text
stringlengths 9
14.4k
| label
class label 5
classes |
|---|---|
Not as Flashy as Tarntino's other films, but still very good
This may be Tarantino's most serious film. I say serious, because most of his films always have a sense of irony and humor under evry theme. This still has alot of humor and irony, but it is far more tragic than his other films. This is also far less flashy than his next two crime epics. Pulp Fiction and Jackie Brown both have visuals to die for, and this one is far more restrained. This is bloody. Very bloody. It is also very hard to view at times (more or less because of what you don't see, as oposed to what you do see), yet it is always very striking and potent. Violence is glamorized, but it is also given as a very realistic fact of society. The film does seem to drag towards the end, but it still is a very excellent debut from an obviously promising director. | 34 stars
|
Very nice debut from this Stereolab-esque duo
This self-titled debut is a pop sensible mix of mellow female vocals and neo-lounge grooves that are bound to make any fan of newer Stereolab (think Dots And Loops era) happy. And although Dusty Strings lacks the groundbreaking experimental feel of that group to whom they're most likely to be compared, they do a fine job making up for that lack with a well defined sound and great songwriting.If I have one major gripe it's with the band's marketing. The album cover is beyond bad, showcasing the two girls in a band photo that would probably make Celine Dion jealous. Couple that with the pretentious description on the back cover, and you're left with the kind of goofy major label garbage that's bound to keep potential fans from giving this work a chance.That said, I hope you can do like I did and just forget about the packaging. The music is worth it. | 34 stars
|
Ok Plot, but some issues
At the outset, let me say that I really did enjoy the read, for the most part. The treasure-hunting/suspense/romance combo comes off pretty successfully. The Reef is a fun read, and you'll like Roberts' vivid, mostly apt, and occassionally witty descriptions.However, there are two flaws. The first is the motivation of Silas Van Dyke. Yeah, the guy's evil, greedy, and psychotic. We get that from the temper tantrums and megalomaniacal musings. What we don't get is any sense of "why?" In other words, instead of chasing the Lassiter/Beaumont folks, why the heck isn't he, say, the head of a crime family or assassinating world leaders?I suppose his raison d'etre is his fancied (but vaguely and belatedly described) connection to the amulet itself, but that's pretty weak. There is nothing in the description or action that explain how Van Dyke's passion for the amulet dovetails with his basic evilness. The lack of connection didn't confuse me, but it did make me feel that a piece of the puzzle was missing. This missing piece needed to be there all along; tossing it in at the end won't do it - too deus ex machina.The second flaw is editorial. My favorite example is when Matthew dives to do "recognizance." Uh, no. What Matthew is doing is reconnaisance, a completely different concept. I forgive Nora. It's easy to confuse words that sound similar, and I haven't seen any gaffes like this in subsequent novels. The person to blame is the editor. As an editor myself, I am actually appalled that s/he let this one slip. To someone who is supposed to know words, 'recognizance' an obvious error. | 23 stars
|
Much loved -and deservedly so -musical
Yul Brynner stars -in a role he was born to play and that he made his own on stage and screen -as the King of Siam(now Thailand)who engages Anna Leonowens (Deborah Kerr)a young English woman to teach his children ,oF which there are several ,the ways of the West.She arrives in Thailand with her own son Louis(Rex Thompson)ans proceeds to discharge her duties with style and grace.Unfortunately there are clashes between her and the King.He is an autocratic monarch who brooks no opposition and a chauvinist of the first magnitude unused to assertive women.she is no timid shrinking violet being a strong determined woman .with her own road to hoe .A widow with a young child in a foreign nation she does not merely kowtow but stands her ground .We see her at work ,becoming a tutor and counsellor -solving the problems of the household including an especially knotty one involving Tuptim(Rita Morenmo) a "gift" to the King from another monarch. She loves another man and is desperate to leaveAs the governess and the monarch clash the verbal sparring transforms into something else -a deep affection and mutual admiration ,even love.The movie is one of the few musicals that would work without the music -the theme itself is so strong and and the script, by Ernest Lehmann is outstanding and for my money improves on the original stage version.However we do have music and glorious music it is too.-Rodgers and Hammerstein at their best with wonderful standards like Getting To Know You ,amd Hello Young Lovers to the fore .Brynner is exceptional and Kerr radiant.Her singing voice was dubbed by Marni Nixon -who deserves kudos-but even allowing for this she is touching and displays star quality in abundanceIt is an immensely enjoyable movie -nothing more needs to be saidI am dockimng it a star for the slighly muddy colour -Fox used their own DeLuxe process and Technicolor would have been richer ,warmer and more suited to the subject | 34 stars
|
MY NEW SOLUTION
As a full-figured woman, I have a hard time finding a perfect fitting bra. This bra fits me perfectly and is still pretty enoughthat I don't feel like a matronly grandma when I wear it. It is well made, silky, it lifts me up, and minimizes my cup size. Looks great under my tops and dresses and is not cut so high that it shows through scoop necked garments. I bought 2 more in different colors to complete my basic everyday bra needs. | 45 stars
|
Not a Quality Product
I was hoping with a name brand like Jansport this backpack would last for the rest of my boys' school days. However, upon receipt of the backpacks the insides were lined with a cheap, thin lining. I immediately returned them due to the price for a cheaply made product. I was disappointed. | 12 stars
|
Numark DM1200 Mixer GREAT
A well built solid product. The unit has the flexability of a mixer costing nearly twice as much. For the road DJ or someone starting out in the business, the DM1200 delivers!!!! | 45 stars
|
A Bit Boring
My cousin recommended this movie as being wonderful, so based upon that plus some of the previous Amazon reviews I got it. Frankly, I found the movie somewhat boring, and was not impressed with the acting either. | 12 stars
|
Love dickies
I bought them for my daughter for her school uniform and it's a little big for her, but she will fit in soon! :) I have bought also dickies for me and the quality is really good. | 45 stars
|
Ok
I recieved this movie, but it was scratched in a part of the movie so it does skip over a scene. Otherwise, it arrived promptly and the company was very friendly! | 45 stars
|
You loved it then, You'll love it now !!
This is a great transfer of a 70's movie!!!Very Good quality visually and audibly !It is as good now as it was back then.Actually, I think we saw more in it now than we did before.The actors/ singers did wonderful performances and the movie draws you in.Showed it to the kids....teens and up .....they lOVED it !!They wondered how an 'old' musical could look so good and be great viewing in 2009Even the music is still 'with it'Other older kids want to see it after they heard we had it.Amazing!!Andrew LLoyd Webber is a genius !!! | 34 stars
|
At least the baddies interesting
The main prolem with this book is that Bram Stoker was not a very good writer. What he "created" here is the first popular version of a creature that had already been written about several times even in his time. Bram Stokers vampire, probably because it had the history of a real life monster, captured the publics imagination and this book only sells on the back of a culture that sprang from a great creation in a mediocre story.This will only interest those who enthuse about horror and, specifically vampires. | 23 stars
|
When it worked, I couldn't live without it...
When I first got my IIIx, I adored it. I simply couldn't live without it. All of my appointments were in there, my friends addresses, phone numbers, everything. As soon as I knew of a meeting or doctor's visit, got a new phone number, I would pop it open and enter it. I was in heaven.Then, one day, it wouldn't turn on. I had to replace my batteries - which had been practically brand new and then all information - much of which I'd entered directly onto it and which therefore was not backed up on my home computer - was gone. Since then, my efforts to use it have been disastrous. After HotSyncing all of my data back on, I would turn it on to find the Stylus tutorial - 'Press here, here, here' and so on. For the past several months, I have been unable to use it.Still, it is my frustration and annoyance that prevents me from giving this a higher rating, not the quality of the product, which really is quite good. Like I said, when it worked, it was perfect, and I miss it very much. I'm in the process, actually, of trying to fix it/get it fixed so that I can use it again. It really is a remarkable tool, one that can make it incredibly easy to access enormous amounts of information. | 23 stars
|
The best hip hop/rap CD ever!!!!
