powers. these powers are vital precisely because the game is so difficult. i searched everywhere and could not find how to use them. thank God i finally found out which buttons to use on the internet. that's an annoying flaw. so that's about it. ninja gaiden is a great game, but you better have the patience to keep trying to win battles... | 1 | neutral | [
"this will just be echoing what many others are saying, but i'll put in my 2 cents.",
"i didn't know what to expect from ninja gaiden because usually i play FPS's.",
"i wasn't very impressed with devil may cry 3 (probably the closest equivalent to this game).",
"as it turns out, ninja gaiden is an outstanding game in almost every way.",
"the graphics look terrific even though it's a bit \"old\" by now.",
"people fawn over the graphics of games like gears of war..",
"give me a break, this game looks way better than that.",
"the controls feel very tight (another thing people don't think about in games).",
"the weapons and special moves are awesome, the game features a plot and stores similar to resident evil 4, which is great.",
"most importantly IT'S JUST FUN.",
"and that's more than i can say for most games.",
"the thing that brings this game down is the difficulty.",
"i read an interview with the maker of ninja gaiden, and he says he likes games that are hard and it should feel like an accomplishment, yada yada..",
"that's great in theory and all, except i'm not playing games to brag to other people about what a great gamer i am.",
"i'm playing them to have fun, and it's not fun to lose over and over again.",
"i definitely agree most games are too easy now, and i'd much rather play a game like this than a game that's hard for bad reasons like poor game design or bugs.",
"however, there's something to be said for balance.",
"why not have an easy game mode for gamers like me who don't want to suffer?",
"would that really be so bad?",
"at least you can save your game, which helps..",
"the other flaw i found in the game is nowhere in the manual or game did it say which buttons to press to use the ninpo powers.",
"these powers are vital precisely because the game is so difficult.",
"i searched everywhere and could not find how to use them.",
"thank God i finally found out which buttons to use on the internet.",
"that's an annoying flaw.",
"so that's about it.",
"ninja gaiden is a great game, but you better have the patience to keep trying to win battles..."
] |
Weird Science is a hilarious film about two teens who build a beautiful woman. The picture and audio quality are average at best. Weird Science is in need of a good remastering. There is 40 minutes of total bonus content. A digital copy and UltraViolet is included. This is a 4 star film in a 3 star package.
Codec: VC-1 | Resolution: 1080p | Aspect ratio: 1.85:1
Audio: English (DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1), French (DTS 5.1)
Subtitles: English SDH, Spanish
Special Features: "It's Alive: Resurrecting 'Weird Science'" (16:38, SD), "Weird Science: Pilot Episode" (22:36, SD), Theatrical Trailer (2:30, SD). | 1 | neutral | [
"Weird Science is a hilarious film about two teens who build a beautiful woman.",
"The picture and audio quality are average at best.",
"Weird Science is in need of a good remastering.",
"There is 40 minutes of total bonus content.",
"A digital copy and UltraViolet is included.",
"This is a 4 star film in a 3 star package.",
"Codec: VC-1 | Resolution: 1080p | Aspect ratio: 1.",
"85:1\nAudio: English (DTS-HD Master Audio 5.",
"1), French (DTS 5.",
"1)\nSubtitles: English SDH, Spanish\nSpecial Features: \"It's Alive: Resurrecting 'Weird Science'\" (16:38, SD), \"Weird Science: Pilot Episode\" (22:36, SD), Theatrical Trailer (2:30, SD)."
] |
We don't grind waste through our garbage disposal. Just some soft leftover food from the meals we have at home. Occasionally we grind a cup of ice and some lemon or orange peels to clean it. That's all. I have a septic system so I don't do much else otherwise you risk damage to you sewer. I had one of these installed under the kitchen sink 5 and a half years ago. It didn't last. Then it started leaking because internally a seal is gone. I did expect it to last a lot longer then it did. Outside of that it worked fine. I guess you get what you pay for. As I said I don't put a lot of stuff through it and if you do it might not last 5 years. | 1 | neutral | [
"We don't grind waste through our garbage disposal.",
"Just some soft leftover food from the meals we have at home.",
"Occasionally we grind a cup of ice and some lemon or orange peels to clean it.",
"That's all.",
"I have a septic system so I don't do much else otherwise you risk damage to you sewer.",
"I had one of these installed under the kitchen sink 5 and a half years ago.",
"It didn't last.",
"Then it started leaking because internally a seal is gone.",
"I did expect it to last a lot longer then it did.",
"Outside of that it worked fine.",
"I guess you get what you pay for.",
"As I said I don't put a lot of stuff through it and if you do it might not last 5 years."
] |
this was not the best Tales of game... the game play was slow for me. and the fact that you have to make the food BEFORE you eat the food annoys the hell out of me.
the characters are interesting but the story seemed rushed but at the same time, LONG and GRUELING. they focus on things that don't really need to be focused on. and the whole thing felt like it was a prototype for the rest of the games that came after it. i played Tales of Symphonia before i played this so i don't know which came out first. but i can tell you i like the feel of ToS better than ToL.
it's 2D fighting in the battle field. and monsters attack you RANDOMLY they don't run the screen like in other Tales of Games i've played. you could literally run Three Steps and be attacked my a monster. the only time the monsters are visible are in actual dungeons.
oh, and the VOICE ACTING WAS TERRIBLE!!!! and the timing was baaaaddddddddddd....... though there are funny seens they seem to be muffled by the fact that the only well voiced characters in the ENTIRE game are Grune and the Raynard dude...(can't remember his first name norma calls him 'teach'...) because the processing time in the game or the way it was made or voiced it, the jokes seem... ill timed... you felt kind of slow getting them or they didn't translate well from japanese or they were marred by the fact that the only voice that norma has is that same high voice slightly devoid of emotion other than 'bubbly...' ever her sad seems bubbly.
<_< oh yeah, and the names were bad too senel Coolidge? norma? really? i am not making this up.
the sound effects (on normal settings) and any voices in the game (save Grune and Raynard) were unnecessarily loud.
don't let that deter you from getting the game though.
the game is good it's fun when it's not mind numbingly annoying and throw-the-controller-at-the-screen frustrating. (one puzzle in particular where you have to sneak into a military base at night... >_> timing is key i hated it i quit playing it for a month.)
the game was fun and like all tales of games has some sort of underlying after-school-special message (Tales of Symphonia = Discrimination is wrong... there were several other messages too but this one was the main one that kept slapping you in the face...) to tell you the truth... the only thing i got from ToL was Polluting the world's Freshwater Sources is bad... >_> don't build ships the size of islands and have it run off of the life force of mermaids with feet. and the hot airhead chick is really a goddess... and not to take in wild animals as pets they can turn on you.
all and all id have to give this a tree only because there was alot of this game that got on my nerves. the battle lay out the slow but rushed story line where they gave you too much information on something not relevant but not enough on something you needed. (okay, go fight this guy... why? because he's evil... this rock is an ancient rock passed down from the Goddesses to the humans millions of years ago if you set it on fire... that sort of thing.) the voice acting was slow and bad and i'm sure you'll spend more time pressing x to get through the cut scenes than actually watching them (god knows i wanted to). but the voice acting would have been on the back burner for me if it was just the minor skits but it's the major skits and cut seens that take up a LARGE ten percent of the game. the other 89percent is spent making different types of bread to carry around which you can only carry fifteen in total. not fifteen different kinds, just fifteen. five Bagles with lox, five pizzas three bread loaves a pie and a sandwich (really?) yes really. i'm half dead i have no apple gels left the onlything that will keep me from dying is a loaf of bread... >_> sure why not.
bit it is a good game if you have the patience for it... i did though it took me a while. it's not a CAPTIVATING story but it's certainly enough to pass a few summer days.
**sorry for the rant** | 1 | neutral | [
"this was not the best Tales of game...",
"the game play was slow for me.",
"and the fact that you have to make the food BEFORE you eat the food annoys the hell out of me.",
"the characters are interesting but the story seemed rushed but at the same time, LONG and GRUELING.",
"they focus on things that don't really need to be focused on.",
"and the whole thing felt like it was a prototype for the rest of the games that came after it.",
"i played Tales of Symphonia before i played this so i don't know which came out first.",
"but i can tell you i like the feel of ToS better than ToL.",
"it's 2D fighting in the battle field.",
"and monsters attack you RANDOMLY they don't run the screen like in other Tales of Games i've played.",
"you could literally run Three Steps and be attacked my a monster.",
"the only time the monsters are visible are in actual dungeons.",
"oh, and the VOICE ACTING WAS TERRIBLE!!!!",
"and the timing was baaaaddddddddddd....",
"...",
"though there are funny seens they seem to be muffled by the fact that the only well voiced characters in the ENTIRE game are Grune and the Raynard dude...",
"(can't remember his first name norma calls him 'teach'...",
") because the processing time in the game or the way it was made or voiced it, the jokes seem...",
"ill timed...",
"you felt kind of slow getting them or they didn't translate well from japanese or they were marred by the fact that the only voice that norma has is that same high voice slightly devoid of emotion other than 'bubbly...",
"' ever her sad seems bubbly.",
"<_< oh yeah, and the names were bad too senel Coolidge?",
"norma?",
"really?",
"i am not making this up.",
"the sound effects (on normal settings) and any voices in the game (save Grune and Raynard) were unnecessarily loud.",
"don't let that deter you from getting the game though.",
"the game is good it's fun when it's not mind numbingly annoying and throw-the-controller-at-the-screen frustrating.",
"(one puzzle in particular where you have to sneak into a military base at night...",
">_> timing is key i hated it i quit playing it for a month.",
")\n\nthe game was fun and like all tales of games has some sort of underlying after-school-special message (Tales of Symphonia = Discrimination is wrong...",
"there were several other messages too but this one was the main one that kept slapping you in the face...",
") to tell you the truth...",
"the only thing i got from ToL was Polluting the world's Freshwater Sources is bad...",
">_> don't build ships the size of islands and have it run off of the life force of mermaids with feet.",
"and the hot airhead chick is really a goddess...",
"and not to take in wild animals as pets they can turn on you.",
"all and all id have to give this a tree only because there was alot of this game that got on my nerves.",
"the battle lay out the slow but rushed story line where they gave you too much information on something not relevant but not enough on something you needed.",
"(okay, go fight this guy...",
"why?",
"because he's evil...",
"this rock is an ancient rock passed down from the Goddesses to the humans millions of years ago if you set it on fire...",
"that sort of thing.",
") the voice acting was slow and bad and i'm sure you'll spend more time pressing x to get through the cut scenes than actually watching them (god knows i wanted to).",
"but the voice acting would have been on the back burner for me if it was just the minor skits but it's the major skits and cut seens that take up a LARGE ten percent of the game.",
"the other 89percent is spent making different types of bread to carry around which you can only carry fifteen in total.",
"not fifteen different kinds, just fifteen.",
"five Bagles with lox, five pizzas three bread loaves a pie and a sandwich (really?",
") yes really.",
"i'm half dead i have no apple gels left the onlything that will keep me from dying is a loaf of bread...",
">_> sure why not.",
"bit it is a good game if you have the patience for it...",
"i did though it took me a while.",
"it's not a CAPTIVATING story but it's certainly enough to pass a few summer days.",
"**sorry for the rant**"
] |
Overall, we really like the look and quality of this table/chair cover. They aren't cheap but they are very well made and seem to be worth the price. The only thing we're not happy with is the design.
