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LABEL,FILENAME,STARS,TITLE,DATE,AUTHOR,PRODUCT,REVIEW
0,21_4_R1JH34OBKSOXTW.txt,5.0,Love it!!!,"July 24, 2009","DramaQueenBean ""DQB""",Epson Artisan 50 Color Inkjet Printer (C11CA45201) (Electronics),"I bought this printer to replace my dymo discpainter that has been nothing but trouble, and I'm thrilled with the quality of the direct print DVDs. The software isn't the best, but I can export my designs from my other software as a photo file and the epson print disc software prints it beautifully. I tried photo printing for the first time today and LOVE IT! I love the 5 ink concept - the images are so crisp. I've only had the printer for a week now, but so far I'm completely happy with it. The price was great too."
0,44_4_R1BI39GWYJG8I5.txt,5.0,Perfect fan for a small office space,"September 10, 2007",Stephen Grundman,Lasko 4000 Air Stik Ultra-Slim Oscillating Fan (Kitchen),"The Lasko 4000 Oscillating Ultra Slim Fan is perfect for circulating cool air in a small office space. The fan easy fits on a small computer desk, circulates air quietly, and has the benefit of a low and high speed. The slim, small size makes this fan unobtrusive. Very satisfied."
0,41_2_R18GC0MI18ADKT.txt,5.0,Excellent natural sound,"January 10, 2007",Michael Beckham,Yamaha YST-SW216BL Advanced YST II Front-Firing Active Subwoofer (Electronics),"This subwoofer puts out plenty of deep tight natural sounding bass, not ""boomy"" bass. It sounds great! I am using a Harmon Kardon 3380 receiver and 2 Klipsch SB-1 bookshelf speakers, and this sub in a 12x20 room and it fills the room with sound.I listen to mostly jazz and classical, with some new-age thrown in. On ocassion though I pop in Sound Garden or Metallica too. I find that I have to adjust the bass output down quite abit when rockin' out, or the bass is overwhelming.There is no auto on feature on this sub, but I have it plugged into a switched outlet on the receiver, so it goes off and on with it.Overall, I recommend it highly."
0,34_1_R62ZHMJJS21E3.txt,5.0,Great value,"June 28, 2010",B. Cammack,"Silvertone Rockit 21 Guitar Package, Wine Red (Electronics)","I picked up one of these at a garage sale for $20. I replaced a broken pickup selector switch ($13.00), installed a new set of strings, adjusted the action, intonation, and pickups. It rocks! I'd buy a brand new one at this price in a heartbeat.
These are made by Samick, who purchased the Silvertone name to directly sell their guitars in America instead of just building guitars for other manufacturers. The Epiphone SG Custom was manufactured by Samick for Epiphone/Gibson for a while. I saw one with exactly the same inspection sticker as my yard-sale Silvertone!
My unit is fairly beat up, but some touch up with a black Sharpie prettied it up quite a bit. I suspect that the switch was broken when the guitar did a face plant at some point. Buy a guitar stand if you order one of these. Despite all of this, the neck on mine was dead-straight after a slight adjustment of the truss rod.
I love mine. I'll bet you like yours once you get it set up correctly. I'm eyeing that SSLA-30 Blues Master (http://www.amazon.com/Silvertone-Master-Electric-Guitar-Transparent/dp/B000189YBW) as my next electric guitar.
I'm sold on Silvertone guitars."
0,47_11_R1NXRDDF2A9WBK.txt,4.0,"Good fit, okay finish","June 25, 2010",Shodan CST,MiVizu Black iPhone 4G Skin Case for iPhone 4 / 4th Generation compatible with 16GB / 32GB + Screen Protector and MiniSuit LCD Cleaner keychain,"I order this product after pre-ordering my iPhone 4 on June 15th. It was the only case I could find that seems to readily availble to ship from the merchant. Received the item promptly just a few days before the phone arrived. It included a front screen protector and a cleaning cloth.
The fit is pretty accurate and serves the purpose for protecting the sides and back of the phone considering it was likely manufactuered with limited specs available for the iPhone 4.
My only complaint is with the finish - there is a raised seam all the way around the sides (and over the round volume buttons) where it's aparent the two halves the of the case were fused together or the injection mold wasn't cut properly. And the edges of the open cutouts for the headphone, mute button, dock connector, etc has a similar yet smaller lip around the openings.
A minor complaint with the screen protector that it has that ""rainbow"" or oily look to it when held at an angle to the room light when the phone is off or on standby. But viewing the phone directly you can't see it.
But for my needs - having a case and screen protector available for the day I got my phone for a inexpensive price - this case meets my needs. I plan to replace it in the future as other product become available and use this case as a back up.
(Pictures of the seams coming soon)"
0,48_14_R1MMGL849PVNP.txt,5.0,Excellent Product!,"February 13, 2009",I. Perry,Miss Jessie's Original Baby Buttercreme - 8 oz (Health and Beauty),"Baby Buttercreme is fantastic. In our house, we have four different hair textures. My husband has slightly coarse, wavy hair, my eldest son has loose soft curls, I have soft and tightly coily hair, and my baby has very tightly coiled and coarse hair. Baby Buttercreme is an effective moisturizer for all of us. Believe me, I have tried a ton of less expensive alternatives and none come close."
0,38_15_R1ERNL8CBA0VZV.txt,5.0,Feedback,"March 4, 2010",Tom Weaver,"Sharp LC19SB27UT 19-Inch 720p LCD HDTV, Black (Electronics)","Delivered in a timely manner and as advertised. This is a nice TV. Took it out of the box and hooked it up with no problems. Picture quality does depend on the quality of the input signal, think about it. I have it hooked up to a good cable signal and the picture is great. Nice selection of inputs. Only complaint is the speaker volume. In a quiet room there wouldn't be a problem. I watch it while riding my Airdyne exercise bike and it needs the aux. speakers I hooked up to it so I can hear it above the ambient noise. Still was a good buy."
0,17_11_RN4QRZOH6KZ39.txt,5.0,The best Food Processor/blender!!,"November 22, 2009","M. Greenwald ""Martha Greenwald""",Euro-Pro Ninja Master Prep Blender and Food Processor (Kitchen),"The Ninja Master Prep is by far the best blender in the market. Great technology, great design with the motor on the top so you can easily transfer from one task to the next. I love it!! I had purchased the Vita Mix back in July 2009, I used it about six times and the motor burnt out! I was able to return it without a problem but I really was looking for a machine like the Ninja. I can make smoothies, and silky sorbets using frozen fruit. I love it so much I bought two(2) of them! I purchased mine at Target for $49.99. I think that was a great price after having spent $400.00 on the Vita Mix which in my opinion is old technology compared to the Ninja. The Ninja really does perform great!! I would recommend this product to anyone who uses it for mixed drinks, sorbets and smoothies. The double blade technology is a great inventions!! I was shocked at the price for this type of technology!!"
0,24_9_RIGWDBT5PGGRS.txt,5.0,Works like a dream!,"October 4, 2008",L. A. Alderman,PediPaws Pet Nail Trimmer (Misc.),"I was a little unsure about this purchase since most ""seen on tv"" products are cheap and don't work. BUT I love this! It worked on my 50 lb dog and my little 15 lb dog. My little dog is scared to death of noises, but she wasn't bothered at all. They both actually liked getting this done. I was in shock! It trimmed their nails perfectly. I give this product 2 paws up!"
0,16_8_R209MC0S1K5X7Z.txt,5.0,Amazing product,"July 13, 2010",Juan Luis Bonnin,Apple iPod classic 160 GB Black (7th Generation) NEWEST MODEL (Electronics),"What can I say, it's an iPod. This is an amazing product. I had been using a different media player whose memory (60 gb) got filled up with my music. No fear of that with this one (160 gb). Once you get used to using iTunes (yeah, you have to), it is quite easy to set up your music any which way you want. It is quite simple to build playlists by album, genre, or artists. I have been listening to some of my music I had not heard in a long time. And if you use the shuffle feature, you will never get bored, it becomes like a ""box of chocolate""; you never know what you are going to get. Very satisfied with this product."
0,14_12_R1FDH7MK09IQEO.txt,4.0,Great utility add on,"December 15, 2009",Joanne Rusch,"Amazon Kindle 2 (2nd Generation) USB Car Charger, USB Wall / Travel Charger, Earphones, and Screen Protector / Guard","If you own a kindle, you will want multiple charging options. This set provides extremely useful pieces. You get the basic kindle charging connection from kindle to USB. You then get two other pieces - USB to car charger and USB to wall plug. You can use the latter two pieces with any other device to USB cord - making this useful for more than just a kindle."
0,3_2_R3IGU0BNYTSUQ0.txt,5.0,Bigger than I thought with same DSi functions!,"March 28, 2010",AlexJouJou,Nintendo DSi XL Bronze (Video Game),"Firstly I'd like to say I'm a 43 year old mom. I got into gaming several years ago and my kids and I have a lot of fun with the Nintendo DS. We have had the original DS, DS Lites, DSi's, and now the DSi XL. I got an XL for myself. My son has many GBA games so he doesn't want one (because the DSi XL cannot play any GBA - Gameboy Advance- games) and my daughter thought it was too big to be portable. She likes something that fits easily into a backpack or jacket pocket. Although I think the XL could I'd probably agree if you are going for portability then the regular DSi should do you just fine. The reason I chose the XL is because I play primarily at home and I play a lot of puzzle games. Someimes these types of games are hard to see, especially the seek and find. I'm hoping this larger sized one helps that.
Even though I knew it was larger it is LARGER than I thought. That's a good thing because it is almost more like a PDA or something as far as size. Nice and substantial. It is also heavier than I anticipated. This is the only thing I'm a little concerned with as I like to play laying in bed at night and sometimes I'll play for a couple of hours. I would not want my hand getting extra tired holding the unit up. Additionally it is not as easy to hold this one handed and put the stylus in the other. It might be a fine line but it doesn't quite feel as comfortable as the DSi in that regard. It feels similar to how the PSP would feel if you held it one handed. Slightly off balance. Edited to Add: Played for 2 hours last night. Although it took a while I did find a comfortable position to hold the XL. It is not as comfortable for extended periods as the regular DSi but it did not get too heavy and my arms did not get sore. I'm quite relieved!
The top part actually has an audible click when you open up the unit. The DSi did not have this click although one of our DS Lite units did. The regular DSi opened smoothly without any catches--this one does not. There is definitely a click. The hinge looks strong enough. We lost one DS Lite to the hinge crack issue so I'm glad to see these hinges look sturdy. The other thing regarding the hinges is that the top piece moves a little when you move the unit. It is not super floppy but it does move when the unit does. I tested it against the DSi and the DS Lite and it took more effort to make those cover or top pieces move. It may be the weight itself which causes this. I will be keeping an eye on my hinges though just to be sure.
It connected right up to my internet with no problems. I went into the DSi shop and I didn't notice any difference between the XL and my regular DSi. Flawless. I must say, though, that I HATE that I could not take my DSi games with me to this upgrade (Nintendo is so far behind the ball on this and it is one of few complaints I have of Nintendo). Lame Nintendo. Seriously lame!
I got the bronze. It has a nearly black top and the inside is black. The bronze is only on the bottom and sides and it is definitely bronze. From the pictures online it looks more chocolate brown but it is not. I wavered back and forth with this and burgundy. I have not seen the burgundy out of the box but suspect it looks gorgeous. The glossy top looks like an overcoat similar to what is put on cars and trucks. Not like how the DS Lite covers were (although in two tone color this one is nearly exactly the same as the DS Lite Crimson or Blue with the colors in the same places and black in the same places except for the top because this one has the bronze color around the edges and the DS Lite's had the crimson or blue).
It does not feel ""matte"" on the bottom.It has a slightly grainy feel--not sure how to describe it. Kind of like how the non shiny cover of my printer feels. I remember when I got the DSi it almost seemed grainy and powdery. Not so with the XL.
Overall I'm very happy with the color-its classy!
Screen: This was my big worry. So far those worries are fairly groundless. I've tested out several types of games and in most apsects it is absolutely as good as the regular DSi. For the most part I get no pixelation or stretching and I definitely haven't noticed any ghosting or lines. While I was playing Bejeweled Twist I did notice that the gems were not as crisp as they are on the regular DSi. For me it was noticable but not bothersome. They were not blurry just a little more fuzzy than normal.
Edited to Add: I've tried several additional games and haven't noticed any issues except on games like Lunar Knights which already had a more pixelated look even on my DS Lite and regular DSi. Just slightly more noticable here but again not enough to impact. If I wasn't such a video game addict I likely wouldn't notice but I play every day.
My original DSi had several problems (Nintendo sent me a replacement)-this one has none of them. The battery cover does not ""cave"" in like my DSi and the insert window around the touch screen is solid--no light shows through. This XL feels as if it is a much higher quality console.
I've played with the regular stylus and the bigger pen type stylus. Either is fine but I prefer the regular stylus. The pen stylus might be good for someone who likes to hold the stylus like a pen but it is not a make or break for me.
The other functions (camera and the settings) worked well. No problems encountered. The charger looks to be the same as the regular DSi and this unit fits fine in my G Pak organizer. Edited to Add: Sound--it is actually slightly better sounding than the regular DSi. It feels as if it almost has a deeper sound. More like surround type sound. Also if you have a regular DSi there is a point when you are adjusting sound where it goes from quieter to regular and almost seems like it skips a step. The XL does not do this -- the sound progression is very good. I put in my Dragon Quest V as the music is very majestic and it felt more like it was enveloping me in the sound than a regular DSi (tested it with my daughters).
Overall I'm very happy and will update with the weight issue if it becomes a problem. Other than that I'm excited to go play my games and see them on the big screen!"
1,276426_6_R1UC05T0AVT9C0.txt,1.0,More Social Commentary than Good Science Fiction,"May 2, 2010",T. Dowell,Avatar (Two-Disc Blu-ray/DVD Combo) [Blu-ray] (Blu-ray),"So is this the best selling movie of all time? Well it is certainly the most over hyped and overrated movie of all time. Don't get me wrong, I really enjoy good science fiction movies, but this is nothing more than typical Hollywood social commentary wrapped up in a long and boring melodrama with unrealistic and drawn out action scenes.
The social commentary becomes paramount to the movie and prevents this from being any more than a simplistic storyline with stereotypical characters who have unimaginative roles. There are no suprises here. No unexpected turns or twists. It almost verges on satire. The movie is supposed to be futuristic, with complex technology, and sophisticated technological operations on planet Pandora. You would think it would require humans with specialized training sophistication as well; yet the guy running the robotic bulldozer is portrayed as some redneck in in his flannel shirt and baseball cap. The evil money grubbing corporate guy is dressed in a present day shirt and tie, practicing his golf skills in the middle of the operations room. T-shirts, present day military outfits, bows and arrows? Futuristic? Give us a break."
1,12_18_R2RXXTYPUOXFNJ.txt,1.0,Poorly designed snapset pool,"June 24, 2010","Alisa Moslavac ""Little Man's Mom""","Intex 8' X 18"" Sun Fish Snapset Pool (Toy)","This pool absolutely sucks. It takes 3-4 people just to set it up. If you have even the slightest slope in your yard or haven't pulled the bottom liner tight enough you have to empty ALL of the water in order to move it and start all over again! My son enjoyed this pool ONE time and the following night (after struggling several times the previous day just to set it up!) we had a tornado blow through and it shredded (yes, shredded) this pool to bits and pieces. Would not recommend this pool nor will I ever buy a snapset pool again!"
0,15_19_R1E05JMND5FGQV.txt,5.0,These are the perfect baby wipe!,"June 2, 2006",J. Lien,"Seventh Generation Baby Wipes Refills, Chlorine Free and Unscented, 70-Count Packs (Pack of 12) (840 Wipes) [Amazon Frustration-Free Packaging] (Health and Beauty)","I love these baby wipes. They're strong, they stay moist, and they don't leave residue or a scent on the baby. My daughter doesn't get diaper rash from them either. Because they contain aloe, they're good for my hands, too, which helps because new moms are constantly washing their hands. I haven't found any place other than Amazon where they're cheaper - Amazon is the place to buy them. I've also purchased a case of the travel size wipes for the diaper bag - they're perfect. I was actually given a case of huggies wipes at my baby shower and haven't used them because I like the Seventh Generation ones better. What could be better than a product that really works well and is better for the planet than the other choices out there? I won't change brands after finding these!"
0,276427_4_R131PA46HGQB37.txt,5.0,LoVe iT!!,"May 12, 2010","C. Pruitt ""MuWah 2 ReaDinG!!""",Motorola DROID A855 Android Phone (Verizon Wireless) (Wireless Phone),"I love my DROID....this phone is AweSomE!!, it has spoiled me 2 death with all it does. I'm always on it, I feel like a kid in a candy store knowing it's mine and on my hip @ all times..IDK why it took me so long 2get a smartphone, but I'm glad that I have one now. I am also a keyboard person, so having one was a must...I don't really care 4 the touch screen keypad, and I don't use the one on the DROID, I NEED 2 feel the keys if U will, lol...It's simply WonDerFul!!
I'm truly a HapPy CamPer!!"
0,44_8_R35G97DQJ4KE8N.txt,5.0,Great for the price!,"June 1, 2010","Deborah L. Shackelford ""Debbie""","Paradise GL23836BK2 Plastic Solar Spot Light, 2-Pack, Black (Tools & Hardware)",Product is great for the price. I actually bought these to light up my American Flag at night. Which is what you are suppose to do if you have a Flag hanging at night. I am using both of them to light the Flag up. No great big spotlight but what I needed and a price I wanted.
0,2_14_R3OSJ2J8B34M1K.txt,4.0,Nice tee,"July 12, 2008","T. Neenan ""Digiman""",The Mountain Men's Power & Grace Short Sleeve Tee (Apparel),"It doesn't get any better then this, perfect transaction & very fast shipping. A little heavier quality would be nice because the graphics are so good. I have a few of these t shirts and after several washings (about 6 months), they seem to be holding up well."
1,5_14_R2BECJPRGIF9M.txt,1.0,Are You KIDDING Me?,"March 4, 2008",A. Changeling,"Twilight (The Twilight Saga, Book 1) (Paperback)","I understand setting. And build up. And suspense. So after reading 100 pages of this book, I didn't give it too much thought that nothing had happened. Here is my report of what happened after that:
200 pages: Nothing has happened.
300 pages: Nothing has happened.
350 pages: Nothing has happened.
400 pages: NOTHING HAS HAPPENED.
Are you Kidding me?
Wait. WAIT. On page 441, something happens. SOMETHING IS HAPPENING. O my God, this is it. Something is really going to happen! I plodded through this padded wasteland and finally something is going to happen!
Oh. Wait. It's resolved by page 451.
I'm not making this up.
So let me sum it up for you.
Bella falls for Edward because he is attractive (we are told he looks like an ""angel"" ""is angelic"" ""is seraphic"" and oh, again, ""looks like an angel,"" on about pages 3, 4, 5, 10, 15, 17, 20, 33, 34, 35, 40, 44 . . . you get the idea. I understand that ""angel"" might not be in a thesaurus, but FOR GODDSAKES, find a new description. Also, his hair is described, alternately, as auburn and bronze. Did anyone else have a problem with the fact that these are completely different colors? Seriously.
So Bella loves Edward for his looks. How precious.
Edward loves Bella for her smell.
What a beautiful, timeless romance.
Spare me.
Also, was anyone painfully unimpressed with the whole Alice side-story? Meyer obviously planted the hints about Alice's missing memory, only to explain it away later to *shock and surprise* us, with something completely uninteresting. It's like the saying goes: if you see a gun in chapter one, it's going to go off in chapter three. But if the gun goes off in chapter three during target practice and only manages to hit a tree branch, did it even NEED to be in chapter one in the first place? The Alice thing was pointless. Call me when you have a real twist.
I imagine this book is lovely for ambitious twelve year olds who want to tackle a five hundred page novel. They will find it easy to do so, because Twilight reads like a painfully long letter an immature but stuck-up pre-adolescent writes to her pen pal.
I am SO SAD this passes for good teenage fiction.
And this is why, when someone announces she writes Young Adult fiction, that people say, ""Why don't you want to write real books?""
And that
Sucks."
0,27_8_R3HIE3Q8O8BSJG.txt,5.0,Great phone,"February 6, 2010",S. Ralph,LG Neon GT365 Prepaid GoPhone (AT&T) with $50 Airtime Credit (Wireless Phone),"I bought this phone to replace one I had that wasn't working well. I need to say though that I do not use this with a gophone plan. I have a regular family plan with AT&T and of course the customer service will not tell you that you can use a gophone as a replacement. If you aren't eligible for an upgrade they will tell you that you have to buy one at full price, usually $200 & up. Gophones work just fine, just don't use the sim card that comes with it, put in the one from your old phone. It actually has directions inside the package that tells you how to use the gophone with your regular plan, and they credit the $50 airtime as like an extra 150 minutes to your plan. As far as the phone, I couldn't be happier. The slide feature is great with the qwerty keyboard and the battery life has been great. We have three LG phones in our plan and they all use the same chargers, which is very convenient."
1,24_13_R3JUQA0325OK1L.txt,1.0,"Husband A Huge Crook, She,: Bitter and Paranoid.","January 9, 2008","Read to Think ""Read To Think""",Target: Caught in the Crosshairs of Bill and Hillary Clinton (Hardcover),"Her Husband embezzled so much money, that he would rather kill himself rather than face his crime. So She decides to go to Oval Office to get a job. Imagine what the Clinton enemies would have said if Clinton had given a government job to the wife of a huge fundraiser who was a convicted felon?
The tone of her book is just blaming and bitter. Lie down with swine my dear get covered in Mud.
That said, Clinton should never be forgiven for betraying the people who believed in him, for cheap and lurid sex.
Because of his MonicaGate, we now have to pay with 8 years of the evilest President since Nixon. Thanks Bill"
0,276426_7_R2OCWCQBX241C7.txt,5.0,Compelling Reading!,"June 23, 2010",Mrs. B. Lawrence,The God Delusion (Paperback),"I highly recommend this book to anyone who is searching for answers to Life, the Universe and Everything (with apologies to Douglas Adams - read that one too!). Written with passion and insight it makes compelling reading. If you are an independent thinker, a quester for answers to the origin of the human race and one who has an open mind about the effect that mythology (religion) has had on human history, you will find this book enthralling. This book should appeal to atheists because it tells them that they no longer have to put up with mythologies foisting their views on them and they should be confident and proud to be an independent thinker. The book should also be read by creationists because how can you condemn it if you haven't read it? (Notice how many people condemn evolution without ever having opened a book of Darwin's and yet non adherents to mythology seem to have read many of the great mythological works such as the Bible). Read it. It may change your life. You won't regret it."
0,16_6_R1BZNNYVXCWTIV.txt,5.0,Calming and Clearing,"November 25, 2008","Jennifer Ford ""Jenn Ford""",Proactiv Solution Refining Mask 2.5 Oz (Health and Beauty),"I've used this mask for years. When I was younger (teens and early twenties) I had oily acne prone skin and used the entire Proactiv system. Now that I'm 30 and my skin has dried out, I use this mask once, or twice a week to clear my pores and to calm inflamed pimples. It works best after a shower when skin is soft and the ""gunk,"" in your Tzone is soft, too. I apply, hang out for twenty or thity minutes and rinse with warm water, or exfoliate with a warm wash cloth. Results are not permanent, but for a few days at least, bye bye blackheads. Remember, for BEST results, use this mask after your shower, or steam your face carefully over a pot of hot water with a towel (to catch the steam) and apply when skin is warm and soft. =o)"
0,7_7_R38E25GZJ8X5PQ.txt,5.0,Better than the first!,"February 27, 2009","C. R. Swanson ""wilybadger.wordpress.com""",Fable II (Video Game),"Fable II, the aptly-named sequel to Fable, hit the markets a while back. I didn't have a way to play it then, but I do now, so even if this review isn't terribly timely, I hope you'll find it helpful.
The game takes place in the world of Albion, a beautiful, lovely world somewhere between the Renaissance and the Enlightenment. In that it quickly differentiates itself from most fantasy worlds.
You play the Hero. You don't get a name, but you can get titles (like Lionheart, Executioner or the NAMBLA-friendly, Chicken Chaser). You can be male or female, good or evil. You can marry the opposite sex or the same sex. You can customize your looks with new hair styles, tattoos, facial hair and hair dye. You get all sorts of different clothes to pick from, and get scars when you die. You also age.
In addition, you get a whole slew of skills. You can learn how to chop wood, for example. If that's not exciting enough, you can also tend bar! Blacksmithing, bounty hunting and a couple other jobs round things out.
If jobs aren't your thing, you can go on a whole series of quests, though not very many. During these quests, you can earn gold which you can use to buy all the usual stuff, plus real estate. Yes, if you want you can become the next Donald Trump! One of my friends has done this and basically owns every bit of property that can be owned.
This is an action RPG, which is different from regular RPGs in that you don't select options from a menu screen. No, instead you bash, smash and crush your enemies by repeated button-mashing. Think of the Zelda games. You have both melee weapons and ranged weapons as well as a series of spells, some of which can be lots of fun!
Along the way, you have a dog acting as your faithful companion. Allegedly he helps in fights, but not so you'd notice. What he mostly does is sniff out treasure, and that's a damn nice thing, given how well-hidden some of the treasure chests are.
Graphics wise, this is one of the most beautiful games on any system. Everything looks gorgeous, even the darker and more unpleasant spots.
If it seems like I'm focusing overly much on the non-story aspects of the game, it's cause the story, well, kind of falls short. It's the usual ""fight against someone who killed your sister"" kind of plot. Nothing memorable. It's also rather brief. There's nothing wrong with it, per se, but it's not very original.
Still, the joy is in the journey, and this is one of the best games of its kind out there. Highly recommended!"
0,27_18_R14LZ5EGDPB18J.txt,5.0,10.5,"February 8, 2007","Joan Cannon ""Joan Cannon""",10.5 (DVD),"Really like this movie and its sequeal 10.5 apocalypse.
One of the best earthquake movies I've seen"
0,33_12_RU0BR91PJ2DG7.txt,5.0,"A whole lot of polishing make it an efficient, worhtwhile upgrade","June 16, 2010","Surgery100 ""ADJ""",Microsoft Office 2010 Home & Student (Disc Version) (DVD-ROM),"I've had an opportunity to use Office 2010 Beta edition for a couple of months now and now that I see the full, final, edition I can say that this is a very worthwhile upgrade. First things first, I am not a techie. I am someone who uses Word, Excel and PowerPoint on a very regular basis, who really liked some of the changes in Office 2007 but who thought some things needed tweaking, so when given the opportunity for the beta edition I jumped on it and have not been disappointed. Office 2010 is to Office 2007 what Windows 7 was to Vista; that is, there are not many breakthrough, drastically different features, but a whole lot of polishing and cleanup to make it easier and more efficient. Overall, the program seems to run faster, incorporates many of the most commonly used options and makes them more accessible (eliminating many dialog boxes and tabs) and allows for more customization.
At first glance it looks very much like its predecessor, the ribbon is back and it is now also found on OneNote. There are plenty of sites that will give you a play-by-play on all the features available in this new version, so I'm just going to mention some of the biggest improvements that I've seen.
1) The biggest change is the addition of the web apps. It may not be a true direct competitor to google docs, but it allows for easier sharing of documents, as well as making your documents more accessible.
2) The ribbon is back and it now includes the ""File"" option and a new feature called ""Backstage view."" Backstage view incorporates the most commonly used actions in one place (yay! no more dialog boxes with tabs). You get the usual open, save and print, but you also get several templates for new documents, print layouts and ways to share your work, all without dialog boxes and tabs, everything is much more easily accessible.
3) Another new feature is that the ribbon is now customizable so you can organize it according to your needs.
4) There is a Paste Preview which lets you switch between paste options so you can make sure that your work will be formatted correctly.
Changes in PowerPoint.
You can now edit video directly on PowerPoint. You can trim a video, add effects, fades and even triggers for animations for the presentation. Another new feature is that you can add effects and edit images without the need for third party software.
Changes in Word.
One nifty new feature in Word is called ""Navigation pane,"" which replaces the old document map. It incorporates minor changes in design that make big changes in productivity and ease of use. It allows you to quickly rearrange the document. Take for example a document with several headings/sections. The Navigation pane provides a list of all the headings. The headings are live, so you can drag them up or down, thus rearranging the document. It also incorporates most of the functions that used to be available in the ""Find"" dialog box but now they are all visible so you don't have to go digging through several menus to find the option that you need.
Changes in Excel.
Most of the changes in Excel deal with very large datasets. There is a new PowerPivot add-in which works great if you are dealing with a very large dataset that does not fit in one Excel spreadsheet. PowerPivot pulls the data from multiple sources (several Excel spreadsheets for instance) to analyze it.
Summary:
Overall this is one well planned and executed upgrade that essentially takes all the promises of Office 2007 and makes them a reality. Yes, some things are different, and it will take some getting used to; but, once you realize the improvement in efficiency you'll agree that the changes are mostly for the positive. The only thing that I truly wish had changed but didn't is that this version does not include Outlook. That is available in the Home and Business version."
1,44_8_R3INOB4OWD4Z0U.txt,1.0,Not so bright...,"June 8, 2010",lcreadsalot,"Paradise GL23836BK2 Plastic Solar Spot Light, 2-Pack, Black (Tools & Hardware)","This product, if it works, couldn't light up a dandelion let alone a tree or address sign. I am very disappointed in this product and would not buy it again or recommend it to anyone else."
1,276425_11_R9OGOZLOROD7F.txt,5.0,A real page turner!,"October 19, 2004",Shadfox,Boldtext Pew Bible: King James Version (Hardcover),"Looking for a spooky tale to curl up to this Halloween season? Is there a glaring gap between your Stephen King and Anne Rice books on the shelf? Here's the perfect horror novel to plug it with!
A supernatural thriller to the core, the monster in this book will thrill and chill you! A demonic entity named Yahweh sets humanity up with the perfect trap: the Tree of Life. Knowing they'll eat the otherwise purposeless fruit, he slaps them with a generational curse that binds them to his malevolent will! What follows is the most twisted tale of evil ever written! Yahweh, egotistical and ragingly jealous, uses those under his control to rape and pillage cultures that don't worship him. Men, women and animals alike were slain in these bloodthirsty raids. The only hope you had was being a virgin woman whom Yahweh encourages to be conquested [Deuteronomy 21:10-13], [Deuteronomy 20:13-16].