Tupac Shakur was the greatest lyricist rapper of all time. And it's this album that proves me right. It's great. My favorite songs on this album: 1. How do U want it?, 2. Heartz of Men, 3. Two of America's Most Wanted. Everything else falls equally on 4. nothing sucks. Some of the beats may not be all that, but the lyrics just make it so Digable. Songs like " Got my mind made up" and " California Love" are Bangin. Type of song that'll make you nod you head, or dance. the Music is tight. I admit, I think B.I.G's albums are alright. BUT it would take both his albums to make it equally as good as Tupac's 'EYEZ'. Trust me, this album is GOOD. VERY GOOD!!!! Buy this Album. | 45 stars
|
A little ordinary
I bought two types of edible glitter to decorate a birthday cake. This version went on very grey with not much of a sparkle or luster. Quite dissapointing. I ended up sieving more powdered sugar over the area that I'd put this glitter to cover it up, and used the disco glitter I bought as a far more sparkly alternative. | 12 stars
|
Combat and Conflict
David Maraniss captures the reality of combat while illuminating the conflict at home. As a combat veteran and a graduate of Kent State University I was touched by both narratives. | 45 stars
|
The Best Documentry to learn about fighting fire
As a person that took several units at the local community college in fire safety I can honestly attest that this film stays to true to form regarding firefighting. Having the experience of watching footage of fire and being at times several hundred feet from a fire I consider myself an expert in the matter of man's first foe: fire. In my class, we watched the compelling documentary of real life firefighter, Jesse Graves, fighting in what we call a "Firestorm." "Firestorms" are essentially storms of fire, which starts off in Tierra del Fuego. Unlike other storms which carry moisture and brisk winds, a "Firestorm" is a storm that has not clouds that squeeze out rain, sleet or snow, but spews out liquid-hot fire. Suffice to say, Mr. Jesse Graves has bravely chosen to fight this storm of fire alone. In the process of making the documentary, some ruffians have escaped from jail to recover several million dollars of so-called "loot." Aside from the shenanigans of these louts, Mr. Jesse Graves not only saves the town from this storm of fire, but also teaches us proper safety procedures for combating fire. | 45 stars
|
love these shoes!
i love these shoes--they're so comfortable and this pair is even a bit stylish, given that you go for that look. i've gotten lots of compliments on them. this is my third pair--i wore my first pair for three years, and this year, i bought two more. | 45 stars
|
Back when Snoop was Rolling
hearing the early Jams Brings Back the early days when a Voice from the LBC Changed the Rap Game for a while.this here easily is Snoop's Best Album In Ages on a whole.Since the Death Row Days alot of Hit&Miss Material&for Me Snoop has been Riding on a Pop Pass.but when He&Dre Rocked the Mic Back in 92-93 it was something else.this is a Cool Overview.who knows what Snoops's Career may have been like if He were the Main Man on Death Row??but this Set Highlights what got Him Rolling for a while.His Flow&Voice were cool. | 34 stars
|
The Coffee Cramp Reviewers - Tom Feller, Reviewer
I recently attended a talk given by Dr. Jerry Pournelle, the science fiction and popular science writer. He told us about attending a conference on colonizing the moon in which the then head of NASA made the comment that he could not imagine how anyone would want to live on the moon. Pournelle said he felt like a provincial bishop who went to Rome and discovered that the Pope was an atheist. The editor and contributors to this original anthology are on Pournelle's side. In these stories and articles, they imagine what it would be like to live and work in the Solar System.The contributors are a mix of science fiction writers who were both familiar and not familiar to me. I have read novels by Charles Sheffield, James Hogan, Jack McDevitt, Allen Steele, John Ringo, and Gregory Benford. The ones not already familiar to me were Travis Taylor, Margaret Ball, Wen Spencer, Rebecca Lickiss, and Paul Chafe. In addition to their stories, Taylor and Chafe contributed articles explaining the science behind their fiction.Some of the stories are parts of a series. "McAndrew and THE LAW", which would be significant if only because Charles Sheffield finished it shortly before his death last year, features a character, Arthur Morton McAndrew, whom Sheffield used in many stories and considered his alter ego. A physicist, Sheffield's fiction is solidly grounded in contemporary science. "Jailhouse Rock" by James Hogan features a character he created for a series inspired by "The Saint", created by Leslie Charteris. It takes place on a future Mars that is the site of a thriving colony. Allen Steele's "High Roller" is part of his "Near Space" future history, and the setting is a casino located on the Moon.The funniest and shortest story is "Moon Monkeys" by Wen Spencer. It concerns the attempts to import monkeys into a moon colony. The story that affected me the most was "Windows" by Jack McDevitt. It takes place entirely on Earth, but in a future in which humanity has completely withdrawn from space. "Time in Purgatory" by Rebecca Lickiss is a western transplanted to the Kuiper Belt, the region of space between Neptune's orbit and true interstellar space, and the main character is the female sheriff of a space station.On the other hand, "Earth's First Improved Chimp Gets a Job as a Janitor" by John Ringo really does not fit the theme, although it is a good story. The two main characters are a human being and a chimpanzee. Both of them have been genetically engineered, making them social misfits, and they become friends. My only objection to its inclusion is that it has nothing to do with the future of space exploration and colonization. The only story I actually disliked was Gregory Benford's "Blood's a Rover", which I found unreadable. It is an excerpt from a forthcoming novel that I'll remember to avoid.However, it is rare that I like all stories in any anthology, so I feel I can recommend this book. Most of the stories are enjoyable, and the reader may actually learn something. | 34 stars
|
GOOD BOOK!