If you have a table and chairs without an umbrella, you'll be very happy with the Veranda units. They are heavy duty, attractive and don't move in heavy winds and driving rains. They work great...but...if you have a center umbrella in your table, it is a pain in the a_ _ to have to take out the umbrella before putting the cover on. Having done it once, is enough for us to modify the cover by cutting up one side and putting a hole in it so we can wrap it around the umbrella without having to remove it everytime we want to cover the table. We stuck on velcro to close it up again, which seems to work okay. Feel badly about ruining such a nicely made cover but otherwise we would have stopped using it.
Pros - very well made, excellent quality, very attractive
Cons - major hassle to use with table with center mounted umbrella and cover over time gets quite dirty and difficult, if not impossible to clean. | 1 | neutral | [
"Overall, we really like the look and quality of this table/chair cover.",
"They aren't cheap but they are very well made and seem to be worth the price.",
"The only thing we're not happy with is the design.",
"If you have a table and chairs without an umbrella, you'll be very happy with the Veranda units.",
"They are heavy duty, attractive and don't move in heavy winds and driving rains.",
"They work great...",
"but...",
"if you have a center umbrella in your table, it is a pain in the a_ _ to have to take out the umbrella before putting the cover on.",
"Having done it once, is enough for us to modify the cover by cutting up one side and putting a hole in it so we can wrap it around the umbrella without having to remove it everytime we want to cover the table.",
"We stuck on velcro to close it up again, which seems to work okay.",
"Feel badly about ruining such a nicely made cover but otherwise we would have stopped using it.",
"Pros - very well made, excellent quality, very attractive\nCons - major hassle to use with table with center mounted umbrella and cover over time gets quite dirty and difficult, if not impossible to clean."
] |
From the second I played <a data-hook="product-link-linked" class="a-link-normal" href="/Castlevania-Symphony-of-the-Night/dp/B00001OWYW/ref=cm_cr_arp_d_rvw_txt?ie=UTF8">Castlevania: Symphony of the Night</a> I knew that I strongly desired a sequel to the game. I had really wanted something with top notch 2D work like <a data-hook="product-link-linked" class="a-link-normal" href="/Guilty-Gear-Isuka-for-PlayStation-2/dp/B0002WYUC0/ref=cm_cr_arp_d_rvw_txt?ie=UTF8">Guilty Gear Isuka for PlayStation 2</a> and for it to be on a console but I suppose my hunger was sated by the various Gameboy titles. I've had mixed feelings about the series since Symphony of the Night, some of the titles seem to get close to being as good and others totally missed the mark but the fact stands that none of the additions are on par with Symphony of the Night yet. This game is no different.
You play with two characters which you can use individually, simultaneously, and you can switch around on the fly. This works rather well and adds some depth and strategy to your character set ups. I found the girl to be kind of boring on her own though. She only gets one weapon type and it's rather ineffective. Her spells can be pretty cool but they aren't particularly great for dispatching enemies and remaining mobile. The cool thing here though is that I didn't have to use her. I could use the male character and simply spam the girl for spells when the mood struck me. You can leave both characters out and the one you aren't controlling will attack automatically but if they get hit your magic bar is depleted much like your health would be. The bad news here is that eventually the dual character system begins to strike you as very gimmicky. I would much rather have had one character with all of those abilities rather than having to drag along a second character simply for the occasional puzzle. It starts off as a cool idea but eventually just becomes annoying and you'll most likely stick with one as the game goes on.
Both of the DS games have gone artistically downhill since Ayami Kojima (the character designer for many of the games) didn't work on them. Maybe some kids got spooked by the slightly dark theme to the games and they had to brighten it up but everything seems a little softer to me. The enemies aren't as demented. The environments are more colorful. The blood is toned down, long gone are the days of gushing zombie soldiers. Maybe some people appreciate this but I think it sucks. The ambiance of the series is something I always enjoyed and it's just not here anymore.
The level design is alright, they kind of pulled an upside-down castle move by repeating previous levels only slightly different. That is one of my only complaints with Symphony of the Night and it remains true here, flipping and barely altering a level is lazy. If it wasn't for different enemies you would be bored to tears. It's kind of neat that you go to some different corners of the world but I really don't feel that they belong in this game. It's CASTLEvania, not TRAVELvania.
The music is tinny, cliche, and certainly more upbeat than other Castlevania games. It ultimately doesn't fit well for me. The Symphony of the Night, and Curse of Darkness soundtrack are worth owning regardless of how good the games are. I know the DS is capable of playing good music becuase <a data-hook="product-link-linked" class="a-link-normal" href="/Meteos/dp/B0009ENA2W/ref=cm_cr_arp_d_rvw_txt?ie=UTF8">Meteos</a> and <a data-hook="product-link-linked" class="a-link-normal" href="/Nanostray/dp/B0007ULFFC/ref=cm_cr_arp_d_rvw_txt?ie=UTF8">Nanostray</a> have some jams in them, but the quality is pretty junky here. I guess since you go to some different locations it probably makes sense but, again, it just doesn't feel right to be in a Castlevania game.
The game presents plenty of the replay value that the newer titles are known for along with plenty to do in a single play through. Things like this keep the game fun regardless of its shortcomings.
The addition of Wifi is really nice but I have yet to really do a whole lot with it. The game isn't hard enough to do co-op and you can get all the items yourself easy enough without having to buy them off of people. Still it stands as a cool addition especially if they choose to develop it a bit more in the future.
In summary, I think it's the bettter of the DS Castlevanias, but Aria Of Sorrow is still the best of the Gameboy entries. Symphony of the Night is still king. At the end of the day though I think this game is a little weak, fun, but nothing super special about it. I think they need to focus on making one killer Castlevania game rather than churning out Symphony of the Night clones ever other year. | 1 | neutral | [
"From the second I played <a data-hook=\"product-link-linked\" class=\"a-link-normal\" href=\"/Castlevania-Symphony-of-the-Night/dp/B00001OWYW/ref=cm_cr_arp_d_rvw_txt?",
"ie=UTF8\">Castlevania: Symphony of the Night</a> I knew that I strongly desired a sequel to the game.",
"I had really wanted something with top notch 2D work like <a data-hook=\"product-link-linked\" class=\"a-link-normal\" href=\"/Guilty-Gear-Isuka-for-PlayStation-2/dp/B0002WYUC0/ref=cm_cr_arp_d_rvw_txt?",
"ie=UTF8\">Guilty Gear Isuka for PlayStation 2</a> and for it to be on a console but I suppose my hunger was sated by the various Gameboy titles.",
"I've had mixed feelings about the series since Symphony of the Night, some of the titles seem to get close to being as good and others totally missed the mark but the fact stands that none of the additions are on par with Symphony of the Night yet.",
"This game is no different.",
"You play with two characters which you can use individually, simultaneously, and you can switch around on the fly.",
"This works rather well and adds some depth and strategy to your character set ups.",
"I found the girl to be kind of boring on her own though.",
"She only gets one weapon type and it's rather ineffective.",
"Her spells can be pretty cool but they aren't particularly great for dispatching enemies and remaining mobile.",
"The cool thing here though is that I didn't have to use her.",
"I could use the male character and simply spam the girl for spells when the mood struck me.",
"You can leave both characters out and the one you aren't controlling will attack automatically but if they get hit your magic bar is depleted much like your health would be.",
"The bad news here is that eventually the dual character system begins to strike you as very gimmicky.",
"I would much rather have had one character with all of those abilities rather than having to drag along a second character simply for the occasional puzzle.",
"It starts off as a cool idea but eventually just becomes annoying and you'll most likely stick with one as the game goes on.",
"Both of the DS games have gone artistically downhill since Ayami Kojima (the character designer for many of the games) didn't work on them.",
"Maybe some kids got spooked by the slightly dark theme to the games and they had to brighten it up but everything seems a little softer to me.",
"The enemies aren't as demented.",
"The environments are more colorful.",
"The blood is toned down, long gone are the days of gushing zombie soldiers.",
"Maybe some people appreciate this but I think it sucks.",
"The ambiance of the series is something I always enjoyed and it's just not here anymore.",
"The level design is alright, they kind of pulled an upside-down castle move by repeating previous levels only slightly different.",
"That is one of my only complaints with Symphony of the Night and it remains true here, flipping and barely altering a level is lazy.",
"If it wasn't for different enemies you would be bored to tears.",
"It's kind of neat that you go to some different corners of the world but I really don't feel that they belong in this game.",
"It's CASTLEvania, not TRAVELvania.",
"The music is tinny, cliche, and certainly more upbeat than other Castlevania games.",
"It ultimately doesn't fit well for me.",
"The Symphony of the Night, and Curse of Darkness soundtrack are worth owning regardless of how good the games are.",
"I know the DS is capable of playing good music becuase <a data-hook=\"product-link-linked\" class=\"a-link-normal\" href=\"/Meteos/dp/B0009ENA2W/ref=cm_cr_arp_d_rvw_txt?",
"ie=UTF8\">Meteos</a> and <a data-hook=\"product-link-linked\" class=\"a-link-normal\" href=\"/Nanostray/dp/B0007ULFFC/ref=cm_cr_arp_d_rvw_txt?",
"ie=UTF8\">Nanostray</a> have some jams in them, but the quality is pretty junky here.",
"I guess since you go to some different locations it probably makes sense but, again, it just doesn't feel right to be in a Castlevania game.",
"The game presents plenty of the replay value that the newer titles are known for along with plenty to do in a single play through.",
"Things like this keep the game fun regardless of its shortcomings.",
"The addition of Wifi is really nice but I have yet to really do a whole lot with it.",
"The game isn't hard enough to do co-op and you can get all the items yourself easy enough without having to buy them off of people.",
"Still it stands as a cool addition especially if they choose to develop it a bit more in the future.",
"In summary, I think it's the bettter of the DS Castlevanias, but Aria Of Sorrow is still the best of the Gameboy entries.",
"Symphony of the Night is still king.",
"At the end of the day though I think this game is a little weak, fun, but nothing super special about it.",
"I think they need to focus on making one killer Castlevania game rather than churning out Symphony of the Night clones ever other year."