If you have a hard time reading about cruel animal and human sacrifices, perverted sexual references and the murder and abuse of children I suggest not picking this up. This is a true tale of horror and our villian is far from tactful! However, Yahweh's not a transparent, homocidal manaic. To be so would be far too predictable and I commend the author on his skillful character development. What makes Yahweh so fiendish is that he commits his violent acts under the veneer of love! To fool humanity futher he sent down a hippy version of himself and later set that person up to die, quenching his bloodlust once again. But, that's not where the horror ends! I hate to give away the ending but it's far too devious to go unmentioned! In the end his cult followers will be sucked into an alternative dimension where they will toil and praise his ego to neverending extents. Those who choose not to accept his conditional, unconditional love will find themselves in a sadistic torture pit of his making.
What's really neat about this work of fiction is you don't even have to pay for it! There's many fan bases out there that will happily provide you with a copy!"
0,24_15_R3PKI27JFNBAVX.txt,5.0,Great Motherboard,"March 13, 2009",L. LE,Intel DP45SG Extreme Series P45 ATX DDR3 1333 2xPCIe 2.0x16 3xPCI 1333MHz FSB LGA775 Desktop Board - Retail (Electronics),"So far no problems like the ones listed by previous reviewers. Everything works great. I love the drivers getting installed so easily with the included CD. Also when I tried to overclock the memory, after the reboot the motherboard didn't like the settings, so it rebooted itself again after that, and basically reset the memory settings to the old settings. Nice feature!
System specs:
- OCZ DDR3 PC3-10666 1333MHz Intel Extreme Edition XMP Ready Series 6GB Triple Channel Kit
- Razer Lachesis Mouse
- Samsung 22X SpeedPlus Serial ATA Internal DVD Writer
- EVGA 512-P3-N879-AR GeForce 9800 GTX +
- Western Digital 500GB Caviar"
1,8_10_R3KTGJLDTEWIGV.txt,5.0,Mom proudly displays Dad,"September 8, 2008","Dr. Stool ""Stock Proctologist""",The Classic Cremation Urn. Hand Engraved Solid Brass With Black Lacquer Coat. Includes Velvet Storage & Display Box. (Kitchen),"Mom proudly displays Dad in this urn in her assisted living apartment.
After keeping Dad in a cardboard cylinder in the garage on the workbench near his tools, where he was most at home for a couple of years, Mom had to move to an assisted living facility. Since she talks to him every day, we had to prepare Dad for the move. He wasn't too happy about it, and he was pretty upset that we spent so much money for his new home, especially since the old one was free from the crematorium. He also wasn't too happy about being stuck in the same room with Mom all the time, because now he'd have to listen to her talking all day.
When I told him the urn was pretty soundproof, he said ok. So I poured him in. He just fit, but I spilled a little of him on the workbench.He was ok with that.
I guess we'll get the matching one for Mom when the time comes. Dad said to wait for a good sale, and be sure there's enough room for a phone so she won't nag him all day.
Dad, it's been almost 5 years, and I miss you like it was yesterday. Mom doesn't miss you so much. To her, you're still there."
0,51_15_R342ATCO2KG860.txt,1.0,Sansa m250 Promises but fails to deliver,"June 16, 2008",Hemanth Kumar,SanDisk Sansa m250 2 GB MP3 Player (Black) (Electronics),"I bought it and it worked right for some time. After a couple of hours, it starts making scratchy, distorted sounds in the background of the song really screwing the experience up. Some tracks just carry the noise throughout. This is a prob i've experienced with chinese MP3 CD players but this is a first on memory devices.
I have returned my Purchase and suggest that others try another model of SANSA or go for an ipod shuffle. Saves you the effort of buying, returning and/or following up on the refund."
0,5_17_R1A6U10UV6Z126.txt,4.0,It's The End Of the World As We Know It--Several Times,"April 22, 2010","K. Harris ""Film aficionado""",The Passage (Hardcover),"It has been a while since I've encountered a horror novel of such magnitude and scope, but Justin Cronin's hefty tome ""The Passage"" seems poised to announce itself as the latest true ""horror epic."" It's about time too! Ambitious and thought-provoking, but filled with propulsive action and bloodshed, ""The Passage"" is the thinking person's genre thrill ride. This massive book starts in the near future with a pretty unique combination of vampiric lore meshed with science gone awry. But Cronin, while nailing these explosive first chapters, has much more up his sleeve. The expansive (and sometimes it seems the story will never end) plot resets several times until we have followed the confrontations to their inevitable conclusion many generations later.
The comparisons to Stephen King's ""The Stand"" seem apt and, I believe, will be widespread. And in case anyone has a passing interest on where I fall on ""The Stand,"" I think it's the best book of its type that I've ever read. Although the books are quite different in plotting and structure, thematically they share much. From the veritable destruction of the world as we know it, to the efforts to rebuild some semblance of a new world order, to the ultimate confrontation between good an evil replete with the requisite supernatural underpinnings--both books challenge ordinary citizens to rise to extraordinary levels to champion the human cause. In the right hands, these apocalyptic epics can be unforgettable--and I'll just say that Cronin's hands are quite capable.
Don't misunderstand the King reference, however, ""The Passage"" stands as its own unique portrait of a ravaged future. It's just that there are so few horror novels that set out to accomplish so much in storytelling. Cronin's novel is gutsy, challenging and filled with high level drama of the first order. It's not breezy or light entertainment, however. It's a serious reading commitment for those looking for their gore mixed with a lot of substance. A real change-of-pace and a welcome new addition to the ranks of horror lore, ""The Passage"" has earned the title of ""epic."""
1,41_20_R3ONOXKTFEV2JU.txt,1.0,Be careful what you dream of. It just may come true.,"October 2, 2008",heliacal rising,Discover Penis Enlargement Self-Hypnosis CD (Audio),"I purchased this product in order to spice up my sex life (or 'nasty funtime' as my wife and I call it). Quite frankly this compact disc has ruined my entire life. After letting this CD play overnight, I woke up to the surprise of the friggin century. My nether regions are now nearly the length of a damn football field. Yeah, thanks ALOT! I can barely shoehorn myself into a pair of pants and when I finally do, I walk around with a TENTPOLE bulging out the front. Talk about uncomfortable! I got fired from my job because they claimed I was being ""entirely inappropriate in the workplace."" It's not like I could help it!
On top of that my wife has left me because she's too freaked out to be near me while I'm clothed, much less in the bedroom. Speaking of freaks, I've had to join a Freak Show in a traveling carnival because they're the only people that would hire me now. In fact, we may be coming to a town near you. Keep an eye out for me. They call me the Amazing Gargantuan Penis Man. Can't miss me."
0,29_2_R140EKI6DDIUU5.txt,5.0,Awesome overgrip!,"July 19, 2009",J. Lim,Wilson Pro Overgrip Tennis Racquet Grip (12 Pack) (Sports),"I've used this overgrip for years now, and I refuse to use any other overgrip. I realized that, after shelling out some real money for those dinky 3-packs at Sports Authority or Modell's, I stumbled across the 12-pack offered on Amazon and, well...I got it!
This isn't a real big deal, but I really like the way the individual grips are packaged. They are more folded than rolled, which prevents the overgrip from rolling up by itself after you've unraveled it. Again, NOT a big deal, but an added bonus IMO.
The texture of this grip is just tacky enough where it doesn't interfere with quick grip changes. It is, however, sticky enough to adequately stay in your hand without you having to worry about a slippery handle.
I don't remember if other colors are offered, but to me, WHITE is pretty classic on a tennis racket. Maybe it's because Federer uses it, and I love the guy, but regardless, buy this package of grips and be content!"
0,26_14_R1DT67X3UARSKV.txt,5.0,Quick read but very entertaining,"July 23, 2009",Prism,The Eleventh Victim (Hardcover),"I didn't realize that the author of this book is also the same person that has the television show. I don't regularly watch Nancy Grace on TV but I've caught it a few times when I was channel surfing. Like when I've caught her on TV, I was glued to the book from the very beginning. This book gives plenty of visual details and the writing flows easily. It usually takes me a bit of time to warm up to a book and get to know the characters but this one had me from page one. It is a quick read being only about 350 or so pages so to me it is like a good suspense thriller movie. I am always looking for reading material to keep me on the treadmill and this fit the bill. I liked it!"
0,35_8_R16DNO7RN9UUKR.txt,5.0,Ultimate Survival and Rescue,"November 21, 2009","Michael Devito ""good guy""",Ka-Bar Becker BK3 Tac Tool Fixed Blade Knife (Sports),"Wow this tool is great. If you want a great tool for survival this is it. It is very sturdy and strong. The knife could be a little sharper than what it comes as but it is still sharp enough to cut paper. The razor at the top of the blade is very sharp as well. I bought this tool to be stored in my vehicle, I drive many miles every day and my worse nightmare is to witness a car accident and not be able to help the people involved. This tool is a sharp edge, a serrated edge, a seat belt cutter, a very effective pry bar (its greatest feature) and the right angle at the end of the tool can easily break a window with no problem. The sheath that is comes with is absolutely exquisite, I own many knives and this is the best sheath I have for any knife. Another great benefit to this knife is the fact that the handles can be easily removed for maintenance. You can definitely see that this knife is built to last a lifetime of abuse. I think this knife would be best suited for firefighters and police officers or maybe, like myself, the average joe that needs to be able to help when called upon. Like I said before this tool would be very good for camping and outdoor use, you can chop wood or skin an animal. I think of the lack of a point as a plus because it makes for a stronger tool, there's no tip to break off! Buy it, you will show it off to everyone and they are going to want one too!"
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0,18_20_RKRY9SXDPZKPW.txt,5.0,Good quality sound - not annoying!,"February 17, 2008",Kelly Taylor,Baby Einstein Take Along Tunes (Baby Product),"I just bought this to take over for our soon-to-be adopted infant. I was very happy with the small size and weight (perfect for an infant to hold). But most of all, the sound quality is fantastic (and not too loud) - and not electronic sounding at all. And the tunes are all pleasing to the ear and not annoying kid versions. I will like listening to it as much as our son!"
0,37_10_R38QP81Z4HEFAN.txt,5.0,Great for multiple cats!,"April 15, 2010",R. Unterborn,CatGenie 120 Self-Washing Self-Flushing Cat Box (Misc.),"We had the original CatGenie for over a year with 3 cats in the house and loved the lack of cat odors and ease of maintenance. The maximum 4 daily cycles did use up cartridges in about 2 weeks, and we ran out frequently. We also started having to disassemble and clean it more often as time went on,and it finally just stopped working. We got the 120 version, and what an improvement! The cat activation mode really extends cartridge life significantly, and the(4)cats got used to it quickly. I highly recommend this version to anyone with multiple cats. It's a time and money saver."
1,40_9_R3U6TV48RL631Q.txt,5.0,The finest Electronic Yodelling Pickle money can buy!,"December 12, 2007","Roger Barr ""-rog-""",Novelty Yodeling Pickle (Toy),"I've been searching high and low for a quality Electronic Yodelling Pickle for over 20 years now, and this one is by far the greatest one of them all. You won't find a better Electronic Yodelling Pickle on the market! I'm Roger Barr and I approved of this message."
0,39_12_R1NUI5XI7XLBP7.txt,5.0,"Boy, was I pleasently surprised!","April 22, 2009","M. K. Russell ""Techy Guy""",ViewSonic VT2430 24-Inch 1080p LCD HDTV (Electronics),"I began my search for an LCD HDTV/Monitor over a month ago and purchased 4 other similar items before purchasing this ViewSonic VT2430 and returned the previous 4 for poor performance. I was actually looking for a unit which included a DVD player for use in training lectures. But, I couldn't find the right combination so I decided to settle on a unit without the DVD player, since those that are built in are all cheap players. This way, by keeping the TV and the DVD player separate I can always update the player as needed (BlueRay!).
I looked at a LOT of HDTV/Monitors and chose the VT2430 for its native 1920x1080 pixel resolution. This works out perfectly with the 1920x1080i signals coming via my cable. And...the pictures are absolutely stunning! More so than I even expected, even already knowing the quality of Viewsonic monitors. And there are plenty of options for modifying and managing the images from all inputs. One reason for returning a Toshiba unit was that it's native resolution is 1680x1050 pixels, which, when fed a 1920x1080 pixel signal (HDTV) stretches the image vertically...without any way of correcting the distortion. In fact, the manual states that ""image size adjustments are not available with 720i and 1080i signals""! VERY poor planning as most cable signals are either 790i or 1080i.
The PC image obtained with the VT2430 is absolutely awesome. I'm typing this review with this monitor with the resolution set at 1920x1080, a perfect match with my PC. There are at least 10 other resolution settings that work as well - just lower resolution results. Regardless of the resolution sent from my PC, the VT2430 automatically adjusts for the best picture with each setting. Very neat.
The audio was another problem I found with all of the other units I tried. Most of them were either too low in volume or, when the volume was turned up became very distorted. Not so with the VT2430. Plenty of clean sound at all volume settings, including loud enough for filling the rooms where I do my training.
The image I get from my (LG) DVD player, which upgrades to a 1080i output via an HDMI cable, is very good. I also have a BlueRay player which puts out a 1080p signal, which, again, perfectly matches the resolution of the VT2430, for a beautiful picture.
The overall picture of this monitor is far more accurate, clean, and viewable than any of the other monitors I looked at. The dynamic range is very wide, including the darker colors and grays and blacks, not quite up to my 52-in Samsung (Over $2,300!), but closer than any other comparable sized monitor.
Physically, I like the fact that the monitor can be tilted back for watching from higher positions. Also, the flat stand can be quickly removed for transporting in its original box, which I do often when I'm training.
Great monitor. I would recommend it to anyone. I would, however, downgrade its rating by 1/2 point for not having a DVD player. But, that is not what it is! ViewSonic does sell an LCD HDTV/DVD Combo monitor, but it has a lower pixel rate designed more for 720i resolution, which is OK for most uses at this smaller size. But, having been a TV studio tech in charge of adjusting and maintaining studio monitors, I became too picky and always need(!) the best."
0,6_13_R14EPTC010DVQ.txt,5.0,AWESOME!,"December 10, 2007","crown of indica ""buckethead noir""",Zubaz Pants (Apparel),So cool that they're back! I'm going to get a red or black pair--hope they take off and they start making more colors and designs like the old days! Good to see Minnesota boys make it good...AGAIN(my Mom went to school with Dan Stock who co-created them).
0,49_8_R7ME8D4EF5K14.txt,5.0,"Great value, easy way to update dining room","November 22, 2008",Carnival Huckster,Hardware House 544452 24-Inch by 15-Inch Chandelier Brushed Nickel (Tools & Hardware),I bought this chandelier a few months ago for $83.99. What a great value! A note of caution: the instructions were amateurish - I would have appreciated more details since this was my first time installing a chandelier. But a quick search online and I was able to find better instructions. It ended up taking a couple of hours to assemble and install but it was well worth the time. It looks fantastic in my dining room and the price is hard to beat.
1,5_9_RHL5APZ9MEFD2.txt,1.0,"*Extremely* *unimpressive*, especially compared to ANY other option.","May 18, 2010","A_*NIX_Geek ""DethB4DCaf""",Archos 5 500 GB Internet Tablet with Android (Electronics),"If you are looking for a really expensive paperweight, or need to replace the brick in your solid gold commode, the Archos is the device for you. However, if you are looking for any amount of *functionality*, there are volumes of viable choices that cost much less and actually work, such as any Android-based phone.
I have all sorts of Archos accessories that I can use with multiple stereos, televisions and computers and I've invested volumes of time now trying to get *any* combination of functionality that I can't get on something much cheaper -- like my netbook, or even my phone -- with little or no success.
To compare the application library that Archos provides [without using a hack another user has provided to access the Android Library] is like comparing the largest local mega-mall to a ""7-11"" corner store... assuming the corner store went bankrupt several years ago.
Alas, however, the hack only gets you past the software problems, and leaves you with the hardware and the firmware/operating system that Archos provides. The operating system is an Android variant, whose updates have only once removed my access to every other application [out of three total updates] which I applied at the recommendation of the Archos Customer support folks. And the hardware... well... once you get past the non-standard connectors for any of the other Archos accessories that don't connect quite correctly because of all the different variations between different Archos hardware components you can just bet that the documentation won't be able to help you troubleshoot any of the myriad of problems you are going to encounter on an on-going basis.
Fortunately, there is an on-line support forum for the dedicated, but for the *price* you pay, there are *much* better options available. If you are under the impression that the *form factor* will make it special, like I was... well good luck actually getting it to access anything, either on the internal hard drive [think reformatting, several times... maybe it will eventually work] or on your local network [I have no idea how a valid file that is stored on another machine that my Archos CAN see could be ""corrupted"", but I'm going research that the next time I have an hour or three to throw away...] or even from the directly-attached satellite receiver -- the codes provided by the documentation don't work, which I did not find even remotely surprising, but at least there's a trouble-shooting section that doesn't help..."
0,49_14_R1KFJCIHGDGE4W.txt,1.0,From Golden to Hit-or-Miss,"May 9, 2009","Hezaa ""Heather Carlton""","Tim and Eric Awesome Show, Great Job!: Season 2 (DVD)","After thoroughly enjoying Tom Goes to the Major, and the first season of TAEASGJ, I was overjoyed when they got a contract for more seasons. Then I tuned in...
Somehow, the novelty wore off, and the cleverness disappeared. Was it just filler? Were they burnt out and wanting out of their contract? Instead of getting better a lot of bits were so poor in comparison. While watching this season I felt embarrassed for the comedians I normally enjoy.
Looking into the dead eyes of the main stars, it seems like they sold their soul for a longer contract. And when they lost that they also lost their ability to be funny and clever."
1,39_8_R39IMEITQKZXV.txt,5.0,I loved this so much I got one for my 90yr old mother,"October 29, 2009",S. Kelly,AutoExec - WM-01 - Wheelmate Steering Wheel Desk Tray - Gray -,"I loved my Laptop Steering Wheel Desk so much I got one for my 90yr old mother. She is an avid crossword puzzle fan and now she can work on them while she is driving back and forth from bingo at the senior center. One cautionary note be careful of those jerks that stop at yellow lights, my poor mother rear ended one and the airbag drove the desk back into her stomach which ruptured her spleen, well after a short down time I'm glad to say she is back on the road and cranking out those NY Times crosswords once again. Thanks Laptop Steering Wheel Desk you have made my mothers life more complete."
1,29_11_R3RWV5A6K123AK.txt,5.0,I have Herpes!!,"February 29, 2008",Matthew D. Francis,Herpes Plush Doll - (Herpes Simplex Virus 2) (Toy),"Herpes is great to pass around the office and toss to other people. He comes out at the most random times, but its so much fun to play with."
0,10_18_R1KNPEAYC0VT7T.txt,5.0,"The most penetrating, and persuasive, explanation for Bush's failures","January 25, 2008",David Plotz,The Bush Tragedy (Hardcover),"In The Bush Tragedy, Jacob Weisberg does what most of President Bush's critics have never tried to do: Take him seriously. In doing so, Jacob paints a devastating portrait of a man haunted by his father, crippled by a fatal lack of curiosity, and driven by ego to pursue aggressive and ill-considered policies. His Bush is not the cartoon of ignorant evil imagined by many of the president's critics, but a deeply complex man whose intellectual and emotional shortcomings have made him a disastrous president. Jacob, who (full disclosure) is a colleague and friend, has unearthed extraordinary new details about Bush's religious conversion, ancestral history, and family dynamics. My favorite bit--check it out on page 90--is an anecdote about how the president, always willing to make his own reality, decided that a painting of a horse thief was actually a portrait of a brave evangelist minister."
0,10_5_R2I35IUSSIXFPS.txt,4.0,Good one but Speakers?,"April 10, 2010","Jincy John ""SnowMan""",Onkyo TX-NR5007 145 Watts 9.2-Channel AV Surround Home Network Receiver (Black) (Electronics),"This is one of best 9.2 receiver available in the market. But my question is What kind of speakers your people used for this unit, because i called onkyo regarding this issue they said they are not making any speakers for this unit, they have 130W speakers max. ""Onkyo SKS-HT870"" this one is not going to supports this unit, this unit is 145W out put power. So please anybody can tell me what kind of speakrs u r using."
1,26_2_RGSIKWGU5DAAX.txt,1.0,An Ironic Topic,"June 21, 2009",John Byson,Giving: How Each of Us Can Change the World (Hardcover),"Here is a man that could not ""give"" a solid response to save 800,000 Rwandans writing a book about giving.
The irony is nauseating. No one who sits by and watches 800,000 people die and not take action should never be assumed to have the least bit wisdom in the area of giving."
0,42_10_R3R74B0ET6JG8X.txt,5.0,Five Stars From a Life Long Shick User,"June 10, 2010",Boilermate,"Gillette Fusion Proglide Power Razor, 1-count Package (Health and Beauty)","To properly evaluate the new Gillette Fusion ProGlide Power razor, I decided to compare it to the new Schick Hydro 5 and my normal razor, a Schick Quattro Power. All started with a new cartridge and a fresh battery as applicable.
I'll begin by saying that I've been using Schick razors for about 40 years and have not been too impressed by most Gillette razors. In particular, they tended to clog up more and were harder to keep clean. I was expecting to be underwhelmed by the ProGlide as well.
ProGlide vs. Hydro 5
Initial impressions: Packaging: Both come in the standard plastic clamshell, but the Gillette is easier to open. The back is perforated for easy opening, where the Schick is more child-proof and requires a sharp object to open it.
What's included: The Gillette comes with only one cartridge, where the Hydro comes with two.
Holders: the Gillette snaps snugly in to the included plastic holder, while the Schick holder just has a small pin to locate the razor. You could use the Gillette's as a travel holder with no problem.
Guarantee: The Schick comes with a money back guarantee. The Gillette assumes you will like it.
The razors: While the Gillette looks more substantial, both weigh 1.4 oz fully loaded. The Gillette has a single blade trimmer on the back of the cartridge. Flip the razor 180 deg to use it. The Hydro's trimmer is under the lube strip that you flip back to use the trimmer.
Cartridge mounting: The ProGlide cartridge slides on easily and snaps in place. The locator pin also acts as ""suspension"" for the cartridge pivot. The Hydro is a bit more imprecise. You have to line up two small spring loaded fingers on the handle with tabs on the cartridge. Not hard, but not as elegant as the Gillette. The Schick cartridge is smaller than the Gillette...less waste.
On initial ""hefting"" the Gillette felt better, but in use both were comfortable and easy to maneuver.
The Shave Test
All of the above are secondary to the ""Yes, But How Does It Shave"" test. I shaved half of my face with the Gillette and half with the Schick, using Proraso Shaving Cream and a badger bristle brush.
Shave No. 1: (3 Day Growth)
The ProGlide felt smooth in all directions, with and against the grain. No pulling on the neck or under the chin. The trimmer was easy to use.
The Hydro was smooth on the cheeks, but pulled noticeably on the neck, especially against the grain. It left a couple of small ""razor burn"" marks on my neck. To use the trimmer you have to hold the razor with one hand and flip back the cover with the other.
Both razors rinsed clean easily with no clogging.
The Wife Test: Immediately after shaving, Mrs. Boilermate judged the Gillette side marginally smoother, but said that side felt sticky. After my face ""dried"" she still said the Gillette side was smoother.
Shave No. 2: (2 Day Growth)
The Gillette was smooth while the Hydro pulled noticeably on the neck and under the chin. The Gillette side was again judged smoother in the Wife Test.
ProGlide vs Quattro
Shave Nos. 3 and 4 were done with a two and three day growth respectively using the ProGlide and a Schick Power Quattro (with a new cartridge and a fresh battery).
The first thing I noticed is the ProGlide is noticeably quieter, where the Quattro sounds like an electric razor by comparison.
In both tests, the ProGlide performed as before, with no pulling or burning. The Quattro pulled slightly on the neck, but substantially less than the Hydro did.
As before, the Gillette side was judged smoother by Mrs. B., tho by a similarly small margin.
So what's not to like? The price of the cartridges. Schick cartridges are cheaper across the board than Gillette. Power ProGlide carts are about $4.00 apiece, where Quattro Power carts are about $2.50 each.
While the ProGlide gives an excellent shave, doesn't shave enough better to justify switching from the Quattro based on the cost of the cartridges.
Overall, though, the Gillette Fusion ProGlide Power rates five stars. As a life-long Schick user, I was pleasantly (and unexpectantly) surprised by this razor. If you can get past the price of the cartridges, I highly recommend this razor."
0,12_13_R1AQPUQPVODZ77.txt,5.0,The Perfect Action Film!!!,"April 28, 2010",Pumpkin Man,The Losers (DVD),"I saw this a few hours ago with a friend, and personally, I thought it was awesome! It was literally filled to the brim with action, comedy, and special effects. Clay, Roque, Jensen, Pooch, and Cougar are part of an elite United States Special Forces team that are on assignment in Bolivia. When they are betrayed by an enemy named Max, they become fugitives and are believed to be dead. They are forced to team up with a mysterious woman named Aisha who may be able to help them find Max. I understand this movie is based on a comic book by Vertigo, but I never read any, so I couldn't compare it. My favorite character was Chris Evans as Jensen, because he had all the hilarious lines. Another thing, was that this film reminds me a lot of 'The A-Team' If you love action, I highly recommend THE LOSERS!!!"
1,16_16_R1G3PE5U7IONXK.txt,1.0,Terrible Moviegoing Experience (for me),"March 5, 2005","Howard Tuttleman... howardtuttleman@howardtuttle<span class=""invisible""> </span>man.com, Lover of the Arts, Teenage Genious, Master Critic",Finding Nemo (Two-Disc Collector's Edition) (DVD),"I took my neighbor's kid to see this a while back. This movie pretty much ruined my night, and I will tell you how. We went to the theatre on a Friday night while I was baby-sitting (he was like 4 years old at the time by the way). It was a little warm out so I stopped and got us each a Big Gulp. That was my first mistake. This kid drank an entire Big Gulp of Mountain-Dew on the way to the theater (which I later realized contains a very high level of caffiene which he is not allowed to have). He said he didn't have to go to the bathroom before the movie, so I guess you can see where this is going. The theater itself was absolutely freezing, and this kid complained about it the entire time. The movie was a little boring and looked really fake. You could tell it wasn't real and was just a bunch of silly-puppets, but he was only 4 so I guess he bought it (I hope he doesn't really think fish can talk). Bla Bla Bla, the fish gets lost or whatever, lots of talking, then BAM! Shark Attack, and the kid screams and immediately proceeds to dive under the chairs, and come back up with his pants soaking wet. Great, kid. You said you didnt' have to go BEFORE the movie, so now you decide to go DURING the movie. Later on the movie whipped this kid up into a caffiene frenzy, and he takes off his wind-breaker and starts whipping it around his head, and it hit this kid behind us and the zipper tagged him in the ear. The other kid's mom gave me a dirty look, so I tried to explain that my neighbor's kid wasn't very smart because he is only 4, but then I didn't want to start an argument so I held back my tongue. The worst part actually came when the movie was finally over and we went out to eat at McDonalds. I thought it would be cute to order the kid a fish sandwich since we just saw a movie about fishes. He took a couple of bites and asked why it tasted so bad, so I simply told him what it was. So then the kid, no joke, starts throwing-up all of his fries, and what I guess was a whole lot of mountain dew all over the chair and the floor. Then he gets seriously mad at me and does the now-vomit-covered-windbreaker frenzy. He was mad because he thought I was trying to get him to eat one of the fishes in the movie or whatever. He refused to clean it up or eat the rest of his sandwich so I just took him home. We tried to have a discussion about the difference between his sandwich in the movie, but he simply said ""I hate you"" (great argument, kid). In conclusion I would NOT reccomend this movie due to my awful experience with this bratty kid. Also, as I mentioned earlier it looks kind of fake. Later.
howardtuttleman.com"
0,37_15_R285XDEPQH2340.txt,5.0,Esteban's Inspiration is Contagious!,"July 1, 2009","Timothy M. Trogdon ""WyalusingTim""",Esteban Gift of Guitar - Black,"My guitar was beautiful. The laquer finish was flawless. The fret board and bridge are excellent quality and dark. The construction and seems were excellent. The neck and set-up were excellent for a guitar at this price. The tone is very distinctive. You may wish to upgrade the gig bag and strap. Use the new strap attacher that allows the strap to be attached and removed easily for storage in a case. Don't add a button at heel - unbalances guitar and you risk the finish.
The instructional C.D. is fun and inspiring. Esteban really encourages you to aprreciate your instrument and the sound of it. As a bonus, Instructional C.D. 1 includes Esteban in concert - wow! And to top it off, besides the instructional C.D.s and chord chart it includes his Into the Heart C.D. - great for in the car or at home. Esteban is truly a master of the guitar. He teaches with the guitar you are purchasing so you hear how it sounds when tuned and played correctly! I'm ordering the rarer White burst. It is getting harder to find a Gift of Guitar package with the natural spruce top or the white burst - so grab one if you get a chance. At this price there isn't too much that compares for how much you get."
0,4_16_R714KI2PRUQZZ.txt,5.0,I Loved It,"January 1, 2009",bluediamond,1970's Retro Candy Gift Box (Grocery),I received this as a gift and it brought back a lot of memories. I really loved it. I'm not sure why there are some people who are disappointed because some of the candy is still available today. That is very puzzling. The candy names are right in the description. You know before you buy it exactly what is in it.
0,27_2_R37718XE6R8RW5.txt,5.0,does the job extremely well at a cheap price,"May 24, 2006",David Knipp,"Panasonic ER421KC Nose and Ear Hair Trimmer, Wet/Dry, Lighted (Health and Beauty)","no need to buy the more expensive nose/ear trimmers, this one works extremely well and won't blow the bank. $20 for a trimmer that actually works, that's a bargain."
0,9_14_RRSI97OZTY5K7.txt,4.0,A leap in the right direction,"April 3, 2010",Craig Whisenhunt,"Apple iPad MB292LL/A Tablet (16GB, Wifi) (Personal Computers)","I've now spent the better part of a day playing with the new iPad, and while it excels in many things there are still some things anyone considering buying one should probably keep in mind.
First the good sides:
This thing is very fast, opening and closing applications is quick, the screen is incredibly responsive, there is no lag while typing, and the built in Safari browser does a great job of quickly loading even graphic intense pages.