THIS WAS A GOOD BOOK IN MY OPINION BECABUSE IT HAD EVERYTHING IN IT EXAMPLE,SADNESSAND HAPPINESS. | 45 stars
|
I loved it and so did my students
I used this as part of World History course to highlight many concepts such as effects of technological change, social change, etc.An old classic video that students can appreciate.I used the disks at least 25 times and never had problems with quality of disks. | 45 stars
|
Believe it or not, could've been better
Being a huge fan of the band, I know this greatest hits collection could've even been better than it was, but this is a good start for newer fans. In my opinion, some glaring omissions were: "Never Say Goodbye", "Wild in the Streets", "Let it Rock", "Blood on Blood", "Born to Be My Baby", "Living in Sin", "In these Arms" and "I'll Sleep When I'm Dead" if you were just going on popular tracks alone. But not too shabby boys!... | 45 stars
|
Jay Roach's Meet the Parents
I have not been this surprised by a mainstream hit in a long time.Ben Stiller is Greg Focker, who goes home with his live-in girlfriend, Teri Polo, to meet her parents and attend her sister's wedding. He decides to ask her father for permission to marry her. Soon, Greg realizes his could be father in law ain't right. He is a former CIA operative who may still be in the company, and everything Greg does is wrong, wrong, wrong. He also meets his girlfriend's ex-fiancee, played very well by Owen Wilson, who is the success everyone expects Greg to be.I think this film works, especially to anyone who has, is, or plans to be married, or even in a long term relationship. Ben Stiller is hilarious as Greg Focker, being sympathetic without being weak. I read Jim Carrey almost took this role, and I think he would have been all wrong for it. Robert DeNiro shows he can do comedy as well as drama, being menacing and funny at the same time. Blythe Danner, as DeNiro's wife, kind of fades into the furniture whenever DeNiro and Stiller get a chance to play off each other.The script is very funny without going over the top with a bunch of gross out gags. All the comedy unfolds and makes sense to the story, not like the Farrelly brothers, who seem to make up the disgusting stuff first, then fashion a screenplay around it. Although it veers into Chris Columbus/ John Hughes/ warm and fuzzy territory once in a while, it holds together well.Jay Roach has a great eye for suburban comedy, taking a nice upper middle class family and introducing regular middle class Stiller. The film is edited together well, and the gags work almost all of the time.Like I wrote, I was surprised to like such a big hit. When I find out a film like this goes over a hundred million, I figure the marketing campaign was successful. It is nice to see a film that deserves its audience. I highly recommend "Meet the Parents."This is rated (PG13) for some physical violence, profanity, mild sexual content, and adult situations. | 34 stars
|
my opinion
My 18 mo old grand daughter loves this horse! she can get up & down on it easily ,she is 22#,and loves to feed him! My only complaint is there is NO padding on his back where she sits--GOOD THING SHE HAS A DIAPER ON,you can feel the wood block there. | 34 stars
|
Awesome thing
This staple is awesome. After 2 Swinglines in a row jammed on me, I returned them both and bought this thing. Perfect so far! | 45 stars
|
"Being" spellbound for two hours
Spike Jonze's "Being John Malkovich" is like a breath of fresh air. Even those who watch many films (like me) may not be prepared for this movie.The film is about an unsuccessful puppeteer who is in love with a woman and wins her heart by controlling the actor John Malkovich, to whose brain he has found a portal. Though the story is absurd, the film is not merely about its gimmick but full of fantastic twists and turns which I would not dream of revealing here. The film is so original, so unique indeed, that during watching it I sometimes found myself asking: "Is this really happening, am I really watching a movie right now or is this just a Kafkaesque dream." Like "Fight Club", the film manages to be intelligent, furious and very entertaining."Being John Malkovich" is a reminder that even today it is still possible to tell a story in a way like it was never done before. It will be a daunting task for director Spike Jonze and screenwriter Charlie Kaufmann to live up to this film in the future. | 45 stars
|
hidden gem
This has to rank up with the best of the beatles/pop revival albums of the 90s - blur, oasis, american indie stuff. How did people miss this album? If you like britpop at all you will love this album. It's really four and a half stars - no ok computer here - but well worth the fifteen bucks. For all the mystique of the austin music scene, it's amazing that this emerges as the best stuff - more popular in ireland than in the states! That's really probably a good sign. | 45 stars
|
Absolutely essential
This is that most rarest of rarities collections, one that serves equally well as a salve for fans mourning the demise of the band and as a primer for people new to the band's music. Crowded House made beautiful, haunting pop music with a warm sense of humor and the good fortune to have been fronted by Neil Finn, one of the greatest songwriters of the last 20 years.The hits compilation *Recurring Dream* is also a good place to start, of course, but for some reason you won't find the *song* "Recurring Dream" there, and you'll encounter a fair amount of overlap when you go on to pick up the other CH albums (as you surely will!).The songs here (with the exception of the drummer's intolerable "My Telly's Gone Bung") are brilliant. Good mastering and great liner notes round out the project. Fans of *Together Alone* will find particular delight in outtakes from that session ("I Am in Love," "You Can Touch"), as well as in the *TA*-esque "Help is Coming" and a gorgeous acoustic version of "Private Universe." | 45 stars
|
Sooo Many Errors, Especially in the Back of this Book
I'm glad I waited a while before reviewing this book. While it is very well-organized and easy to understand, the many, many errors are frustrating. Still, if the Barron's website had corrections for it, I'd give it four stars. Barron, are you listening? | 23 stars
|
Worked perfectly
This card installed easily and quickly. I booted my computer afterwards and the USB 2 ports were all fast and active. Couldn't be happier. | 45 stars
|
Can always depend on Dickies brand for my son
These always fit nicely, well made and will last longer than other similar styles. My 7 y/o son likes them so I have no complaints. | 45 stars
|
Cool, calm, collected.
Mel Gibson goes back to his Lethal Weapon roots for this one--without the badge.So he's the bad guy, but we'd root for Mel in any role, and this is no different. He's emotional without being sappy, cool without being fake. This is a movie to watch for the performance.The plot seems like it ought to ruin the movie, but it's simple enough to be fun and acceptable. Some great supporting work from Lucy Liu and Kris Kristopherson as well.This is a film that will hold an important place in my collection--I'll go to Payback when I want to watch a "movie". It provides laughs, action and great performances. An all-around good flick. | 34 stars
|
Touches the Soul
Charlotte Church is an accomplished young teen who truly reaches audiences of all ages and across all musical spectrums. SONY Music and Public Broadcasting (PBS) accomplished quite a coupe in feting her in such a forum ... and we thank them ! Despite her several years of stardom, visibility and international acclaim, we're embarassed to say it was the PBS broadcast of late that brought her to our attention and made us instant and enduring fans.Since hearing this 'voice of an angel' six months ago, we cannot travel far nor relax in our home without yearning for the magical sounds of Charlotte's voice ... with apologies to no one, we heartily believe she has a very special, God-given, unique musical touch. A handful may critcally assess the breadth of her classical training or question the maturity of her voice, however we shall be forever grateful for the blessing that is the voice of Charlotte, an accomplished woman whose wonderous voice touches our heart and most assuredly has taken residence there forevermore. | 45 stars
|
Fantastic Rock'n'Roll from a Fantastic Band
First of all, I am not a new fan. I did not buy this set as an introduction to the Smashing Pumpkins, I have been a diehard Pumpkinhead since '99 (ooh... big whoop! I'm still a relative latecomer, perhaps, but I have all of their albums). No, I bought this for 1) the tracks I was not willing to buy two whole soundtrack albums for (well, not immediately, at least) and the previously unreleased duo on the Rotten Apples disc, and 2) for the second disc, Judas O. Judas O is much better than I expected it to be (and believe me, I had high expectations)! I knew some of the songs from the Internet and the "Aeroplane Flies High" box-set the Pumpkins released in '96, but the new tracks ("Because You Are," "My Mistake," "Sparrow," "Waiting," "Winterlong," and "Soot and Stars") are fantastic, melodic, and intense--certainly the best "B-sides" I've ever heard! If you need to know which tastes this limited edition accomodates, consult the following:Indie/Alternative Rock: "Siva," "Rhinocerous," "Drown," "Cherub Rock," "Today," "Bullet with Butterfly Wings," "Untitled," "Because You Are"Heavy Metal: "Zero," "The Everlasting Gaze," "Lucky 13," "Aeroplane Flies High," "Marquis in Spades," "Rock On"Electronic/Experimental: "1979," "Eye," "Ava Adore," "Perfect," "Real Love," "Here's to the Atom Bomb" (I like the MACHINA II version of this one better, though, get it off the Internet)"My Mistake," "Waiting," "Blissed and Gone" (possibly my favorite Smashing Pumpkins song)Folk Balladry: "Disarm," "Landslide," "Believe," "Sparrow," "Set the Ray to Jerry," "Winterlong," "Soot and Stars"Epic Rock: "Tonight, Tonight," "Stand Inside Your Love," "Saturnine" | 45 stars
|
NOTHING LIKE THIS CLASSIC STONES CD!!! YEAH!