] |
My 3-star review in no way is meant to say this is not a good book. It's well written, flows well, and I didn't see any mistakes. It's just not my cup of tea. Here's why...
1) I love romance, and there's not really much of that. The little bit that is there is more hinted at rather than actually there.
2) It's a self-proclaimed erotic romance, but the intimate scenes (M/F/M, M/M) weren't really all that hot (IMO).
3) The characters are very one-dimensional. It hints at backgrounds that I would have liked to know more about.
4) It's leans toward sci-fi, which I'm not a particular fan of.
5) Nearly half of the 70+ pages were excerpts for other books.
The blurb really caught my attention, but the story didn't really live up to it. It was a freebie, and a really quick read, though, so I don't feel too disappointed. | 1 | neutral | [
"My 3-star review in no way is meant to say this is not a good book.",
"It's well written, flows well, and I didn't see any mistakes.",
"It's just not my cup of tea.",
"Here's why...",
"1) I love romance, and there's not really much of that.",
"The little bit that is there is more hinted at rather than actually there.",
"2) It's a self-proclaimed erotic romance, but the intimate scenes (M/F/M, M/M) weren't really all that hot (IMO).",
"3) The characters are very one-dimensional.",
"It hints at backgrounds that I would have liked to know more about.",
"4) It's leans toward sci-fi, which I'm not a particular fan of.",
"5) Nearly half of the 70+ pages were excerpts for other books.",
"The blurb really caught my attention, but the story didn't really live up to it.",
"It was a freebie, and a really quick read, though, so I don't feel too disappointed."
] |
Considering she widdled down this cd from 40 tracks to 13, it makes me wonder what those other songs sound like. And why put on "And I'm Telling You" which was already released??? What up with that? She could of at least put on the club dance remix instead of the Dreamgirls version! There are like 5 tracks i like off the entire cd. I absolutely love "Spotlight". It's a classic r and b song that will sound good forever. "If It Isn't Love" is a good song. It sounds borderline alternative with that new crossover sound but remains r and b in flavour. "My Heart" is a good mid tempo sounding groove. I do like the gospel song "Jesus has A Place For Me Over There", but I'm not crazy over any of the other ballads. In my oppinion, all of the other slow songs are what ruin the album for me. I don't like how jennifer Hudson disguises the song "We Gon Fight" as an inspirational, cutesy empowerment song when actually if you listen to the lyrics, it's a pro-war song and advocates violence. I'm sorry I'm not a "war" person so I don't like the message of the song. I like Culture Club's "The War Song" where it goes "war war is stupid, and people are stupid...." Now that's a good message but i guess were not living in that kind of world anymore. The song "I Can't Stop The rain" is a bizarre song about some horrible car crash, talking about how a car flips over 3 times and I wish you would have died instead of her? What?? It's moments like this on the cd that put off the listener. There is no flow to the whole thing. It's another one of those mixed bag offerings where the artist is covering many creative grounds and trying to prove themselves. I like Jennifer Hudson in spite of it all. I think she has a genuine personality, and I like the fact she tries to appeal to a wide audience, especially her gay fans. She has alot more in her and this is a good first effort. | 1 | neutral | [
"Considering she widdled down this cd from 40 tracks to 13, it makes me wonder what those other songs sound like.",
"And why put on \"And I'm Telling You\" which was already released???",
"What up with that?",
"She could of at least put on the club dance remix instead of the Dreamgirls version!",
"There are like 5 tracks i like off the entire cd.",
"I absolutely love \"Spotlight\".",
"It's a classic r and b song that will sound good forever.",
"\"If It Isn't Love\" is a good song.",
"It sounds borderline alternative with that new crossover sound but remains r and b in flavour.",
"\"My Heart\" is a good mid tempo sounding groove.",
"I do like the gospel song \"Jesus has A Place For Me Over There\", but I'm not crazy over any of the other ballads.",
"In my oppinion, all of the other slow songs are what ruin the album for me.",
"I don't like how jennifer Hudson disguises the song \"We Gon Fight\" as an inspirational, cutesy empowerment song when actually if you listen to the lyrics, it's a pro-war song and advocates violence.",
"I'm sorry I'm not a \"war\" person so I don't like the message of the song.",
"I like Culture Club's \"The War Song\" where it goes \"war war is stupid, and people are stupid....",
"\" Now that's a good message but i guess were not living in that kind of world anymore.",
"The song \"I Can't Stop The rain\" is a bizarre song about some horrible car crash, talking about how a car flips over 3 times and I wish you would have died instead of her?",
"What??",
"It's moments like this on the cd that put off the listener.",
"There is no flow to the whole thing.",
"It's another one of those mixed bag offerings where the artist is covering many creative grounds and trying to prove themselves.",
"I like Jennifer Hudson in spite of it all.",
"I think she has a genuine personality, and I like the fact she tries to appeal to a wide audience, especially her gay fans.",
"She has alot more in her and this is a good first effort."
] |
Pros:
The case is thick and feels extremely durable.
The clear screen protector helps protect the screen from fingerprints and doesn't hinder touchscreen controls at all without needing to add another manufacturer's product.
The rubber outer layer feels nice and has a nice grip.
Assembly was easy.
Cons:
The little clip that holds the kickstand on the beltclip part of the case is extremely fragile and breaks easily through standard use. I've already gone through 2 of them. Not even super-glue helped.
The clear plastic screen protector seems to make the screen not as sharp as if the phone were out of the case.
Disassembly is not so easy. (In case you need to swap batteries)
Other Thoughts:
This thing is bulky. It easily triples the size of your phone when all is said and done. Great for preventing unwanted damage to your phone, bad for trying to keep it small. As such, I doubt the case won't work with any official mount accessories such as the Verizon/Samsung car mount or the HD Dock.
Overall I'm happy with the case and I feel like my money was well spent. My only real complaint is that the kickstand clip is so very fragile. | 1 | neutral | [
"Pros:\nThe case is thick and feels extremely durable.",
"The clear screen protector helps protect the screen from fingerprints and doesn't hinder touchscreen controls at all without needing to add another manufacturer's product.",
"The rubber outer layer feels nice and has a nice grip.",
"Assembly was easy.",
"Cons:\nThe little clip that holds the kickstand on the beltclip part of the case is extremely fragile and breaks easily through standard use.",
"I've already gone through 2 of them.",
"Not even super-glue helped.",
"The clear plastic screen protector seems to make the screen not as sharp as if the phone were out of the case.",
"Disassembly is not so easy.",
"(In case you need to swap batteries)\n\nOther Thoughts:\nThis thing is bulky.",
"It easily triples the size of your phone when all is said and done.",
"Great for preventing unwanted damage to your phone, bad for trying to keep it small.",
"As such, I doubt the case won't work with any official mount accessories such as the Verizon/Samsung car mount or the HD Dock.",
"Overall I'm happy with the case and I feel like my money was well spent.",
"My only real complaint is that the kickstand clip is so very fragile."
] |
Okay, I admit that I wanted my gamer's tag the day this thing came out, but I didn't have the money then. Two months later I'm too late...someone else snagged it... oh well. Ultimately I got this because my GameCube had gotten me excited about online gaming, surprising huh? Amazing what a solid Massive Multiplayer Online RPG like Phantasy Star Online will do for you... Amazing how XBox live does not have, and will not have a MMORPG anytime soon. If I had known that, and I should have, but wasn't thinking about anything except getting my Gamer's Tag, I probably would have held off on this purchase.
I'm pumped about XBox live. Between the three consoles XBox definitely has the best online plan, but the problem with it so far is that the games are all sport and shooter titles. I had hoped for a MMORPG, and while there is one that I am aware of in the works, it won't be out until toward the end of the year... meaning I just bought a year subscription to an online plan that I probably will not be using much this year at all.