The not so good sides:
As has been thoroughly pointed out, there is not presently much in the way of multitasking within the iPhone OS, but with most expectations pointing towards a summer release of OS 4.0 this might be remedied by mid summer, and almost certainly by a generation 2 release. That said, it should be kept in mind that on such a little screen being able to view multiple applications at once will likely never be something you'll use, and the speed by which you can open and close applications makes this less a headache than you might think. It isn't as fast as moving between open apps, but it isn't a deal breaker by any means. The lack of a camera in this generation is a little surprising, while I've purchased my iPad already, I honestly believe that with the number of competitors expected over the course of 2010 we're probably going to see a generation 2 by Christmas with a camera. It's still an amazing device, but the ability to video chat with it would definitely put it over the top, that's a feature worth waiting for. The lack of Flash support isn't as irritating as I expected it to be, but still something to consider. Many major sites have evolved to html5, or are in the process of doing so. This allows for full viewing by the Safari browser, and where it exists, it works great. The remaining sites still using Flash show up with annoying little boxes looking for a plugin that is likely never going to exist. If you spend a lot of time on flash heavy sites it really probably is worth considering holding out to see how the Slate/Android Tablets look in a few months, but if you're mostly just e-mailing and checking facebook (no Farmville) the lack of Flash support probably won't bother you too much.
As a laptop replacement:
The inclusion of the iWorks utilities gives this device a little bit of a laptop personality. Don't let that persuade you into believing that you don't need a computer though. You might be able to get away with ditching a laptop if all you really do is e-mail or very light word processing, but if you do anything more than that you'll like the freedom and ease a full computer offers for more complex tasks. That said, this device is a tremendous leap towards a future tablet style device that may very well be a replacement for your computer, but for now it is more of a casual use device than something you can really expect to do substantial work with. I have put together a presentation in keynote, which was easy enough to do, but pages isn't as intuitive as I'd have liked, and taking lengthy notes or writing long letters/e-mails/reports will probably make it worth considering buying either the keyboard dock or the wireless bluetooth keyboard.
Battery life seems to live up to the claims, I managed to get about 7 hours before getting the 20% remaining battery life indication, which puts it about right for 10 hours or so of total use. One very important thing to realize about charging the device is that presently (at launch) there is some issues with charging via USB from many computers. The iPad is different than other iPod products, it requires a bit more power to charge up, and unfortunately most USB ports aren't set up to support that higher power draw. This is something that may be fixed in a firmware update to allow for a slower charge, or it may simply be that you'll need to either rely on a new Mac (seems like they can handle the power issue) or rely on the wall charger. Just don't be surprised if you plug it into your computer and it doesn't show that it is charging.
All in all, the iPad is an impressive device that might make for a reasonable replacement of a netbook for casual users. For people who need something to really do a lot of work on, you may find that for the price that a netbook or laptop still offers the better value for your needs. Future generations of this device will probably transition into fitting that market better than this first generation. However, if you're an avid reader, casual gamer, music fan, who doesn't do much more on the web than check a few sites, and e-mail. This thing is definitely worth considering! If you're on the fence, nothing about this product is so incredible as to justify running out and buying one right now, but it is worthy of your consideration if you're thinking you might like a tablet style device. I definitely would encourage you to go play with one at best buy or an apple store to get a feel for it. With a number of competitors due out over the next few months we're likely to see some price movement, or a second generation release, so it may be worth it to wait it out a little while.
One final note, the screen is absolutely gorgeous while it is turned on. It is crisp, bright, and very easy to see from any angle. But when you turn it off, every finger print and swipe is suddenly very visible (while it is on the light is bright enough you don't see them fingerprints). If you are a neat freak, or just hate finger prints on your devices you'll have to invest in some microfiber cloths or get used to using your shirt sleeve!
In conclusion, it's a lot of fun, and I'm not the least bit sorry to have bought one. It does many things, and over the next months will do many more. If you think you want one, go play with one, and if you don't want to wait for a next generation this one is definitely awesome. If you have specific needs that aren't really addressed in this generation or by apple, don't let the hype or peer pressure bully you into this one, there are a number of devices coming with great potential, one of those might be a better fit."
0,14_11_R2P9EFS79FSZCP.txt,3.0,Meh.,"March 5, 2010",Alaina Vance,"Herbal Vaporizer, Black color","I haven't had the chance to use it yet as the whip is broken. I'm hoping I can either get a replacement whip or just get my money back. This is definitely a cheap product, but I knew that when I paid for it. I'll leave another review when I use it, or if I decide to send it back."
0,4_14_R1EJS9Y17TR72G.txt,5.0,"Excellent sound, excellent value","September 4, 2007",J. Bakker,Sony SA-W2500 Performance Line 100 Watt Subwoofer (Electronics),"If you're thinking about buying a subwoofer, it is unlikely that you are a garden variety movie fan or lover of music. People looking for subwoofers usually already have a decent system, but know that there is something lacking.
When it came for me to buy one, three factors weighed in my decision: power, brand, and (of course) price. I've grown up with what I have always believed to be a 'healthy skepticism' when it comes to Sony products. My father had an early generation (1990ish) 5.0 Sony 250 Watt surround amp that performed extremely poorly in just about every function. The only advantage it had over his earlier (1978) Rotel non-tube amp is that it had multiple component inputs. The sound quality of the 50 Watt rated Rotel amp blew the Sony out of the water.
In my search for a subwoofer, I was surprised to find so many good reviews of the Sony line. I was looking for a better name than Sony, but when I compared prices, I was compelled to give the Sony at least a listen. Comparable subs by Velodyne and others were far more expensive (double the cost of the Sony or more). Listening to the Sony at the stereo shop, I must say that I was extremely impressed.
Is the Sony sound as good as the Velodyne or other high end subwoofers that cost 2-3 times as much as the Sony? Of course not, but I quickly discovered that difference in sound quality was not at all closely related to the difference in price.
Keep in mind that this is one of Sony's smallest and lightest subs (only 25 lbs), but once I brought it home and hooked it up to my 6.1 surround system and configured the frequency and volume on the back of the sub, it seamlessly expanded the low end range of my system for music and movie playback. Before I learned (by experimenting with them) how to adjust the levels on the back of the sub, it was quite boomy and there was a bit of a gap between the low end on the six surround speakers and where the sub picked up. When I made the appropriate adjustments, by trial and error, I found that this sub is an extremely versatile fit for my home. My family room is 17'x14', and the back opens into a 10'x15' living room, and the sub easily fills the room. When I crank the system for rock and roll music and movies, the sub has no problem keeping up and is easily capable of playing more loudly than is safe or enjoyable.
Would I have liked a bigger sub made by a better brand? Sure, but this one does the job (and then some) admirably, and for less than half the cost. This sub gets 4 stars as a product, but I gave it 5 because of the extremely good value. If you have a big budget and can afford to spend what it would take to buy a speaker that actually sounds better than one of these Sony subs, go for it, you will not be disappointed. On the other hand, if you would rather spend less on a sub and still get excellent power and sound quality, this is as good as it gets without spending several hundred dollars."
0,34_16_RBWX8CZRNP1LX.txt,5.0,Outstanding!,"July 5, 2010",Richard A. Midthun,PRO-POWER - Portable speakers (Electronics),"I just received two of these. For the money, this is the best technology imaginable. The sound quality is superb for such a small device. The controls and plugs are easily accessible and easy to use. They are very well designed and to my tastes attractive while on display. They fold up into a little cube for packing. I have wanted an easy way to listen to my iPod Nano while doing other things, like working on my bonsai collection in the garden. Earphones are a pain unless I am driving. I tried to stream podcasts from my netbook, but the built in speakers were woefully weak, and the form factor was a pain to have to move around. I'm ordering two more. They are well built and can plug into any ""headphone"" output of desktop, laptop, netbook, iPod. I have one desktop computer without speakers. Now I can have this little unit plugged in for audio and power to the desktop with it perfectly nestled under the LCD, and listen to stuff that I had to use earphones for previously. You see, I already have two sets of speakers connected to other computers in the same work area for high quality sound should I ever need it. Music even sounds great on these little speakers. Get some while you can!"
0,276427_2_R27BG618HK86BT.txt,4.0,"Not really a fan, nor a hater.. but the book makes common sense","March 10, 2010",Robert Kirk,"Glenn Beck's Common Sense: The Case Against an Out-of-Control Government, Inspired by Thomas Paine (Paperback)","I like to think of myself as an independent thinker. This book does a great job of breaking down some pretty big problems with government and society. If you are a parent or younger than 40, I finished the book with a bit of different perspective. I actually am not a fan of Mr. Beck, never seen his show. However he does seem to make some very valid points, especially about the economic troubles facing our nation. So, it's a fast read and if you are open minded, it's interesting and does make common sense."
0,21_11_R1N2NBRAW5FLKK.txt,5.0,"Skeptical, but now a thrilled believer!","August 25, 2009","Deborah A. Brown ""Need-to-exercise girl""",RapidLash - Eye Lash and Brow Renewal Serum (Health and Beauty),"I was skeptical, but a bit desperate. Now in my 50's, I have been noticing a steady decline in the number, the thickness and the length of my eye lashes, both upper and lower. And I did not like it! I did not know such a thing existed until I saw it on an end cap at the grocery store. Pricey....hmmmm....but if it works....would be so worth it.
I apply it in the morning with my AM makeup routine making sure it is dry before I apply any another product on or near my lashes (eyeshadow, mascara, cover-up, etc.) I opted for the morning time, because a night task like that just did not work for me, even though the instructions say to do it at night.
It seems it took the 4 weeks before I started to see changes I could believe were happening. My lashes are now much longer and thicker and hold the curl much better. Its like Rogaine for the eyes!
I guess it is to be a life-long task for me, but the longer lashes sure do add a lot of life to the aging eye! Maybe the price will go down one day!
Oh, I have not noticed any darkening on the skin near the lashes. Occasionally I get some mild burning while it dries. I ""think"" I felt some weird eye aching in the first week, but that has gone away. I was not sure it was from the ""medicine"", but chose to live with it!"
0,50_18_RWPU0UFXH7Y7M.txt,5.0,Its great,"June 24, 2010",Richard Buncamper,Paper Tearing Rulers 12: Deckle Edge (Kitchen),"This is a great tool. Simple to use, has two sides, one fine, and the other larger teeth. Its metal and a bright color so not easy to lose or break. It gives my watercolor paper the look of deckled edges on all four sides which works for me in framing my work and giving it that professional look."
0,50_17_R16TKI7D69EHVP.txt,2.0,'Hip Hop' -- was said how many million times?,"April 21, 2005","Yogini ""Yogini the Signature Artist""",Brown Sugar (DVD),"I think 'Brown Sugar' is a film that had a lot of potential with all the characterizations in it but failed to deliver as a blockbuster. For example, the movie tries (way too hard) to take you ""back in the day"" with the birth of Hip Hop. That is fine but for the one millionth and one time: How many times will Sanaa or Taye Diggs say 'Hip Hop'? We get the point. The soundtrack could have been more documentary with Hip Hop/ Neo-Soul music from the 1980s to 2000s.
Another the thing that I could not stand is the illecit love affair between Sanaa (Sydney) & Taye Diggs (Dre) characters, after Dre got MARRIED. It would have been nice to see them turn their friendship into a more than plutonic level, even after he proposed to Nicole Ari Parker's character. Afterall, she wasn't really in love with him in the first place, and he had made a rush of judgement. But sadly, he gets married and then Taye Diggs falls in love with his best friend. What about his wife?
Finally, it would have been nice to see the Hip Hop Industry's B-Side present challenges that challenged their friendship. It was like a smooth ride love story with a twist of adultery, and the ending was too obvious. With a good romance, who cares about an obvious ending but at least give me some plots and intrigue and a reason to watch the film several more times. The ending made me shake my head! And with all the potential, this film did not deliver mainly because of adulterous themes and an annoying focus on 'Hip Hop'."
0,276425_10_RXNEX0ESZDOA5.txt,4.0,"great scanner, especially for the price","December 22, 2005",Ann Lewis,Canon CanoScan LiDE 25 Color Image Scanner (0307B001) (Electronics),"I bought this scanner to scan in about 150 old black and white family photos, and they all came out very nicely. I scanned only a handful of color pictures, and they were fine as well.
Some experiences I had using the scanner:
- smaller pictures end up getting a better final resolution
- the quality is great for pictures, but only average for text; for example newspaper articles don't scan well enough to allow you to read smaller text
- I was able to scan aout 30 pictures in an hour
- scanning multiple photos is usually easy: you don't have to crop a big image into the individual photos because the scanning software figures out the picture boundaries. However, occasionally the picture boundary detection stuff messes up and the scanner detects 1 fewer picture than was in the scanner, forcing you to rescan
For some old polaroids, the scanned picture was clearer and brighter than the polaroid. it brought out the picture in
an amazing way."
0,44_14_R31X1I0PDEY89N.txt,5.0,The Obama Diaries Exposes the Emperor Without Clothes,"July 14, 2010",Robert Stefanovich,The Obama Diaries (Hardcover),"No, doubt the far left will be outraged over Laura Ingraham's ""The Obama Diaries."" I think Laura Ingraham has brilliantly exposed the Obama Regime's hypocrisy of change you can believe in. The Diaries are done in the tradition of Alice in Wonderland. You know Ms. Ingraham has hit a nerve when the lame stream media i.e. MSNBS, ABC, CBS, NBC, and CNN are outraged by the Diaries. Laura Ingraham is right on in demonstrating the total disconnect between the American People and the alternate Obama Universe of trashing are traditional values, and dividing our Nation on racial grounds and class warfare. I am sure that Obama Diaries will be a best seller, to the dismay of Ms. Ingraham's Critics. Ms. Ingraham Critics should remember the more they condemn the Obama Diaries the more books will be sold. I am sure Ms. Ingraham is laughing as she goes to the bank. Job, well done Laura."
0,3_3_R1OF655GH07PBZ.txt,5.0,Guilty Pleasures -- You MUST read this book...,"June 30, 2000",J. Freedman,Guilty Pleasures (Anita Blake Vampire Hunter) (Mass Market Paperback),"The Anita Blake series -- I cannot express enough how MUCH you need it read them if you haven't already. Let me tell you the reasons why. One, the main character, Anita is tough and modern, and she could beat the socks off of the biggest bodyguard out there at only 5'4 (with the help of some uzis, sawed off shotguns, and her precious firestar.) Two, the best contemporary science-fiction/fantasy books you'll ever find. Guns, vampires, werewolves, and necromancers are just a walk in the park. Three, (and I feel MOST important), might I mention that taking one look at ANY of the male characters in this book is enough to make you stop, drool, and forget your own name? How about that delectable French fanged popsicle with the tight leather pants, Jean-Claude? (You can bite ME anytime, JC!) Ahem. In any case, I recommend these books to any sane SF/Fantasy book lover out there, because I'm afraid dissapointment is not an option. I am 99.9% sure you will fall in hopeless love with these books after reading them, so get a head start, eh? Guilty Pleasures is the first book in (so far) a series of nine. Read away, m'friends..."
0,24_8_R3A7MVNXDTVYWI.txt,4.0,Scissor Set,"March 7, 2009",kimberly a burke,Melissa & Doug Educational Toy ChildSafe Scissor Set (Toy),My daughter is only 2 yrs old and they are a perfect fit for her. We are still working on the mechanics of cutting but they are really a safe and sturdy set to use. We absolutely love all of the Melissa & Doug products that we have purchased
0,17_15_R24RQDZ3MKHX7I.txt,5.0,AWESOME if you want to be FIT TO STRIP!,"December 16, 2004",Gina Bug,Carmen Electra's Advanced Aerobic Striptease (DVD),"I've had these dvds for about a six months now and am very happy with the purchase. My favorite out of the enire collection is definately DVD #2, Fit to Strip. Carmen and her trainer take you through a total body workout that is super easy to customize for your own time limits or fitness level. The segment menu makes it a breeze to navigate the DVD and choose to do one or all of the programs available. You can sweat through an hour long workout or spot tone as you please. I'm even impressed by the option to choose your own background music for each routine! I recommend starting out with the basic cardio and floor work routines, then working your way up to the entire DVD. That's how I approached it and am very happy with the results I've seen.
I certainly recommend purchasing the entire set of Aerobic Striptease DVDS. However, if budgeting is a concern, the Fit to Strip DVD is well worth the money spent on it!"
1,4_13_RETS8UQ5PLPFK.txt,1.0,Why did it have to be blue?,"June 28, 2008",Harmless Gryphon,Denon AKDL1 Dedicated Link Cable (Electronics),"I knew my day was going to improve when the truck pulled up at my home with this cable deep within. No ordinary truck, this one was Holy White, and the gold Delivery logo sparkled like a thousand suns reflected through shards of the purest ice formed with unadulterated water collected at the beginning of the universe. The driver, clad in a robe colored the softest of white, floated towards me on the cool fog of a hundred fire extinguishers. He smiled benevolently, like a father looking down upon his only child, and handed me a package wrapped in gold beaten thin to the point where you could see through it. I didn't have to sign, because the driver could see within my heart, and knew that I was pure. Upon opening the package, an angelic choir started to sing, and reached a crescendo as I laid this cable on my stereo system. Instantly, my antiquated equipment transformed into components made from the clearest diamond-semiconductor. The cable knew where to go, and hooked itself into the correct ports without help from me - all the while, the choir sang praises to the almighty digital god. With trepidation, I pushed ""play,"" and was instantly enveloped in a sound that echoed the creation of all matter, a sound that vibrated every cell in my body to perfection. I was instantly taken to the next plane, where I saw the all-father. I knew with my entire soul, that all was good in the world.
But then I realized the cable was blue, so I only gave it one star. I hate blue."
1,35_12_R2BHAO9XCM3FNL.txt,1.0,I wished for spontaneous book combustion!,"February 27, 2007","Bookish-Angel ""Bookish-Angel""",A Confederacy of Dunces (Hardcover),"What this book lacked in humor, it made up for in absurdity and tedium. With a motley assortment of irreedemable losers and a poorly constructed and boring plot, the reading of this book is only slightly more pleasurable than being poked in the eye with a sharp stick."
0,49_3_R1XKH5SNVVWKMO.txt,5.0,Black Dragon T-shirt,"August 14, 2007",S. Denbow,Black Dragon T-Shirt 100% Cotton Short Sleeve Shirt Pre-Shrunk (Apparel),"This is an awsome T-shirt, my son loves it!! He loves dragons, drawing them, reading about them etc. So when we saw this dragon shirt we had to get it. This seller is a very good seller. Shipping was only 3 working days with the weekend in between them. It came fast! Will buy from this seller again."
0,26_17_R2U5I4272UGH23.txt,5.0,Great sunglasses,"May 25, 2010",Eric Keller,Oakley Men's Hijinx Polarized Sunglasses (Apparel),"I have owned this pair of Oakleys for over a year (probably a record for me). I love the look, and the polarized lenses are stellar for optical clarity. Highly recommended."
1,48_9_R2W9YE93X1C7F0.txt,5.0,Terrifyingly effective,"November 26, 2009",D. Bright,Zan Headgear Full Face Neoprene Mask Skull Face Black/White One Size Fits All OSFA,This is a great mask to strike fear into those around you - an essentiality for the every day rapist or mugger
1,44_20_R2GNWDAB5ZQ960.txt,1.0,I object!,"September 4, 2009","Chris Gladis ""Chris""",How to Defend Yourself Against Alien Abduction (Paperback),"As a Grey, I found this book to be entirely slanderous of me and my people and our mission on Earth. We are not here to ""abduct"" you, perform horrible experiments and make you doubt the reality of your own petty, wormlike existences. We are here as mere researchers, trying to discover what it is about humanity that makes you so... special. If the advice in this book were to be taken, why, our research would come to a complete standstill! Without subjects to study, how can we know more about you and your inconsequential lives? We are on your planet for entirely peaceful reasons, and not - I repeat NOT - here to steal your genetic material to build an invincible army to utterly annihilate those crustaceous scum on Alpha Centauri.
What's more, it would completely mess up the fourth season of ""Who Wants to Be an Earthling,"" and you really don't want to screw with the networks like that.
Don't buy this book! Think about the bigger picture!"
0,51_16_RYM3UX8TCB0JQ.txt,5.0,GREAT MAGAZINE!!,"February 5, 2003",Mac,Sports Illustrated Kids (1-year) (Magazine),"This is a GREAT MAGAZINE for kids of all ages!! It has trivia for prizes, Video Game and Sports Gear Reviews by kids, a lot of differnt write ups on great Sports Stars like Tiger Woods, Lisa Leslie, Dale Earnardt Jr. and lots more that kids like! I'm starting my 2nd Year of the magazine! 5 STARS!! GREAT MAGAZINE!!"
0,47_1_R3JG31KC7EBM5M.txt,5.0,I love this Dremel !!!,"April 22, 2004","Nicholas Cherney ""Nick Cherney""",Dremel 8000-03 10.8-Volt Lithium Ion Cordless Rotary Tool (Tools & Hardware),"Mine is utilized for robotics projects--it finds a lot of uses with metal. I also bought the press accessory with it. This little accessory helps me make straight cuts and drill holes. I'm telling you, I use this thing constantly and it works like a champ! It is powerful enough for me to cut all my brass and aluminum with the precision of that of a doctor. For as handy as this tool is--I'd pay twice as much to get one if need be. I've had mine for 5 months too. One HUGE word of advice. WEAR SAFETY GOGGLES! I know this may sound lame, but it saved my @ss!!! When cutting some tubing, my disk exploded at full RPM's and the shrapnel hit me in the goggles. (Of course I had my fat head over top of it while I was cutting) Just be careful. The tool is A+, but the little thing could be dangerous if you slack on the safety."
0,37_19_R14J3QF1BOUEAP.txt,5.0,Finally!!,"April 23, 2009",Zeugma,"EatSmart™ Precision Digital Bathroom Scale w/ Extra Large Backlit 3.5"" Display and ""Step-On"" Technology (Health and Beauty)","I am SO happy to finally have a bathroom scale that WORKS! My old Taylor scale was just crap. Seriously. I lost so much motivation because of that thing, it would give me different weights anywhere within a 5-pound ""range"" every time I stepped on it, so I never had any idea what I actually weighed, or whether or not my hard work was paying off. Drove me nuts!
Because of that, I put my new EatSmart scale through a lot of ""tests"" when I got it today. I stepped on it 5 times in a row, alternating between it and the old Taylor scale each time. The old scale gave me 5 completely different numbers, as usual, but the EatSmart stayed the same each time! I even tried putting the laundry basket on it in between weighs, to make sure it wasn't just ""remembering"" the last number. Nope! So then I tried drinking a big glass of water, and sure enough, the EatSmart registered a .6 pound increase. Fantastic! I'm so pleased with the consistency and accuracy of this scale. I'm feeling 100x more energized and motivated than I was yesterday, because I know now I'll be able to see the REAL results of my actions, good or otherwise. :)"
1,6_19_R1B4TXROUXHX8J.txt,1.0,Has a worse sci-fi movie EVER been made?,"December 31, 1999",A Customer,Species (DVD),"Ben Kingsley, you really must have needed the money. Natasha Hentsridge was cast solely for that gorgeous body of hers; the producers knew that they had a ridiculously bad film on their hands and had to give the target audience some reason not to complain. But complain I will, because I want something resembling a real plot in my sci-fi; I want stimulation for more than just my groin; I want my sense of plausibility to be stretched, not tossed aside. This film is a mish-mash of retread effects, no thrills whatsoever and way too many, ""Oh, we just missed her again by seconds, so let's chase her some more!"" Wretched, simply wretched. Species, since it's release, has been the movie by which I judge all others - for awfulness. Whenever I see a truly terrible sci-fi movie, the first thought that comes to mind is, ""Well, it was better than Species."""
1,19_10_R1Q924UQ808WDI.txt,5.0,"I aint no werewolf, but I do ware wolf","May 21, 2009",SAB0TAGE,Wolf Flag T-shirt 100% Cotton ADULTS Short Sleeve Shirt (Apparel),"These colors don't run, but the wolves do, fast. For your best chance of survival, hold very still and avoid eye contact. I got this shirt because it is a smokey blue. (the only blue I'll ware) The graphics were just a bonus. But more and more I've grown to love these guys. See, I think the wolf should replace the bald eagle as our mascot because the wolf is only found in the United States, and they're bad. The bals-eagle, however, has been extinct for years and when they were alive, they were everywhere."
0,33_17_R2R6DFAJZW1O0M.txt,5.0,The upgrades are worth it,"January 31, 2010",J. Chan,HP Mini 311-1025NR 11.6-Inch Black Netbook - Up to 6.25 Hours of Battery Life (Windows 7 Home Premium) (Personal Computers),"We bought this to replace an early-model netbook and are amazed at the improvements newer models have applied. We carefully compared several models, including other stock models from HP sold by Amazon, and determined this one was the best bang for the buck.
My wife and I are authors and primarily use this for word processing, but also use it for in-bed media (Hulu/Netflix) and gaming (old school games with minimal requirements). The keyboard size was an initial concern for us, because we never fully adapted to the really small keys of our previous netbook, but upon receiving the unit, we had no problems adapting to the keys in any way.
The screen is very bright by default and we have not had the glare or underlit problems we have had on other screens. We have successfully used the HDMI connector on several different TVs without any issues. The speakers can get decent volume, but the quality isn't too great. Most of our media runs just fine. Flash Player 10.1 is supposed to increase the speed of video playback of certain types, but we didn't experience a significant gain, but it could be user error/browser choice/etc. Netflix runs just fine and Hulu runs perfectly in its normal size, but full screen it chugs.
I'm not thrilled with the power adapter plugging into the left side of the machine (prefer it in the back), but with the long battery life with minimal performance degradation, I just leave it out, even if a plug is nearby. My wife, however, is just fine with its placement, mostly the aesthetics of having the sleek back.
Speaking of the aesthetics, the shell casing is very attractive and does not collect as many smudges/fingerprints as we would have thought. The unit is very light with enough stability that we don't worry about crushing the screen against the keys if we squeeze too hard. We're able to tote it around the house and on quick trips without feeling any burden physically or time-wise.
Some of these pros are relevant to netbooks as a whole, but this particular build with a REAL version of Windows 7, extra RAM, and upgraded hard drive make it a winner. The processor is the lesser of the two major Atoms, but I doubt anybody would be able to realistically discern a difference even in a side-by-side test. We love it!"
0,36_6_R3P9XW7Y16P7AD.txt,5.0,Good purchase,"September 12, 2009",Thane,Rebel Flag Pewter Belt Buckle (Apparel),Very pleased with the product and its quality. I would recommend this buckle any day.
0,276423_5_RVX9KXA2FZEM5.txt,3.0,A Review of the BOOK not the MAN,"June 17, 2010","Kim Albert ""BigMomma""",The Overton Window (Hardcover),"I am writing this review, because every review on here seems to be about the author and his biases and not about the BOOK itself. Let me first say that I am an avid reader. I read everything from Stephenie Meyer to Bertrand Russell, Chuck Palahniuk to Freakonomics. I read 3-5 books per week, fiction and non-fiction alike.
I knew very little about Glenn Beck before I purchased this book. Of course I had heard his name, and that he was a radio personality, but that's about it. I read a little about him before beginning the book, learning that he is a ""conservative libertarian."" With that being said, it didn't really matter to me, a good book is a good book, no matter the political implications or insinuations.
About the book: The plot was weak, it could have used a lot less quoting and preaching and a lot more character development and background. I found myself being thrown into a whole lot of speeches and little narrative or story development.
The original character descriptions were good, but I found myself wanting to know more about them, who they were really, where they came from, and what they were thinking. The protagonist of this story was the only character that was explored deeper than a name, physical description, and a little about their backgrounds. I wanted to know more about them ESPECIALLY what they were thinking.
The writing was a little below average. Mr. Beck just isn't that good of a story teller, I found myself drifting through the quotes and preaching, wanting them to be over so the story could continue...which it never really did. There was never a climax in the story, and the ending left a lot to be desired.
You would have expected to learn a lot more of the elder Mr. Gardner(the main character's father) before the last chapter. Additionally, I felt that it ended without anything being solved. It just kind of ended in what I would think of as the middle of the story.
All in all this was not worth the day and a half I put into reading it, and I suggest if Mr. Beck wants to share his political ideology, he stick to non-fiction. I would be happy to read it, and would probably enjoy it.
Why write a fiction book, when really all you want to do is write a book of facts regarding the corruption of our country? That's what we really need to hear and read...hiding all of that in the guise of a fiction story(dubbed a thriller, no less) is disappointing to those of us who want to read a good novel.
***NOTE: For all of you who are going to call me a biased liberal hippie, I am a former employee and lifetime member of the National Rifle Association(thanks to Mr. Beck for the kudos in the book), and a member of the libertarian party."
1,51_5_R3V2K3R4BCRJ75.txt,1.0,Such a Shame...,"June 24, 2010",Eileen K. Balesteri,Percy Jackson & The Olympians: The Lightning Thief (DVD),"My son talked me into reading these books with him, and we loved them.
When we went to see the new Harry Potter movie, scenes for it came on during the trailers.
He recognized the story the second the preview started. He was thrilled, and so was I. What potential this unique and fun series had for a movie--or movies...I mean, they advertised that it was being brought to us by the people who make the Harry Potter movies.
The Potter movies stay so true to the book--taking care to absolutely keep things in the screenplay that are necessary to the plot line.
I wish I could say the same for this movie.
When it finally came out, we went to a movie theater in NJ that was right across the river from NYC.
We could see the Empire State building from the theater parking lot, and took it as a sign that the movie was going to rock. We were so psyched to see it.
When we left the theater, I thought my son was going to cry, and I couldn't un-scrunch my eyebrows--huh?? I felt so bad for him, for me, for Rick Riordan...
We understand that it's impossible to make a movie exactly like a book-- but this was a travesty.
Every important aspect of the story was by-passed for the sake of special effects.
It's almost as if the screenwriter had been given a verbal summary of what the book was about, and took it from there. So many important plot points were left out or down right changed to the point that it would be impossible to even think about a sequel.
It's such a shame. These stories have the ""book made to movie"" potential of the Potter series, or dare I say, a kids ""Lord of the Rings"".
If someone with vision had just read the books, the money used to make it could have been so much better spent.
It could have been knocked out of the park, but, alas, the ball was dropped and we all lost."
0,12_8_R1YN65MVJFQ5NY.txt,5.0,Fantastic,"February 22, 2009",S. Johnson,"Epson MovieMate 72 High-Definition Projector, DVD and music player combo (V11H257220) (Electronics)","We love the MovieMate72, we use it on the patio showing on a 120"" manual pull down Elite Projection Screen (16:9), on the light brown wall in our bedroom and on the white wall in the garage where our workout equipment is located. We have teamed it up with a $118.00 RF-Link AVS-5811 5.8GHz Audio and Video Transmission System with IR Repeater directly to the Direct TV so not only can we watch movies in all these locations but also TV and with the IR Repeater change the channels on the Direct TV from those locations."