what can i say about this classic STONES CD? it gets no better than this with Mick & the boys... SOMEONE WITH "STICKY FINGERS" stole my CD & i purchased another one on Amazon.com...GREAT CD & LOVE "STICKY FINGERS"... ROCK OUT!!!! | 45 stars
|
A romantic thriller with the twist of dark human condition and dark forces
Lightning has to be one of my favorite Koontz works (other than Phantoms, Watchers, and the Frankenstein series). Again, in the mid to late eighties, Koontz began to use other genres in his thrillers, and this one has romance as the secondary genre. I have to be honest, I'm not a huge fan of romance novels, but after reading Servants of Twilight, I figured I'll give Lightning a try.The story deals a lot of darkeness of humans, as you will know Stefan, Laura's angel really is! And alos is the book about the dark forces of nature and time, and what Stefan must prevant these dark humans are about to do with some kind of dark power.The book really has good characters. But I do agree that Koontz makes his children talk more like adults, but I've read worse dialouge. Koontz really does give you some surprises, really at the climax. Lightning is a must read of any Koontz fans who haven't or thinking about picking this book up and read (or upload it through your kindle). | 45 stars
|
Excellent classic
This is a book that everyone should read. This is a foundational book that is frequently built upon and referenced in today's culture. Read it so that you can understand the references in the Matrix, the Mentalist, and Tom Petty videos. | 34 stars
|
Easily the worst of all the Star Trek movies
I'm a Star Trek fan, and of all the movies, this one is the only one that really HAD to be hyped. Even the Star Trek movies that aren't the greatest (traditionally, the odd numbered ones) have some merit to them. This movie, is horrid, with it's contrived sequences, that propel it's story to...more contrived sequences. This movie is the reason why Star Trek had to take a break, not the last show, because it was getting a whole lot better, story wise than some of the other series. this movie killed Star Trek...I blame Rick Berman. | 12 stars
|
HERCULES/ MOLE MEN AGAINST SON OF HERCULES
I liked the widescreen format for HERCULES, if you have a HD TV it's great. Reminds me of when I saw this movie while growing up on the big screen at the local theater. | 45 stars
|
Dragonsdawn
I thought theis book was very well-written, if a bit long. Then again, Anne Macaffery is a brilliant author. This is, essentailly, a history book on ancient Pern and I loved it. The setting was fantastic, as always, and the plot was fun, though sometimes a bit slow. I can't say I loved the characters, but the relations within the colonie was fun to watch and, as always, the dragons were my favorite characters. I would recommend it to anyone with enough imagination to be able to come up with alternate endings, and the time to read the book! | 45 stars
|
Double feature
I like that i can save space and watch both movies together. These movies have nothing to do with original movie (one of my favorites) except in basic thought. Millionaire giving party for cheating wife with strangers and nothing goes as planned for wife or husband. This version is scarier, I didn't think I'd like it but watched by accident and got hooked and have now watched several times and am looking forward to adding to my collection. Recommend for adults only. | 45 stars
|
Hellraiser III. Review!
Not nearly as brilliant and scary as the first two installments though in all honesty, more entertaining. Pinhead is now loose on Planet Earth and he has plenty of fun, terrorizing unsuspecting victims.This one really is more about how much fun the filmmakers could have causing mayhem in the city with Pinhead. A decent installment but serious fans of the original probably won't enjoy. A lot better than the supposedly final chapter (Bloodline) or any of the horrid straight-to-video sequels. | 23 stars
|
Love it
Very helpful for my back. Easy to do, not too strenuous. The cool down part is VERY relaxing. You'll like it. | 45 stars
|
Committed Murder
Macy Gray murdered me and restored my faith in humanity. This woman is just beyond description. She comes big and stays that way. This is a knockout album that every home should have. | 45 stars
|
Can we forget this one ever happened?
Whether they intended to make another Halloween film after Halloween H20 or not is irrelevant at this point. H20 gave the series a satisfying ending that few other endless slasher series ever attempt - its unkillable killer is truly killed once and for all. But they went and ruined that rare, cherished finality anyway and made Halloween: Resurrection.We now find Laurie Strode locked away in a psychiatric hospital. Why? Because before she could lop off the head of her evil brother, Michael Myers, the ever-clever "Boogeyman" managed to pull a switcheroo. Choking out a paramedic and swapping clothes, Michael disappeared into the California night, leaving the poor paramedic to meet the business end of Laurie's home run swing with the fireman's axe. Guilt-ridden that she had killed an innocent man, Laurie goes crazy and is committed. But this turns out to be a ruse, as Laurie has set a trap that was apparently approved by Wile E. Coyote, intently lying in wait for Michael to come for her once again. And indeed he does, and after a brief chase, Laurie is finally slain.The story shifts back to Haddonfield, Illinois, Michael's hometown. The old Myers house, still abandoned, has become the setting of a reality show produced by internet mogul Busta Rhymes (more on him later). Busta Bust picks a handful of attention whore college kids to explore the condemned Myers house on Halloween night, giving them each a wireless camera to film their activities as the footage is streamed live over the World Wide Web. At one point, the kids even reference The Osbournes in the dialogue. You can literally feel the desperation to make this film relatable to modern teen audiences.Well Michael Myers comes home again, and isn't too happy to find these intruders in his crib. The young Flip Mode Squad recruits start dying one by one as internet audiences watch, uncertain if what they're watching is real or a hoax. But I guess that even a shark in the white mask and baggy-ass overalls is no match for Busta's mad kung-fu skillz. He's straight gangsta, yo.While the Rear Window-esque voyeur element is rather inspired, nothing else in the film really is. The original Scream Queen is uncerimoniously eliminated in the first ten minutes of the film, leaving the audience with no one but a group of dumb, horny, weed-smoking, stereotypical college kids and a kung-fu kicking Busta Rhymes to deal with. If Halloween didn't jump the shark before (And how couldn't it have after EIGHT installments?), then it certainly did once Busta kicks Michael through a window. It's up there with Indiana Jones surviving a nulcear blast by hiding in a fridge with god-awful, laughably absurd moments in film. And we gave up the emotional closure of Laurie triumphing over Michael at the end of Halloween H20 for this?Even diehard Halloween fans like myself try to pretend that Halloween: Resurrection never happened. If they wanted to make the franchise "hip" and relatable to today's younger audiences, I honestly wish they had given the franchise to Rob Zombie sooner if it meant avoided this embarrassing film's creation. At least the classic Halloween storyline would have ended with dignity. | 01 star
|
scissors
I am very pleased with my purchase. I had a pr of serra sharp scissors but the guy who sharpened them took off the serrated edge??? So now I have ordinary shears. PLUS a new pr of serra sharp scissors . | 45 stars
|
Great movie
Enough said. This movie is a classic, and I would definitely recommend this movie to anyone who hasn't seen it yet. | 45 stars
|
Not my favorite
The slippers are warm, but the sole is so stiff I literally walk right out of them. If you are looking for warm, usable slippers to wear around the house look elsewhere. | 12 stars
|
Enter the Lame Dragon
Enter the Dragon is considered by many to be the greatest martial arts film ever. That's not true. ETD isn't even Bruce Lee's greatest film (Fist of Fury, AKA "The Chinese Connection" is.) There were and are a hundreds of martial arts films way better than this movie. Check out any of the old classic Shaw Brothers movies. Or check out Jackie Chan's filmography and rent some of his movies. But, here's Hollywood again trying to glamourize and sugar-coat the Asian chop-socky market. The plot to this movie is so typical, but alot of martial art films have basic plots, but this movie was just boring. The only thing that brought excitement to this movie was Bruce Lee. Bruce's charisma and film persona leaped through the movie screen. He could make a home movie and make it a classic (Oh! He did do that!) Bruce seemed disinterested in the scenes where he wasn't fighting. Although the film has a good cast of actors, the script was so horrible that they couldn't save this film. The only reason this movie is a cult classic is because Bruce's fight choregraphy in this film was probably his best. But, even some the fight sequences were a total letdown. Come on, who wanted to see John Saxon take on Bolo at the end of the movie?! Everyone wanted to see Bruce mix-it-up with the "Chinese Hercules"! But, that's Hollywood. | 12 stars
|
Hayley's pig review
I say, "In this book, a pig called Babe is neat." With patience, the pig turns into a sheep- pig. He always asks sheep nicely to do things. One day, these two dogs came and killed a sheep. Will the dog kill more? Babe almost got shot, but Mrs. Hogget saved him. Every one was happy! It was good that he didn't die. It would have broken my heart if he would have died. That's was a scary part. This all took place in a farm in sheep country in the present. That's where it took place. So now he's going to the trials, but he does not know what trials are. Fly told him that it was where sheep-dogs compete. Then one day, Farmer Hogget was going to put Babe in to compete, but he was worried that he would not be fast enough. Then Fly said that he should go on a diet and run more. So Babe did it. Will they ever get Babe into the competition? I think that anyone could read Babe, because it's exciting and heartwarming. | 34 stars
|
On my way
This is the 1st Bill Bryson book I've read, and already I love the guy!!! Easy read, VERY informative, and funny! I will not depart from this world without first having experienced Australia, thanks to Bill....!!!I will soon be reading his other works during my summer vacations. | 45 stars
|
Perfect boat tiller handle.