This also means that my review of this product is subject to change... Microsoft has had a problem with variety all along. XBox almost seems like nothing but sport titles and Sci-Fi based shooters. This lack of variety shows in my ever so slowly building of my XBox collection, where as GameCube is up to 14 titles, PS 2 still dwindles at 8, and XBox at 4, with this peripheral being purchased with the intention of building that collection. Thankfully Capcom will be releasing Capcom VS SNK 2 to XBox with Xbox Live support sometime next month... but aside from that there are simply no other games for XBox live that I'm interested in right now, so needless to say I'm disappointed, but I'm sure that True Fantasy Online will make me change my review for this product, but again that's not until toward the end of the year. | 1 | neutral | [
"Okay, I admit that I wanted my gamer's tag the day this thing came out, but I didn't have the money then.",
"Two months later I'm too late...",
"someone else snagged it...",
"oh well.",
"Ultimately I got this because my GameCube had gotten me excited about online gaming, surprising huh?",
"Amazing what a solid Massive Multiplayer Online RPG like Phantasy Star Online will do for you...",
"Amazing how XBox live does not have, and will not have a MMORPG anytime soon.",
"If I had known that, and I should have, but wasn't thinking about anything except getting my Gamer's Tag, I probably would have held off on this purchase.",
"I'm pumped about XBox live.",
"Between the three consoles XBox definitely has the best online plan, but the problem with it so far is that the games are all sport and shooter titles.",
"I had hoped for a MMORPG, and while there is one that I am aware of in the works, it won't be out until toward the end of the year...",
"meaning I just bought a year subscription to an online plan that I probably will not be using much this year at all.",
"This also means that my review of this product is subject to change...",
"Microsoft has had a problem with variety all along.",
"XBox almost seems like nothing but sport titles and Sci-Fi based shooters.",
"This lack of variety shows in my ever so slowly building of my XBox collection, where as GameCube is up to 14 titles, PS 2 still dwindles at 8, and XBox at 4, with this peripheral being purchased with the intention of building that collection.",
"Thankfully Capcom will be releasing Capcom VS SNK 2 to XBox with Xbox Live support sometime next month...",
"but aside from that there are simply no other games for XBox live that I'm interested in right now, so needless to say I'm disappointed, but I'm sure that True Fantasy Online will make me change my review for this product, but again that's not until toward the end of the year."
] |
This is just basically an average game for a bargin bin price. If you enjoyed the first one, then you will like this one b/c they are pretty much the same. The graphics and the handling are not the best by far but playable. At first, drifting is very difficult. But once you acquire more parts and better cars, drifting becomes somewhat easier even though still a pain. Drifting in this game is not like drifting in NFSU. This title does have that Initial D feel to it though which is the main thing it has going for it. Other than that, there are many other racing titles out there worth getting more than this one. I played over halfway through this one and am getting bored with it already. It doesn't have that tremendous and exciting appeal to keep you playing through to the end and to beat all of the over 300 rivals. 365 I think.... There really isn't really enough of a reward for winning the races. Lack of excitment I guess I could say. If you want a fun racing game, get one of the NFS games instead. I actually enjoyed TXR3 and Zero way more than this game and I think you will as well. | 1 | neutral | [
"This is just basically an average game for a bargin bin price.",
"If you enjoyed the first one, then you will like this one b/c they are pretty much the same.",
"The graphics and the handling are not the best by far but playable.",
"At first, drifting is very difficult.",
"But once you acquire more parts and better cars, drifting becomes somewhat easier even though still a pain.",
"Drifting in this game is not like drifting in NFSU.",
"This title does have that Initial D feel to it though which is the main thing it has going for it.",
"Other than that, there are many other racing titles out there worth getting more than this one.",
"I played over halfway through this one and am getting bored with it already.",
"It doesn't have that tremendous and exciting appeal to keep you playing through to the end and to beat all of the over 300 rivals.",
"365 I think....",
"There really isn't really enough of a reward for winning the races.",
"Lack of excitment I guess I could say.",
"If you want a fun racing game, get one of the NFS games instead.",
"I actually enjoyed TXR3 and Zero way more than this game and I think you will as well."
] |
Ikari Warriors
*** Arcade Classic and one of the better NES ports
"Ikari Warriors" is something of a late 1980s arcade classic. "Ikari Warriors" was SNK's first major hit. Ralf (red) and Clark (blue) would later go on to feature in the SNK "King of Fighters" franchise during the 1990s. The game is simply known as "Ikari" in Japan.
What is notable about the original arcade cabinet is that it was only the second title to feature rotary joysticks (the first being "TNK III"). "Ikari Warriors" allows you to play co-op (which was unusual for the time) and also you could control Ralf and Clark or get them into tanks and drive tanks as well. The original arcade cabinet has two main buttons, one to shoot and one to throw grenades.
The game is heavily inspired by Rambo, and according to designer Keiko Iju, the word Ikari (which means "Fury" in Japan), was lifted directly from the Japanese title of "Rambo: First Blood II" (Rambo: Ikari no Dasshutsu or "The Furious Escape")
The plot of the game is you control two characters who must survive enemy hoards (think Rambo) to rescue the Ikari village. One new feature was that although this was a "Commando" clone, of which there were many on the market during this era of the late 1980s, "Ikari Warriors" was the first to feature limited ammo.
Although Colonel Ralf and Second Lieutenant Clark are the two main characters in "Ikari Warriors", outside of Japan they are known respectively as Paul and Vince.. They would also appear in "Metal Slug 6" (2006) and "Metal Slug 7" (2008). For the American localization of "Ikari Warriors", Ralf and Clark had their names changed, for whatever reason, to Paul and Vincent, though they retain their original Japanese names in the "King of Fighters" series and the aforementioned two "Metal Slug" installments they appear in.
Ralf first appeared in "TNK III" (known as "Tank" in Japan"), though you did not control Ralf directly but instead the tank Ralf was driving. "Ikari Warriors" is based heavily on the "Rambo" franchise. It wasn't until the "King of Fighters" series that SNK really developed Ralf and Clark into distinguishably different characters.
There would be two more NES sequels: "Ikari Warriors II: Victory Road" from 1986 and "Ikari III: The Rescue" from 1989.
The game was ported to several different home systems. The best version is the original arcade title, but the NES port is pretty good too. Probably the best thing is the co-op game play. There is also a memorable stage where all the enemies look like Player 1 and 2.
The video game website IGN rated this title as the 72th greatest game on their top 100 NES games of all time.
(For those looking for great unknown NES/Famicom games, you simply MUST play "Moon Crystal", a criminally unknown Famicom exclusive. The graphics are astounding with cutscenes that even outdo "Ninja Gaiden", amazing music, in depth gameplay, and a fantastic storyline. Absolutely amazing! Had this been released in the US for the NES, I feel it would be as revered as the other heavy hitters in the NES canon) | 1 | neutral | [
"Ikari Warriors\n*** Arcade Classic and one of the better NES ports\n\n\"Ikari Warriors\" is something of a late 1980s arcade classic.",
"\"Ikari Warriors\" was SNK's first major hit.",
"Ralf (red) and Clark (blue) would later go on to feature in the SNK \"King of Fighters\" franchise during the 1990s.",
"The game is simply known as \"Ikari\" in Japan.",
"What is notable about the original arcade cabinet is that it was only the second title to feature rotary joysticks (the first being \"TNK III\").",
"\"Ikari Warriors\" allows you to play co-op (which was unusual for the time) and also you could control Ralf and Clark or get them into tanks and drive tanks as well.",
"The original arcade cabinet has two main buttons, one to shoot and one to throw grenades.",
"The game is heavily inspired by Rambo, and according to designer Keiko Iju, the word Ikari (which means \"Fury\" in Japan), was lifted directly from the Japanese title of \"Rambo: First Blood II\" (Rambo: Ikari no Dasshutsu or \"The Furious Escape\")\n\nThe plot of the game is you control two characters who must survive enemy hoards (think Rambo) to rescue the Ikari village.",
"One new feature was that although this was a \"Commando\" clone, of which there were many on the market during this era of the late 1980s, \"Ikari Warriors\" was the first to feature limited ammo.",
"Although Colonel Ralf and Second Lieutenant Clark are the two main characters in \"Ikari Warriors\", outside of Japan they are known respectively as Paul and Vince..",
"They would also appear in \"Metal Slug 6\" (2006) and \"Metal Slug 7\" (2008).",
"For the American localization of \"Ikari Warriors\", Ralf and Clark had their names changed, for whatever reason, to Paul and Vincent, though they retain their original Japanese names in the \"King of Fighters\" series and the aforementioned two \"Metal Slug\" installments they appear in.",
"Ralf first appeared in \"TNK III\" (known as \"Tank\" in Japan\"), though you did not control Ralf directly but instead the tank Ralf was driving.",
"\"Ikari Warriors\" is based heavily on the \"Rambo\" franchise.",
"It wasn't until the \"King of Fighters\" series that SNK really developed Ralf and Clark into distinguishably different characters.",
"There would be two more NES sequels: \"Ikari Warriors II: Victory Road\" from 1986 and \"Ikari III: The Rescue\" from 1989.",
"The game was ported to several different home systems.",
"The best version is the original arcade title, but the NES port is pretty good too.",
"Probably the best thing is the co-op game play.",
"There is also a memorable stage where all the enemies look like Player 1 and 2.",
"The video game website IGN rated this title as the 72th greatest game on their top 100 NES games of all time.",
"(For those looking for great unknown NES/Famicom games, you simply MUST play \"Moon Crystal\", a criminally unknown Famicom exclusive.",
"The graphics are astounding with cutscenes that even outdo \"Ninja Gaiden\", amazing music, in depth gameplay, and a fantastic storyline.",
"Absolutely amazing!",
"Had this been released in the US for the NES, I feel it would be as revered as the other heavy hitters in the NES canon)"
] |
I am struggling with my review here. I love this piece but there is one very irritating part... the bridge that goes over. The tunnel itself attaches fine to our Ikea track, the trains move easily through, BUT.... the track that goes over is CONSTANTLY falling off!! There is a little connector that links each descending side. It doesn't exactly fit? It's very loose and wiggly, which means by the time the caboose goes to pass the center of the top, the second to last car gets stuck at the connecting spot, the trains topple over the sides and go crashing, and my 2-3 yo is frantically calling for assistance with his "broken train set". Now I am juggling cooking dinner and repairing the thing... A thought just struck... why don't I just glue that baby down with a hot glue gun or some super glue?! I just might... I just might... I have knocked off a couple of stars because of the anxiety this connector piece has cost me. Just thinking about it.... Thus far I have managed to allay his fears of an imminent train crash going over EVERY bridge (toys vs reality) by having him move VERY VERY slowly, one by one over the bumpy, wobbly bridge. First trolls under the bridges, now wobbly bridges... I don't want him to connect the dots and think the wobbly bridge will give his trains to the trolls! Oye! | 1 | neutral | [
"I am struggling with my review here.",
"I love this piece but there is one very irritating part...",
"the bridge that goes over.",
"The tunnel itself attaches fine to our Ikea track, the trains move easily through, BUT....",
"the track that goes over is CONSTANTLY falling off!!",
"There is a little connector that links each descending side.",
"It doesn't exactly fit?",
"It's very loose and wiggly, which means by the time the caboose goes to pass the center of the top, the second to last car gets stuck at the connecting spot, the trains topple over the sides and go crashing, and my 2-3 yo is frantically calling for assistance with his \"broken train set\".",
"Now I am juggling cooking dinner and repairing the thing...",
"A thought just struck...",
"why don't I just glue that baby down with a hot glue gun or some super glue?!",
"I just might...",
"I just might...",
"I have knocked off a couple of stars because of the anxiety this connector piece has cost me.",
"Just thinking about it....",
"Thus far I have managed to allay his fears of an imminent train crash going over EVERY bridge (toys vs reality) by having him move VERY VERY slowly, one by one over the bumpy, wobbly bridge.",
"First trolls under the bridges, now wobbly bridges...",
"I don't want him to connect the dots and think the wobbly bridge will give his trains to the trolls!",
"Oye!"