0,11_2_R25N65BFSL0MAI.txt,5.0,A blast from the first track to the last!,"May 22, 2010",Matt O,Brothers (Amazon MP3 Exclusive Version) [+digital booklet] (MP3 Download),"I'm a bit new to the Keys. My first record of theirs was Attack and Release. With that record, it only took me two minutes into the first track ""All You Ever Wanted"" to know that the Keys were my new favorite band. Likewise, with Brothers- from the first seconds of the first track ""Everlasting Light"" - I knew I was gonna love this record. And having owned it now for only about two days, it's been in steady, constant rotation. It's a total classic. Blues, rock, soul, simmer, r&b, roadhouse shakers... man... the Keys just melt it all down into an amazing musical gumbo. Standouts for me are Sinister Kid, Tighten Up, Next Girl, The Go-Getter, She's Long Gone, Ten Cent Pistol, and of course their awesome cover of Isaac Hayes Never Gonna Give You Up. This whole album is deeeep. Buy it ya'll."
0,4_9_R1LAELKUL9K9QD.txt,5.0,"Quiet, cool and unobtrusive",22 Nov 2009,A. Hopkinson,Western Digital Elements 1TB USB 2.0 Desktop External Hard Drive - Black (Electronics),"I bought this hard disk primarily for use with Apple Time Machine from two Mac laptops - a Macbook and a Macbook Pro. The drive comes formatted for Windows but a reformat only took a few seconds. Usable space on the drive is 931.5GB - I have the drive partitioned, 600GB for Time Machine and 330GB for general usage.
The drive is very smart, with a textured top and glossy sides and has rubber feet. Both connectors (power and usb) are at the back, next to a white activity light, so there's nothing flashing at the front. The power lead is fairly compact (compared to my Lacie FA Porsche drive), with the transformer built in to the plug rather than halfway along the lead. Even the USB cable is well designed, with moulded easy-grip ends.
The drive is almost completely silent and runs very cool despite having no fan. I've probably moved about 1TB on and off it over the last 24 hours and it's never even been warm. Transfer speeds seem to be around 1GB/minute for both large files (a 200GB SuperDuper sparseimage) and many small files (my 50GB iTunes library), which is about standard for a USB hard disk as far as other reviews say. This equates to about 130Mb/s - USB is apparently capable of 480Mb/s, but I've never seen those speeds.
The drive has a two year warranty in the UK/Europe, which I think is the same as other drives in the WD range (although the My Book Elite has 3 years).
All in, for a budget external drive this is a great buy with solid build and performance to match any decent USB drive."
1,37_15_RNWJYJMJXTXO2.txt,1.0,AWFUL,"December 13, 2009",Joshua Keith Hulgan,Esteban Gift of Guitar - Black,"Timothy who reviewed this above must have been paid off lol b/c this is without a doubt the worst product i've laid my eyes or fingers on in 10 years of playing guitar. What's wrong with it? You name it.
Its slapped together with glue spots all over it.
The fretboard feels really strange and rough, with a super high action.
It will NOT stay in tune. I actually prayed for it to stay in tune and I don't do that often. It actually smells funny, it smells funny!
Take your money and burn it, you would actually have more fun doing that than playing this god forsaken thing."
1,25_5_R27YOGCKS5U023.txt,1.0,You'd have to be an idiot.,"February 26, 2010",Terry King,Morgan Design - 1 oz .999+ Fine Silver Bar,"Is there really anyone in the world dumb enough to pay this much for an ounce of silver bullion? If so, I have a really beautiful antique bridge in New York I'll sell cheap."
0,2_11_R2K9QKW4WMDL4Y.txt,3.0,Worked great for us for a couple years,"March 14, 2010",Paul Stowers,"Waring Pro WMK300 Belgian Waffle Maker, Brushed Stainless (Kitchen)","We got this as a gift a few years ago and have not used it to often and usually for about four waffles each time we used it. So I think that is why it worked for as long as it did. We had the fuse burn out on us this weekend. I looked at other reviews and took the maker apart to maybe fix it on my own. Once I looked inside and found the fuse I didn't feel comfortable that my fix would be protected from the heat so I decided to trash it. We are going to look for one that takes up less space and will last 10 or so years, which I think these should. Frustrating though, I think it would be an easy design update to make the fuse a pop in and out type. That would be easy to change out and make this last the time it should."
0,46_6_RVT096AILVPPW.txt,4.0,A Certain Understanding,"May 16, 2010",Kelli M. Tomko,Tiger: The Real Story (Hardcover),"Though I do not follow golf, it was hard not pay attention to Tiger. Naturally, I was left shaking my head with everyone else, wondering what drove someone so disciplined to make such a mess of his life. Steve Helling's book answers some of those questions, though it would be impossible to answer all of them. It is not a book of sensationalism or speculation, but well-written journalism that give us an inside look at both the life and the downfall of a paragon who never asked to be placed on the pedestal on which the world displayed him.
This book follows the clues that tell us some of what makes Tiger Woods who he is, starting with the breadcrumbs that were dropped long before his birth. While a bemused public looked on as a toddler putted against Bob Hope, not one of them could have predicted that that same child would grow to be not only the world's greatest golfer, but also a hero and role model with such a carefully constructed persona that even his handlers would forget that a real person lay behind the smoke and mirrors. Tiger Woods was not a god, but an unforgiving public would punish him for not acting like one.
While he is responsible for his mistakes, one can't help but wonder who Tiger would have been had he been allowed to be Tiger Woods rather than a meticulously crafted ideal."
1,15_1_R9QZGK0OY6I9B.txt,1.0,Any idiot outside of NYC knows the liberals run the media,"August 17, 2003",A Customer,What Liberal Media?: The Truth About Bias and the News (Hardcover),"Anybody who is familiar with Eric Alterman's conservative bashing and rantings from ""The Nation"" and ""Altercation"" on MSNBC.COM will be instantly familiar with this book. Eric's leanings are so far to the left that he makes Bill and Hillary Clinton look conservative. Most of Eric's writings are obviously filled with hate for George W. Bush. If the President said the sky was blue, Eric's column in ""The Nation"" or ""Altercation"" on MSNBC.com would say the sky was Red. Eric's rantings are so skewed to the left, that it's easy to see that his book is fired by his hatred for anything conservative and how he twists the facts to justify his point. Anybody who watches CNN, MSNBC, or any the major network broadcasts can obviously tell that the Liberals are in control of the networks and their broadcast agenda. Fox News is the only network that offers an honest and fair presentation of the news without the obvious liberal bias of the other media news shows. Also Eric forgets to tell us that Liberals are in control of most major newspapers in the United STates. It's obvious to anyone who reads a newspaper in the United States. Also MSNBC.com has a leftist bias. Eric Alterman's ""Altercation"" and Jill Nelson's op-ed pieces on MSNBC.com show just how liberal msnbc.com is in it's news reporting. Eric has no regard for the United States. He's typical of the liberals in Ann Coulter's book ""Treason"" that wish to destroy the United States from within. Eric has no regard for United States law unless it can be twisted to serve his politically correct and leftist anti-american agenda. Eric thinks he knows more about Constitutional law than the Supreme Court when he says that the Supreme Court was wrong and George W. Bush is the Commander in Theif. Eric forgets to tell us that the US Supreme Court stepped in to stop the Democratic controlled Florida Supreme Court from rewriting election law after the fact of the election to help Al Gore steal the election from George W. Bush. The Democratic controlled Florida Supreme court was guilty of changing the rules after the election has occured which violates Federal Election Law and the US Constitution. Eric also conveniently forgets to tell us that the President is determined by the electoral college and not the popular vote. It's in the constitution, yet he conveniently overlooks things that disagree with his leftist liberal and anti-american viewpoints. Eric Alterman's documentation standards practice the normal liberal method of cross polination. Cross pollination is when one liberal writes an article or book with no factual backing and then another liberal author references the book to back up his non-truthful claims. Very little of Eric's documenation for his book comes from the mainstream media or verifiable sources. Most of his documentation comes from unverifiable questionable sources in the liberal community. The footnotes and endnotes look real impressive if you don't question their validity or their sources. Most of his footnotes and endnotes come from nonverifable sources and have very little factual support behind them. Anybody who wasted their money on Eric's rantings deserves their money back."
0,46_1_R1PNT1AV9UK4MI.txt,5.0,It's a Sin to Kill a Mockingbird...,"April 5, 2007","Bookratt ""bookratt""",To Kill a Mockingbird (slipcased edition) (Hardcover),"My mother bequeathed her 1962 college edition hardcover to me in 1988, four years after I finished high school. It would be four more years before I myself went away to school, though I knew the story nearly by heart by then.
I reread Mockingbird every year at Eastertime, though I am not particularly religious, nor do I mark this time in any other particularly hopeful way. Many true bibliophiles I know still talk about this book and the way it changed them forever.
It deserves better than to be assigned reading to captive 6th and 10th graders. They read it then because they have to, not because some kind librarian or insightful teacher, or intuitive parent, sends it their way, like a lucky charm.
I am not a Southerner and unless you can call a Western New York born mother and an Owensboro, Kentucky bred father any sort of meaningful Southern influence in my life, I do not know why this story fits my life so well. It filled a need I never even knew was there until I closed its covers on first reading it.
I am a fan of both the writing and its message, its dual edged sword of hope and sorrow, the tragicomic aspect of its mood and setting.
I wanted to be Scout as a tomboy girl and when grown, to be Atticus; my cats have borne those monikers well.
I only wish my husband had not told me I could not name my own son after my hero.
A rare case where the movie and its inspiration are as beloved as its author, To Kill a Mockingbird, N words and all, needs to be read more---and not just as some lame excuse for a paper writing exercise. Scout, Jem and Dill come alive in these pages. They have meaning in their world and in this one.
The dialogue, minus a few colloquiallisms, is readable and real. You will laugh out loud at times when Scout makes her mind known to you.
You'll wish Atticus was a real man. Maybe you'll even feel a little guilty about wanting him to replace your father in real life.
And Tom Robinson? He'll break your heart. He should.
I was once told my Coleman family had some relation to Harper Lee's father's family and, if that bit of fiction has even the remotest grain of truth to it, I am even happier now than I was just having imagined it.
PLEASE READ THIS BOOK."
1,276425_7_R3FE4XDZAXDT31.txt,1.0,Can use this phone!,"June 11, 2010","Sober Sue ""Sober sue""",HTC DROID INCREDIBLE Android Phone (Verizon Wireless) (Wireless Phone),"We purchased two droids with high hopes. My husband loves his. I do not. After going back everyday for a week to Verizon they are telling me that my finger tempature is to high and doesn't work well with the touchscreen pad. Funny I'm typing this on my new IPad. I'm taking back my droid and I've already gone back to my Blackberry. Bummer. Very disappointed
Sad in LA"
1,40_8_R3OM4498WOIZ93.txt,1.0,Its another Bill Vista Gates,"April 13, 2010","Djengiz Khan ""Pingmaster""",Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium (DVD-ROM),"The secret to become rich is easy, Make a none working(windows) product which is none existent(virtual)and make
all who use it to pay multiple times for the same product(dont provide bootdiscs,instead embedded chips). O I allmost forgot the most important thing you need immunity from the government(s), in order to continue to billionaire status. Bill did it over and over again and here it is again. Tatataaaaa Vista 7, oops sorry Windows 7. To be continued with Window 8 next year spring hahaha.."
1,276423_2_R1PAAQN1HJKVQM.txt,5.0,"That's an awfully nice iPhone youse got, sure would be a shame fer sumpin ta happin to it, like","May 12, 2010","G. O. Laun ""Ninjaneer""","OtterBox Impact Case for iPhone 3G, 3GS (Black) (Wireless Phone Accessory)","'Cause ya know: dose tings fall to da ground right often. Sumtimes widdout no warnin at all. An yours is such a pristine an bootiful egsample of da iPhone dat maybe youse should tink about...protectin it. Now i'm not sayin dat sometin is GONNA happen to it: jus' dat sumtin MIGHT happen...axe-i-dental like, see? Fallin out da pocket...slippin from da hand...tossin it to yer buddah-finga'd buddy. Stuff happens. Oh, geez: I'm sorry about yer glass, dere, buddy! I'm so clumsy dese days!
Now DIS ting, dis OtterBox: it's da BOMB, man! See, youse puts it in da cradle BACKwards, so's da face don't get all scratched by da pointy corners and junk in da offices. After a few brews, ya know,them straight lines like to play around. And wid dis rubberized outer layer wid a hard plastic shell? I'm tellin ya- an youse can believe me- dat dis ting will protect yer bootiful iPhone from a nice fall. Maybe even a kick or two. i'm jes sayin. No need to git upset! I'm just tellin youse what wut COULD happen. Hey: I've had it happen to mine more dan a few times, I can tell ya! An dis OtterBox case: dis ting just took it wid a big smile. Course, now I can't sleep at night wit dis ting near da bed. I'm a bit worried 'bout it...gettin back at me, like. Udderwise, I can't say enuff good tings 'bout it, know wut i'm sayin?
So get one fer youses iPhone. Ya jest never know...and oh...I'm sorry again ! i didn't see dat nise vase youse had sittin on the pedestal in fronta me! I really AM so clumsy dese days!"
0,40_15_R233HVRAS6F7IC.txt,5.0,A searing indictment...,"March 21, 2003","""jmk444""",Dereliction of Duty: The Eyewitness Account of How President Bill Clinton Compromised America's Long-Term National Security (Hardcover),"This book is sure to be loudly denounced and vehemently derided, but coming, as it does, from a member of Clinton's own military security detail, it will most likely never be debunked. Lieutenant Colonel Robert "Buzz" Patterson penned "Dereliction of Duty" after his retirement because he would never have been able to publish this kind of information while working for the government. "Dereliction of Duty" is a gripping, yet horrifying read that'll have you realizing how lucky the U.S. was during the eight year Clinton/Gore Administration. One of the most damning charges is that Clinton once lost the "nuclear football," the suitcase that carries this country's nuclear launch codes. Clinton's response, according to Patterson, was a cavalier, "I'll track'em down guys." You'll also read about the time in 1998 that Clinton blew off his National Security Advisor so he could finish a round of golf, while stealth-bombers, engines running, their pilots in the cockpits, sat on a Mid-East tarmac until the cover of darkness was lost and a vital mission against Saddam Hussein was called off. Patterson also gives an entirely new look at the "Black Hawk Down" story, with Clinton denying the troops the weaponry they requested, then sending them into harm's way and ultimately blaming the disaster on his Secretary of Defense. "Dereliction of Duty" is a searing indictment of the Clinton administration from an insider's view. This book deserves to be read by every American!"
0,6_3_R2KSLBB7WY5UHJ.txt,5.0,Great sound from this SMALL speaker!,"October 13, 2009","Drake Li ""Drake""",X-Mini II Capsule Speaker (Electronics),"First off, This speaker is incredible for it's size. There is almost no distortion in sound when playing on MAX volume. It comes with a USB splitter, to charge and a 3.5mm plug so that you can connect multiple X Mini II's together. It also comes with a handy bag to store your X Mini II in. I had an Altec Lansing iM207 before this, and the X Mini II blew the iM207 away!!!. The size difference was one thing, and the sound quality was another. The iM207 also ran on 3 AAA batteries. There will also be distortion in the iM207 on full volume. The playtime with the batteries was terrible. I had to switch batteries every week, with only around 20minutes of playtime each day. For the X Mini II, it can play up to 8 hours. There are also LED indicators of when you need to charge again, and when it is fully charged."
0,5_5_R32K7PPX045RSV.txt,5.0,Top Quality Product - Very Fair Price,"May 30, 2010","Richard Coyle ""Frodo2844""",The Mountain Three Wolf Moon Short Sleeve Tee (Apparel),"This shirt is a top quality product, and the price charged is excellent. We were totally pleased with the product and the seller."
0,15_4_R2QZ8W9LE9T895.txt,1.0,Horrible Quality DVD,"November 26, 2005",DTrain,Santa Claus Conquers the Martians (DVD),"This version of the film is released by PASSPORT VIDEO which is bad news. Passport likes to put their logo in the corner of the screen and finds just about the worst quality they can possibly dig up. This DVD has jumps in the film and couldn't get too much more grainy looking.
This is the second time I've been burned by Passport video. The first time being their DVD of Plan 9 From Outer Space which suffers the same fate. If I had noticed this one was released by Passport I wouldn't have bought it but I didn't even check. Shame on me and shame on Passport for releasing such garbage. Stay away from their releases at all costs.
As for the film itself, see the review below."
0,10_3_RHM6KF5MZYMUF.txt,5.0,Best In Its Class - Great For Traveling,"August 7, 2008",EmbeddedFlyer,Garmin nüvi 255W 4.3-Inch Widescreen Portable GPS Navigator (Electronics),"If you spend much time driving in unfamiliar territory, especially if you rent cars in big cities, a good portable GPS makes an amazing difference. And the Garmin 255W is the best one I could find in the $250 - $350 range.
First this thing just plain works. I haven't had any issues with mine. It was easy to set up and figure out right out of the box, and it's easy to use. It never has had trouble getting sufficient signal unlike earlier and cheaper models.
I chose the 255W for several reasons: It uses some of the newest and best maps available. It has one of the more usable touch screens for entering destinations. It's fast to acquire satellites. And Garmin almost always comes out on top in reviews--especially in routing.
Ultimately, you buy a car GPS to get you from Point A to Point B as easily and efficiently as possible. And that's what the 255W does best. If you've ever had a ""Brand X"" GPS take you on some strange route that adds 20 minutes to your trip, has you turn the wrong way down a one way road, tell you to turn AFTER you've passed the street, frequently loses the satellite signal, or has old maps missing streets, you know how important this stuff is.
The 255W has a really clear display that's easy to see in any light. It's small enough to use on foot. The windshield mount works great and it's easy to toss in the glovebox when you park. It even tells you the speed limit on most roads. The ""points of interest"" feature works very well to find places to eat by type of cuisine, gas stations, etc.
The difference between the 255W and 205W is the 255 speaks street names and includes Alaska and Canada. The 205 and 205W will tell you to ""turn right in 500 feet"" which isn't as helpful or obvious as ""turn right on Ivy Street in 500 feet"". The ""W"" models are widescreen which makes entering destinations easier due to having a bigger ""keyboard"" and also lets you see more map area while driving.
All in all this isn't the cheapest GPS in its class but it's one of the best. My only gripe is you need an expensive add-on to get live traffic data--something that's included with the Magellan Roadmate 1430 which is close to the same price. But the Garmin 255W is a better GPS in every other way."
0,46_12_R2WL4173J0BEJB.txt,5.0,My Favorite Next to Dead to the World,"May 5, 2010","Jen","Dead in the Family (Sookie Stackhouse, Book 10) (Hardcover)","I loved this book. Loved it. I feel that it was very much in synch with Ms. Harris' earlier works in the series where the cohesion comes from a single mystery that runs like a river under the various plotlines (some resolved and some to be resolved). Also unifying the whole, was the theme of 'family' which allowed us to get to know our favorite characters on a deeper level --really nice at this late stage in the series.
The character developement overall in this installment was spot on and brilliant (ie: Taking one of the series' new characters a full, believable, 180 degrees from sympathetic to psycho). Sookie is still our beloved Sookie, her black humor and sass intact, but now with some welcome maturation and self awareness (Take that Stephanie Plum!)and an ability to actually have some empathy and concern for Eric --oh, and now she will ""stake a b***h"" if you mess with her or her man! Speaking of whom, it's still our beloved Machiavellian Eric, but now he's realizing that he's got to be more open and honest if Sookie's going to trust him.
There's a return of the likable Bill for Bill fans. (Yay old Bill! Give him a woman he can mollycoddle and talk adorably stilted to for pity's sake.) And even Sam was awesome and cool --his interactions with Sookie comforting and welcome instead of the yawn fest they've been lately. It was also nice to have Jason back to being Sookie's big brother and comic relief rather than the absent ne'er do well.
The author was on her game with her descriptions and dialogue as well. Some favorite quotes that come quickly to mind, ""...he was not a happy camper. Well, he could pitch his tent right alongside mine."" and ""That looks painful. Would you like me to nurse it?"" (Honestly, the book deserves 5 stars alone for the ""chair"" scene and Pam calling Sookie ""monkey girl"" --too much wicked fun.) I laughed aloud throughout the book.
Finally, there were a few ""True Blood"" shoutouts which I really enjoyed (and I include among these, a flipping of Eric's Maker storyline on it's head --way to own it, Ms. Harris, and give us something new along with a sly nod and a wink) and some clever references to past Sookie short stories --nice rewards for the faithful fan."
0,30_5_R2TSZEEPEUJ4T0.txt,5.0,"High quality, good design, excellent performance","July 2, 2006",H. Carol Clarke,"KitchenAid Gourmet Essentials 2 Quart Porcelain Tea Kettle, Mustard (Kitchen)","I am very pleased with my purchase. The kettle has a solid feel and looks very attractive in my kitchen. It heats quickly and when pouring, the steam does not rise up and hit my hand. The color is perfect and spatters clean off the finish easily. The cover fits securely. The water tastes fresh and clean, unlike another metal kettle I purchased some time ago which imparted an unpleasant taste to the water. All in all, I'm very happy with it. I would recommend this item to anyone who wishes to purchase it. Thanks Kitchenaid for a quality product."
1,26_5_R2JAN7N7K0C4O6.txt,5.0,The perfect bat,"July 25, 2009","J. Strickland ""Intellijunt DeZine""",Cold Steel Self Defense Indestructible Brooklyn Baseball Bat (Misc.),The pinnacle of bat perfection. Blood stains wash off easily with soap and water. Femurs snap like toothpicks under it's irresistible force. Deadbeats pay up instantly at the mere sight of this instrument. I can't imagine how I ever got by without it before. This thing could drop an elephant. Buy this bat.
0,51_2_R1I1F53KVOIDEK.txt,4.0,It works on skin tags too.,"November 29, 2008","Eric Collins ""Wondering around""",Dr. Scholl's Freeze Away Wart Remover,"It worked for me on skin tags. I just followed the directions, it took one off right away, the other one took two applications."
0,20_1_RRVE48GWOWPP4.txt,5.0,My 10 yo son loves this shirt!,"July 5, 2008","Shuree D. Munden-Wagstaff ""SoCalBikerChick!""",Cobra T-shirt 100% Cotton Short Sleeved KIDS TEENS and ADULTS Snake Shirt (Apparel),"Bought this for my son, the detail is great and he loves it. This is the third shirt from these manufactures/artist whatever, I have bought, ALL Of them have been fantastic in quality and detail. Would buy again, would recommend to others."
1,15_10_R2LI7PF47BH0HF.txt,1.0,Awful! Awful! Awful!,"July 8, 2010",Peggy S. Fisher,Seven Year Switch (Hardcover),"I can't believe I actually finished this book! It gives even ""chick lit"" a bad name. The plot is preposterous. But worse still is the fact that the ""heroine"" is intellectually challenged and utterly neurotic. The author presents her story as if this woman is to be admired, while she in fact behaves like a lovesick teenager and a horrible mother from beginning to end. Are we to believe that she just lets her husband walk out of her life and doesn't bother to pursue him for seven years to obtain a divorce and child support. (Isn't this passive child abuse?)
Are we then to believe that she lets this scoundrel waltz back into her life and spend copious amounts of time with her fanatically protected ten-year old daughter, when for all she knows the husband has been abusing little girls around the world for years. And, wouldn't said child be at least a tad resentful of the father who abandoned her? On a lesser issue, the heroine is supposed to be a sophisticated world traveller, but she is woefully ignorant about the locales she touts, not to mention little things like TSA rules.
I could go on and on. It scares me to think that there are women who actually can give this drivel five-star ratings."
0,23_13_R29EKQDD1KCLTU.txt,5.0,Read and Learn,"July 4, 2004",A Customer,My Life (Hardcover),"I am a conservative economist who, like many of the reviewers here, never voted for Bill Clinton. However, unlike those same reviewers, I read this entire book. I must say that it is somewhat satisfying to understand the thought processes behind this president. He is a remarkably bright individual who overcame a somewhat deprived childhood to excel at some of the world's finest educational institutions. Given the ineptitude of the current administration which won on pedigree, it is refreshing to know that hard work, intellect, and perseverance can also lead to the White House. The book has a few tedious moments. The Arkansas campaigns are littered with the names of individuals no one outside of the Ozarks will recognize. On the whole though, this book delivers for the aficionado of American politics. You will see the deep thought and debate surrounding policy decisions. You will appreciate the fact that this president actually led his administration with his own ideas and strategies for implementing them. Likewise, he wrote many of his own speeches and routinely held press conferences without knowing the questions in advance. I would have liked even more from these areas, but the book does provide as much depth as most political memoirs. What I would like from Clinton's second book would be a discussion of the perception and reality of American politics. For example, the Bush administration, with annual budget and trade deficits of over $1 trillion, has the most liberal fiscal policy since the Johnson administration. At the same time, they have increased the size of the government more than any other administration in history, with the effects of the war and 9/11 accounting for only 45% of this enormous growth. Clinton, on the other hand, was extremely conservative during his second term, shrinking the government, slowing the growth in expenditures across the board, and balancing the budget. Yet, Clinton is reviled as being too liberal by conservatives who don't seem to do their homework. It's too bad they're unwilling to spend time reading a book like this instead of allowing radio talk show hosts to fill their heads with lies that matter."
0,21_20_R16V5IC45WHZZM.txt,1.0,Not a UMS storage device!,"August 18, 2007",Developer,Samsung YP-U3JQB 2GB Touch Control MP3 Player (Black) (Electronics),"""The U3 also functions as a flash drive. You can use it to transfer files from one computer or USB device to another.""
This is a false claim. The YP-U3 is not a ""USB Mass Storage"" (UMS) device, and consequently, will not mount on the desktop of Windows or Macintosh computers as a drive. The device requires that you install software (Windows only) to manage the content of the device. Since I bought this with the intention of using it as a flash drive on my Macintosh computer, it's now useless in that capacity. I can't even use it on the Windows machines at work because it requires the installation of software on any machine you want to use it as a storage device with.
After doing a bit of research on the 'net, I've come to learn that previous generations of this device (U1 and U2) as well as *every other* similar Samsung device had this functionality, with the exception of the U3. Some folks recommend downgrading the ROM to a UMS-compatible version (the ROM download is, in fact, available from Samsung's site) but it seems this particular device is 'smart' and does not allow itself to be modified for UMS functionality.
I'm sorry to have to rate this product 1 star -- but flash drive functionality was the only reason I bought a 2GB device instead of some other player/recorder/radio with less memory. It's actually pretty nice, and I own 2 iPod's and an iPhone. The FM radio sounds very good, and the voice recorder is also nice.* The UI is very clever and only a tad more complex to use than an iPod. All around, a nice, tiny, device. Oh, and you can even turn off the LED effects, since out of the box, the default behavior is to flash bright LEDs every time you press a button.
Anyways, with regards to flash drive functionality: Buyer beware!
*With regards the voice recorder, it picks up the noise of your hands when you handle the device. So if you hold it while recording, it will record every squeak and brush of your fingers as it rubs across the surface. Very annoying. Fortunately, it has a clip that will let you tuck the thing in your pocket. So long as you don't move much, you won't pick up the extra noise."
0,47_8_RF33O2JORIQWV.txt,5.0,Culture Warrior,"January 10, 2007",J. Helton,Culture Warrior (Hardcover),"The Culture Warrior by Blll O'Reilly provides a reader with powerful principals for change. It is the first book I have read by O'Reilly and have found his writing to be pleasant. I found this book to be enjoyable as it describes the most effective people should be value centered, which is the key for long term success. The book went on to describe where people are dependent and need others to get what they want while independent people can get what they want by their own effort. The paradigms presented in the Culture Warrior by O'Reilly can assist individuals in their professional work and more importantly in their personal lives. I give this book a thumbs up and a must read."
1,39_2_RON6WJEKSDZDE.txt,1.0,This Stuff is the Spanish Fly for Koala Bears!,"October 18, 2009","Ronny Tucker-HillbillyHygiene.com ""Ronny Tucker- HillbillyHygiene.com""",Balla Powder Talc For Men 100 g (Health and Beauty),"Well this one ain't original. I can't believe that men would pay for something that they have in their cupboard. I mean all you need is a little corn starch thrown up in your britches to freshen up.
Now mind you when I was used to herd billy goats on foot I would put so much starch on my whatnots that I would have a fresh batch of chocolate chip muffins in my drawers at the end of the day.
Now Balla Powder says it has peppermint and eucalyptus in it which is a little scary if you live in Australia. Imagine this, your taking a little Rip Van Winkle under a tree and you wake up to some Kola Bear licking you're landing gear. The good news is that you can give the Kola Bear a thank you kiss because his breath will smell minty fresh.
So maybe this stuff is worth the price if you want a Koala Bear to lick your junk.
This has been Ronny Tucker with Hillbilly Hygiene saying ""Cornbread and Butter make love"""
1,31_15_R1VFVF6B8XUB40.txt,1.0,"Scary, vacuum cleaner sounds & annoying music!","February 19, 2010","Techie supreme ""Heather""",Playskool Explore and Grow Busy Ball Popper (Toy),"If you're looking to purchase a scary toy that makes vacuum cleaner sucking sounds and plays the most annoying ""arcade like"" music, then this is for you. We received this as a gift for my son's first birthday - he was honestly scared of this toy for about 2-3 weeks (I think it was the horrible and loud vacuum cleaner sound it makes when you turn it on). I don't see any educational value from this toy and after 2-3 weeks of trying it out, we were all relieved when we decided to retire this to the basement."
0,5_1_R2962BG5EELZ7F.txt,5.0,Buy this phone !!,"April 29, 2010",Laura Dale,HTC DROID INCREDIBLE Android Phone (Verizon Wireless) (Wireless Phone),"I got my Droid Incredible in the mail on Tuesday even though the release date is today (4/29).
The phone is stunning...with all the simplicity you'd expect out of a new smartphone and all the fun you'd expect out of a Google phone.
Pros:
Android OS and Sense
Customizable
Beautiful Screen
Android Market
8MP camera (shoots well in low light don't let anyone tell you different)
super fast processor
7 home screens that you can view by pinching. You don't have to swipe through all 7. Makes my friends jealous.
the browser is smooth and fast. Auto aligns text when you zoom. uses multi-touch to pinch and zoom. Smooth scrolling and fast, fast load times.