Used it on my 1915 Evinrude to replace the original brass tiller handle. Worked great. I'll probably be buying more for my other antique engines. | 45 stars
|
REALLY FUN
Though a little short (30 minutes), this was a great experience. I remember seeing a few of these commmercials myself, and I was glad that someone took the time to keep them, find them, and transfer them to Video. | 34 stars
|
:)
to be honest i didnt count them because they were just extras, but they work fine the only thing is they only came in red, blue, and yellow. it does not look like the picture but hey it works but it would have been nice to have the assortment of colors like the one that came with the bingo kit, also they shipped it with my bingo kit so that made it easier too. | 34 stars
|
Excellent Film!
I am a cyclist and runner and enjoy films about both. I watched this film with my 18-year-old son and we were in awe of the cylists. I'm still amazed at what they went through in their journey across the US. While I think they're quite mad -- it was fasinating and inspiring. I highly recommend adding this DVD to your collection! | 45 stars
|
A Solid Compilation
This compilation concentrates on Cline's classy early 1960's recordings, which consist of two great original albums, a string of fine singles and a long list of outtakes that werte eventually released on posthumous albums released after her tragic aircrash death in 1963.From "Showcase" (1962) 3 songs are included. Her big ballad and hit "Crazy" written Willie Nelson along with another fine ballad "I Love You so Much" and one of the few pure country tacks "San Antonio Rose".Strange that some of the strongest material from that album has been left out ( "I Fall to Pieces", "Seven Lonely Days" or "The Wayward Wind" )The last album released in her own lifetime "Sentimentally Yours" is better represented with great ballads like "She's Got You", "Your Cheating Heart" , "Lonely Street" and "I Can't Help it". Also from that album are sheer pop-songs like "Heartaches" and "Anytime".Several fine recording were released posthumously on albums like "A Tribute to Patsy Cline", "In Memoriam" and "A Portrait". Among those her version of the old standard "Love Letters in the Sand" deserves to be brought out. "Why Can't He Be You" is also great.Only early song is her breakthrough country hit "Walking After Midnight"All in all a solid compilation though leaving out quite a few great songs like "You Belong to Me" and "That's How a Heartache Begins" - but you can't have them all on a single CD anyway, so . . . | 34 stars
|
North on South Street-Herb Alpert
I had this cd a few years ago and unfortunately was stolen. I was surprise to find in on your web page. I received it and its EXCELLENT. The quality is good. I'm sitting here enjoying the smooth jazz. Thanks | 34 stars
|
Thanks!
I'm not a big fan of the new Batman movies and won't let my almost seven year old son watch them just yet so I began looking for the movies I grew up with. I had a hard time finding them, but he loves them! | 45 stars
|
God Save the Queen!
Haunted by the fates of her predecessors, Katharine Parr, the sixth wife of Henry VIII, walked on eggshells each day of her marriage. Always fearful of saying words that would send her to the tower, each year of marriage seeming like ten, she finally saved her live by simply outliving the King. Almost arrested by her husband, shortly after his death, she married her true love, only to be deceived by him with the Princess Elizabeth...This book is well worth the read. | 45 stars
|
Great Book!
Here is a classic work which is an easy read that covers topics as relevant today as when he wrote it so many years ago. | 45 stars
|
AWFUL!
I have to say, this was the WORST Nic Cage movie I have ever seen! The director is horrible, it looks like a cheap movie and why waste your time? And Val Kilmer, dude, lose some weight, you make me want to start working out more just seeing you! He looked his best in Top Gun, but ever since that movie, and Batman, he has let himself go! I am not trying to judge, but he used to be nice to look at...DON'T WASTE YOUR TIME! I am glad it was free thru the Prime, thank goodness! | 01 star
|
Blu-ray makes this movie even more glorious!
"The Sound of Music" is definitely a movie worth the cost of Blu-ray. The 40th anniversary DVD was great, but the quality of the Blu-ray was sensational. | 45 stars
|
a journey into the world vision of the medieval man
The book is just enlightening not only about medieval burgundy but, by contrast, our own world. The first chapter is a real pleasure to read | 45 stars
|
dumb
as the lord of the rings and the hulk and the first x men | 01 star
|
Addicted to Zane's books..and it will not stop here!lol
Loved this book!It has some twists to it.Believe me it's definitely worth the read.. | 45 stars
|
HIGH QUALITY Silverware!
I purchased this product because I was tired of spending money on inferior silverware just because it was inexpensive. Even after a little bit of research, I was still apprehensive. Upon arrival, my husband and I were so impressed with the quality of this set that we immediately decided to purchase another set, but no more sets were available at the time, which was truely a loss. We will continue to keep checking and purchase more of this silverware in the future. This set was so much more than we expected! | 45 stars
|
Case damaged.
Came on time but the case was damaged. Not terrible just a hole in the front but still wasn't expecting it. | 23 stars
|
Magical mystery tour of duty
This magical film from the Archers is long overdue for consideration by U.S. film fanciers, most of whom have never heard of it. The "Canterbury" video footprint in the States barely exists -- an old VHS release on Home Vision, but apparently no Region 1 DVD.Criterion's presentation of "Canterbury" looks divine, in silky black and white. Damage such as scratch lines and flashing do little to dull the effect of Erwin Hillier's landscape cinematography -- or of his powerful noirish lighting. Allan Gray's music, a treat, sounds pretty good in the mono audio.So poorly received was "Canterbury" back in 1944 that director Michael Powell quickly came to doubt one of his finest works, cutting out a half hour and adding dumb bookend scenes so American moviegoers could relate to it (they didn't). Powell said it took years for him to appreciate "Canterbury" as one of his best."Canterbury" finally was restored to its original running time of 124 minutes in the late '70s; that's the version Criterion offers here. Today, the movie is a regular on the British film fest circuit with its many Archers tributes but is largely unseen in the States."Canterbury" remains "a truly strange film," says film historian Ian Christie, who provides outstanding commentary on the double-DVD set. The WWII movie "sets about its propaganda in an almost perverse and certainly playful way." Christie's commentary is the best extra on these discs -- he brings something to every scene and clears up some of the movie's many ambiguitites.Amateur actor Sgt. John Sweet gives the film much of its sense of wonder, playing the simple but wise American stationed in England. Six decades later, the amateur actor returned to Canterbury for its Powell film fest. His visit is captured in a 2001 short film that's included as a DVD extra. He marvels at the town's transformation from a "quiet kind of bleak place" to a humming tourist attraction. "It was fun to be a 15-minute celebrity," the old man says of his brush with movie fame.Another short film looks in on "A Canterbury Tale" day in Kent, a summer tradition since 1997. Powell-Pressburger fans wander about sites used in the film, reading from the script and catching rays. The bookends Powell added for U.S. release are included as well. They feature Kim Hunter as the G.I.'s young wife.The DVD extras conclude with a piece of video art built around a loop of star Sheila Sims as she beholds the fields of Kent, sensing its ancestral ghosts. This bit is best experienced in as a museum installation, or not at all. | 34 stars
|
electric razor bust
I have never found an electric razor that works that well,a close shave, and this one is not that much different. The clean and recharge system it great. | 12 stars
|
Perhaps not an A movie, but a fine B one
I admit the plot is not very original, but it is plausible. The actors' performances, especially Bridges', are exceptional. I particularly welcomed the alien not being depicted as fluently speaking English after 10 minutes and shopping in a NY mall - in my opinion, a MAJOR achievement. It might not be a real must see, but I preferred it to SF movies with to high a fx/plot ratio and to bloodbath galleries or psychothrillers with meagre stories. Give it a try and imagine you're the visitor. | 34 stars
|
Not As Good As I Remember
I got one of these cakes when I was in the Cayman Islands and it was the best thing. I think I also had one in the Bahamas and it was also terrific. I don't know if it was the island atmosphere or perhaps the cakes were just fresher, but the one I ordered, while decent enough, tasted a little artificial, kind of like the plastic it was wrapped up in. I still enjoyed it, but it just didn't have that same flavor I remember. Maybe next time I'm in the Carribean I'll try it again and find out, but as for ordering online, I don't feel like it's the same. | 23 stars
|
Funny, Sad, Provocative
If you have never read Vonnegut, this is the one. Not to belittle his other works, but this one is quintessential Vonnegut. | 45 stars
|
Just what we wanted
My husband had looked all over for these items and there they were online. They were exactly what he was looking for a will be put to good use. | 45 stars
|
No sophomore slump here