] |
I had bought these in the past and enjoyed them. Salty, yes. But enjoyable in small amounts. I often could not finish a bag at once and would thus get multiple servings.
Apparently, in the past, the bags were bigger...a full ounce? The 1/2 ounce size is more serving appropriate.
I ordered this is a hurry, not checking details.
My issue is that I paid the same for the 1/2 ounce bags as I did for the much larger bags...and that's not right.
My own fault....I'll either order the larger ones next time (if available) or wait for this price to drop by half. | 1 | neutral | [
"I had bought these in the past and enjoyed them.",
"Salty, yes.",
"But enjoyable in small amounts.",
"I often could not finish a bag at once and would thus get multiple servings.",
"Apparently, in the past, the bags were bigger...",
"a full ounce?",
"The 1/2 ounce size is more serving appropriate.",
"I ordered this is a hurry, not checking details.",
"My issue is that I paid the same for the 1/2 ounce bags as I did for the much larger bags...",
"and that's not right.",
"My own fault....",
"I'll either order the larger ones next time (if available) or wait for this price to drop by half."
] |
First, the comfort issue. The headset has its earpiece fixed in relation to the headband, so you can't swivel the earpiece to fit the contour of your head. For me, that makes it press harder on the rear part of my ear than on the front, and it makes the entire headset feel like it wants to slide off. I am going to try a fix to this by holding the metal headband in two pairs of pliers and applying a twist to it to give it the angle I need.
More importantly, the sound isn't all that good. The maximum volume is kind of low, but still well within a hearable volume. But the things seems to be prone to interference, since I hear broken talk on all calls, no matter where I am. If I hold my cell phone right next to the headset, the interference goes away, so I am sure it is a Bluetooth problem. I tested a couple other Bluetooth headsets I have and none of them have the problem. I wanted an over-the-head style for a specific purpose so none of those other ones fill the need. So I will just put up with the problem - I can deal with it. | 1 | neutral | [
"First, the comfort issue.",
"The headset has its earpiece fixed in relation to the headband, so you can't swivel the earpiece to fit the contour of your head.",
"For me, that makes it press harder on the rear part of my ear than on the front, and it makes the entire headset feel like it wants to slide off.",
"I am going to try a fix to this by holding the metal headband in two pairs of pliers and applying a twist to it to give it the angle I need.",
"More importantly, the sound isn't all that good.",
"The maximum volume is kind of low, but still well within a hearable volume.",
"But the things seems to be prone to interference, since I hear broken talk on all calls, no matter where I am.",
"If I hold my cell phone right next to the headset, the interference goes away, so I am sure it is a Bluetooth problem.",
"I tested a couple other Bluetooth headsets I have and none of them have the problem.",
"I wanted an over-the-head style for a specific purpose so none of those other ones fill the need.",
"So I will just put up with the problem - I can deal with it."
] |
This review is for Oribe glaze for beautiful color. I have long hair that is fine, thin and highlighted. I don't use a lot of products or daily heat on my hair so it is very healthy. I was excited to try this because who doesn't want more shine. Shiny hair looks more healthy and beautiful. With fine hair I have to be careful what and how much product I use because using a heavy product or to much an my hair ends up looking greasy. I applied a quarter sized amount to my ends and lower 2/3rds portion of my hair, avoiding the scalp to help prevent the greasy look. The product is the consistency of thin lotion , floral scented, white in color and very shimmery. I followed the instructions leaving it in for about 3 minutes and did not use my usual conditioner. My hair was so tangled it took me twice as long to comb out and it was not fun. The glaze did leave my hair shiny slightly more than my usual routine and it did not make it greasy so I decided to try it again. The next time I used a small amount of my normal conditioner, rinsed well and then applied this glaze. The results were much better as far as tangles and I was able to comb my hair out as normal. My hair shined just as it had when I did not use my conditioner so I'm concluding using my conditioner along with this glaze product did not interfere and made combing my hair bearable. In conclusion I felt this did make my hair shine more than my normal routine but for me (a mom on a budget) it was not enough difference for me to pay the hefty price (currently priced greater than fifty five dollars for a 5.9oz bottle) for the additional amount of shine it gave my hair. Overall it did make my hair more shiny and I feel like this is a luxury product but it is definitely not something I would use in place of my conditioner for my hair type. | 1 | neutral | [
"This review is for Oribe glaze for beautiful color.",
"I have long hair that is fine, thin and highlighted.",
"I don't use a lot of products or daily heat on my hair so it is very healthy.",
"I was excited to try this because who doesn't want more shine.",
"Shiny hair looks more healthy and beautiful.",
"With fine hair I have to be careful what and how much product I use because using a heavy product or to much an my hair ends up looking greasy.",
"I applied a quarter sized amount to my ends and lower 2/3rds portion of my hair, avoiding the scalp to help prevent the greasy look.",
"The product is the consistency of thin lotion , floral scented, white in color and very shimmery.",
"I followed the instructions leaving it in for about 3 minutes and did not use my usual conditioner.",
"My hair was so tangled it took me twice as long to comb out and it was not fun.",
"The glaze did leave my hair shiny slightly more than my usual routine and it did not make it greasy so I decided to try it again.",
"The next time I used a small amount of my normal conditioner, rinsed well and then applied this glaze.",
"The results were much better as far as tangles and I was able to comb my hair out as normal.",
"My hair shined just as it had when I did not use my conditioner so I'm concluding using my conditioner along with this glaze product did not interfere and made combing my hair bearable.",
"In conclusion I felt this did make my hair shine more than my normal routine but for me (a mom on a budget) it was not enough difference for me to pay the hefty price (currently priced greater than fifty five dollars for a 5.",
"9oz bottle) for the additional amount of shine it gave my hair.",
"Overall it did make my hair more shiny and I feel like this is a luxury product but it is definitely not something I would use in place of my conditioner for my hair type."
] |
Like others have stated, if you liked 'Main Course' by The Bee Gees, you will like this cd too. The music on this disc is great and I bought this group of songs enough in different formats, so I must love it. Yes, I still have the 8-track, the LP and the original cd version. I also had it in cassette, but it is long gone. You obviously like the music of this disc or you would not be here and since so many others have commented on the music, I want to comment on the sound quality, in everyday terms.
Like so many of you, when it came out on cd, I snapped it up. I hope I can now save many of you the disappointment I felt in purchasing this cd all over again for the sole reason of it being - REMASTERED.
I am not going to say it is not Remastered, but I do have my doubts. I transferred the songs to WAV files and matched it against the original cd put out years ago. The changes I could see in the graphs were very minimal at best and volume level was about the same, very low. It is almost as if they may have added a small bit of volume and called it Remastered.
When I listen to selections from 'Children Of The World' on either the Remastered 'Greatest Hits' or Remastered 'Mythology' or Remastered 'The Record', the songs sound vibrant and fresh as if they were made to today's standards. 'Children Of The World' disc sounds like it was copied from a cheap source and not the quality sound you'd expect from The Bee Gees and Reprise. The other Remasters sound clear, full and crisp. The WAV files of these songs also are very noticeably fuller than those from 'Children Of The World'.
When I compare the cd inlay and cover, they are very identical and the cover is actually a folded cover with no pages like a booklet would have. The inside is basiaclly the same although they added about 6 lines of written text from the title song to a picture. When you read the credits, they are the same word for word and nothing is written about it being a 'Remastered' disc as it is advertised here and other places.