Cons
hard to sync any e-mail other than a gmail account
facebook app sucks, but i just made a bookmark to the full site, since the internet is super fast
optical trackpad is glitchy but i only use it for the camera
battery life...but Seidio is coming out with an extended battery so thats not going to be a problem soon
Bottom Line:
Honestly, I have been waiting for a phone like this every since the iPhone. I don't have AT&T and to be honest I just don't like Apple as a company. They make cool stuff, but they rip their customers off. This phone is an iPhone killer. Compare them on all levels of performance, looks, functionality, customization, and speed and you'll find that the Droid Incredible is the same if not better. Also, Verizon's coverage is fantastic, so don't be fooled by 4G. I'm sure its great if you live somewhere where you get service.
EDIT: (4/30) This phone eats RAM like crazy. I installed ""Advanced Task Killer"" but I was still down to only 42M after a few days. I would suggest downloading either ""Task Manager"" or ""TaskPanel"" (I have Task Manager and my boyfriend has TaskPanel on his Moto Droid and both work quite well). I also suggest restarting the phone every few days just like you would a real computer.
Other than that still no complaints :)"
0,45_11_R1AMP6JYG8WHOC.txt,1.0,Familiarize yourself with YOU,"March 9, 2010",RAINYCITY503,"Vaginal speculums, metal - 3 sizes (Health and Beauty)","I purchased this tool to become more familiar with my cycles. Ouch isn't something you really want to feel when you use a speculum. It may not be the most comfortable situation but it should not *hurt*. It's really appalling how many fake ""funny or joke reviews"" are on this subject. It's sad that a women's health tool has to be the subject of objectification or a joke. I truly encourage all the women I know to get more in touch with their cycles and their cervix. Empower yourself! It's a beautiful thing. A speculum is a wonderful tool!! I purchased this to become more familiar with my cycles and to also become more familiar with my cervix. You can tell SO much about ovulation by checking your cervix. When you are TTC, this is invaluable. It's a relatively inexpensive tool.
Anyways, this speculum was *not* what I expected at all. One of the blades was much shorter than the other making it impossible to insert. No matter how much lube I used, or how relaxed I was, it wouldn't insert itself comfortably. I chose to buy this one instead of plastic for environmental reasons but I regret the decision as I cannot even use it. I have since ordered a pack of plastic speculums and already used one of those. It fit SO much more comfortably. I was hoping I didn't have to buy plastic but I did.
The shipper did get the item to me in a timely manner so if you'd like to try it for yourself, you can count on fast shipping.
Would definitely not make this purchase again based on the ease of use of this speculum. It hurt too much and I have a pretty decent tolerance for discomfort.
(this all may be TMI but what did you expect in a product review for a speculum?)"
1,7_10_R1OBNLR6A0ATR2.txt,1.0,I wouldn't recommend it,"April 2, 2010","The Toddler ""T. Toddler""",The Twilight Saga: New Moon (Two-Disc Special Edition) (DVD),"If you're a fan of awkward pauses, weak plotlines, and shirtless guys, this movie is for you. By the end of the movie, it seemed like there was a lot of suspense, but not the right kind of suspense. I found myself with enough time between the character's lines to figure out what I'm doing for the rest of the week/month. A lot of times the pauses in the dialog were filled by grunts, sighs, and heavy breathing, which is more than a little uncomfortable. Also, I found myself wondering how two such awesome genre's as Vampires and Werewolves would get themselves wrapped up in something as lame as a highschooler with a breathing problem. Do yourself a favor and rent/buy/obsess over something else."
0,276426_9_R14SQB116M254R.txt,5.0,Great TV for the price...,"March 15, 2010",John P. Nanai,Sylvania LC321SSX 32-Inch HD Flat Panel LCD TV (Electronics),"We bought this TV to replace a 27"" flat screen (tubed) TV. Easy set-up out of the box, factory settings were just about dead on. We're not huge tech heads so it pretty much has everything we were looking for. One thing to note is that if you're new to LCD's there's a little adjustment to be made. The refresh rate on this is 60hz, the higher end ones are 120hz, I believe plasmas are in the 700hz range. You'll notice little things if you're up close, like white caps on waves get a little pixelated. Also your old shows like Sienfeld look really lousy up close. After a few months I don't notice any of this anymore and we're very happy with the TV. We just bought a Sylvania 22"" for the bedroom.
Bottom line, for the average TV viewer, great picture and sound, I wouldn't hesitate to buy another one. Also, great customer service when I had trouble hooking my computer up through the HDMI port, changed the PC resolution and all was good."
1,24_5_R1XDMNRFJMN45Y.txt,1.0,"oh, lordy...","August 26, 2007",Jeff White,Anne of Green Gables [IMPORT] (DVD),"This simpering little twit plodding her way through this series should be used as forced-viewing punishment for people who take organized sports too seriously. I suffered through an hour of this with my wife and I wished she's fall down a well and not come out. Or fall off a horse-drawn carriage that's going at full speed. Or, well, you get the idea."
1,51_2_R1JZM989AKI865.txt,1.0,NO,"September 17, 2009",Daniel C. Saunders,Dr. Scholl's Freeze Away Wart Remover,"Hopefully you were smarter than me and read reviews before you bought this overpriced product. Put it this way. The instructions say ""if you use a treatment wait 2 weeks before attempting another treatment"" Well, after 2 treatments over 1 month didn't work for me I tried 3 treatment in 10 minutes, and each treatment was 10-20seconds over the recommended application time. Guess what happened? well, it is 2 weeks later, and the wart on my finger has doubled in size.
i have seen positive feedback on this product and i'm curious if they bought it when it was a very very small wart or a d-bag share holder/company man."
1,11_4_R3JUIEGFUTUWMI.txt,3.0,"Great Product, Poor Packaging","May 14, 2009","Patrick J. McGovern ""Procrastinating Evil Scientist""",Uranium Ore,"I purchased this product 4.47 Billion Years ago and when I opened it today, it was half empty."
0,26_8_R16DQN6R1KF3J1.txt,5.0,Excellent Buckwheat Honey,"September 1, 2009",Natalya,"Hyson Buckwheat Honey, 35.3-Ounce Glass Jar (Pack of 2) (Grocery)","This is an excellent buckwheat honey - and tastes exactly the way buckwheat honey supposed to taste. It is a bit tart, even a little bitter, not too sweet. If you are from Eastern Europe or like Eastern European cuisine, you will really appreciate this honey. It is very dark and has that strong noble taste and smell I associate with good quality honey.
If you like sugary sweet clover or alfalfa honey (bright yellow substance that does not crystallize, which chain supermarkets sell in plastic bottles), this honey is not for you."
0,27_16_R2CSXN4MEKLTDB.txt,4.0,"Classic television show, disappointing DVD release","February 6, 2010",Telegram Sam,Pee-wee's Playhouse #1 - Seasons 1 and 2 (DVD),"This show deserves infinity out of 5 stars but I'm afraid I have to give the DVD sets only 1/5. I'm cutting the difference and calling it a 4. Why? The transfer quality is not what you'd hope for, unfortunately. I realize that this show was likely shot on video rather than film, given the budget and time period, but so were many of my other favorite late 80's/early 90's TV programs and I've seen better results on DVD re-releases than this, the technology exists to clean them up better than this, you could easily forget that you are watching a digital format and not VHS. More importantly, there are also no extras - no commentary, documentaries, production photos, interviews - zip, zilch, nada.
This show was the highlight of my week as a young child, is brilliantly cracked entertainment for me as an adult, and will always hold a special place in my heart, but this DVD release doesn't quite do it justice. The supposed 2005 version mentioned in other reviews has not materialized even now in 2010, but hopefully with Paul Reubens back on stage performing as Pee-Wee, renewed interest in the character will result in the better release it deserves."
0,32_1_R24NLQQ739CN43.txt,5.0,"Great Value, awesome! But don't expect it to compete with $3000 camera","October 12, 2009",R. Vernon,Kodak Zi8 Pocket Video Camera (Black) (Electronics),"I rarely will type/review products but I've been a little frustrated reading the reviews of this product on Amazon and by users at other sites. Many users seem to think that this camera was designed to compete with expensive, professional cameras that cost thousands of dollars and produce full HD quality video. That's not what this is. Also, while my camera hasn't had the 'noise' issue from the Mic, i have seen a camera that had the issue and its BARELY noticeable. Its almost like a very quiet background noise from a Florescent light or something.
Kodak has designed, marketed, and built a camera to compete with FLiP and has clearly produced a FAR better product.
I'll keep it short and sweet and first explain who I am and what I am using this camera for. I use it for:
-Home Videos/Fun stuff with old buddies and friends
-For work when I need some quick video that's easy to upload online, or put in iMovie and edit
-For work when I need more complex videos that may require editing, or somewhat lengthy video but I want the ease of use/portability.
I have seen some of the problems stated with the internal Mic and I have had none of them (I do have the upgraded Firmware that is now standard 1.03, and Kodak says this completely eliminates the issue...again have never had the issue on my camera). A relative of mine was lucky enough to purchase this product when Kodak did an 'early' release a few months ago and occasionally his videos will have a bit of a higher pitched background noise, but it doesn't interfere with the sound from the video -- its just a light background noise that, honestly, i've heard on dozens of cameras. Don't forget, without an external Mic the camera only records mono so -- the sounds quality isn't going to be great anyway!
The video is great, image stability isn't as advanced as those available on more expensive cameras but it is better than anything i've seen in a FLiP or other Kodak model. It does work and you can see a difference, even if its not huge. Its SO easy to flip between video modes. The 1080p is awesome, but sometimes its nice to move back down to 720 and the 60fps to capture 'action' footage.
One negative -- which most people may see as a positive -- i do wish there were more settings, or at least the ability to play around with more features/edit modes. Its GREAT easy to use, its a point and shoot video camera -- but with the great lens and abilities, it seems like Kodak could have -- pretty easily -- had this camera competing with much higher end cameras. If all the hardware was put to great use this could compete with $500+ cameras. But I understand wanting to keep it simple.
I like having the SD card. Some people would prefer the internal memory, and yes by the time you buy a decent sized SD card the camera is more expensive than the FLiP, but, the FLiP has a very limited memory. This camera is limited only by the size of the card...Definitely a positive!
Finally, I know people that are both in the TV business and do a lot of Video blogging and they are drooling over this camera because of the external mic capabilities. One reason lots of 'pros' didn't like FLiP was because of the audio issues. Kodak has solved those, not to mention providing better quality video.
Again this isn't something to shoot with if your a young film-maker or a die-hard amateur cinematographer. But if you need something cheap to get some great quality video, or need something super easy to use that is really portable....Take the plunge. And if your considering FLiP -- don't bother..."
0,20_13_R3NM08UCFATYZU.txt,5.0,"Integrity, intellect, patriotism, energy, sense of humor","January 2, 2010","Andrew in Illinois ""Andrew""",Going Rogue: An American Life (Hardcover),"If I had to list Sarah Palin's best qualities, I would say: ""integrity, intellect, patriotism, energy, and a good sense of humor."" She is a breath of fresh air in our national politics, an honest person who loves this country passionately and truly serves the people rather than special interest groups.
The book has answered many of the questions that I had about the 2008 presidential campaign, the supposedly weak interviews that Sarah Palin gave to some reporters, about her post-election fight with frivolous ethics complaints and her retirements from the Governor of Alaska office. Most importantly, Going Rogue, has given me confidence that we have a brilliant candidate for president in 2012.
Going Rogue is full of fun facts about the Palin family, Alaska politics, and the 2008 campaign. If you are a conservative, you'll love this book. If you are an ""independent"", then you should definitely read Going Rogue to form your own opinion of Sarah Palin. If you are a liberal who hates her guts and doesn't know why, then what are you even doing reading my five-star review?!"
1,1_6_R3GAKPYR63VAW2.txt,1.0,"Touchy, feely and not good for the environment.","January 16, 2009",Juan Valdez,"Toilet Paper Origami: Delight your Guests with Fancy Folds & Simple Surface Embellishments or Easy Origami for Hotels, Bed & Breakfasts, Cruise Ships & Creative Housekeepers (Crafts/Towel Folding) (Paperback)","Very nice folds, and creative too....but who wants to use something that has been touched and folded a dozen times by another person's hands?! Stick to napkins and towels, or the very basic of toilet paper folds. To say nothing of the environmental impact of all the extra toilet paper used."
0,22_16_R2B47C0U6UCZLW.txt,1.0,Repetitive Formulaic Music,"August 24, 2007",ArtistInResidence,Memory Almost Full (Audio CD),"Sadly, this much-anticipated album is chock full of repetitive formulaic songs (it seems that all McCartney has to do is repeat a word or phrase over and over, and then sets it to music...) Not up to this star's usual abilities. Don't bother!"
0,19_17_R3D2A164T6VINX.txt,5.0,Perfect Military Watch,"March 14, 2009",The Right Now Poster Girl,Casio Men's GW9200-1 G-Shock Riseman Alti-Therm Solar Atomic Watch (Watch),"My brother is in the Marine Corps and when I saw his old watch I realized he needed something tough. His old watch had fallen apart due to physical beatings (the face was cracked) exposed to the elements (at the time he was stationed in Arizona)and the band was cracking.
I did research and came across the G-Shock. I read reviews for different models all over the internet and saw a lot of military personnel (both active and retired) give this watch rave reviews. It had the perfect amount of features (not too much, not too little) and wasn't flashy and followed his dress code for when he wears his Dress Blues and is lighter than it looks.
My brother got it for Xmas 08 and he has no complaints whatsoever. This watch has been subjected to the same abuse as the other (even more now that he is stationed in Afghanistan)and still looks new. The other guys on his base even liked it and went out and bought their own.
My brother says I found the perfect watch and I highly recommend it to others in the military."
1,18_19_RTJ6PHNHIFR09.txt,2.0,Q&A,"January 4, 2001","Vincent R. Corvaia ""yourpalvince""",Pretty in Pink [VHS] (VHS Tape),"[Spoiler alert. Nothing overt, but I do touch on the ending indirectly.] Burning questions for anyone who liked this movie: Q. Why does Ringwald appear repulsed by Cryer the first time she sees him? A. So that the audience can identify with her, even though it turns out they're best friends. Q. Why does Ringwald's best friend disappear halfway through the movie? A. Because the actress died. But that's no reason to keep the scenes she shot, with no explanation of the character's disappearance, and then scribble new material for Annie Potts' record shop supervisor as the new best friend in the second half of the movie. Q. Why does Spader look like he belongs in college, not high school? A. Because he was clearly too old for the part, although he was otherwise perfect. Q. Speaking of Spader, why has he been chasing Ringwald for years if nothing about people outside of his social status appeals to him? A. Plot point Hughes thought he had to have, but it's actually unnecessary. Q. Why are we supposed to think that Ringwald's perfectly decent house is trashy and shameful? A. Because audiences would presumably be repulsed by genuine poverty. (It's also a mystery why she's so ashamed of it if she rejects the values of her snobby classmates so vehemently.) Q. Why in the novelization does Duckie get the leading lady and not in the movie? A. Because the writer of the novelization knew what the only real logical ending was. Hughes mistook gloss over substance again, as he did in "The Breakfast Club," where Ally Sheedy's transformation from quirky indivualist to Barbie doll was supposed to be a good thing. Q. Why, if the characters' emotions and actions are supposed to ring true, does Potts almost blind a customer with a staple gun? A. Because cheap, easy laughs are excused by audiences raised on sitcoms and music videos. Q. Why, if Cryer and Ringwald are in the same grade and therefore presumably the same age, can't he get into the same nightclub she can? A. Don't ask me. Q. Why is the father played by Stanton such a weakling? A. It's required in any movie from the late 70s on where a child or teenager is the protagonist. Has there been a parental figure in movies in the last 25 years as charming and authoritative as Ferris Bueller? Q. Why would anyone hire an actor whose idea of emoting is to press his lips together and bulge his eyes out? A. Ask Andrew McCarthy's agent. Can I recommend anything about this movie? Yes. Cryer is genuinely appealing in his best role. The soundtrack still kicks. And the climax (moments before the ending itself falls apart, when you think the right thing is about to happen, before it doesn't) is genuinely touching, because Duckie deserves happiness and Andy deserves Duckie."
0,38_16_R1HGYH005FCD4X.txt,5.0,"Great little speakers, if you need good, cheap, sound","July 12, 2008","James Skemp ""JamesRSkemp.com""",HP Multimedia Speakers (Electronics),"I don't play PC games any more, and I watch (most) movies on my nice television. So, what I really wanted from these little speakers was to be able to listen to iTunes every once in a while, and watch assorted videos online (YouTube, Video.Google, and even Netflix every once in a while).
These speakers are perfect for exactly that.
The small size means that they don't take up too much real-estate on my desk (about 3.5 inches wide and 3 inches deep), but they're nice enough that I can enjoy listening to music or videos.
And, with USB, that means not having to worry about a lot of cords.
Overall, I've been very happy with this purchase."
0,43_5_R1QXA1Q635J8T2.txt,5.0,Love it!,"May 26, 2010",M. Fontaine,"Haier MWM12001SCGSS 1-1/5-Cubic-Foot 1000-Watt Grill and Convection Microwave Oven, Stainless Steel (Kitchen)","Great product at a great price. It is not a very large microwave but it does a lot and saves me a lot of counter space by not having multiple appliances that one microwave/convection over can do. I have shopped around for similar products before buying this one and similar products go for a lot more. This one looks good, performs well and is affordable."
1,23_19_R12ESKRX75V586.txt,1.0,"Tried to read it, but couldn't stay awake.","June 24, 2010","Nathan Oliphant ""nato""",The Overton Window (Hardcover),"This is an excellent read if you are suffering from insomnia, or need to purge your stomach. A combination of mind-numbingly stupid and vomit-inducing stupidity. Save your money and just drink some Drain-O. You'll actually feel better than if you read this excretion."
0,5_19_R14NYHXD0Q7Q16.txt,2.0,"Artist Indulges Himself, but not Me","December 4, 2007",Devin M. Brand,Rufus Does Judy At Carnegie Hall [2 CD] (Audio CD),"I'm actually somewhat of a fan of Rufus' work. However, this is one he should have left alone. His voice and stage presence are clearly not meant for classic showtune-ish songs about adult themes which require range, vibrato, nuance, and gosh, you pick a few. His interpretation is flat and lacking in, well, interpretation.
He's handsome and talented, no doubt. He should stick to what he does best.
The second star is for the orchestra, though they should have had more sense as well."
1,9_19_R29EKCU0TMWWUG.txt,1.0,Cash your paycheck and flush it,"March 30, 2005",M. Anderson,Creative Labs NOMAD MuVo NX 128 MB Flash Drive MP3 Player (Electronics),"Take your friend out for beers before you waste your money on this thing. If you don't use it, it could last a very long time."
0,45_3_R2DUM7S4XW06QN.txt,5.0,Great in so many ways!!!,"March 22, 2009","Gina-Marie Hammer ""Game Development Goddess""","Kindle Wireless Reading Device (6"" Display, U.S. Wireless) (Electronics)","There were many reasons I decided to purchase a Kindle - my hands ache when holding a book open, I get headaches from reading stuff on the computer, I wanted something I could throw in a bag and take anywhere, and it holds so many items that I don't have to carry three or four novels with me in case I'm bored or finish one. Nothing could prepare me for the actuality that is Kindle. It integrated seamlessly into my life. If I'm at the desk, it's beside me; if I'm in the bedroom, it's on the nightstand; I even take the silly thing to the john. It's so much easier than a book.
I expected it to be a little awkward at first, but it really *does* get lost in your hands. Suddenly, you look down after a couple of hours of reading, and realize you've been holding it all along and forgotten all about it. I expected to read novels and blogs on it. I never expected to be able to download all the .pdf technical manuals that I constantly have to weed through on the computer. I work effortlessly now, looking at the computer, working through a segment, picking up the Kindle, searching for what I need in the manual, even highlighting it, or putting a note in the manual about how well it works.
Note taking is my big thing. When I'm looking at a book, I always find note-taking to be an instinct I have to avoid. I see it as a destructive process. I don't want to ruin my books. Further, who can really concentrate on what they're reading with a pen in their hand? It's two different mindsets. Yet, with Kindle, I do just that. I read a segment, I find a passage, I underline it. I have an opinion, I drop in a note. A question equals another note. When I don't understand something, the dictionary is right at the bottom of the screen to define the word or teach me how to pronounce it; or I can surf to the web and find exactly what I need.
It's so much better than surfing the web on my phone - and far more practical. For one thing, there's no charge except battery power (no pun intended!). For another, all of my research is in one place. The book, notes, websites and highlights are all together - as they should be.
I know a lot of people complain that it should have a bright screen so that you can read it at night, or that it should have color. I say - nay! The main *strength* of Kindle is that it reads *exactly* like a book. No eye strain. No having to turn away every few minutes to relax your eyes; or ending a session of reading with a headache. No ""hot lap"" or mousing around to find the right page. It's just like a book. You hold it, you turn the page, it's effortless, you forget it's there. Only what you're reading matters, and that's exactly how it should be."
0,1_15_R2V3TWILP2523L.txt,5.0,Great book,"May 3, 2010","Sergio H. Nigri ""david_nigri""",The Picture of Dorian Gray (Penguin Classics) (Hardcover),This book is simply amazing. It is the first one that I read from Oscar Wilde and I have to admit I was amazed by how good he was in choosing the right words to form sentences. Dorian Gray is an amazing character and I think that it appeals to everyone in a certain way. It is a must-read.
0,49_7_RTOQPY4ACOU7L.txt,5.0,A best buy,"May 19, 2009","Gordon H. Hughes ""sunshine""",Kodak Zx1 HD Pocket Video Camera (Black) (Electronics),"For starters Amazon delivers on their promise of a 3-day delivery. This is a company you can count on.
The Zx1 is right on target. Right out of the box it does exactly what you would expect from a small pocket video camera - decent quality and simple operation. Even indoors the quality was acceptable - which is more than you can say about most cameras in this class.
This is clearly a second-generation pocket video camera - with improved controls and support for large capacity SD cards. The AA batteries are just what you need to make sure you will never run out. I was surprised to see that a charger was included.
My big concern about buying a Flash Drive HD camera was the issue of file format. This is a thorny issue with all HD video cameras. I could care lass about HD - I just wanted decent quality and the ability to edit video.
The plan is simple - archive the 'HD' content and keep it for future editing when software and hardware are readily available. And meanwhile
convert the files to AVI or another usable DVD formtat for immediate use.
The supplied ArcSoft program does primitive conversion of the 720p format to 640 DVD format - but in Quicktime - which Windows Media player version 9 still refuses to recognize in Windows XP ( I hate Vista)
There are many third party programs which do a better job of conversion - the one I use is AVS Video Converter 6. It took the raw MOV file from the SD card and converted it to AVI format with the 720 lines preserved and good sound quality. As with all such conversions it is slow but the quality is excellent. This is not a trivial conversion. Of course AVS will convert it to any of a dozen other formats - some with smaller file size - but none with higher quality.
Since this camera is so new, the Kodak web site has very limited documentation for the Zx1. They avoid entirely the issue of file formats and that is because it is a thorny issue. Along these lines I should mention that without loading any software, you can slip the SD card in your computer slot and you will get a MOV file. It comes up as a Quicktime file. My version of Quicktime played the movie O.K but there was no sound. I'm sure an update is available - but it may not be free.
Of course my Quicktime player did play the MOV file after it was converted by ArcSoft.
Hey for $150 - this is a great buy and it seems to be durable also."
0,25_6_RCZFUW8W9BABN.txt,5.0,"Excellent, easy to set up, really nice unit","October 20, 2009","Goldengate ""Goldengate""",Western Digital WD TV Live Network-ready HD Media Player WDBAAN0000NBK-NESN (Electronics),"There are already some very well-written informative reviews on this player, so I'll try to focus on the ""out of the box experience"" since mine is literally just out of the box today. Because my order on Amazon for this product was backordered for a month or more, I called all the local Best Buys until I found a WD TV Live that was not showing up on their ""store availability"" page and purchased it for $119 plus tax (oh how I missed Amazon when the tax was added on at my local store!). The price on Amazon has gone all over the place the last few days, from $119 to $149. I'm assuming we'll see it at $99 after the initial release period is over since several media players are now priced at that point.
I went home, unpacked the box and in my haste I didn't even see the installation CD that came with the unit. (I just ran it now so I could tell you about it - it includes a utility which allows your computer to ""see"" the WD TV, as well as the manual and some other fluff).
I plugged the WDTV into an ethernet jack on my router, used the supplied cables to attach to my TV, plugged in the power cable and literally minutes later I was watching videos stored on my computer! The WD TV immediately logged onto our computer network and saw both of our computers (Windows XP), and I was able to watch media stored on both. Wow. Very easy. Then I navigated to Pandora, punched in my account information, and 30 seconds later was listening to my Pandora music stations. Next stop was YouTube (another menu option), I plugged in my YouTube name and password, and was able to see my YouTube subscriptions.
I then went into the settings menu and clicked on ""update firmware"" just to make sure I had the latest firmware installed. After about 5 seconds of the unit checking with Western Digital, it confirmed my firmware is up to date. Again, very easy. I was also able to register the unit from the onscreen display, and received a confirmation email. I found the onscreen menus very logically laid out and easy to use.
Watching movies stored on my computer and accessing YouTube/Pandora was great - but I wanted to see if I could access Hulu. So, I navigated to the ""media server"" menu and it saw my Tversity software program running on one computer. I clicked on that and minutes later I was watching ""Glee"" (a program on ABC). The only issue I ran into was that fast forward would sometimes cause the program to freeze and I would need to re-start. Given that this media player is brand new and basically in what feels like a beta release, sold out just about everywhere, I'm assuming that a firmware upgrade in the coming weeks will fix that bug as well as any others I come across. I tried a few other programs and was only able to replicate the issue intermittently. However, pause caused no problems. And, I don't expect Western Digital to support Tversity, which may be the root of the problem (vs the WD player) so I'm not taking off marks for that one issue. I'm just happy I can watch a variety of shows streamed from Tversity on the WD TV. (A google search on Tversity will take you to the download site for that wonderful free to try program).
My previous media server, the D-Link DSM-320 D-Link DSM-320 Wireless Media Player, Audio/Photo/Video, 802.11g , is not nearly as nice... I spent hours and hours and hours (days) configuring it and getting it to ""see"" my home network. I also found the user menus to be very cumbersome with navigation almost an afterthought. In contrast, the WD TV is a dream come true and definitely feels like the ""next generation"" of media servers.
I've tried a number of video and music formats, and they've all played with no problem (except for the fast forward issue above). I watched a slide show of pictures stored on one of my computers. All of this without reading a single manual or going to a single internet help forum. Literally, plug and play.
So, overall, I'd say this is a strong unit, and I'm very happy with it. Since I am reviewing the unit much sooner than I normally would, I do commit to the Amazon community that if I experience issues with the WD TV I'll return to update this review. But based on my experience with other media servers and other hardware setups, I think this is a winner. Highly recommended.
Hope this helps!
UPDATE 11/12/2009: Almost a month later and I'm 1000% happy with this player... no issues. Works great... fast..great interface... I'm going to give one or two of these as holiday presents this year. I've replaced my DVR on my second TV and no longer pay the cable company $14 per month for a DVR... this little gizmo is going to pay for itself!
LAST UPDATE 12/5/2009: I was experiencing video freezing with Hulu using the Tversity software on my computer... I switched to Playon and am really glad I did! Flawless performance on Hulu streaming and TONS of content (i.e. you can watch tons of old TV shows like Dynasty and Mary Tyler Moore). Still very happy with this unit. I do agree with other reviewers - it would be nice if remote had a volume control, and some of the navigation screens are a bit ""clunky"" but overall very happy."
1,19_8_R3BCMWGJPVQ9K.txt,1.0,Eat Pray Shove (It),"February 16, 2008",Lynne701,"Eat, Pray, Love: One Woman's Search for Everything Across Italy, India and Indonesia (Hardcover)","Here is a book that either changed people's lives or irritated the bejesus out of them. Count me among the latter.
Eat Pray Love - One Woman's Search for Everything Across Italy, India and Indonesia by Elizabeth Gilbert was supposed to enlighten me. It didn't.
OK -- First the positive: Overall, it is a well-written book. The author takes many complicated metaphysical concepts and makes them readable. The book is divided into sections: Eat, which is the author's journey to Italy; Pray, her pilgrimage to India and Love, where she takes a lover in Bali.
This is about a thirty-something woman looking for spirituality and happiness. She is married, but desperately unhappy for no single reason that she cannot or will not divulge. So, she leaves her husband (and, by the way, gives him all marital property out of supposed ""guilt"" for leaving him, making me wonder what exactly she did to warrant this)and falls right into another relationship (a-ha! adultery, perhaps?). When the rebound relationship that broke up her marriage falls apart, she now wants to find God. Of course. She claims God spoke to her on the bathroom floor, thus beginning her journey.
But not before she goes to her publisher and secures a $200,000 advance for this book. Makes you wonder, as one reviewer on Amazon pointed out, was the journey retrofitted to the book proposal?
What better way to go find God than in Italy. For four months she eats gelato, practices her Italian with a young man named Luca Spaghetti (If you are going to make up names of allegedly real people, could you find a more sterotypical name? Why not Carmine OrganGrinder?) and gains 23 pounds -- quick to point out to the readers that she was way underweight to beign with.
She learns to enjoy life and be selfish from the Italians - who by the way still find her immensely attractive, although they don't hoot and holler at her like they did 10 years previously. But she is still so damned cute. Just ask her.
On to India. At the Ashram, she learns to meditate and still broods over her lost marriage and subsequent realtionship. Probably the most boring part of the book, except for her conversations with ""Richard from Texas"" -- a down home, larger than life character who speaks in folksy platitudes that would make Andy Griffith proud. He also bestows our author with her nickname ""Groceries"" because she was emaciated from grief from crying for the millionth time over her beloved David. As one reviewer from Amazon said, ""What kind of nickname is Groceries?""
I honestly believe she made these people up. Reminds me of ""Go Ask Alice"" -- supposedly the real story of the drug-addicted Anonymous -- until it was revealed that the protagonist was a fictitious composite of the author's psychiatric patients. Boo.
Then Bali. She ends her self-imposed celibacy with an older Brazilian man. High on orgasmic ecstasy, out of the supposed goodness of her heart, she asks her friends to send $18K in donations to help a single mother, an alleged friend of Ms. Gilbert's, who is portrayed as a con artist because she didn't buy a house in the timeframe coinciding with the termination of Ms. Gilbert's visa. I always thought that a gift should be a gift without strings attached -- especially coming from someone who supposedly found God. I wanted to ask Ms. Gilbert ""What Would Jesus Do?""