Tesla's debut album "Mechanical Resonance" blew me away. Rarely had I ever heard such a straight ahead, quality hard rock sound. Well, with this second effort the songs are every bit as good. Of course I love the radio songs--the top 10 quality (not cheesy) ballad "Love Song", the also slower tempo but excellent "The Way It Is", and the gritty "Heaven's Trail (No Way Out)". However, every other song on this album RULES too! Like with the first album, I could rave about each and every track. "Hang Tough" is an awesome heavy start to the album, "Lady Luck" just screams with attitude, "Lazy Days, Crazy Nights" is a party rocker, and "Paradise" is just one amazing anthem with a great softer side but a very uptempo ending--a true masterpiece of a song. Anyone who likes straight ahead, heavy, and yet melodic rock and roll should definitely own this one. A truly underrated classic. | 45 stars
|
Interesting only for shock fanatics...but be warned
This is a good flick if you like utterly non-sensical and comedic shock footage from the early days of grainy picture, cheesy effects, and mono sound.This is why I gave it two stars instead of one. Doesn't do much for me besides demonstrate how I could have been a success as a movie maker in the 70's with much less ideas, creativity, and thought into script writing (even if I did just as much drugs). Apparently the cult fanatics believe the director broke ground here with such a shocking movie; shock movies can actually provoke a great deal of thought to the viewer if they actually make sense or at least attempt to follow a basic plot line.Here is a SPOILER to save all those, like myself, that do like well-made shocking movies that burn into your memory, from watching this poorly made joke of a film. Do not read below if you have already made up your mind to buy this movie based on other reviewers, but feel free to comment or add anything if you are someone that actually saw this back in the day when it was released.Transexual diva named "Divine" lives with family in a trailer with a plastic pink flamingo outside and is known for being most disgusting and crazy person in US (which I guess means world to this film). A jealous couple want to be most disgusting and crazy people in US. Jealous couple kidnaps young women, impregnates them with kidnapped young man and sells the babies on the black market to prove how crazy they are. Couple begins trying to sabotage "Divine" and family to overtake her reputation.Divine and family, including a morbidly obese, mentally challenged mother and son who likes using live chickens in a sexually deviant way, begins fighting back to maintain her reputation by breaking into couples business, freeing kidnapped women who castrate kidnapped man that impregnated them, and then licks all furniture in business to taint it. Divine then gives "Divine touch" (incest act) to her son in graphic porn fashion. Divine kidnaps jealous couple and shoots them dead.And then she walks down the street with her family and watches small dog crap. Then she eats it.The end. Not kidding. If you can engage in any of the actors conversations or can even follow along with the dialogue for the entire movie, you must have extraordinary concentration and focus.Director's favorite deleted scene from dvd extras: Director filmed Divine and family speaking a song in pig latin while holding hands and skipping along.Nuff said. If this was groundbreaking for this time and era, we sure have come along way in making movies. | 12 stars
|
Potentially dangerous
This car seat frame was a bit scary for me too! My daughter's car seat has also slipped through the frame a few times and now I've decided to just stop using it and get another one. I don't think this should be used with the Baby Trend car seats so it's not really universal. I also had trouble with the front wheels. It does fold down very nicely though and is very lightweight and easy to carry. | 12 stars
|
Towering masterpiece!
Based on a George Simenon's play the central nervous turns around a couple with more than twenty years of being married. Somewhere acorss the line the love became mutual loath and he adopt a pet cat as emotional substitute.The masterpiece of Pierre Granier-Deferre (The veuve Couderc) is incisive and the visual metaphor around the surroundings in which we may watch a crumbling city, where the houses are replaced by huge buildings is more than eloquent.The pleasure for watching both mosters of acting like Signoret and Gabin is more than rewarding.A sublime French masterwork, from 1971 and that deserved both the respective Awards as Best actors in the edition of Silver Bear in Berlin 1973.Available on DVD format in Amazon France. | 45 stars
|
Indispensable!
In this inspiring book, Zelan educates us about autism with remarkable empathy, experience, and sensitivity. Zelan encourages those working and living with autists to view their relationships with autists as reciprocal: as a young autist perceives her advocate adapting to the autist's world and methods of communication, so too will the autist perceive the benefits of adapting to our world. She also recognizes how difficult this task is, both emotionally and practically, and offers her readers specific advice on how to assist autists at home and at school. Zelan's writing is entirely accessible to parents, teachers, students, or anyone who would simply like to educate themselves about autism. An excellent book! | 45 stars
|
Holes
My entire family enjoys this movie -- ages 7 to 43 -- Disney has done it again! | 45 stars
|
Clancy Sells Out.
The down hill slide Tom Clancy has begun continues. The Bear and Dragon, is arguably his worst work. It holds the potential to be great but fizzles in the end. Clancy has a problem writing for Jack Ryan character. The Plot continues where Executive orders stopped. But, Jack is constantly whinning and moaning that he is president. He ran for re-election didn't he? So it doesn't follow that J.R. seems so victimized. I have begun to think there actually was supposed to be a book in between this one and Exec. Orders. All Tom Clancy fans be warned. This book is a waste. Tom has sold out Jack Ryan for some cheap cash. | 01 star
|
New Alice, same issues
Most of the many attempts at filming Alice In Wonderland haven't been particularly successful, for two reasons. First, directors seem to feel that the movie must have a strong male character. Lewis Carroll didn't give them one (all the male characters in the books are rather spineless and feeble) so they invent their own, usually, for some reason, the Mad Hatter. Second, they misread the character of Alice. In the book she is headstrong, inquisitive and feisty; she dominates the other characters even as she takes part in their fantastic world. She is not a spectator, watching what they do, but a full participant, accepting. or more often rejecting, their view of life. She's not, nor is she meant to be, a nice girl meekly accepting what befalls her.Unfortunately, Tim Burton's 'Alice' falls into both these traps. Instead of being a passing character Alice meets along the way, the Mad Hatter becomes central to the film and in doing so destroys much of the point of the tale. Alice herself, though she has her moments of rebellion, is played far too passively; she's more often merely watching what goes on in Wonderland. In making her character too detached, Burton loses the involvement that the audience should feel and which has made the books so successful for so long.On the plus side, Wonderland itself is marvelously realized. I love the bright colors, the ever-more-convincing computer graphics and the strange flora and fauna which inhabit this suitably dream-like place. Everything looks as it's supposed to- distorted versions of reality, only possible in the imagination. The story meanders far from the original tales, but I have no problem with that, as long as it holds together. Tim Burton is the master at making a fantasy world come to life.It's a fun movie to watch. It just doesn't make the audience feel involved. | 23 stars
|
The best lawn tractor truck ramp
the ramps are perfect for anyone that needs to constantly load and unload a lawn tractor from a pickup truck | 45 stars
|
Don't waste your money
This book is a big waste of time and money. It shows you pictures of mediocre plugins, and the plugin authoring section is completely pathetic. | 01 star
|
An absolutely life-enhancing book
I read this book several years ago when it first came out and have bought the book multiple times since ~ everytime I have a copy I end up giving it to someone. Do yourself a favor and read this wonderful book. I hope it becomes a favorite of yours as much as it is of mine. | 45 stars
|
Two Stars, Four Shrugs
Laudanum uses a routine plot device found in countless books, television and movies: the amnesiac in search of missing moments surrounding a major event, in this case murder. What generally makes one story stand out from another are clever twists combined with interesting story-telling techniques. This novel has neither, boasting characters as well defined as any grocery list, painted in nondescript shades of gray until one is indistinguishable from the other. A no-surprises romantic sub-plot emerges early and almost swells to tepid, culminating in an ending that the uber-romantic might like but most will find unconvincing and just plain silly. Told in dry language, there is unintentional humor in what could be called "adverbial moments" - the usual bare-minimum style suddenly becomes deeply, awkwardly, often pretentiously but always adverbially intent on demonstrating mastery of language, whether these extras fit in or not.I've noted a curious sameness (including the review on the publisher's own `Betsy's Page' website, where PublishAmerica authors critique one another's work) regarding how subtle and clever all the clues were. I don't regard the narrator dolling out information or sudden memory flashes by the amnesiac as either. A few attempts to plant information in the narrative (including a major red herring) aren't exactly ham-handed, but could hardly be missed."Laudanum" refers to an opium derivative popular in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, marketed over-the-counter as a cure for many things, including insomnia. This legal form remains true to its namesake. | 12 stars
|
Completely Lifeless and Insufferable...