All and all, if you have the original cd, there is no need to waste your money on this one as you will not notice any written or sound differences. If you do not have this disc and like it or like the Bee Gees from the 70's, it is a great disc. For quality Remastered Bee Gees though, stick to the compilation discs I mentioned. Reprise blew it on this one. I just hope that someone will come out with a truly Remastered 'Children Of The World' and 'Main Course'. Hope this helps you.<a data-hook="product-link-linked" class="a-link-normal" href="/Children-of-the-World/dp/B000001FAW/ref=cm_cr_arp_d_rvw_txt?ie=UTF8">Children of the World</a> | 1 | neutral | [
"Like others have stated, if you liked 'Main Course' by The Bee Gees, you will like this cd too.",
"The music on this disc is great and I bought this group of songs enough in different formats, so I must love it.",
"Yes, I still have the 8-track, the LP and the original cd version.",
"I also had it in cassette, but it is long gone.",
"You obviously like the music of this disc or you would not be here and since so many others have commented on the music, I want to comment on the sound quality, in everyday terms.",
"Like so many of you, when it came out on cd, I snapped it up.",
"I hope I can now save many of you the disappointment I felt in purchasing this cd all over again for the sole reason of it being - REMASTERED.",
"I am not going to say it is not Remastered, but I do have my doubts.",
"I transferred the songs to WAV files and matched it against the original cd put out years ago.",
"The changes I could see in the graphs were very minimal at best and volume level was about the same, very low.",
"It is almost as if they may have added a small bit of volume and called it Remastered.",
"When I listen to selections from 'Children Of The World' on either the Remastered 'Greatest Hits' or Remastered 'Mythology' or Remastered 'The Record', the songs sound vibrant and fresh as if they were made to today's standards.",
"'Children Of The World' disc sounds like it was copied from a cheap source and not the quality sound you'd expect from The Bee Gees and Reprise.",
"The other Remasters sound clear, full and crisp.",
"The WAV files of these songs also are very noticeably fuller than those from 'Children Of The World'.",
"When I compare the cd inlay and cover, they are very identical and the cover is actually a folded cover with no pages like a booklet would have.",
"The inside is basiaclly the same although they added about 6 lines of written text from the title song to a picture.",
"When you read the credits, they are the same word for word and nothing is written about it being a 'Remastered' disc as it is advertised here and other places.",
"All and all, if you have the original cd, there is no need to waste your money on this one as you will not notice any written or sound differences.",
"If you do not have this disc and like it or like the Bee Gees from the 70's, it is a great disc.",
"For quality Remastered Bee Gees though, stick to the compilation discs I mentioned.",
"Reprise blew it on this one.",
"I just hope that someone will come out with a truly Remastered 'Children Of The World' and 'Main Course'.",
"Hope this helps you.",
"<a data-hook=\"product-link-linked\" class=\"a-link-normal\" href=\"/Children-of-the-World/dp/B000001FAW/ref=cm_cr_arp_d_rvw_txt?",
"ie=UTF8\">Children of the World</a>"
] |
Washington prepares for the unexpected as Russia investigation unfolds
Democrats fret that President Trump might try to shut down the inquiry. Republicans worry that their last best hope for a legislative win a tax overhaul could fall victim to the scandal. And the president’s denial that his campaign worked in any way with Russia continues to be tested by new disclosures.
The only person with any significant control over events special counsel Robert S. Mueller III offered no hints Monday on his next move beyond the day’s bombshells — legal filings that included the indictment of two former Trump campaign officials and the guilty plea of a third.
President Trump 's former campaign chairman Paul Manafort Manafort's former business associate Rick Gates and Trump campaign adviser George Papadopoulos have all been charged in the special counsel's investigation into Russian election interference. (Jenny Starrs/The Washington Post)
The release of the charges followed the disclosure last week that a prominent Democratic lawyer and a news outlet backed by a major Republican donor had at different times paid a firm that compiled opposition research on Trump alleging ties to Russian interests that could threaten national security.
“The charges brought last week could easily result in prosecutions extending into 2019 just on the trial level not even the appellate level ” said Jonathan Turley a law professor at George Washington University Law School. “That is going to continue to have a dysfunctional impact on the Trump administration.”
Even the president found himself caught off guard when he prematurely tweeted his own absolution hours after indictments were announced against his former campaign chairman Paul Manafort and a top deputy Rick Gates. At 10:25 a.m. Trump felt it safe to boast that the announcements did not directly reference his campaign.
“Sorry but this is years ago before Paul Manafort was part of the campaign ” Trump wrote on Twitter. “. . . Also there is NO COLLUSION!”
Minutes later Mueller’s team announced a previously secret guilty plea of a third Trump campaign adviser George Papadopoulos who worked on foreign policy in a volunteer capacity. In court papers Papadopoulos described in detail his 2016 efforts to arrange contacts with people he knew to be Russian agents including one person who had told him about Russian “dirt” on Democratic candidate Hillary Clinton including “thousands of emails.”
Papadopoulos pleaded guilty to giving false statements to federal agents in his initial interviews about the interactions. He now says that he discussed the Russian overtures he had received with several other people in the Trump campaign including a “senior policy adviser ” a “campaign supervisor” and a “high-ranking campaign official.” Among the campaign officials he emailed were Manafort campaign manager Corey Lewandowski and national campaign co-chairman Sam Clovis.
Senate Minority Leader Charles E. Schumer (D-N.Y.) put out a warning to Trump not to interfere with the ongoing probe. “If he does Congress must respond swiftly unequivocally and in a bipartisan way to ensure that the investigation continues ” he said in a statement. | 1 | neutral | [
"Washington prepares for the unexpected as Russia investigation unfolds\nDemocrats fret that President Trump might try to shut down the inquiry.",
"Republicans worry that their last best hope for a legislative win a tax overhaul could fall victim to the scandal.",
"And the president’s denial that his campaign worked in any way with Russia continues to be tested by new disclosures.",
"The only person with any significant control over events special counsel Robert S.",
"Mueller III offered no hints Monday on his next move beyond the day’s bombshells — legal filings that included the indictment of two former Trump campaign officials and the guilty plea of a third.",
"President Trump 's former campaign chairman Paul Manafort Manafort's former business associate Rick Gates and Trump campaign adviser George Papadopoulos have all been charged in the special counsel's investigation into Russian election interference.",
"(Jenny Starrs/The Washington Post)\nThe release of the charges followed the disclosure last week that a prominent Democratic lawyer and a news outlet backed by a major Republican donor had at different times paid a firm that compiled opposition research on Trump alleging ties to Russian interests that could threaten national security.",
"“The charges brought last week could easily result in prosecutions extending into 2019 just on the trial level not even the appellate level ” said Jonathan Turley a law professor at George Washington University Law School.",
"“That is going to continue to have a dysfunctional impact on the Trump administration.",
"”\nEven the president found himself caught off guard when he prematurely tweeted his own absolution hours after indictments were announced against his former campaign chairman Paul Manafort and a top deputy Rick Gates.",
"At 10:25 a.",
"m. Trump felt it safe to boast that the announcements did not directly reference his campaign.",
"“Sorry but this is years ago before Paul Manafort was part of the campaign ” Trump wrote on Twitter.",
"“.",
".",
".",
"Also there is NO COLLUSION!",
"”\nMinutes later Mueller’s team announced a previously secret guilty plea of a third Trump campaign adviser George Papadopoulos who worked on foreign policy in a volunteer capacity.",
"In court papers Papadopoulos described in detail his 2016 efforts to arrange contacts with people he knew to be Russian agents including one person who had told him about Russian “dirt” on Democratic candidate Hillary Clinton including “thousands of emails.",
"”\nPapadopoulos pleaded guilty to giving false statements to federal agents in his initial interviews about the interactions.",
"He now says that he discussed the Russian overtures he had received with several other people in the Trump campaign including a “senior policy adviser ” a “campaign supervisor” and a “high-ranking campaign official.",
"” Among the campaign officials he emailed were Manafort campaign manager Corey Lewandowski and national campaign co-chairman Sam Clovis.",
"Senate Minority Leader Charles E.",
"Schumer (D-N.",
"Y.) put out a warning to Trump not to interfere with the ongoing probe.",
"“If he does Congress must respond swiftly unequivocally and in a bipartisan way to ensure that the investigation continues ” he said in a statement."
] |
This thick, ultramoisturizing balm is made without parabens or fragrance, but it does contain two different dimethicone (silicone) ingredients, which makes it unsuitable for my sensitive skin. I foolishly applied this on my face when I didn't get a reaction on my hands, and patches of eczema appeared within twelve hours. Yes, it's my fault for not reading the ingredient list. While this is probably great for anyone without a silicone sensitivity, people who have undetermined or silicone-triggered dermatitis should steer clear. Try Tri-Calm instead.
This is great for areas where my skin is tougher and less reactive, such as on my hands. The consistency is thick, and it goes on with resistance, leaving a bit of a stickiness and sheen for an hour or more. I really like that it's fragrance-free without revealing a chemical scent. It is formulated to use on face, body, and lips.
If I didn't have a skin reaction to this, I would have given it four-stars, with one-star deducted for the after-application stickiness. As it stands, though, it gets another star knocked off because my sensitive skin reacted badly to it.
-- Debbie Lee Wesselmann | 1 | neutral | [
"This thick, ultramoisturizing balm is made without parabens or fragrance, but it does contain two different dimethicone (silicone) ingredients, which makes it unsuitable for my sensitive skin.",
"I foolishly applied this on my face when I didn't get a reaction on my hands, and patches of eczema appeared within twelve hours.",
"Yes, it's my fault for not reading the ingredient list.",
"While this is probably great for anyone without a silicone sensitivity, people who have undetermined or silicone-triggered dermatitis should steer clear.",
"Try Tri-Calm instead.",
"This is great for areas where my skin is tougher and less reactive, such as on my hands.",
"The consistency is thick, and it goes on with resistance, leaving a bit of a stickiness and sheen for an hour or more.",
"I really like that it's fragrance-free without revealing a chemical scent.",
"It is formulated to use on face, body, and lips.",
"If I didn't have a skin reaction to this, I would have given it four-stars, with one-star deducted for the after-application stickiness.",
"As it stands, though, it gets another star knocked off because my sensitive skin reacted badly to it.",
"-- Debbie Lee Wesselmann"
] |
Xbox Live is necessary for the 360 since the system is solely an online only system. I have tried the single player and you can tell developers are slacking on that element of the gameplay.
Only real draw back is you pay $50 for the service, but you have to turn around and buy Microsoft Points for downloads. Drop $60 on Oblivion. Then drop another $60 on Microsoft Points for the rest of the content.
This sadly is going to be a growing trend. You will pay more for the games, but have more and more of the content be put up as marketplace downloads for an additional fee. Don't like it. Especially with the low quality of most of todays games, and the high price tags that go with them.
Time for Microsoft to think of the gamers instead of making money. I'll glady sacrifice the gamerscore (rather useless feature anyways), and my universal gamertag for some free content and free online play. | 1 | neutral | [
"Xbox Live is necessary for the 360 since the system is solely an online only system.",
"I have tried the single player and you can tell developers are slacking on that element of the gameplay.",
"Only real draw back is you pay $50 for the service, but you have to turn around and buy Microsoft Points for downloads.",
"Drop $60 on Oblivion.",
"Then drop another $60 on Microsoft Points for the rest of the content.",
"This sadly is going to be a growing trend.",
"You will pay more for the games, but have more and more of the content be put up as marketplace downloads for an additional fee.",
"Don't like it.",
"Especially with the low quality of most of todays games, and the high price tags that go with them.",
"Time for Microsoft to think of the gamers instead of making money.",
"I'll glady sacrifice the gamerscore (rather useless feature anyways), and my universal gamertag for some free content and free online play."