My biggest problem with this tome is that this 30-something woman basically is looking for applause for running off for a year, obstensibly supported by a $200K book advance, to ""find God."" I'm sure millions of women would love to leave their everyday lives and travel the world to do nothing but self analyze. If she had done volunteer work, I may have felt differently. If she went through some real hardship, I could sympathize. But she was in an incompatible marriage, then dumped by the guy she left her husband for. She should perhaps speak to those battling life-threatening diseases, or raising children alone, or taking care of an elderly parent, or worried about where their next meal is coming from.
And for all of her self-realization and navel-gazing to end her dependence on men, Ms Gilbert has, as pointed out by anotherAmazon reviewer, married her Brazilian and moved to new Jersey. She could have saved Penguin Books a whole lot of money by getting in her car and going through the Lincoln Tunnel. I wonder how long before she ends up back on the bathroom floor."
0,49_16_R231JCNDBU3F53.txt,5.0,seriously fabulous crib mattress,"April 15, 2008",M. Ingram,Naturepedic No Compromise Organic Cotton Classic 150 Crib Mattress (Baby Product),"My daughter slept better on this mattress the very first time that we put her down on it (and that's saying something, since she didn't want to sleep anywhere else but between us on our king size bed). It's been about 11 months since then, and she sleeps fabulously on this mattress. I can't recommend it highly enough.
I appreciate that it's organic - and that there are no harmful chemicals - and that it is still fire-resistant.
I think the coil system is far more comfortable than the foam (which she had before) - and it still provides extremely firm support.
It's pricey, yes, but the return to civilized life (a.k.a. when she started sleeping through the night) was worth just about any price.
I'm now about to buy a second one for my next baby!"
1,42_9_R3H4W0SZ67G8YL.txt,2.0,analyze the water,"April 26, 2008","Bartok Kinski ""A casual stroll through the lunatic asylum shows that faith does not prove anything.""",Military Water Purification Tablets (Misc.),"Did you analyze the water or just making generalizations (""it certainly removes harmful bacterial, cysts, and protozoa."")
Yeah, thought so."
0,17_6_R3378SCLJAR1XA.txt,5.0,I AM HOOKED...,"June 15, 2005",Lawyeraau,"Guilty Pleasures (Anita Blake, Vampire Hunter: Book 1) (Paperback)","This book was highly recommended by a fellow Amazon reviewer whose tastes mirror my own. Not only did she give it an excellent review, when we spoke she sang its praises. So, I went and bought the book. After all, I had read books by Anne Rice, as well as Donna Boyd, and enjoyed them. So, obviously books about vampires and/or lycanthropes are hardly a stretch for me.
To my surprise, I was hooked once I began turning the pages of this book. It is a totally fun book to read, with its diminutive, feisty heroin, Anita Blake, a formidable vampire hunter who now focuses on being an animator, one who raises the dead. She lives in an alternate America where vampirism is legal, and vampires of the world are flocking to our shores. In good old St. Louis, Missouri, where our intrepid heroine lives, vampires live openly among humans and have developed a bizarre cult following. Of course, since killing vampires is against the law, Anita works closely with the police supernatural squad.
Someone, however, is killing vampires, and although the police is investigating, the most powerful vampire in the city, Nicholaos, a thousand year old being who is ensconced in the body of a beautiful pubescent girl, has commissioned her to find the killer. The reluctant Anita, who finds herself at odds with evil Nicholaos, finds an unexpected ally and friend in the handsome Jean-Claude, a two centuries old vampire for whom she feels an unexpected attraction and affinity.
Anita finds herself in a number of hair-raising situations as she seeks to discover the killer. Along the way she is plagued by vampires, wererats, ghouls, other animators, and fellow humans. The plot is fast-paced and intriguing. Its characters capture the reader's imagination. While most of them are not particularly well-fleshed, as it is basically a plot driven book, the main character, Anita Blake, is quite interesting, as well as compelling, and resonates with the reader.
The author manages to pull together a highly entertaining and enjoyable book. The style is part detective potboiler, part mystery, and part fantasy with supernatural portents. It carries the reader along from its first page to its last, never losing its momentum. In fact, it leaves the reader wanting more. Good thing that this is merely the first in a series of books about this intrepid vampire hunter, Anita Blake. I look forward to reading them all."
0,40_6_RK7UVOC6XO84N.txt,4.0,Few improvements but not enough.,"January 20, 2010",AAlt,BlackBerry Bold 9700 Phone (AT&T) (Wireless Phone),"I have been using this phone for about a week now. And while this device beats previous bold 9000 in many aspects there is still much to be improved. So let me first say things that I do like about the phone. Of course the greatest improvement was the addition of the trackpad, at first it was kind of unusual to navigate with it but I got accustomed to it very quickly. Second thing is the screen resolution, it was improved from the old bold by 480x360 vs 480x320 pixels. The screen is really crisp and bright and sunlight legibility is very decent. The camera also experienced an improvement and while I was taking pictures outside on a bright day and later comparing them to the previous bold, there is a very noticeable change, pictures look somewhat close to my wife's 10 megapixel canon camera. I was also surprised by the improved quality of the videos this device shoots. Much better and less pixelated than the original bold! Now for the things that I don't like or wished to be improved. Despite of the fact that everyone raves about ""amazing"" battery life on this device, I must say I am disappointed. At best, the battery lasts me a day and a half but not two day as many reviewers say. Perhaps I do extensive web browsing and chatting via instant messaging. I usually like to read various blogs and news on opera mini 5 browser and I noticed that this application along with IM+ drains battery like crazy! Of course at least now I don't have to carry a spare battery with me like it was with the previous bold since I am sure this one will last me for the full day. But most often I still have to charge it every night. Which is kind of a disappointment and not what I expected after reading various reviews. Now about the browser: It sucks.... It simply sucks so much that any other smartphone's browser will put it to shame. But another annoying problem now that I noticed is that I can't get to mobile version of citibank online at all! No matter how I would reconfigure the browser... So it means no banking online for me as I used to do on my previous bold. Very annoying... The browser is still slow as hell and only the fact that I have opera on this phone doesn't make it a deal breaker. I must say though that I am running a latest .405 version of the software and perhaps the issue with banking online maybe be fixed in later versions. Which I again, doubt very much. Now another disappointment is the absence of many supported languages. For example there is no Russian support whatsoever. But than again, it may be released in the later versions. I hope so. And now last but not least is the speaker quality. In the first day of use I noticed that the speaker has been downgraded. Instead of the three speakers which previous bold had, this device has only one and when you bring the volume all the way up you can hear a rattling noise. Not a very nice experience... Overall I like the device especially it's size, I was skeptical about it as I liked the bold 9000 big screen. But this one seems to be slim and looks more eye appealing. also I like the battery cover design, you can not accidentally open it and whole device seems sturdy and has a look of a professional tool. Hopefully with next updates there will be support for more languages. But as of now I am giving it only 3 stars.
UPDATE:
Couple of weeks ago I noticed that phone would randomly delete data, but today was the worst: In the morning I discovered that all my contacts were completely wiped out!!! by itself! And when I tried to restore them from the backup file it would not do that saying that the file is read only. I tried this file in my old curve 8310 and it worked flawlessly. So I suspect that there are serious bugs in the OS 5.0 and AT&T is not coming up with any updates as of yet. In a mean time I am lowering score for this phone because i am very disappointed by the poor implementation
UPDATE 2:
As five months passed since I got this phone, I must admit I like it much more than I did before. True, I still have some issues with it, but these issues are just too minor comparing to lots of useful features that this device delivers. Previously I wrote that it deleted all my contacts from the phone book, and last week it just happened again but I noticed that it happened after I added an another gmail account to the phone. So after I gooogled a bit I found out that gmail actually will sync your contacts with your gmail account but for some unknown reason remove them from the phone book. So basically all you have to do is to download google sync on your phone and transfer contacts back to the phone book. So I tend to believe that this issue has more to do with google gmail setup rather than the phone itself. Also the issue with the Citibank mobile site have resolved mysteriously, and now I am able to do banking through the native browser (which still sucks by the way in many aspects) I am also looking forward to the release of OS 6.0 which should include webkit browser with flash support and other new and exciting features. So I must say that ever since I got this phone it never crashed or restarted on me, not even a single time. So I must increase the rating of the phone to 4 stars as it's been a really great tool which I certainly can rely on in terms of usability and trust."
0,10_4_R1NKKXR9EF3UD0.txt,5.0,Good quality and authentic flavor,"May 15, 2009","Hyejin Lee ""Jennie""","Wholesome Sweeteners Organic Fair Trade Raw Honey, 16 Ounce Jars (Pack of 3) (Grocery)","I like rich texture not liquid.
It might be good to spread on the bread, or add a yogurt.
You can enjoy with tea"
0,37_6_R26C8EQ8R321S9.txt,5.0,These are great!,"May 1, 2009","TK ""TK""","YummyEarth Organic Lollipops, Assorted Flavors, 150-Count Container (Grocery)","I bought these for my niece who is autistic and she is on a strict gluten free, dairy free, dye free diet. She loves these! and so do the other kids who are not on this strict diet."
0,6_10_R70SX3C3GZ7UV.txt,4.0,Great Bag! Tons of space...,"July 9, 2010","Mr. Comfortable ""DPB""",Swiss Gear Ibex 17-Inch Notebook Backpack (Electronics),"Not only is this bag look and feel good, it has plenty of space for my 15"" widescreen laptop, files/folders, back up drive, all accessories, and wireless mouse...even has a number of exterior pockets for phone, water bottle, etc. Bag has nice padding in the back along with heavy duty straps and a sturdy top handle. All for a decent price."
0,25_10_R1S4G9LSFXLM1P.txt,5.0,A blast for little girls,"June 25, 2010",Rafa N.,Wii Remote MotionPlus Bundle - Pink (Accessory),"According to my Brother's Daughter, it is the best game controller she ever played with, the perfect color and lots of fun.
RN"
0,276426_5_R2JFTA7N93S6JI.txt,5.0,twilight series,"June 12, 2010","D. Knutson ""vamp girl""",The Twilight Saga Collection (Hardcover),I have to say that this entire series is one of my fvorites. Stephanie Myer bring an entire new angle to classic vampires love stories. She sheds new light and changes around old myths to make this an entirely new experience. I adore vampire stories of all kinds but these frankly are my favorite ever. You feel like you know the characters personally. While I do have the entire series of books I am greatly concidering buying the boxed set so I can have them all in hardound editions.
0,276426_4_R20Y16BCNX1SGM.txt,3.0,"I Believe in the LOA, but there are better Products",18 Mar 2010,"C. M. Cotton ""Chris Cotton""",The Secret (Extended Edition) [DVD] [2006] (DVD),"I have read 100's of very poor books on the Laws of Attraction in the last few years. I started reading books about goal setting, mind control and success principles in 1985. I have used what I learnt from my extensive reading, coupled with academic qualifications, business and psychology experience, to create a consulting company, teaching seminars to corporations in strategic thinking, marketing, goal setting and business development. I also use the principles to help individuals, by guiding them as a Life Coach, teaching people cognitive methods to help goal set and enhance their lives beyond what they could do on their own. As such, I read as many books as I can on a variety of subjects to enhance my knowledge. I can honestly say, that with all that experience, this DVD, is good as an introduction to the concept, BUT it is not as good as a book like Law of Attraction in Action, which I feel covers all bases needed for the LOA to work.
Many people in my experience cannot get the LOA to work, as they have too much OLD subconscious programming blocking the process. You can use the Sedona Method to unblock this old rubbish in the brain, but this DVD, does not cover this area. Also the second key to getting the LOA working, is to take ""Inspired Action"". This DVD seems to make the case for ""thinking will do it all"". ACTION, inspired by the dreams, working with a positive mental attitude, is what is needed. This DVD skips this vital part. The aforementioned book covers this area in great detail. I would also highly recommend Your Road Map to Success by John C Maxwell, as a great book to create a life purpose, from which you can use the LOA. There are other great books on the market that can help, but I recommend starting with these.
This DVD is a nice intro into LOA, but you need to do more reading in the areas I have highlighted, if you wish to get the LOA working in your life. Good DVD as far as it goes."
1,276423_3_R3825IJJACAHV5.txt,1.0,Might as well JUMP!,"February 24, 2003",chatchi,Moon Shoes - black (Toy),"Don't let the picture fool you, these shoes DO NOT make you jump as high as the moon. In fact, even the most highly-trained athlete wearing these shoes would only be able to jump as high as the clouds. While gravity and shoddy craftsmanship might limit your jumping potential, your imagination will allow you to leap to the stars! That's the best part about Black Moon Shoes -- it's not about how high you can or can't jump -- it's about how high you WANT to jump. So when it comes to using your imagination and developing important motor skills, Hart Enterprises' Black Moon Shoes are leaps and bounds above the competition."
1,1_13_R3JBEPN242VR6U.txt,1.0,Overhyped waste of time,"April 27, 2010",Zamdrang,Avatar (DVD),"I dont understand the hype and praise surrounding this film. The story is derivative and cliche beyond belief. There isnt a tense or emotional moment in the entire movie. Its pacing is laborious and predictable. Theres so many laughable things about this movie. (Hair as a phallic interface..are you kidding?) The entire story is Dances With Wolves on an alien planet. (Whos native population speak english...of course) The dialog is right up there with Armageddon and Independence Day, yes...pure genius.
Neon plants, hammerhead rhinos and glowing vines do not a movie make....its a dull story, VERY predictable and cringe worthy. I mean..""Get Some"" and ""Take that Bitch""..? Really? I havent laughed so hard since Battlefield Earth."
1,17_6_RGHFIPPFW7ALX.txt,1.0,Guilty Sins,"July 19, 2000",Amy Jo Samuel,Guilty Pleasures (Anita Blake Vampire Hunter) (Mass Market Paperback),"This is quite possibly the worst book I have ever read. To begin with, the story is blase, the world is never described, even the main character and her "powers" are not properly explored. The writing sounds like a cross between a smarty pants teenager with the fantasy of a nine year old wrapped into a very uncreative roleplayer who wanted to make a one-dimensional character fly into our hearts. WRONG. Even the writer losses her own consistency. Halfway through the story, I'm reading of the events taking place through a Saturday, and what happened to the characters earlier that morning was described as happening the day before. Am I the only person with it? How could the author and the editors have missed such a thing? All the characters actions were misplaced and the reasons, unmotivated. If you want to bore yourself, and spend the 7 bucks it takes to read to the witless dialogue and waste the rest of your time trying to grasp the very underdevloped world of Hamilton's, please go to the library, or else you'll hate yourself. I instead suggest sitting infront of the TV on Tuesdays and watching some Buffy. It's a much better portrayal of the supernatural, with smart, intelligent characters and writing to boot."
0,34_12_R1Q509NYUJ3K5O.txt,5.0,We love this lawnmower!!,"March 10, 2006",G. Anderson,Fisher-Price Bubble Mower (Toy),"My son received this for his 2nd birthday a few weeks ago. He loves to mow just like his dad and is always asking to go outside to use his very own lawnmower. He even takes it with us on walks around the neighborhood. We have not had any problems with bubbles- you just have to push it continuously to get good bubbles. You won't get any bubbles if you only walk a step or two then stop. However, he loves it even when there are no bubbles- he just wants to mow. I love it because it is sturdy and not at all annoying like some other (talking) mowers on the market. I would absolutely recommend this toy!!"
1,46_12_R1UNQM7FPDC0MG.txt,1.0,Another writer with deadline issues,"May 9, 2010","Elizabeth Archer ""Eliza""","Dead in the Family (Sookie Stackhouse, Book 10) (Hardcover)","Sorry to see Charlaine Harris join the list of writers who are so driven by deadline pressure they can't create. Remember what we all learned in elementary school, faced with that blank sheet of paper? You can't just order up creativity and expect it to be good. This is the third one of my favorite authors with series pressure to dissapoint. Beware when an author thanks so many other people for their ""help""! Last time I looked, most great fiction was not written by a committee. Harris is brilliant, when Harris is writing. This looked like an outline, with some help from Harris and a lot of suggestions from other people. People saying, write about Alcide. Write about politics. Write about fairy politics, etc. There is no plot, no main conflict, no main resolution, no basic novel elements. And we know Harris can write one hell of a plot when she is on her game. I would rather the publisher just said ""Harris has writer's block"" than churn out this overpriced drivel with her name on it. I would be willing to wait. And tell the darn committee to leave her alone."
0,6_16_R3N8XGCHUFA1BU.txt,5.0,Impressed,"May 13, 2010",H. F. Sawatzky,Factory-Reconditioned Bostitch U/CPACK1850BN 18-Gauge Brad Nailer and Compressor Combo Kit (Tools & Hardware),Just opened up the box and I was impressed. The nailer and compressor both look like new. Plugged the thing in and slid in a sleeve of nails and started looking for something to test the nailer. Works awesome although my workbench now has a row of brads in it. I'll give the compressor a workout next weekend when I shingle my folks roof. Looking forward to it already.
0,43_14_R226U96JQLIP8C.txt,5.0,Awesome footage and naration supports very well,"July 11, 2010",Rich,Life (DVD),"Unbelievable video footage that is complimented by the narrator. Interesting information. Well worth repeated viewing. Only criticism I would have is there is some repetition. Otherwise, fantastic. My four-year-old son loves watching this constantly."
0,16_3_RZYHUEM3T7Q0Y.txt,5.0,all right by me !!!,"October 13, 2007",Matthew G. Sherwin,"BIC Cristal Stic Ball Pen, Medium Point , 1.0 mm, Blue, 12 Pens (MS11-Blu) (Office Product)","Bic makes terrific blue ink pens; I remember writing many a paper for college using pens like these before computers came along. Bic calls these pens ""medium point"" but the ink is quite clear on the page. The blue ink lasts for months--unless you write a lot with these every day in which case they will last a shorter amount of time.
The pens are compact and easy to carry with you; this makes them easy to carry because they are so lightweight. The pens are made of plastic with a see through ink tube inside them. The advantage of the see through ink tube is that you can tell when the pen is running low on ink--a great feature!
As nerdy as it sounds, gentlemen can easily carry one or two in their shirt pockets. I would keep the cap on, of course.
Actually, I would keep the cap on at all times when not using this pen. The ink still inside the pen can dry out rather quickly without the cap being on them. Moreover, you don't want ink to leak out of the pen and make nasty ink stains.
Overall, if you want an inexpensive pen that still gives you high quality writing ink, you can't go wrong with these pens by Bic. I have used them for decades with great satisfaction.
I highly recommend these pens for anyone wanting an inexpensive but good quality blue ink pen."
0,19_3_RVCE8OLDQ8Q1T.txt,5.0,Eloquent Poniards,"September 20, 2000","A. Casalino ""V^^^^^V""",The Lion in Winter [VHS] (VHS Tape),"This sharply portrayed and picturesque film is no less than a stunning masterpiece! Finely capturing the gusting momentum of a kingdom and its contending rule, all the while bootying the intricacies of family passion & strife, this movie grasps all by masterfully portraying it within the frame of a Christmas holiday spent at the beauteous castle of Chinon. The year is 1183, and Henry II, insatiate King of the British Empire summons forth his family: his wife - Queen Eleanor of Aquitaine, and their surviving sons Richard, Geoffery, and John. They meet at Chinon - and like every gathering of this family must always have been, this meeting is momentous ~ James Goldman wholeheartedly deserved the Oscar he won for this screenplay -- for, not only is it in tune to every orchestral note of this history, but it is also precise as a dagger in its eloquence ~~ I've rarely heard a more masterful script portrayed on film! Such a prodigious screenplay must needs have a brilliant cast and musical score to give it flesh and blood -- and herein you'll find it most heartily delivered! Katharine Hepburn is absolutely stellar in her portrayal of perhaps one of the most fascinating women in history: the much-acknowledged "Queen of Love" throughout Europe before she became Queen of France, fighting in the Crusades alongside her husband Louis VII of France - and then Queen of England, wife of Henry II, who had imprisoned her for many years for joining her sons in plots against him. Henry would free her at times for such holiday family gatherings as this. Hepburn's scenes with Peter O'Toole, as Henry, are pure electrically-charged art! As King and Queen, parents to the three aspired heirs to the throne, they lay blame and conspire against each other, and their sons will stop at nothing to acquire what they each feel that they deserve: succession to the throne. To add to this tangled web of deceit are the young King Phillip of France and his sister, Alice, who had been raised in the household of King Henry, betrothed to Richard since her infancy. While Eleanor and her sons each plot with the French King, Henry openly exhibits his ongoing love affair with Alice~~ The chemistry of this well-casted drama is flawless - every line spoken a masterpiece of wit and daring. This movie is a rare find, indeed!"
0,32_5_R2UFHVXTETJUJ1.txt,4.0,awsome but......,"March 25, 2010",A. Gift For You,Austin Bazaar Full Size Dreadnought Guitar with Carrying Bag and Accessories - Pink,it was relly nice and it sounded great the only resson i gave i four its guitar pick were nice but a little to big for my 12 year old dauter and me i would get some better guitar picks
0,15_3_RFC37HBXJF2LP.txt,5.0,Cool tunes!,"July 22, 2009","Deborah Lawrence ""Honest reviewer!""",True Blood (Audio CD),This is a very cool CD. I love the music. It is so different and interesting. Every song is good. I love it!
1,49_2_R3K5ZH61DYQ5L3.txt,3.0,Not as good as Season One,"September 9, 2009",Grymdycche,True Blood: The Complete Second Season (HBO Series) (DVD),"While this is still a very good show, it's already come dangerously close to jumping the shark (jumping the Sook?), in just it's second season. I wanted to give it 3 1/2 stars but that's not possible here. I just couldn't bring myself to give it four, so I went with three.
For starters, the show has veered much too far off on a tangent concerning the Maenad Maryann, and many, many viewers have been frustrated by it. Too little time was spent on the vampires of Dallas, which I found to be far more interesting. Too much attention was also spent on the Jason/Fellowship of the Sun arc, which was a deviation from the book series. All in all, there was too much ""filler"" to get to the good stuff.
The penultimate episode (#11, ""Frenzy"") was a disconcerted illogical mess with few highlights, and the portrayal of the vampire Queen of Louisiana, despite Evan Rachel Ward's beauty, left much to be desired, for whatever reasons. I think Holly Valance, who played ""Lola"" in the (now regrettably defunct) Moonlight episode ""B.C"" would've worked out better. ""Frenzy"" is widely regarded as by far the worst episode of the series so far, for various reasons.
Still, inevitably, many characters have been been interestingly further fleshed out from the first season, adding depth to the series; notably, Eric, Pam, Sam, Jason, Tara and her mother, but mostly the effervescent Lafayette, played by the very talented Nelsan Ellis. While many deviations from the books have been made, some good, some bad, the decision to keep the character of Lafayette alive was definitely a good move. We also get to see, briefly, the darker, more powerful side of Eric. Anna Paquin is playing the role she was born to play, she just shines in her role as Sookie, and all in all, the cast is amazing, despite some lapses in judgement this year from the writing staff."
0,30_12_R1G4HHSGL5KG0Z.txt,5.0,Still the best!,"October 1, 2009","Julian A. Schulz ""Julian""",Paranormal State: The Complete Season Three (DVD),"If your interested in the paranormal, this series will not let you down.
The various cases are interesting, Buell & his cast actually have screen presence by just being themselves, and the outcome of each episode is not always predictable.
I've viewed Ghost Adventures & Ghost Hunters, and similar themed programs, yet none have the overall appeal this series consistently offers.
As i pre-ordered ""Season three,"" here on Amazon, i was also knocked out by the low, low price!
You simply can't go wrong for value & entertainment."
0,30_13_R1EXPDBC1H528A.txt,5.0,Congress hasn't been a good steward of the People's Business for quite awhile - here's how they are failing us,"June 18, 2007",Craig Matteson,"Outrage: How Illegal Immigration, the United Nations, Congressional Ripoffs, Student Loan Overcharges, Tobacco Companies, Trade Protection, and Drug Companies Are Ripping Us Off . . . And (Hardcover)","I don't know anyone who loves Dick Morris. Some people hate him and cannot hear anything he says. Just bringing up his name upsets them to the point of unreason. Yet, if one can simply consider what he has to say it is usually interesting and often worthwhile even if you strongly disagree with what he has to say. This is because he really does understand how our political emotions work and the kinds of issues that provoke the electorate to action. Whether or not he actually believes what he is saying on behalf of a politician or about an issue is not all that relevant. Personal convictions often wither under the hot sun of political campaigns. Even so, this book seems to be more about the frustrations Morris and McGann share with us about how both the Democrats and the Republicans are failing us in Congress.
His take on the immigration problem is actually quite fresh. Rather than focusing only on the border with Mexico, he points out that at least half the problem, and the more serious failure in preventing another 9/11, is the millions who overstay their visas. They come in legally, but fail to leave as required. Since we do not track who leaves the country it is all but impossible to find out who is here in violation of their visas! Morris says that we not only need to begin tracking those who leave so we can get some idea who remains, but we also need to bar all immigration from those countries that are designated as sponsors and supporters of terror.
The United Nations and its many failures and scandals are examined next. Morris and McGann show us why there is absolutely no motivation within the United Nations to behave well and how the organization's structure actually promotes human rights failures by putting the worst violators on the committees that are supposed to monitor and take action against situations such as Rwanda and Darfur. The authors also show us how Oil For Food was used by Saddam to not only line his own pockets at the expense of his people, but corrupted the political choices many of those nations who made our work in Iraq more difficult before the war, leading up to the war, during the war, and in helping Iraq build its own government.
The efforts within the ACLU to suppress public criticism by its leaders of its leadership and policies are actually quite humorous and sad. It is hypocrisy of the first order and something more people need to be aware of when dealing with this organization that views itself as the final arbiter of our rights and social order. They need to be exposed more fully and we need organizations to resist and balance them more than we have now.
Chapter four is the big biggest because it is where the authors expose the problems in Congress with travel, using family members to convert campaign contributions to cash, using family as lobbyists, and how little time they put in working on the people's business. Morris and McGann pull no punches and name names from both parties. This chapter alone makes reading this book worthwhile. However upset with Congress you are now, you will be more angry after reading and thinking about the facts presented here.
We also get chapters on how the Patriot Act and the NSA ""wiretapping"" (actually data mining) have helped in the War on Terror, how the teacher unions are actually hurting our efforts to educate our children (not the teachers - the UNIONS), how big pharma is spending huge money on Congress to keep their billions in profits flowing in, and how Fannie Mae is misusing its mandate and money to support many Democrat causes.
Morris and McGann then do an excellent job in going after the Republicans for the bankruptcy bill that prevents people such as those suffering from cancer and oceans of medical bills from getting a fresh start. The credit companies also basically shove credit on people they know shouldn't have it and then want to avoid the risks of these bad business practices and keep these folks more or less permanently enslaved to them. The authors also go after the terrible changes Congress made to the student loan programs.
We also get information about how insurance companies are trying to get out of the hurricane Katrina claims by saying they would pay for wind damage, but not water damage. Right. How do you get a hurricane without water damage? I have been in a hurricane. The water is a fundamental part of the storm. Why should we allow them to get away with this?
We also get a chapter on how some tobacco companies, even after all the bad exposure and supposed settlements and public humiliation are STILL raising the nicotine levels in their cigarettes. There is also a chapter on how Gerhard Schroeder and Jacques Chirac have acted in quite corrupt ways. The final chapter is how Congress yields to special interests and trade protections in the name of saving jobs. These saved jobs cost us many hundreds of thousands of dollars each. And they also drive industries out of the country. For example, any number of candy companies have moved production to Canada and elsewhere so they can buy sugar at the world price and remain competitive rather than keeping the plants and jobs in the U.S. and paying more than twice the world price for sugar.
This book should tap into the current disgust the majority of Americans rightly feel for Congress. We should be rotating even more of them out in 2008 and hope the material here gets people motivated to do just that."
0,34_11_R33545PT2IGAL5.txt,4.0,Following the light in Bright Falls,"July 9, 2010","H. Robert Hastings ""Robert R. Hastings""",Alan Wake (Video Game),"Remedy Entertainment announced Alan Wake all the way back in 2005 during the annual Electronic Entertainment Expo. Since then it's popped on and off of people's radars at sparing intervals, and now that it's finally been released, it seems as if Duke Nukem Forever should be only just around the corner. It can then only be described as fortunate that with such a long development period, Alan Wake has turned out to be a compelling and rewarding title to experience.
The game's protagonist holds the title's namesake, and is presented as a highly-successful suspense-thriller novelist who -- with due thanks to an extended case of writer's block -- hasn't managed to put words to paper in the two years since his last release. He and his wife Alice take off to the quaint town of Bright Falls, nestled within the mountains, in an effort to get away from the fast-paced New York lifestyle, and to give Alan a change of scenery and a chance to get over his ailment. After a brief argument between the two, Wake's wife disappears, and the writer begins finding pages to a manuscript for a novel he hasn't written yet. What's worse is that the horrors scribed into the document begin occurring in earnest, and all of this sets off a mystery that's much bigger than Alan Wake himself.
The driving force here is undoubtedly the unyielding fiction backing the whole of the package. There's nothing particularly profound about the narrative, but the means through which it's delivered is striking. The main bits of Alan Wake's story occur through traditional cutscenes, but you as the player will come across transcript pages, radios, and televisions, all of which will give tremendous insight into the past, present, and even future events surrounding your actions. It's not impossible to grasp the entirety of the plot's intricacies without these easter eggs of information, but there's no doubt that they assist incalculably with coloring in the dark and dreary world that would otherwise only be outlined.
There are some very story-centric portions of the game that take place during the daylight hours, but you'll spend the bulk of your time transversing Bright Falls and its outlying woodlands by night. That's when all the spooky stuff happens. There are these dark-enshrouded creatures called the Taken, and there isn't a single one of them that would pass up an opportunity at putting an axe in Wake's spinal column. Fortunately they do have a weakness, that being anything fluorescent in nature, and resultingly you'll spend a lot of time fumbling around with a flashlight. There's nothing overly complex about the gunplay; burn away the darkness surrounding the Taken, and pop them a couple of times with a weapon of choice. There are bigger, badder enemies, but the only variation they apply is the longevity of your aforementioned actions.
It's the simplicity and redundancy of the combat that serve as Alan Wake's only real drawback. Nothing about how you dispose of your night-stalkers ever really changes through the game's ten hour run. There's some stronger enemies, some faster ones, and even some malevolent demon crows to dispatch of. There are some possessed objects that'll fly at you, and a few pieces of heavy farm equipment that make it their sole duty to run you down, but the process undergone to remove the threat is essentially the same regardless. This isn't to say that there's no fun to be had with the shooting; you've got plenty of ways to make things entertaining for yourself, from flare guns, to flashbang grenades, to hunting rifles. But if simply switching out your weapons every once in a while doesn't help you in disguising the action, you're likely to find yourself a little burned out with the repetitive temperament of the rather frequent combat encounters.