Please note: I'm actually male; which means I'm more than aware the Twilight movies weren't made for me. With that being said, I at least somewhat enjoyed the first 3 Twilight films. While those ones were more than chock-full of over-the-top romantic melodrama, there were more than enough moments of action and sincere romantic sentiment to keep me interested.That brings me to Breaking Darn: Part 1. This hardly even seemed like a movie! It may have started where the last one left off, but it just stayed in a static motion. While we felt the emotions of Bella and Edward in the first three, it seems like every ounce of emotional sincerity was sucked out of them as soon as they got married.And then *Spoiler Alert* Bella gets pregnant with Edward's baby. While it was an intriguing concept, it wasn't worth making almost the whole movie about. Also, the pro-life message was over-the-top and tacky. I strongly believe political messages can be conveyed convincingly in movies, but the pro-life message seemed so forced.Bottom line: If you casually enjoyed to first three, skip this one and wait unti the last one. You won't miss much. | 01 star
|
THE BEST BOOK
this is the best book i have read during my winter break. i love it because when you finish the chapter i get excited i cant wait to start the next chapter .i liked reading the chapter where Alice grows bigger.the pictures are fun to look at. | 45 stars
|
Read both books - Best history/biography ever!
Many lists say the best historical biography is "Disraeli" by Blake. This is better. Way better.The only author that has ever kept me glued to a book as much as Manchester's is Michael Crichton. It's odd to compare a biography to Jurassic Park, but Manchester makes history come alive. He spends a lot of time and care setting the "culture" in a way that is not pedantic or boring (unlike some Civil War histories I've read!). And then he builds on Churchill's stories in a way that makes you feel like you're in Churchill's shoes, with the same issues and challenges.Unfortunately, there is no Volume 3 about the war years. Manchester's illness prevented this. What a sad loss to history.Read Vol 1 and 2. You won't regret it. | 45 stars
|
Great collection
This is part of a (3?) volume set of corrected Lovecraft texts from Arkham House. Either this, or del rey's "tales of horror and death" is a good way to start if you've never read Lovecraft, although Dunwich Horror primary focuses on one side of his writing (poe-ish) and the other on the dunsday-ish. As far as the book iself, it looks like the publisher picked the best of materials, texts, and fonts, and then did a slapdash job of gluing it together :( | 34 stars
|
A solid beginner's guide to reading Hebrew
This book was quite good at teaching the basics of reading Hebrew. It presented all of the letters in short, managable paragraphs with more than enough sample exercises to learn all of the words. It also contains a fold-out summary sheet on the back cover, which has proven to be quite useful.I do have a few small complaints about the book. First of all, it doesn't give the names for the consonants in the text. This is a fairly minor complaint since their individual names are listed on the back cover and can easily be found online, but it would have been nice to have seen them mentioned by name in the text. I would also advise against purchasing the audio CDs because they move far too slow. Otherwise, it's a fine book. | 45 stars
|
Pure Progressive Technical Insanity
I really have no idea how to even say this, Between the Buried and Me are one of the most unique, talented, original and amazing bands that I've ever listened to in my life, not just in metal or hardcore, but in ROCK music in general. In fact these guys aren't like any other metal band that I've listened to, Between the Buried and Me blend every genre that you can think of ranging from technical metal, death metal, progressive metal, grindcore, metalcore/hardcore, jazz fushion and alternative rock with absolute mindblowing results. The band's third album "Alaska" (their second with Victory Records) is just an absolutely amazing album (I recently got into their brand new album "Colors" which is a great album too). This album is just an epic earth-shattering work of art from beginning to end, and it has recently become one of my favorite metal albums that I proudly own as well. The songwriting is brilliant and the musicianship is dare I say absolutely top-notch. One minute they're going completely insane and the next minute they're mellowing down, these guys sure have lots of variety in their sound, it's all good. Tommy Rogers's vocals are just awesome on here, alternating from wicked, chilling death metal screams and growls to peaceful melodic clean singing. The guitarwork by Paul Waggoner and Dusty Waring is absolutely crazy. The riffs and the solos are very technical and insane. Dan Briggs's basslines and just sick and pulsating and audible, and Blake Richardson's drumming is just absolutely amazing. His patterns are intense, insane and very complexed with lots of crazy tempo changes throughout, and not to mention he also rips on the double bass too.The opening track "All Bodies" is an amazing opener (and my favorite song on here) which starts off with some muscular, churning riffs and some wicked growls and pounding drums. As the song progresses on, it gets more melodic with a killer winding melodic solo with some death vocals thrown in, followed by an amazing soulful, melodic sung chorus by Tommy and a wicked spiralling arpeggio style guitar solo. Paul Waggoner sure has a thing for arpeggio style soloing, I mean he plays them with such perfect succession without being simultaneous. Then the song shifts back with punishing blastbeats and monster riffage and then another spiralling guitar solo errupts around 2:53 and then the song shifts back into some more fast double bass drumming and brutal riffage. Then around 5:30 we have a chant of HEY, HEY, soon followed by a reprise of the awesome melodic sung chorus and more arpeggio style soloing. This is without question my favorite song on the entire album, I mean words just cannot even describe how much I love this song, it's just amazing.The next track "Alaska" starts off with an awesome, winding guitar solo with some nice keyboard effects added into the mix, and then the song goes into high gear with driving jackhammer blastbeats and loud, heavy plowing riffs and there's some great double bass kicking by Blake near the end as well. Track three "Croakies and Boatshoes" is an all out death/grind assault which is higlighted by wicked pig-squeal roars and fast blasting drums.The fourth track "Selkies: The Endless Obsession" is an absolute masterpiece of a song, and it's tied with "All Bodies" for my favorite song on this album. Words just cannot describe how awesome and breathtaking this song truly is. It begins with a nice keyboard riff, and then it goes into an awesome harmonized guitar part with some nice double bass kicking thrown in. Then we have some slow, yet ominous clean vocals, but it suddenly picks up with an assault of insane, heavy riffing, hammering drumwork and wicked growling vocals. Then the song goes back into the intro riff around 3:33, and then it breaks into a nice, soft jazzy part with smooth basslines and soothing melodic vocals and some slow, steady drumming. The two guitar solos on this song are without a doubt the biggest highlight. The first solo at 4:43 is a beautiful dreamy, jazzy and all around excellent solo. The second solo at 5:23 is an all out awesome, spectacular, mindblowing, sweeping five-string solo that is just incredible. What an awesome song this is, I love it.After the 55 second acoustic interlude "Breathe In, Breathe Out", the album kicks right back into high gear with "Roboturner" which features absolutely maniacal guitar riffage, crazy walloping drumwork and meanacing, frightening skin-crawling death growls/screams that will just scare the listener half to death. Track seven "Backwards Marathon" starts off insanely heavy and hard-hitting until at the 2:45 mark when the song breaks down to a soft, peaceful melodic section that features majestic clean vocals by Tommy, some soothing basslines, soft dreamy chords and a slow, steady drum beat until around the 6:28 mark when the maniacal carnage resumes. Track eight and the second of three instrumentals "Medicine Wheel" is a great relaxing instumental that is just amazing and beautiful at the same time. "The Primer" is another scorcher that starts off with some feedback and then errupts into some great fast sweeping melodic leads and some fast punishing double bass drumwork. Track ten "Autodidact" starts off brutally with a barrage of punishing drum bashing and muscular riffage, and then around two minutes, the band go into a set of excellent time signatures that are absolutely imcomprehensive. The closing instrumental "Laser Speed" is a beautiful acoustic number with some nice Brazillian/Hawaiian percussions.Jeremy's song ratings:1. All Bodies (6:12) - 10/5 My Favorite Song2. Alaska (3:57) - 5/53. Croakies and Boatshoes (2:22) - 5/54. Selkies: The Endless Obsession (7:23) - 5/55. Breathe In, Breathe Out (0:55) -4/56. Roboturner (7:07) - 5/57. Backwards Marathon (8:27) - 5/58. Medicine Wheel (4:18) - 5/59. The Primer (4:46) - 5/510. Autodidact (5:30) - 5/511. Laser Speed (2:53) - 5/5Normally, I don't oftenly write reviews that are highly long, but I decided to write a long review anyway, since I find this album to be soooooo incredible and mindblowing. Overall, this album is an absolute must have for any fan of Between the Buried and Me, metalcore, death metal, technical metal, progressive metal, jazz-fushion metal, or if you're just an open minded metalhead like myself. Your CD collection CANNOT be complete without this masterpiece. BUY IT NOW!! | 45 stars
|
no matter where you live & what you do!