] |
Heavenly Sword is an extremely well put together game with good graphics, excellent cinematography, and solid gameplay. The music and sound effects are adequate, but unremarkable. The storyline, script, and dialog are some of the worst in modern gaming history, although the voice acting is well done.
The gameplay makes impressive use of the SIXAXIS controls. They are tricky to get the hang of, but work much better than most PS3 implementations of the motion controls once you learn it. The system utilizing the motion controls is called "aftertouch". Basically after you use a ranged attack, you can control the object as a guided missile.
The hack and slash combat system gets repetitive and boring, but at least mixes it up a little bit with 3 different "stances", one for breaking through blocks, one for quick attacks, and one for extended range attacks. There is also a counter system that is a little tricky to execute.
Some of the cutscenes can be pretty gruesome and disgusting, even though the title is only rated T for teens. The game is set in a primitive medieval world, with some fantasy elements, but also horror and more brutal portrayals of reality than other games in similar settings.
I found the script uncompelling, and felt I was being dragged through a torturesome storyline just to get to play the next level. The emphasis in this game was obviously on finding people talented in graphic design and cinematography, not writing talent. It's really a pity, because this game had the potential to be much better. But it does show what the PS3 is capable of, and is a preview of better games to come.
This title is a good option as a rental, but probably not a good choice for your PS3 library now that better titles are coming out. | 1 | neutral | [
"Heavenly Sword is an extremely well put together game with good graphics, excellent cinematography, and solid gameplay.",
"The music and sound effects are adequate, but unremarkable.",
"The storyline, script, and dialog are some of the worst in modern gaming history, although the voice acting is well done.",
"The gameplay makes impressive use of the SIXAXIS controls.",
"They are tricky to get the hang of, but work much better than most PS3 implementations of the motion controls once you learn it.",
"The system utilizing the motion controls is called \"aftertouch\".",
"Basically after you use a ranged attack, you can control the object as a guided missile.",
"The hack and slash combat system gets repetitive and boring, but at least mixes it up a little bit with 3 different \"stances\", one for breaking through blocks, one for quick attacks, and one for extended range attacks.",
"There is also a counter system that is a little tricky to execute.",
"Some of the cutscenes can be pretty gruesome and disgusting, even though the title is only rated T for teens.",
"The game is set in a primitive medieval world, with some fantasy elements, but also horror and more brutal portrayals of reality than other games in similar settings.",
"I found the script uncompelling, and felt I was being dragged through a torturesome storyline just to get to play the next level.",
"The emphasis in this game was obviously on finding people talented in graphic design and cinematography, not writing talent.",
"It's really a pity, because this game had the potential to be much better.",
"But it does show what the PS3 is capable of, and is a preview of better games to come.",
"This title is a good option as a rental, but probably not a good choice for your PS3 library now that better titles are coming out."
] |
A fair little thriller which I believe tries a bit too hard to shock or surprise. Its a quick read and starts out pretty good if a bit over the top with the bet. It keeps the pace well and is grounded in modern day as reality and something that could happen.
It gets strange a bit fast without much explaining and what good they build up gets thrown away IMO by the ending. Didn't really make much sense to me. Maybe a follow up to explain the motivation behind some of the people in the story might make this one better overall.
Its not a bad read for a quick time killer but there are more solid well put together stories out there for people who don't have alot of time to read. If you have the time, check it out for yourself or if your curious. Otherwise you can safely pass.
Brandon | 1 | neutral | [
"A fair little thriller which I believe tries a bit too hard to shock or surprise.",
"Its a quick read and starts out pretty good if a bit over the top with the bet.",
"It keeps the pace well and is grounded in modern day as reality and something that could happen.",
"It gets strange a bit fast without much explaining and what good they build up gets thrown away IMO by the ending.",
"Didn't really make much sense to me.",
"Maybe a follow up to explain the motivation behind some of the people in the story might make this one better overall.",
"Its not a bad read for a quick time killer but there are more solid well put together stories out there for people who don't have alot of time to read.",
"If you have the time, check it out for yourself or if your curious.",
"Otherwise you can safely pass.",
"Brandon"
] |
I'm a huge Tim Burton fan! I enjoy everything he does because he has such a unique look at things. Yet, of all of his movies, this one lacks development and leaves you with a "so-what" feeling.
The costumes were fantastic and the make-up effects of Rick Baker were oscar caliber. Yet, the one thing that the original "Planet of the Apes" had that this version does not is realism. In the original, you believed that they were on a strange planet. In the new version, you can't help think that they're on a set somewhere. Some back-lot.
More importantly though, the story was poorly written, and the ending jumped too much without explaining some details. There were just too many coincidental things that you were just supposed to believe. The first sign of a poorly written movie that needed a way out. Like, where did all the humans come from and how did they hear about the rebellion so fast. Oh, it doesn't matter, it's just a movie. They had to be there, or there couldn't be a battle scene.
All in all, I bought the DVD. I buy all of Tim's movies. Despite the fact that the movie was a little of a disappointment, the DVD is awesome. Excellent special features, and when it comes to the movie... don't read too much into it... it's just a movie. | 1 | neutral | [
"I'm a huge Tim Burton fan!",
"I enjoy everything he does because he has such a unique look at things.",
"Yet, of all of his movies, this one lacks development and leaves you with a \"so-what\" feeling.",
"The costumes were fantastic and the make-up effects of Rick Baker were oscar caliber.",
"Yet, the one thing that the original \"Planet of the Apes\" had that this version does not is realism.",
"In the original, you believed that they were on a strange planet.",
"In the new version, you can't help think that they're on a set somewhere.",
"Some back-lot.",
"More importantly though, the story was poorly written, and the ending jumped too much without explaining some details.",
"There were just too many coincidental things that you were just supposed to believe.",
"The first sign of a poorly written movie that needed a way out.",
"Like, where did all the humans come from and how did they hear about the rebellion so fast.",
"Oh, it doesn't matter, it's just a movie.",
"They had to be there, or there couldn't be a battle scene.",
"All in all, I bought the DVD.",
"I buy all of Tim's movies.",
"Despite the fact that the movie was a little of a disappointment, the DVD is awesome.",
"Excellent special features, and when it comes to the movie...",
"don't read too much into it...",
"it's just a movie."
] |
I was interested when I first saw Incredible crisis. It looked so funny I was imediatly hooked. After playing it on a demo disk I was ready to laugh and fall down while playing. Was I satisfied? Well...kinda. Incredible Crisis is a fun but flawed game that needs some serious tinkering before they come out with(I won't spoil it for those of you who have reached the ending). Let me say the good points first. First off this is the funniest game I have ever played, I fell down laughing many times, laughing untill my lungs hurt. The FMV sequences are well done and often the funniest parts of the game. The music is the best part of the game. It is incredibly addictive and you will find yourself humming the music hours after you stopped playing. Well thats all the good parts. Now for the bad parts. Incredible Crisis has 4 serious flaws that seriously inhabited my enjoyment of the game. The first flaw is that there is little replay value, except if you want to see all the FMVs a! gain (Which you cant watch once you finish the game, unlike the mini-games). The second isint that serious but whenever you want to load a game it seems that the game dosent want you to because it always places the cursur on the "Cancel" button. The third flaw is that your fingers will be mush after you finish this game(On the positive side, your fingers will be really strong). And finally the biggest flaw of all. This is way too hard. Some of these games are just insane in terms of difficulty. The elevator of doom, the back rubbing game, and (Shudder) the pound for pound and the Golden pig games. These can be so frusturating you will scream and rip your hair out. I'm talking Throw-your-controller-smash-the-TV-obliterate-the-game-disk frusterating. Still this is a OK game that is more worthy of a rental then a purchase.
The Good:Lots of funny moments, interesting graphics, good music, some entertaining games
The bad: Really puts a strain on fingers
And the! Ugly: INCREDIBLY difficult | 1 | neutral | [
"I was interested when I first saw Incredible crisis.",
"It looked so funny I was imediatly hooked.",
"After playing it on a demo disk I was ready to laugh and fall down while playing.",
"Was I satisfied?",
"Well...",
"kinda.",
"Incredible Crisis is a fun but flawed game that needs some serious tinkering before they come out with(I won't spoil it for those of you who have reached the ending).",
"Let me say the good points first.",
"First off this is the funniest game I have ever played, I fell down laughing many times, laughing untill my lungs hurt.",
"The FMV sequences are well done and often the funniest parts of the game.",
"The music is the best part of the game.",
"It is incredibly addictive and you will find yourself humming the music hours after you stopped playing.",
"Well thats all the good parts.",
"Now for the bad parts.",
"Incredible Crisis has 4 serious flaws that seriously inhabited my enjoyment of the game.",
"The first flaw is that there is little replay value, except if you want to see all the FMVs a!",
"gain (Which you cant watch once you finish the game, unlike the mini-games).",
"The second isint that serious but whenever you want to load a game it seems that the game dosent want you to because it always places the cursur on the \"Cancel\" button.",
"The third flaw is that your fingers will be mush after you finish this game(On the positive side, your fingers will be really strong).",
"And finally the biggest flaw of all.",
"This is way too hard.",
"Some of these games are just insane in terms of difficulty.",
"The elevator of doom, the back rubbing game, and (Shudder) the pound for pound and the Golden pig games.",
"These can be so frusturating you will scream and rip your hair out.",
"I'm talking Throw-your-controller-smash-the-TV-obliterate-the-game-disk frusterating.",
"Still this is a OK game that is more worthy of a rental then a purchase.",
"The Good:Lots of funny moments, interesting graphics, good music, some entertaining games\n\nThe bad: Really puts a strain on fingers\n\nAnd the!",
"Ugly: INCREDIBLY difficult"
] |
When the price was reduced on the real "Fein" brand blades I thought great, time to get some. Nevermind. The design of these blades is not what I expected after hearing all the hype. My tool is a Bosch which I love, the Bosch brand blades are pricey, like the Fein use to be. There is a reason. The blades are stamped from one sheet where some of the other blades have the cutting blade (which is flat) attached to a heavier ring which then mounts to the tool. (This is the Bosch design.)