There's a thin layer of visual fidelity coating the town of Bright Falls, but all of that mostly emerges during the odd daylight segment. Everything looks pretty good at best, passable at worst. There's some stiffness and irregularities to the character motions, especially when you tell Wake to climb just about anything. The characters usually aren't all that prone at keeping their lips synced with the excellent voice acting, which is distracting during cutscenes.
Where the game is at its best is when it has free aim to showcase its lighting effects. I'm still not sure if they're the best I've seen in a game, or if it just seems that way given how much of a staunch presence they have in the world. Headlights, street lamps, and even the gentle blinking of a computer terminal all stand as beacons of attention as you wander through the roads and forests. You'll even find that bounding through certain of these restore Wake's health and trigger a checkpoint. These effects all invite a sense of hope and an even stronger sense of environment into a world where your primary enemy does its best to conceal both.
It's the strong deliverance of the narrative and a clear sense of place that lend their hand to making Alan Wake the game that it is. The constant conflict with the Taken eventually leaves something to be desired, but that just makes it all the more baffling that the game can get away with being as compelling as it is. There's a good time to be had with Remedy's latest, and there's little to regret about spending the full duration and seeing it through to the end. Just be sure and pack an extra flashlight and revolver, because Wake always seems to be forgetting his."
1,36_3_R3J7O2KZVC1NDW.txt,4.0,Good for a laugh,"February 24, 2007",Senator Logan,"He-Man and the Masters of the Universe - Season One, Vol. 1 (DVD)","Its funny to look back on the cartoons you loved as a kid and wonder why they captivated you so much. Watching it now, I'm really not sure why. Now its just hilarious. The dialogue is terrible and the amount of overtly homoeroticsm in these cartoons boils way over the top. There's one part where robotic villian, Lockjaw, struggles to find a suitable weapon for his detachable arm, and in doing so makes grunting noises and rapidly moves his arm up and down, which looks alot like a struggle of a much different kind. Just one example. I mean, c'mon! Look at Prince Adam's or He-Man's attire! Pink shirt and Purple leotards! Furry short shorts with boots! Shoulder length blond hair! Then you go through the special features and hear the creator talk, you can definitely see that the guy is gay. I mean, no problem with that, it just adds to the comedy of it all. If you have a sense of humor about these kind of things, than this cartoon is for you."
1,49_14_R16R2OQYL10YD.txt,1.0,Whack!,"December 22, 2008",G. Flores,"Tim and Eric Awesome Show, Great Job!: Season 2 (DVD)","No way, Bra!
Tim and Eric is a whack rip off of the Jim and Derrick show, fool. Let me break it down for you, yo. Jim and Derrick be hella tight , yo. And stuff. Like hot chicks and hella mad whacks! Suck, swallow, release! Beahhtch! I saw Derrick Whipple in da flesh at Turbo Fuel Skatepark in Frisco, yo. He was doing mad tricks and hos, yo. That skit with the bunny and the honey had me cryin', yo. Fools always be tryin to git out of payin up, you know, yo. Bra. Anyway, I gotta run dawgs. I gotta go smoke outta my new pipe I just got for my 13th birfday. Me and my boy, tony, are gonna head down to brown town and find some herb and rolos. Peace, bra. Oh no you didn't! ha ha! Peace. You just got reviewed!"
1,19_11_RCH4DJ0H38CV8.txt,5.0,May have Hatched. Don't Know What Came Out.,"November 17, 2009",A Trustworthy Human,Guardian Angel (Health and Beauty),"It's in here somewhere. With me.
Woke up this morning to find that my Guardian Angel had shattered. The inside was slimy and green. Moments later, heard a skittering sound behind some furniture. Found that during the night, phone lines had been cut, and all the doors and windows are shut with some kind of Super Glue like substance. My cell phone has been smashed. I can't get out. It didn't cut the cable internet, so I've got online to warn you, don't buy the guarslkdj;al b bbbbbbbbbbbbbb,,,,,,,,,,,wke;lj
feeling better now. Everything is fine. I will be sending a Guardian Angel to all of it's friends, family, neighbors, and associates. All humans must get one. Five stars. The most relaxing experience ever. I will never have another worry ever again after buying this product, and you will feel total fulfillment in service of a force infinitely greater than yourself. Buy it. You will never know pain after you feel the slight pinching at the back of your skull."
0,6_5_RUX5VM463NTXJ.txt,5.0,Love Among The Damned,"February 25, 2005","Gary F. Taylor ""GFT""",Wuthering Heights (Bantam Classics) (Mass Market Paperback),"Published in 1847, WUTHERING HEIGHTS was not well received by the reading public, many of whom condemned it as sordid, vulgar, and unnatural--and author Emily Bronte went to her grave in 1848 believing that her only novel was a failure. It was not until 1850, when WUTHERING HEIGHTS received a second printing with an introduction by Emily's sister Charlotte, that it attracted a wide readership. And from that point the reputation of the book has never looked back. Today it is widely recognized as one of the great novels of English literature.
Even so, WUTHERING HEIGHTS continues to divide readers. It is not a pretty love story; rather, it is swirling tale of largely unlikeable people caught up in obsessive love that turns to dark madness. It is cruel, violent, dark and brooding, and many people find it extremely unpleasant. And yet--it possesses a grandeur of language and design, a sense of tremendous pity and great loss that sets it apart from virtually every other novel written.
The novel is told in the form of an extended flashback. After a visit to his strange landlord, a newcomer to the area desires to know the history of the family--which he receives from Nelly Deans, a servant who introduces us to the Earnshaw family who once resided in the house known as Wuthering Heights. It was once a cheerful place, but Old Earnshaw adopted a ""Gipsy"" child who he named Heathcliff. And Catherine, daughter of the house, found in him the perfect companion: wild, rude, and as proud and cruel as she. But although Catherine loves him, even recognizes him as her soulmate, she cannot lower herself to marry so far below her social station. She instead marries another, and in so doing sets in motion an obsession that will destroy them all.
WUTHERING HEIGHTS is a bit difficult to ""get into;"" the opening chapters are so dark in their portrait of the end result of this obsessive love that they are somewhat off-putting. But they feed into the flow of the work in a remarkable way, setting the stage for one of the most remarkable structures in all of literature, a story that circles upon itself in a series of repetitions as it plays out across two generations. Catherine and Heathcliff are equally remarkable, both vicious and cruel, and yet never able to shed their impossible love no matter how brutally one may wound the other.
As the novel coils further into alcoholism, seduction, and one of the most elaborately imagined plans of revenge it gathers into a ghostly tone: Heathcliff, driven to madness by a woman who is not there but who seems reflected in every part of his world--dragging her corpse from the grave, hearing her calling to him from the moors, escalating his brutality not for the sake of brutality but so that her memory will never fade, so that she may never leave his mind until death itself. Yes, this is madness, insanity, and there is no peace this side of the grave or even beyond.
It is a stunning novel, frightening, inexorable, unsettling, filled with unbridled passion that makes one cringe. Even if you do not like it, you should read it at least once--and those who do like it will return to it again and again.
GFT, Amazon Reviewer"
1,42_1_R2HXVIKJY27SHC.txt,5.0,Best Watch Ever!,"November 27, 2009",Jon McAwesome,Zenith Men's 96.0529.4035/51.M Defy Xtreme Tourbillon Titanium Chronograph Watch (Watch),"The Zenith Men's Defy Xtreme Tourbillon Titanium Chronograph Watch or Z.M.D.X.T.B.T.C.M. as I like to call it, is by far the most awesome watch. Chuck Norris riding into the Super Bowl on the back of Godzilla and round house kicking the crowd is no where near as awesome as this priceless poon magnet. When I was just moments from sending my $100k to some needy neo-hippie help group, I stumbled onto this gem. It was like the heavens opened and Jesus himself appeared with this same watch on. I mean how can you not follow Jesus when he's rocking a watch of this caliber. So I asked ""What would Jesus do?"" Jesus pimp smacked me and said ""Forget those hippies, buy the watch!"" I was like ""HECK YEAH."" I busted out my Discover card and bought this rocking piece of art. I mean its art but its also practical too. Like when I take my summer trips to the Marianas Trench, I have no more worries that I am going to miss Tea Time back on the yacht, because water ruined my watch again. It can withstand the immense pressures of the deep due to the wicked awesome titanium. Deep seas, cant beat this. Bullets cant beat this. Heck, I can deflect cruise missiles and the apocalypse. With a watch like this you don't need to tell time, you tell people what time it is."
1,17_1_R2NR6PNN0JXMRI.txt,1.0,yukkkkkkkkkkk,"November 1, 2003","Thomas J. Wands ""tomwands""",Mr. Beer Premium Edition Home Microbrewery System (Kitchen),"I made several batches of beer with a variety of mixes, waters and techniques. All resulting in a barely drinkable malt beverage (I refuse to use the term beer). Even though I changed up the mixes and used different recipes every batch tasted the same. Ben Franklin once said "Beer is proof that God loves us and wants us to be happy". The product produced by my Mr Beer was proof that the devil exists and he likes to play jokes on us."
0,13_8_R20V0KLHMC0PQ6.txt,5.0,great first step,"January 12, 2009",S. Chandrasekar,Panasonic Lumix DMC-G1 12.1MP Micro Four Thirds Interchangeable Lens Digital Camera with Lumix G Vario 14-45 mm f/3.5-5.6 ASPH Mega OIS Lens (Black) (Electronics),"For those who don't know, the Panasonic G1 is the first (of hopefully many) camera that adheres to the new micro 4/3 format. What is so exciting about it? All SLR cameras use mirrors, prisms, and optical viewfinders so that the photographer can see what his/her subject ""through the lens."" SLRs have remained the defacto standard for most serious photographers because most find the whole viewfinder concept so appealing. The micro 4/3 does away with the mirrors and prisms, and replaces the optical viewfinder of SLRs with an electronic viewfinder. This allows the cameras that adhere to the standard to be much smaller (and wideangle lenses designed for this mount to be smaller as well). Onto the real review...
The EVF on the G1 is the first that I've seen that is remotely usable. While not as good as the OVF in my 5D, it is considerably better than the OVF in my older 350D. The first look through the EVF will impress anyone who hasn't used a Full-Frame camera before. While there is a noticeable lag (particularly when moving the camera around...a delay of a 10th of a second maybe), the fact that you can see a live histogram in the VF makes the lag completely worthwhile. Even better, the VF can increase the gain of the screen in darker conditions so you can actually see what you are shooting (it does get grainy, but it is better than seeing nothing at all). Finally, when you engage Manual Focus, the view in the EVF zooms in on your subject automatically which allows for perfect manual focus adjustments every time!! Without a doubt, this is the best interchangeable lens camera on the market if you are interested in manually focusing.
The articulating LCD is another design choice that is spot-on!! Why haven't other manufacturers caught on that ""live view"" is completely useless without an articulating LCD? Switching from the LCD to the EVF is as simple as putting your eye next to the viewfinder. There is a sensor there that detects when it is being used. The LCD doesn't have the super resolution of the new 5DMkII or the D700, but it has twice the resolution of my older 5D.
So is the camera pocketable? Not a chance. However, it isn't much bigger than the larger (with its kit lens) than modern superzoom Point&Shoot cameras. I bought it because I found that I was leaving my 5D (with 24-70 f/2.8) at home more often than not because i didn't want to carry so much weight. The G1, in comparison, is a joy to hold and carry. For me, the size is just right. Any smaller and the controls would be unusably small. Any larger and the camera would begin to resemble smaller DSLRs. Side Note: The kit lens has to be seen to be believed...it is SO small. Even the 45-200 lens (90-400) isn't much bigger than kit lenses for APS-C or FF cameras (let alone comparing it to the monstrous 100-400 lens that canon makes).
Noise is reasonable. I wouldn't go past ISO1250 for prints with the G1. ISO1600 and 3200 are more than useable for web viewing (which is how a majority of my pics are displayed). I never really understood how printable ISO6400 prints are suddenly required for every camera...how many people actually print a large number of images anyways? Downsized to Facebook or Picasaweb sizes, I would imagine that a ISO6400 G1 image would be more than adequate.
What I don't like is the lack of any large aperture lenses for the format. You can buy adapters to use standard 4/3 lenses but the older 4/3 lenses are likely larger than their future micro43 counterparts (and AF doesn't work with many of them). Adapters also exist for Leica M mount (I'm trying to convince my fiance that leica lenses are a better investment than the stock market right now...but I don't think that she is buying it). The depth of field for micro43 is already larger due to the smaller sensor so it will be hard to get subject isolation in photographs until large aperture prime lenses become available.
I'm really excited about the future of this format. Panasonic has promised a G1HD someone in the first half of this year (a G1 with video capabilities). In addition, 3 new lenses have been announced: a 7/14 f/4, a 14-140, and best of all a 20 mm f/1.7 pancake! Olympus also showed off a concept of a micro43 camera that looked no bigger than a small point&shoot. The future is exciting!"
0,27_3_R20PSFN13OIUD3.txt,4.0,Anything but a Cop Out.,"February 26, 2010","Andrew Estes ""Mr. Censored""",Cop Out (DVD),"Kevin Smith's first directing gig that he didn't write himself, ""Cop Out,"" finds the director re-teaming with his Live Free or Die Hard co-star, Bruce Willis, as well as Tracy Morgan and Seann William Scott, who were both featured in his 2001 film and quite possibly the biggest inside-joke put to film, Jay and Silent Bob Strike Back .
More than that, though, the film is a brilliant throwback to the glory days of such 80's buddy cop franchises as Lethal Weapon and Beverly Hills Cop . You'll recognize key dialog from the former while the composer for the latter, Harold Faltermeyer, makes a glorious return to the genre with a quirky retro score that sets the mood just right. Bruce Willis plays the straight-man to Tracy Morgan's...well...Tracy Morgan is really just playing every character he's ever played here, but the way in which he bounces off of Willis (who himself seems to be trying hard to keep a straight face in many scenes) keeps it from feeling tired or stale. While this odd-couple/cop formula has been done to death in the past, it works for this film and is done in a loving way that pays tribute rather than re-hashes.
Smith, whose films are mostly talk, proves himself to be a competent action director at times throughout the film. It's funny to think that the man who made Clerks made a polished studio film such as this, but it's a sign of maturity more than selling-out, so rest easy fanboys. The script by Mark & Robb Cullen is whip-smart, witty and never leaves you longing for a laugh. Even if you don't gel with the story about a rare baseball card landing into the lap of a high-powered drug-lord, you'll always find yourself laughing along with the film. It also helps, too, that each and every player seems to have had a good time making the film, and that translates into the final result.
One could make the argument that Smith himself could have re-written the film and made it all the funnier, but much of the humor in the film comes from the on-screen chemistry. It's about as good of an 80's buddy cop throwback as you'll get, and is rounded out with a brilliant cast that also includes Guillermo Diaz, Kevin Pollak, Adam Brody and Jason Lee, among others. Go into expecting a simple yet effective way of just how fun an action movie can be. As for Smith, he's shown significant range, and hopefully the film will help break him out from just being the guy who directed those Jay & Silent Bob flicks. Thankfully, ""Cop Out"" is anything but."
1,34_8_R2IJ3EJOCJDUDQ.txt,1.0,"If you thought the TV show Friends was FABULOUS, you'll love this....","September 13, 2005",Liza,Can You Keep a Secret? (Hardcover),"But if not, you'll be bored silly by this book. I know I was. I've rarely stopped reading a book before reaching the end, but I was sooo close with this one. The only reason I kept reading was because of all the 5 star ratings I saw here. I thought, surely, it must get better. It has to! I was waiting for all the 'laugh out loud' moments that everyone was talking about but they never appeared. My advice: if you're not laughing away midway through, abandon ship! It doesn't get any better. In fact it gets worse.
To be honest, I tend to read more serious stuff. I've read a couple really great 'chick lit' books but this one really falls short. I picked it up at the library in search of a quick light read. I didn't find it such a quick read because I just couldn't get into it. And yes, it's light but really dull and well, for me anyway, boring.
Where do I start with what I disliked about this book? The characters are flimsy caricatures -- completely unbelievable and they're all so irritatingly thick. The dialogue never really goes anywhere. Emma has this completely irritating habit of starting every other sentence with ""er, uh, um...."" Whatever laughs there are are so belaboured that they're just not funny anymore. For instance, the big scene where Jack spews all of Emma's secrets & her colleagues respond in shock to every single darned one goes on for some 4 pages ('You're really a size 6?' 'You have a Barbie bedspread?' 'You hate crochet?' bla bla bla...) Boy, funny stuff. You already know what all of them are anyway, so there's just no sense of suspense or tension. And in general, you know what's going to happen ages before it does, so as I was reading I kept thinking 'oh come on, get on with it already!' I found the writing style just plain flat and uninspiring. There's just no depth of any kind. Worst of all, the plot line is so contrived. I completely get why Emma would think she was 'madly' in love with Jack after just a couple dates but what's Jack's deal? Are we really supposed to believe that some multi-millionaire CEO would fall in love with this ditzy, dim junior employee who is easily what, 20 years his junior? Riiiight. And Jack's 'big secret'? Now THAT made me laugh because it was just soo silly! And the sappy ending? Yuck!
Sorry, I just could not recommend this one unless you were shipwrecked on an deserted island with absolutely positively nothing else to do and even then, maybe not. I truly am baffled by all the rave reviews here. It reads more like a teen novel than something for adults -- very, very, very sophmoric. Anyway, you get the point. I really didn't like it.
I would, however, like to recommend 2 other chick lit books that surpass this one by miles. The Other Side of the Story by Marian Keyes is an incredibly witty, smart, sparkly, genuine laugh-out-loud book. I couldn't put it down and although it's long, I was disappointed when I was done because I wanted more. Girl's Poker Night by Jill Davis is another very funny, very bright book. Both of these books are everything I think this one hoped to be."
1,43_7_R2DK1R3WC73V3Q.txt,5.0,As good as Twilight!!!!,"April 14, 2010",Smashville from Nashville,Holy Bible: Stock Car Racing (Paperback),"All my life, I've been looking for the one thing that would turn me to religion...and BEHOLD! I found it...
Instead of boooooring pictures of the Last Supper and the probable locations of holy sites, I get AWESOME pictures of crashes and and cars going in circles! I could practically smell the burning rubber and see the girls in halter tops firing cheap t-shirts out of a cannon at me...all the while learning who begat Bathsheba! (SPOILER ALERT: It was Eliam)
There is no better feeling than cracking open a six-pack on a Sunday morning and sitting down and reading my Stock Car bible. Because if there's one thing religion needs...it's definitely DRAFTING!"
0,1_7_R1V1O60V01GACW.txt,4.0,A comedy full of laughs and action,"February 25, 2010",C. Sawin,Cop Out (DVD),"To tell the truth, I wasn't looking forward to this film at all. I'm a pretty big fan of most of Kevin Smith's work, but he didn't write the film. It could be argued that he did write Jersey Girl and that could be considered a bomb, but his films usually average about $25-$30 million anyway. A Kevin Smith film isn't really about bringing in a large amount of money at the box office. His charm is in his writing, especially the dialogue and interaction between characters. There's a very specific audience his films will appeal to and none of them have really branched away from that. But him not writing this one made me think, ""Eh. Not sure what that'll be like since he didn't write it."" When it comes to Bruce Willis, I've never talked to anyone who dislikes him entirely. There always seems to be at least one of his films everybody enjoys. Die Hard, The Fifth Element, and Sin City are just a few off the top of my head. The real buzzkiller for me though was Tracy Morgan. He's just never been funny to me. He was beyond lame on Saturday Night Live and 30 Rock has never been able to hold my attention for very long. Not to mention all the trailers for Cop Out didn't make me laugh. Thankfully though, first impressions can be so very wrong.
One of Cop Out's biggest charms is that it feels like a buddy cop comedy you've seen before, but have forgotten how much you enjoy it. The film feels similar to a 48 Hrs or Beverly Hills Cop film. Bulletproof is also a good example. Cop Out is pretty much what you expect when it comes to roles Bruce Willis chooses as it's pretty much no different than his role as John McClane on the surface, but he's a lot funnier this time around. As far as Tracy Morgan goes, the funniest thing I could remember him saying was his one line in Jay and Silent Bob Strike Back (""Man... I don't know what the f--- you just said, Little Kid, but you're special man, you reached out, and you touched a brother's heart."") until this film. He was downright hilarious at times. The only person who was funnier than Morgan was Seann William Scott who stole every scene he was in. Even though Kevin Smith didn't pen the script this time around, it still feels like a Kevin Smith film. It could be due to the fact that Jason Lee has a small role in the film, but I like to think it's because Cop Out offers the same kind of comedy you'd find in a Kevin Smith film with a bit more action. It also took me forever to place Scarface from Half Baked as Poh Boy.
Cop Out is surprisingly funny and incredibly entertaining. Give this film a chance even if the trailers may not be doing anything for you. I felt the same way and wound up thoroughly enjoying the film. After a long, stressful day at work, an R-rated comedy with a lot of laughs is one of the best ways to relax and this film offers just that. It's a great film to go into with no expectations other than to just have a good time. As long as you don't run out of the theater, you should catch the part in the credits. This might just be the funniest film released in 2010 thus far. Be sure to check it out. Highly recommended."
0,11_9_R6P9PTFWG80XP.txt,5.0,Funny!,"February 9, 2009",Cheryl,LEGO Batman (Video Game),"We borrowed it from the library to try it out, and it was a big hit. My son, who is 4 1/2, loves this game, almost too much. This is all he thinks about and wants to do! He wants to keep it forever. There are lots of funny moments during the game, which make me laugh, but go right over his head."
1,48_10_RS9O7LG80S140.txt,1.0,"Bad writing, irresistable plot for teenaged girls","August 6, 2008",Liamsmama,"New Moon (The Twilight Saga, Book 2) (Hardcover)",The writing gets worse in the Twilight saga. It makes VC Andrews (if you are old enough to remember those books) read like high literary prose. But what teenaged girl can resist this plot of an unearthly gorgeous vampire (who is also wildly rich) in love with a mortal girl dealing with high school? Apparently not many.
1,49_19_R3TP2YNW3X41D8.txt,1.0,What's the Hype?,"November 11, 2007",Emeraldcityserendipity,Little Miss Sunshine (DVD),"I watched this movie twice, trying each time to do so with an open mind and see what all the hype about this movie was about. And each time I failed. The characters are battery-operated stock characters lousily acted by good (or potentially good) actors. We have the strict and egotistical father, the pragmatic and kind mother who holds the family together, the angst-ridden adolescent played by someone aged 21 (as if any teen who reads Nietzsche wants to go into the air force), the boozing-womanizer-Brooklynite grandfather (a depiction of Norman Mailer?), the depressed, pseudo-intellectual uncle (who does not act or look depressed at all during the film) and the princess daughter who enters into a beauty pageant. What happens between the beginning and the end is scarcely relevant, much less interesting: Van breaks down. Grandpa dies (none too soon). Daughter makes fun of beauty pageant contestants by doing a strip tease to the tune of Rick James' ""Superfreak."" Une vraie piece de restistance. Ha, more like a piece de merde. Don't waste your money on this waste of talent."
1,5_19_R224EDIPILSZXS.txt,1.0,Very expensive night of karaoke,"May 21, 2008",Jmark2001,Rufus Does Judy At Carnegie Hall [2 CD] (Audio CD),"I am certain that there were a few people in the audience of this show who thought, ""I could get up on stage and do what he's doing if I had a full orchestra behind me."" Guess what? They were probably right. Poor Rufus. His voice is very limited. It lacks power, strength, and is quite thin. It's not an attractive voice. As much as he strains (and strain he does), he simply can't sing this collection of standards with the expressiveness they are entitled to. He lacks the emotional depth (his between song anecdotes reveal him to be shallow and charmless. One anecdote has to do with him meeting the man who was the drummer who played in the original Judy Garland concert. Rufus' classy description of him: ""he was old and smelly.""). Whatever possessed him to go through with this mammoth vanity project? Perhaps the ghost of Judy Garland while she was on another pill and alcohol fueled lost weekend? I am amazed that anyone put up the money to produce this night of self-delusion and self-absorption. This is nothing but karaoke with an orchestra standing in place of the karaoke machine.
Ok, Rufus, the bar heard you sing once already. Shut up, sit down, and let someone else get a chance at the microphone. Why do I keep coming to this bar on karaoke night? Boy, do I have too much time on my hands. Hey, there's a cutie over there; I think I'll go over and say, ""hello."" Wait a minute! Who's singing now? Rufus again?! That's it, I'm outa here!"
1,276426_3_R1L1ADTIGILN56.txt,3.0,Not adequate,"December 14, 2007",Noni,Power Rangers Operation Overdrive Mega Mission Helmet (Toy),"I bought this helmet for two reasons: disguise and durability. When you're out there on the streets performing missions, the last thing you want is for bad guys to recognize you. Or, worse, be able to knock you out with their lazers and baseball bats. Well this helmet, surprisingly, protects me from neither of those things.
I put a lot of thought into this helmet before deciding upon it. As a vigilante crime fighter, I believed in the need for a disguise. That way, criminals couldn't find the real me in the phone book and hurt me in my house, or hurt my cat when I am not in my house (I'd probably be out fighting other criminals). I also believed that the ""missions"" that are part of this helmet would help me train and fight crime with more creativity. But there are no useful missions. It's all weird stuff about zords. I have no idea what zords are, but they are no use to me when I'm chasing down jewel thieves or wrestling drug dealers. Maybe someday I'll meet one of these zords and this training will come to some use, but I doubt it.
Speaking of which, I have no idea what they meant for this helmet to protect me against. It's just too small, for one, and there's no way it could withstand the blow from a lead pipe or glass bottle. My enemies often use lead pipes and glass bottles in our battles, but thankfully I've never taken a hit directly to this mega helmet.
For that matter, my peripheral vision is just ruined, so I'm often running down into dark alleys while flipping the helmet off and on just to make sure I don't trip over any hobos. This exposes my face for an instant, and an instant is all a criminal needs to recognize me or fire a sonic blast into my waiting face.
And how do they expect me to fight crime with the shaded visor? Crime happens mostly at night. Night, as you may know, is darker than day. I don't need a shaded visor at night. What were the Power Ranger Engineers thinking when they designed this thing? Maybe over there in power ranger land they have very bright nighttimes, but not here. No sir.
Then there are the sound effects. Look, guys, I'm guessing that over there in power ranger land criminals are easily shocked and awed when you come at them with all kinds of futuristic sounds. But over here, they just laugh at me. Maybe that's the point. I don't know, but at least I can kick them when they are laughing.
Now here's something else that's concerning: On the box there's some small child in what appears to be fighting stance 16B. It also says that this mission helmet is good for 4 years and older. I assume they really mean ""4+ years of street-level crime-fighting experience"", not someone's literal age. Notably this ""child"" or ""small man"" on the cover is wearing no other protection and is comically trying to fight crime with only his bare hands (in fighting stance 16B, no less! That's only good for battling frogmen!). I'm an adult crime fighter and I wear shin guards at least, and also a very thick sweater if it's cold. Bare hands? Only if you've had bioenhancements, such as adamantium reinforcements! If that was true, then why would this child need the protection of a helmet? It just doesn't make sense at all.
This is just misrepresentation. For that matter, why is this in the ""toy"" section? Fighting crime is a serious matter, for serious people. Even if you have no intention of using this helmet in your crime-fighting adventures, there's a danger of being seen as a crime-fighter by criminals simply for wearing the mission helmet."
0,50_15_RHFP82J66EOW2.txt,5.0,Has saved an heirloom crib through two kids!,"October 24, 2009","Ellah ""HSS""",Kidkusion Gummi Crib Rail (Baby Product),"We bought and applied this product when my son started teething. It is VERY important to first thoroughly clean the surface where you plan on applying the strip with alcohol. If there is any oily residue, the adhesive will not stay put. Our son is now four, and our one-year-old daughter has inherited this crib. The original rail protector is still in place and not so much as a corner has started to lift."
1,276427_7_R2JTT60EJFPXF5.txt,5.0,Book is accurate as heck.,"December 14, 2007",Noni,Make Money Reading Books (Paperback),"I just started reading this book, aptly called ""Make Money Reading Books"" and only 1 page in and I've already made $5 from reading this very book. There it was, a $5 bill on page two. I can't wait to see how much money I'll make by the time I get to page 30."
1,14_17_R1T1APOY22KKN6.txt,1.0,Trash,"June 30, 1999",A Customer,Flowers In The Attic (Dollanger Saga) (Mass Market Paperback),"I enjoy reading V.C. Andrews - for a laugh. Please. All of the Andrews writing is a crock, I mean Dawn and Ruby had exactly the same plot except one was staged in Louisiana and the other was in Virginia. I liked Flowers in the Attic when I was thirteen. Then I discovered real writing talent. This has got to be the worst novel ever written. How many of you would have romantic feelings for your brother after spending three years 24/7 in the same room with him? None? I didn't think so."
0,6_12_R3FXIK7W7YP7OX.txt,5.0,Awesome Saw,"May 29, 2008","The Handyman",Bosch 4100-09 10-Inch Worksite Table Saw with Gravity-Rise Stand (Tools & Hardware),"Can't think of anything bad about it. I use it everyday ripping 2x stock and building cabinets and furniture projects. Works good for dado operations, has an accurate fence and easy extendable table. Saw has plenty of power for most operations. The portability of this saw is great and easily stores away when not in use."
0,18_15_RXNRP8GKPYFP7.txt,5.0,Private,"July 1, 2010","Beverly L. Archer ""Booklady123""",Private (Hardcover),"When reading reviews, particularly on Amazon, I've noticed a lot of complaints about how the Patterson books are written. As a reader, what I care about is the end result. I want a good story. Sometimes, Patterson's formula works and sometimes it doesn't. I enjoy The Women's Murder Club series and the Alex Cross series (though I must admit, I'm behind on both series.) So far I've enjoyed the books written with (or some might say by) Maxine Paetro.
I found Private to be a good story. At first I was a little distracted by the different mysteries going on at the same time. However, once it occurred to me that a detective agency the size of Private would be involved with multiple cases, I found that I rather liked the bouncing between the cases. Private is a quick read. I found it to be a good example of what I think goes on in a large detective agency. I could be wrong, but who cares. I enjoyed the book and there are really only two reasons for reading a book - entertainment and/or information. Will this book win any awards? Probably not. Do I feel as though I wasted my time reading it? No. If you want a quick read, this is the book for you. If you care more about how the book is written than the end result, then find another book and another author."