Rebeccasreads highly recommends MEDITATION IN A NEW YORK MINUTE as an easily read guide to refreshing yourself as you charge through you 24x7x365 life. Meditation is better than sleeping pills, mood altering drugs & booze, & has zero cholesterol, carbs or calories, & will help you smooth out your ragged edges as you dash from hither to yon.Mark Thornton was, once upon a time, a topnotch investment banker who transformed himself into a teacher of meditation, so he knows what ails you, & invites you to learn how to gain some peace & quiet, some quality time with who you really are -- at your heart, not just what you're doing or wanting.To that end, he offers:-- The Journey -- start by asking why meditate, why now & to where?-- The Essentials -- the Laws, Secrets, Thieves & Sages you will meet along the way of meditation.-- The Techniques -- 13,000 Steps, Power Breath, Body Awareness, Eating, Walking, Showering, Commuting with Awareness, Remembering, Heart Energy, Wisdom, Dealing with Anger, Seeing the Good in All People.-- ending with The Ideal Day: Putting It All Together.So, grab a copy of MEDITATION IN A NEW YORK MINUTE & transform the quality of the rest of your life! | 45 stars
|
Wonderful toning conditioner
This conditioner is fantastic. It is hard to find an effective toning conditioner. THIS IS IT! Not only does it tone out unwanted brass, but it leaves my hair so soft and silky. It is not harsh at all. Highly recommend. | 45 stars
|
Overrated
This book has been considered a classic by many and used widely in the corporate world. In my opinion, however, if you are seriously considering reinventing yourself or improving how you manage life, this book won't get you there. Change doesn't come about with a superficial one-hour read. Consider a book like "The Path of Least Resistance" by Robert Fritz. It will take more time and effort, but I think it's a seminal work in the field of human motivational theory. If you give it a chance, it might transform you.Mario Alonso, Ph.D; author of "Family Business Survival: Six Key Tasks Required for a Successful Family Business" www.AlonsoStrategyConsulting.com | 01 star
|
GREAT MOVIE
This was a riviting movie that deserves 5 stars and is a great purchase for anyone looking for an incredible historical film. The actorls are incredible. Matthew Broderick is an amazing actor and definately displays it in this movie. Also Denzel Washington is awesome as always in his film. BUY IT, | 45 stars
|
First Rate! A Psychological Drama More Than An Action Film.
Last night's bargain-rack movie was "Reservoir Dogs" (Special 10th Anniversary Edition). I watched the full screen version. It was an interesting and stunning movie on many different levels. The movie attracted considerable critical acclaim, and it deserved it. It's a gristly and violent movie, so beware if you're squeamish. Also, most of the language leans toward the F-speak dialect, a little too much in my opinion.The movie concerned a major diamond robbery which was anticipated and thwarted by the police and, ultimately, turned into a disaster for all concerned. Now, doesn't this seem like a good plot for a high action movie? Well, it's not. The robbery wasn't even shown and there's very little in the way of action. Most of the movie is pure dialog which took place at a limited number of settings. What limited action took place was gory and somewhat difficult to watch.The movie was divided into a number of scenes and these were shown out of chronologic order so it's up to the viewer to piece the story together. It's complicated, but thought provoking. The scenes depicted the Reservoir Dogs characters, each given a color-code name, such as black, white, pink as a security matter. There were about six main characters, plus a couple minor ones. Some scenes involved planning at different stages. Some scenes involved the different characters and their lives outside of the robbery story. Some involved different aspects of the robbery as it unfolded and afterward. Most of the scenes involved the regrouping of the Dogs at an old warehouse after the robbery. The robbery was thwarted through the efforts of an undercover cop who was, in fact, one of the Reservoir Dogs and the group gradually realized that one among them was a traitor to the group effort. The movie was a very interesting study of character and the tension built to a catastrophic climax. It was an exceptionally well done movie. The acting was absolutely first rate! If you're having problems understanding things in the early going, stay with it. It's worth the effort!Gary Peterson | 45 stars
|
Lon Chaney's Phantom is the definitive one!
I saw this movie a long time ago on PBS during the night and i had no idea what to expect. I had not planned to see it but i did. And am i sure glad i did. This is one of the best silent movies i have ever seen and one of the best horror movies i have ever seen and it has made me a fan of Lon Chaney Sr. The story takes place in Paris in the late 19th century and it concerns a young opera singer (Mary Philbin) who is an understudy in the opera she is in and then out of nowhere she hears the voice of a mysterious man in her dressing room who promises to train her and help her so that she may become a great and famous opera singer. She does and in order to have her put in the lead role in the opera the phantom makes threats to the owners, threats which they do not heed and soon after something occurs( i won't spoil) which puts her in the spotlight. Soon after a man named Cagney( Norman Kerry) begins to suspect something and soon after she is kidnapped by the phantom and from then on the plot thickins so i won't say anymore. This is quite an effective melodrama which was adapted from Gaston Leroux's novel and it's one of the most faithful adaptations rightup until the end of the movie. At that point it changes the more subtle and quiet ending of the book to something a lot more bigger but it works. The acting may seem way over the top to audiences today but take into account that actors could not use their voices so they had to be bigger in their acting sometimes with good results and vice versa. And also this movie has no official soundtrack, it depends on the video. Lon Chaney gives one of his best performances as The Phantom. He manages to be repulsive and sympathetic at the same time. The movie maintains a creepy atmosphere throughout and also watch out for the unmasking of the phantom! And also for a two strip technicolor sequence which was very rare for it's time. | 45 stars
|
Ahabs Wife
This book is exceptionally well written, with: an exciting story, historical details of the nineteenth century, interesting characters, philosophical musings, and wit. As a woman it is easy to identify with the heroine, Una, and fun to see Captain Ahab and the whaling era in a different light. | 45 stars
|
ROCKY ROCKY ROCKY
One of the best films that will ever be captured on film. It's the no name man, agaist the champ in this great film. Sylvester Stallone gives his best performence ever on film. One of the greatest heros ever in modern cinema. Rocky Balboa taking on the champ in his one chance shot for victory is something to watch. Many infamouse scenes such as Rocky running up the stepps, rocky puching the meat carcus, and his famous lines in the film will never go away in this boxing classic. | 45 stars
|