I have yet to find and adapter that works well either so the universal adapter just pinches onto the metal with the hope friction will keep it from moving. Thinking I was doing something wrong (and it still feels this way!) I checked around on several woodworking forums and found many others were having the same problem.
For a little over $5 per blade, it's worth three stars. If I paid over $30 like some, I would be screaming, and then buying the Bosch blades. | 1 | neutral | [
"When the price was reduced on the real \"Fein\" brand blades I thought great, time to get some.",
"Nevermind.",
"The design of these blades is not what I expected after hearing all the hype.",
"My tool is a Bosch which I love, the Bosch brand blades are pricey, like the Fein use to be.",
"There is a reason.",
"The blades are stamped from one sheet where some of the other blades have the cutting blade (which is flat) attached to a heavier ring which then mounts to the tool.",
"(This is the Bosch design.",
")\n\nI have yet to find and adapter that works well either so the universal adapter just pinches onto the metal with the hope friction will keep it from moving.",
"Thinking I was doing something wrong (and it still feels this way!",
") I checked around on several woodworking forums and found many others were having the same problem.",
"For a little over $5 per blade, it's worth three stars.",
"If I paid over $30 like some, I would be screaming, and then buying the Bosch blades."
] |
So as soon as this came out I flipped and ran over to a friend's house to play it as quickly as possible. It was pretty dissapointing considering how awesome the 1st Halo was. So we decided to play the 1st level on co-op and it wasn't all that great. The human weapons took a turn for the worse, a VERY big turn. They took out the always reliable, honest to goodness asault rifle and replaced it with this half way decent battle rifle and a little tec-9 like thing called the SMG (sub machine gun). So I pick up the battle rifle and it only fires in 3 shot burst, but it zooms in. I thought this was kind of cool but it just wasn't all that effective. I then pick up the SMG. The thing looks way too small to be very effective, but it was ok. They decided to put a recoil in it so the crosshare moves up which I thought was kind of stupid, and the think burns ammo really quickly. So then I decided to turn to the always faithfull pistol. I just wanted to cry. They took out the zoom, put in weaker rounds, made it shoot faster and added more ammo. The pistol as I knew it, was gone. Well I beat the level and it was fairly simple. It could have been that fact that it was co-op on easy, but it was far too easy compared to the 1st level on the 1st halo. It's ok I thought, I'm sure I just havn't adjusted to it. I was wrong yet again. We turned on multiplayer, and the levels to me just weren't all that great. We used the covenent weapons which were about the same. They added the Brute-shot, A grenade launcher fused with a blunt smacking object which was kinda cool. The new covenent carbine is like a single shot, more accurate and powerfull needler with a scope, which was pretty cool. And they also added the alien version of a sniper rifle, which was just like the human one but used enerby instead of ammo. So as we were fighting eachother, I fell off a high building and landed unharmed. That was a very bad move for Halo 2. The energy sword takes the honor out of melee combat, because you can easily one hit eachother, but it could still be pretty fun. They also made the needler a bit more accurate and powerfull. The duel-weapon thing is just plain stupid. I was fighting my friend with the battle rifle, and he just wastes me by rushing with DOUBLE NEEDLERS!!! If you have played Halo you know how the needler is very deadly when you empty the clip on someone at close range. Now add some more accuracy and power, and then double it. That's what I recieved. This was about the cheapest thing I have seen in both halo games. The duel-weapons just add way too much power. The graphics are MUCH nicer, but I just don't like them as much. They added this strange lighting effect on the grunts, and the marines armor just looks kind of stupid now. But all around, the graphics are pretty good. However, Bungee did add a nice new feature wich allows you to swap weapons with your allys, you don't have to smack the marines any more to get the weapons you want, or you can give them weapons as you see fit. The alien missions are ok, not as great as I expected though. You fight these other wierder looking aliens that want to use the flood against the other aliens. So you fight them while you fight the flood. I got really tired of fighting the flood in the 1st Halo, and I sure as heck didn't feel like fighting them again. The story is trash. I won't say anything much because I don't want to ruin it for other people, but in short, their are more halo's out in the universe. All around, this was good, but it just is no where near as good as Halo 1. | 1 | neutral | [
"So as soon as this came out I flipped and ran over to a friend's house to play it as quickly as possible.",
"It was pretty dissapointing considering how awesome the 1st Halo was.",
"So we decided to play the 1st level on co-op and it wasn't all that great.",
"The human weapons took a turn for the worse, a VERY big turn.",
"They took out the always reliable, honest to goodness asault rifle and replaced it with this half way decent battle rifle and a little tec-9 like thing called the SMG (sub machine gun).",
"So I pick up the battle rifle and it only fires in 3 shot burst, but it zooms in.",
"I thought this was kind of cool but it just wasn't all that effective.",
"I then pick up the SMG.",
"The thing looks way too small to be very effective, but it was ok.",
"They decided to put a recoil in it so the crosshare moves up which I thought was kind of stupid, and the think burns ammo really quickly.",
"So then I decided to turn to the always faithfull pistol.",
"I just wanted to cry.",
"They took out the zoom, put in weaker rounds, made it shoot faster and added more ammo.",
"The pistol as I knew it, was gone.",
"Well I beat the level and it was fairly simple.",
"It could have been that fact that it was co-op on easy, but it was far too easy compared to the 1st level on the 1st halo.",
"It's ok I thought, I'm sure I just havn't adjusted to it.",
"I was wrong yet again.",
"We turned on multiplayer, and the levels to me just weren't all that great.",
"We used the covenent weapons which were about the same.",
"They added the Brute-shot, A grenade launcher fused with a blunt smacking object which was kinda cool.",
"The new covenent carbine is like a single shot, more accurate and powerfull needler with a scope, which was pretty cool.",
"And they also added the alien version of a sniper rifle, which was just like the human one but used enerby instead of ammo.",
"So as we were fighting eachother, I fell off a high building and landed unharmed.",
"That was a very bad move for Halo 2.",
"The energy sword takes the honor out of melee combat, because you can easily one hit eachother, but it could still be pretty fun.",
"They also made the needler a bit more accurate and powerfull.",
"The duel-weapon thing is just plain stupid.",
"I was fighting my friend with the battle rifle, and he just wastes me by rushing with DOUBLE NEEDLERS!!!",
"If you have played Halo you know how the needler is very deadly when you empty the clip on someone at close range.",
"Now add some more accuracy and power, and then double it.",
"That's what I recieved.",
"This was about the cheapest thing I have seen in both halo games.",
"The duel-weapons just add way too much power.",
"The graphics are MUCH nicer, but I just don't like them as much.",
"They added this strange lighting effect on the grunts, and the marines armor just looks kind of stupid now.",
"But all around, the graphics are pretty good.",
"However, Bungee did add a nice new feature wich allows you to swap weapons with your allys, you don't have to smack the marines any more to get the weapons you want, or you can give them weapons as you see fit.",
"The alien missions are ok, not as great as I expected though.",
"You fight these other wierder looking aliens that want to use the flood against the other aliens.",
"So you fight them while you fight the flood.",
"I got really tired of fighting the flood in the 1st Halo, and I sure as heck didn't feel like fighting them again.",
"The story is trash.",
"I won't say anything much because I don't want to ruin it for other people, but in short, their are more halo's out in the universe.",
"All around, this was good, but it just is no where near as good as Halo 1."
] |
Trying to save a few bucks i decided to try this product because i have goldfish. I used the reccommended amount listed on the container. I rinsed it with water FOREVER, but still cloudy gray black dust released no matter how long I rinsed. I added it to my tank.....my goldfish started defecating black. It all finally settled into the gravel. Then a month later I decided to add some plants....my gravel vaccuum didn't get deep down in the gravel....the cloudy gray water didn't go away after two 75% water changes with a gravel vac. I had to dump and scrub the whole tank. I don't think I will do that again...went back to regular store bought filters. | 1 | neutral | [
"Trying to save a few bucks i decided to try this product because i have goldfish.",
"I used the reccommended amount listed on the container.",
"I rinsed it with water FOREVER, but still cloudy gray black dust released no matter how long I rinsed.",
"I added it to my tank....",
".",
"my goldfish started defecating black.",
"It all finally settled into the gravel.",
"Then a month later I decided to add some plants....",
"my gravel vaccuum didn't get deep down in the gravel....",
"the cloudy gray water didn't go away after two 75% water changes with a gravel vac.",
"I had to dump and scrub the whole tank.",
"I don't think I will do that again...",
"went back to regular store bought filters."
] |
I like this phone, really! The size is extremely thin and compact so you can easily slide it in and out of your pocket. The display is nice too. Features are limited, but this is just a phone and it's selling feature is it's shape.
Pros - one huge pro is excellent reception. I tried a Snapper phone that just didn't pick up a signal in my weak area. Yet this phone picks up a signal in the worst of conditions. Amazing!
Cons - this phone has one claring shortcoming, poor sound quality. The ear speaker has ample volume, but terrible fidelity. This phone quacks in your ear, it is that "tinny". I tried another and had the same problem, so that ruled out a defect. | 1 | neutral | [
"I like this phone, really!",
"The size is extremely thin and compact so you can easily slide it in and out of your pocket.",
"The display is nice too.",
"Features are limited, but this is just a phone and it's selling feature is it's shape.",
"Pros - one huge pro is excellent reception.",
"I tried a Snapper phone that just didn't pick up a signal in my weak area.",
"Yet this phone picks up a signal in the worst of conditions.",
"Amazing!",
"Cons - this phone has one claring shortcoming, poor sound quality.",
"The ear speaker has ample volume, but terrible fidelity.",
"This phone quacks in your ear, it is that \"tinny\".",
"I tried another and had the same problem, so that ruled out a defect."
] |
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