1,12_12_RIXCE8Q7OHC5I.txt,1.0,"Hilarious, but not in a good way","June 22, 2010","Arsenio ""science fiction reader""",The Passage (Hardcover),"When people who don't know anything about the real world write novels the result is pretty funny.
Need a good laugh? Try page 23 when something finally happens. The bats attack and, despite the military setting up a perimeter (against bats? what? are they going to shoot em?) the bats get through (gasp!) they ""blot out the stars"" (which makes them tough to shoot, even for the military) and lift soldiers right off their feet and then ""bore through him like a hot knife through butter."" (ouch, right? but Bats? Even super nasty bats? How about going inside a tent? That work for ya? Na.
Keep in mind this is an action scene and where the horror really begins and it's given as an email and a lame one at that. No scene. No immediacy. No real anything at all. Now comes another 50 pages of introspection, worries, observations, description, bland dialog and memories, bla bla bla. I gave up.
If this is what passes for a great read for the literary set then I'll pass.
One wonders if they're laughing at us for buying their dreck."
1,30_6_RL8C44W8XWMDQ.txt,1.0,How to improve this Gothic Tragedy,"August 5, 2004","McGarrett, five-oh",Wuthering Heights (Bantam Classics) (Mass Market Paperback),"The great tragedy of this book is that the author didn't kill off Catherine and Heathcliff MUCH SOONER. Then she might have been able to introduce alternate main characters who were actually interesting.
Although given Emily Bronte's track record with the aforementioned losers, maybe populating her novels with characters that the reader would find interesting just wasn't her strong suit...."
1,40_11_R1TK8KSJGEBC6B.txt,1.0,Blind Sided,"May 16, 2010",B26354,The Blind Side (DVD),"Yes, the STORY itself is great. The Tuohys should be commended and I am glad they made the film to bring awareness to that. I do like Sandra in it, but was it an Oscar-worthy performance? No. (as a comparison Julia Roberts' performance as Erin Brockovich was far superior) And to put that little kid front and center like that through the whole thing with his over-acting was a total distraction, unrealistic, and annoying. He was the Jar-Jar Binks of the movie for sure. And riiiiiiiiight...this little kid coached Mike making him the great football player that he is because a first grader knows more about football than any real coach does. Sure. Whatever. And TIM MCGRAW in a lead role? Who came up with that idea? Something tells me he didn't show up at the casting call and beat out everyone else out because he's a better actor than all the real actors out there. He's a country western SINGER with NO acting experience (or ability) as I found out from watching this movie. I also find it HARD to believe that she would just be able to yell at some bigoted redneck in the stands and drug dealers and have NO consequences for that at all. Yeah, I'm gonna drive my 7-Series BMW to the drug-dealer hang out, get out dressed in diamonds and expensive clothes and threaten drug dealers who kill people on a regular basis all by myself, get in all of their faces and tell them I have a gun in my $800 Gucci bag and just shut them all down verbally because I'm just ALL THAT? Uh huh. Right."
1,20_1_R7W7TEH4BDYFR.txt,5.0,It is about the Snake,"July 18, 2009","Write Now ""Uncle safety""",Cobra T-shirt 100% Cotton Short Sleeved KIDS TEENS and ADULTS Snake Shirt (Apparel),"Foreget that furry, lame wolf. Reptils are wear its at. I where this shrt everyday on my meals on wheels route, and I love the attraction it gets. ALready four of my clients have propsed, and a couple of them have sealed the deal, if you know what I meen.
First of all, everything fears cobras. Everything. That is the power of the snake. Second, it looks like the tattoo that that cool guy Snake PLitkin had on his stomach without the pain of a tattoo. Chicks dig snakes. Everyone knows that.
I have worn this shirt everyday since i got it, and it just gets cleaner, dew to the amazing power of the shnake.
Also, it is army green which is my favorite color and I would have joined hte army if it wasn't for my asthma.
When I go tot he local biker bar, the smokers outside move aside because of the power of the snake.
I am going to by three more for seatcovers for my Vega.
Great Product!"
0,8_1_R291LE6XDSFD2U.txt,5.0,Better than I expected,"January 9, 2007","Dr. P. A. Burke ""Crusty Veteran""",Porter-Cable CPFC2TV3525VP 15 Amp 3.5-Horsepower 25-Gallon Oil-Free Wheeled Vertical Compressor (Tools & Hardware),"I have a smaller PC compressor in the shop that is very LOUD, so expected this one to be as well, especially since some of the other reviews found it so. But it's not much louder than the two-stage oillube compressor it replaced. I needed something that could be moved in a pinch, something that could run off 110V 15A service I have in the garage, and something with enough capacity to run my air ratchets, cut off tools, etc. I bought this unit fully expecting to have to wait for it to catch up occasionally, but it's kept up just fine.
The only complaint I have with the unit is the difficulty of reaching the drain cock at the bottom of the tank. Next spring when it warms up I might replace that with an Ell and a ball valve. It also draws the full 15 amps, so plug it into a run that nothing else is pulling from.
Overall I'm very satisfied with this unit."
0,46_19_R3J33TJXDX7FXG.txt,5.0,superstay stays on all day without drying out your lips,"November 13, 2009",lee,Maybelline Superstay Lipcolor - Wine (Health and Beauty),"The lipstick is very intense in color. So choose a color that is a little lighter than you would normally wear. It takes some time to learn how to apply the lip color.
1. put on a single light coat quickly
2. let dry for one or two minutes
3. Do not rub your lip together until you apply the clear balm.
4. to remove use simple chapstick or Vaseline
Tip: You can use maybelline's Shine Seduction Lip Gloss on top of the superstay if you want the look of a lip-gloss but with more staying power."
0,22_1_R2X17F05SYYGS.txt,5.0,Sham Wow does work for me,"April 13, 2009",Kittens Mom,Shamwow! (Kitchen),"I purchased Sham Wow from QVC after watching QVC's presentation. The gentleman presenting Sham Wow stated that the Sham Wow should be DAMPENED prior to use and if it is being used to pick up severe spills on rugs etc, one should dilute the spill prior to using Sham Wow.
I read these reviews after I purchased and decided to do my own test. I used the kitchen shamwow to clean my George Foreman grill. I do not have the removable grill plates. So one can imagine the mess from grilling chicken. Sham Wow cleaned the grill plates perfectly.
It would take 3 or more paper towels to do the job.
In addition I use cold water wash. The Sham Wow did not shrink and it came out clean. It was stained and I really did not believe that it would come out clean.
So Sham Wow did work for me. Granted, thankfully I have not had any spills on carpets to clean up yet but if and when I do I will dampen the Sham Wow before use and dilute the spill. Hopefully it will work"
1,45_11_R2CJG33EAQ926K.txt,5.0,Much better than the one I owned before!,"August 12, 2009","Farmer Fred ""Actually Farmer Ted""","Vaginal speculums, metal - 3 sizes (Health and Beauty)","Who would have thought that chrome metal would make such an outstanding instrument! And to think, the wooden one I have always used could be replaced! NO MORE SPLINTERS!"
0,42_7_R3MS0IKFNMQMWS.txt,5.0,THE Rock Opera. Seminal Storytelling Album,"August 7, 2004","B. Marold ""Bruce W. Marold""",Tommy (Audio CD),"Pete Townshend possibly feels a lot like David O. Selznick, the producer of the movie `Gone With The Wind' in fearing that he will only be remembered in his obituary by his creating that one work, as Townshend, like Selznick, seems to have been spending his time after completing their most important work in trying to top it.
To my mind, Townshend should have no regrets about not topping `Tommy', as it is easily one of the two or three most important albums and works in the entire Rock canon, similar in importance and possibly superior in quality to `Sergeant Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band' and `Blond on Blond', to name just two others high in the ranks of great Rock albums.
One thing which surprises me about writing on `Tommy' is how little deep analysis has been essayed about the story behind the songs. In a nutshell, the story is this:
Tommy Walker is born while his father is off on some journey (`It's a boy') from which he becomes several years late in returning. Tommy's mother takes up with a lover, father returns, mother and lover kill father with Tommy as a witness, and mother and lover tell Tommy he saw and heard nothing (`You didn't hear it'). Tommy becomes functionally blind, deaf, and dumb to all outside appearances, however, it is evident that within his own head, he can see and hear everything (`There's a doctor I've found'). He is tormented by various malicious relatives (`Cousin Kevin' and `Fiddle About') and `treated' by various attempts, including hallucinogens (`Acid Queen'). As he grows up, the only outside experience to which he responds is a pinball machine, at which he becomes expert (`Pinball Wizard'). Tommy is finally cured by watching his image in a mirror smashed by, I believe, his mother's lover (`Smash the Mirror'). Being released from his isolation for Tommy is like being released from a practically lifelong mystical experience heightened by pinball. The charisma with which Tommy is imbued by this experience leads him to become a `New Messiah' (`Sally Simpson') creating a movement which expands beyond local resources (`Welcome') and becomes institutionalized into a ritual modeled after playing pinball while deaf dumb and blind (`Tommy's holiday camp'). The story ends with a revolt of Tommy's disciples against his new religion (`We're not gonna take it').
The theme of being oppressed runs throughout practically all of Townshend's work, although in `Tommy', it takes a back seat to mysticism. The people who dote on the philosophical background of `The Matrix' should sink their teeth into the `Tommy' story and ruminate on that a while. The major musical theme of the work seems to be Townsend's search for a magical chord. And, anyone who, like myself, has seen `Tommy' performed live by the original Who will have no trouble believing Townsend has found his chord as he hits that first great whirlwind chord in `Pinball Wizard'. Talk about a rush! In general, a lot of the music echoes earlier Who works. Townshend seems to constantly cut and paste phrasings from one work to another and I have no problem with this except in the most tedious of the three instrumental pieces (`Underture') in the album.
Some writers have said that 'Tommy' is more like an Oratorio or a Song Cycle than it is an Opera, but I disagree. Neither of these other two genres requires a plot, and an Opera does, and Tommy has a plot. I prefer to think of it as a selection of arias and instrumental passages from which some bridging dialogue has been left out. My biggest problem with this plot is that the actual event that triggers Tommy's autism is only hinted at in the most vague of terms. It is easy to believe that it was a murder, but the lyrics of `You Didn't Hear It' never come even close to saying exactly what the event was. On the other side of the coin, the great majority of the songs on the album `Tommy' directly support carrying the story forward. Practically the only exception is the Sonny Boy Williamson classic `Eyesight to the Blind'. It is probably symptomatic that only `Pinball Wizard', `I'm Free', and `Sensation' out of the 24 cuts in `Tommy' really work for the Who outside the context of the whole work. That's why I'm especially happy to have seen The Who perform virtually the whole album live, four days after it was initially released. It is also interesting to see that the two cuts describing episodes of sadism were written by Entwistle and not Townshend.
This CD contains exactly what was on my original vinyl two record album bought in 1969, suitably enhanced with modern electronics. My greatest respect for Townshend is for creating a classic musical form, the Opera, using an entirely ROCK instrument, with the slightest classical leavening from John Entwistle's French horn on a few early numbers. So many `rock' versions of traditional forms simply overlay rock performances on classical arrangements or make classical arrangements of rock melodies. Aside from `Quadrophenia', the only other work which succeeds at doing this is Spooky Tooth/Pierre Henry work `Ceremony An Electronic Mass'.
Listening to this album and every other early Who album reminds one just how much their performances were a collaborative effort between the original four, and how much we miss Keith Moon and John Entwistle today. We can only say that with `Tommy' and numerous other works and recorded performances, the memory of The Who will live forever.
Seminal work in the history of Rock."
0,28_8_R1XSP0QF52DY0.txt,5.0,"Huge fan of Krups and Heineken, now I have the best of both worlds.","September 14, 2009",Addie M,Krups C75 BeerTender Home Beer-Tap System with Heineken DraughtKeg Technology (Kitchen),"I recently bought the C75 Beertender as we prepare for the fall football season and we love it- here's why.
* Heineken is the beer of choice in our house, so when we saw the mini draught kegs in the grocery store, we knew this would be a nice alternative to the bottles and cans we normally buy for our gatherings.
* I am a big a fan of Krups products; I've always used a Krups coffee maker; I can't live without the pannini grill and recently purchased the fully automatic espresso machine- which we love. When I saw the Beertender, I knew we had to have one in our house.
* We have beer on tap all the time! Does it get any better then that? The beer stays at the perfect temperature, it doesn't take up any room in our refrigerator and it tells us when the keg needs to be replaced, if we exceed the 30 day freshness period. (So far we have drained the kegs before that date happens but we have come close)
I'm thinking this will be a great present for all the beer lovers in our families."
1,14_12_RVFCRLQRACWQP.txt,1.0,cheap but useless,"June 4, 2010",G. Venable,"Amazon Kindle 2 (2nd Generation) USB Car Charger, USB Wall / Travel Charger, Earphones, and Screen Protector / Guard",The product arrived but it does not include a connecting cable so while to price was right it has no value without a cable from the devices to the Kindle. Don't waste your money
0,276426_8_R18CQC8KFXQIUY.txt,5.0,Well writen and gives you an insight of Gov. Palin's life,"December 27, 2009",Chuck,Going Rogue: An American Life (Kindle Edition),"I am a big fan of politicians who are, well, for the lack of a better phrase, not born with a silver spoon in her/his mouth. When you have to work to pay for little things others take for granted, e.g. your own education, you have a true sense of what it takes to reach your goals in life. For this reason, I admire people like Pres. Clinton and Gov. Palin greatly. Clinton's ""My Life"" is one of my all-time favorite autobiographies.
As I read through this book, it became clear to me, much like Pres. Clinton, Mrs. Palin is far from a perfect human being and she has not been without fault. To her credit, she did not try to hide everything in the book. She admitted to many of the mistakes she made during the campaign and her life in general, and she tried to give a hindsight review of what went wrong and how she should/would have done differently, although I wish she had played less of the blame game in the book overall. As a political moderate, I can't say I always agree with Gov. Palin's opinions and stances on different issues, but I respect her because she formed them based on her own personal beliefs and experiences and did not blindedly follow ""party leaders"". The book also was Gov. Palin's first fair chance to explain some of the controversies that plagued her VP campaign, including the Troopergate, the Couric interview, the pregnancies (both herself and Bristol) and many more stories we never heard. Whether or not you want to take her words with a grain of salt, it at least is her side of the story that the media never presented us.
All in all, a very good read that took us from her childhood days in Alaska as a tomboy who loved sports and outdoors, to her struggles in early adulthood with her husband and children, and eventually to her glamorous appearance along side Sen. McCain on the campaign trails. Whether you agree with her politics, I think this book presents much we could learn from her life.
This is my honest review of the book and how much I enjoyed it, not the person or her political positions. I pre-ordered on Kindle and finished in a little less than two days."
0,40_10_RK2HL773C5MAF.txt,5.0,"""That woman is crazy, [but] ain't we all?""","December 30, 2005",Mary Whipple,Beloved (Paperback),"In this Pulitzer Prize-winning novel of 1988, Toni Morrison frees herself from the bonds of traditional narrative and establishes an independent style, just as her characters have freed themselves from the horrors of slavery and escaped from Kentucky to Ohio. Revealing the story of Sethe and her family as they survive the brutality of the farm, only to encounter torments even more punishing than whippings after they escape, Morrison presents scenes in a seemingly random order, each scene revealing some aspect of life for Sethe, her boys, her dead baby Beloved, and the new baby Denver, both in the past and in the present. Moving back and forth, around, and inside out through Sethe's recollections, she gradually reveals Sethe's story to the reader, its horror increasing as the reader makes the connections which turn disconnected scenes into a powerful and harrowing chronology.
As the novel opens, Sethe and Denver have lived in #124, a house in Ohio, for eighteen years, refusing to socialize and enjoying no company. When Paul D. Garner, one of the Sweet Home men and a friend of her long-missing husband, arrives on her doorstep and moves in, Sethe slowly reveals her long-buried nightmares, and the two share their stories of the events leading up to their escape. Most haunting to Sethe is the death of her young daughter Beloved, shortly after the escape from the farm, though the reader does not know for many pages the shocking manner of her death. When a ghostly figure who calls herself Beloved arrives at #124, shortly after Paul D., Morrison creates mystery and a heart-stoppingly tense atmosphere when Beloved moves in. As Beloved gradually takes over the household and seems to demand and then possess Sethe's soul, the sorrow which has burdened Sethe seems close to breaking her.
The sadism of some slave-owners, the devices used to torture, and the desperate measures some slaves took to protect themselves and their loved ones come fully alive here, the horrors growing as the reader gradually discovers the real source of Sethe's torment. By forcing the reader to make the connections, instead of spelling out details in a traditional narrative, Morrison strengthens the impact of the novel and its brutal revelations. Symbols of water, rain, snow, and ice connect the disparate scenes, and the use of shadows and the ghostly character of Beloved keep the reader on tenterhooks until the action is eventually resolved. A powerful, atmospheric, and shocking novel, Beloved is also a searing indictment of slavery and the damage it has done to the fabric of life, damage that cannot be repaired until it is fully recognized through novels such as this. n Mary Whipple"
0,13_11_R14YGREH80DBE3.txt,5.0,Perfectly executed fiction for teens,"May 23, 2009","The Well-Read Child ""http://wellreadchild.blogsp<span class=""invisible""> </span>ot.com/""",Shiver (Hardcover),"The book tells the story from the alternating points of view of two characters. Grace has been watching the wolves outside her Mercy Falls, Minnesota home every winter. She is drawn to one in particular that has stunning yellow eyes, and she's certain that it is the same wolf who saved her from a pack of wolves who attacked her when she was a young girl.
Sam leads two lives. In the spring and summer, he's human, but when the cooler temperatures of autumn descend upon him, it's not long before he turns into a wolf for the winter. The problem with being a werewolf is that the longer you're a wolf, the less time you spend in your human form until one spring, you don't change back and are forever a part of the wolf world.
When Grace meets Sam, one look at his yellow eyes makes her certain that he's her wolf. They are drawn to each other and it doesn't take them long to realize that they've been in love for years as impossible as it may seem. As the temperatures get cooler, Sam and Grace struggle to keep him human, but the bitter cold and other obstacles threaten to take him away from her forever.
What I love about Maggie Stiefvater's writing, especially in Shiver, is that it's completely seamless: the transitions between the two main characters' points of view and the way that she brings werewolves into what seems like a perfectly normal world. I'm one of those people who rarely reads chapter titles or headings because I find them distracting, and not once did I have to glance up at the beginning of a chapter to see who was speaking. Sam and Grace have their own distinct voices and characteristics, but the switch from character to character is not jarring the way I've seen it in a lot of other books. And the coolest thing? Grace and Sam each have their own strengths and complement each other well. I love to see strong female characters in books for teens, and Grace is definitely smart and strong and can take care of herself.
But what I love the most about Ms. Stiefvater's writing is her ability to depict chemistry between two characters--first with Dee and Luke in Lament and now with Sam and Grace. She's masterful at showing and not telling: glances, touches, dialogue, and thoughts all create a completely believable love between a girl and a werewolf.
Shiver is a perfectly executed book, and I continue to be impressed with Maggie Stiefvater's writing."
0,23_11_R1CSG18LEBTLHZ.txt,5.0,best little toy my husband ever received,"July 16, 2010","Edward P. Alfortish ""edadele""",Apple iPod touch 8 GB (2nd Generation--with iPhone OS 3.1 Software Installed) [NEWEST MODEL] (Electronics),"my children bought this for their father for father's day. his ipod was stolen about six months ago. he goes nowhere without this new little toy. he loves it. easy to use and he has downloaded his music, games, pictures and he can even go on the internet with it. what more could you ask for."
0,11_7_R116OBOLCI9AKY.txt,5.0,Great product,"January 30, 2010","Christina Gladden ""gluten free mom""","Plum Organics Fiddlesticks Snack Sticks, Apple Carrot, 2.12-Ounce Boxes (Pack of 6) (Grocery)",Great healthy product. I purchased it for something different to try and both my 2 & 4 yr old think it tastes great!!
0,49_12_R3U6JSAIAODQBI.txt,5.0,changed my life!,"November 19, 2008","Peter Gordon Scott ""firemen on earth""",Dragon NaturallySpeaking 10 Preferred - Medium Box (DVD-ROM),"I have never written a review before but I have to say that this product is one of the best things that I've ever bought. I am a terrible typer and this allows me to write reports about twice as fast and without all the headache of correction. I almost didn't buy this product because of all of the terrible reviews on Amazon.com.
It seems that if you are using Vista, or are an English as a 2nd language student, or have a very old computer then you might have problems using Dragon. I have 2 GB of RAM on 2005 HP Pavilion laptop running XP
I understand that people are not happy with tech support but I have yet to use it. Also when loading the software I also faced a C++ error message that was a headache but I was able to fix it with a simple Google search.
Last year I had my Mac stolen, but now I couldn't be happier because now I can use the software on my new XP, that I couldn't have used if I still had a Mac.
I'm using the software to type this review and I would say that it has made perhaps 2 errors, but that is understandable given that sometimes I speak quickly and there is some ambiguity in what I'm writing.
I can honestly say that the software has changed my life. I love my job now!"
1,42_14_R11IWXF21P3Q2Y.txt,2.0,Book Strives to Have Mentally-Challenged Reproduce,"July 5, 2010",Billy Oertel,Sex For Dummies (Paperback),"Sex For Dummies: I saw this book while perusing Amazon, and could not believe it. Not only is this company marketing their products to mentally-challenged people, but they are doing it right out in the open! Surely the mentally-handicapped, who oftentimes work menial jobs for little or no pay, need their money more than any other group? But no, this soulless corporation keeps churning out their books designed to take our slower brothers' and sisters' last dime. How exactly are the books ""For Dummies?"" I'm not sure; perhaps they have large, colorful pictures or have scratch-and-sniff components. No matter, the point still stands that this company is trying to take advantage of the mentally-impared and must be stopped.
And furthermore, ""Sex for Dummies?"" Really? I'm as liberal as the next guy, but are the mentally-challenged really the kind of people we want reproducing? I'm not saying we round them up into camps or anything, but if you can figure out a way to keep `em childless, so much so the better.
To conclude: Not only does this book take advantage of the less-fortunate, but it strives to create a world in which there are even more of said less-fortunate. Two stars."
1,46_18_R3VSDIWI5QI269.txt,4.0,Protect Your Child From Peanut Allergies!,"June 28, 2010",Wandrwoman,Child Soviet Russian Gas Mask Civilian / Military NEW (Misc.),"My 8 year old suffers from life threatening peanut allergies. Until I found this wonderful Soviet Russian made civilian/military gas mask manufactured just for children, my son Herbert spent 95% of his time under a sealed bubble tent at home. This excellent mask has really been a godsend as Herbert is now able to attend school, participate in his favorite sports, go to the movies, enjoy the Cub Scouts, etc. The large filter canister fits easily into the matching haversack which also carries his school books and other supplies. He does complain that the mask is hot and cumbersome but his words are muffled and well, easy to ignore. It is after all in his best interest. He will come to understand when he gets older."
1,8_4_R2UZGVJMNTO7R0.txt,5.0,The bomb diggity,"July 9, 2010","Ken Chida ""Ken Chida""",For Your Entertainment (Audio CD),Oh em gee! This is like the most bomb diggity fantastic album ever. I want to permanently attach my earphones to my ear and blast Adam's music into my brain. He is God. I would do anything for this man. I would even file my taxes on time if he asked me to. I luv internet privacy. Don't you?
0,37_13_R3RZ2CPGFU07WC.txt,5.0,This Compressor Is Worth The Money!,"April 17, 2010",M. Curtis,Campbell Hausfeld FP2028 1-Gallon Oil-Free Pancake Air Compressor with Accessory Kit (Tools & Hardware),"17 APR 2010
After researching the `cornucopia' of compressors on the market and concluding my own specific needs for such, I decided to purchase this compressor. Good call on my part.
After following CH instructions on pre-operation setup, this compressor has performed very well. Within the first 24-hours of receiving it, I used it to add air to vehicle and ATV tires to cleaning the air filter and deck on my mower, to blowing off steps prior to painting.
While the coiled air hose takes a little time to get accustomed to, I consider it a minor inconvenience. As many have reported, one may consider the noise level extreme. While you can expect noise from any such device, this inconvenience is limited to only when the device is charging.
The portability is a nice added bonus. If you must use an extension cord, make sure the cord is properly rated to the amps and watts of the device. Otherwise, circuit breakers can trip and the device will not work as designed. The use of household-type light duty extension cords may lead to electrical shock hazard, increased fire hazard, and damage to your new compressor. When in doubt, consult with a licensed electrician.
Overall, I rate the compressor 5 stars. It beats driving to a service station and throwing away [...] for three minutes of air time. Assuming you can find a service station with a working air hose!
Mike
[...]"
1,33_13_R2V5DY325ZGHZT.txt,2.0,The UFO-01 was better,"April 4, 2010",LAMBxROAST,UFO-02 Detector,"I purchased a UFO-01 a while back and I must say, it had served me well. I personally think that it wards off aliens, as it has not uttered a peep in the last thirty years. A couple months ago, the 9-volt battery in my UFO-01 detector leaked lithium all over the device. Imagine how disappointed I was! Anyways, I figured that it was probably time for a new detector. I noticed that Image SI had come out with an updated version of the UFO-01 for the same price, so I decided to upgrade. My main concern in purchasing was the lack of Alien-prevention technology, which is standard in many comparable devices, in the UFO-02. But as I learned in school, first is the worst and second is the best so I took the plunge. Plus, it is only $150, a relative bargain as anyone who knows anything about alien detecting can tell you.
Setup and installation was a breeze. I put it up on my roof for optimal alien-detecting and promptly felt reassured that I could once again tell when aliens were finally coming to our fair planet. However, the very first night, the built in LED started flashing and a loud, persistent beeping awoke my entire neighborhood. I, of course, recognized that aliens were coming and grabbed my katana from under my pillow. No aliens were going to anally probe me. But after extensive searching around my entire town, disguised as a lamppost, I found no traces of aliens anywhere.
I can only conclude that the UFO-02 must have sent out a false alarm. I am fairly unhappy about this as my UFO-01 had never even once sounded a false alarm. Also, my neighbors are fairly unhappy with me, even though I was simply acting in their best interests when I razed their houses in search of aliens. I had viewed Image SI as a manufacturer of quality equipment but obviously that perception must be re-evaluated. Additionally, I had to climb back onto my roof to turn off the device, and the battery ran out within three days. Those 9V lithium batteries aren't cheap, you know, and Image SI doesn't even include one with the product. I intend to write an angry letter to the company."
0,15_9_R1C3O559617T4D.txt,4.0,"Endearing, comforting, cool","April 8, 2005","F. Chua ""fbc7330""",Hang in There! Inspirational Art of the 1970s (Hardcover),"This hardcover book is a compilation of retro posters of kittens and other animals, most with phrases, like, ""I wuv you,"" and some repeating, ""Hang in there."" The poster art in this book reminded me of the genuine heartfelt effort put into handicrafts some friends and lovers give each other, especially early on in a relationship. Those who appreciate cuteness and whimsy will enjoy this book. This is a great comforting book to give to a friend, relative, or signifcant other particularly when they are sick, feeling down, and/or adapting to a stressful situation."
0,43_17_R7JVBQOL2D85F.txt,5.0,Very satisfied with Urnconcern,"June 23, 2010","E. Patane ""Blitzball""","The Classic Cremation Urn. Hand Engraved Solid Brass With Black Lacquer Coat. 10"" Height, Includes Velvet Storage & Display Box. (Kitchen)","When I told the seller that I am having the funeral service for my dad in less than a week, he delivered the urn to me in two days with no extra charge. I am extremely happy with the urn and the service. Highly recommend."
0,43_20_R249NGVG0F8COO.txt,5.0,excellent tool,"June 14, 2010",S. J. Church,The Ghost Meter EMF Sensor (Tools & Hardware),"This is tool is sensitive enough to detect higher than normal EMF's.
I took it around my house just to make sure it's working and it hit everywhere I knew there were high emfs, without fail. the light is bright enough to see yet not so bright that you lose your night vision. if you need more precise readings I would suggest getting something digital but this works great for me."
0,22_9_R1GXG5SUEBGX2K.txt,3.0,"Staying Afloat, the words of a trusted mariner.","April 6, 2002",reginald mchandy,How to Avoid Huge Ships (Paperback),"Trimmer's book brings up many fine points during its unusually colorful descriptions of what I regard as, ""ballast-makers"", those close-calls with...huge ships. He includes the standard wave-your-flag boys attention getting techniques, but goes deeper to include a section on ramming speed."
0,26_7_R1A01BJC2SMECD.txt,1.0,TROLL 2 THE WORST OF THE WORST OF THE WORST,"September 15, 2008","gabe nash ""gabe nash""",Troll/Troll 2 (DVD),"saw troll 2 on hbo back in 1992 or 1993.this movie is painfully boring.painful to watch.couldnt watch this with a migraine.people avoid this one.if u like a troll movie go with the first one.not the second.bad acting,bad scenes.too bad period.this is only for people who adore bad flicks.i just cannot do this one.also the opening credits music scared me half to death.i thought for a minute those goblins were right there beside me.this is a bad movie i dont care for."
1,10_6_R222OQ5HMG8IW6.txt,1.0,"Another timely book, Another ridiculous Kindle delay","February 7, 2010","Gary R. Gordon ""Rustang""",The Politician: An Insider's Account of John Edwards's Pursuit of the Presidency and the Scandal That Brought Him Down (Hardcover),"Does the publisher seriously think anyone is going to want to buy and read this book on April 27th? By that time John Edwards will have fathered more love children and spent 2400 more dollars on haircuts! That book will be woefully out of date! Publisher, Amazon -- set a price you can live with and release the Kindle book when you release the hardcover. Geeze these guys are stupid!"
0,21_7_R3A91BPDWZIN0Z.txt,5.0,A manual for societal behavior and expectations,"September 6, 2009","Judy K. Polhemus ""Book Collector""",Lord of the Flies (Paperback),"""Lord of the Flies"" is singularly the most important novel for required reading, whether assigned in school or self-imposed. It regularly appears as number one on my own list of best books.
Let's play ""What if."" What if a plane carrying a full load of school boys crashes on a deserted island with no adult survivors? What would happen to those boys? What would you expect to happen?
William Golding works with this premise: an idyllic setting, innocent schoolboys. One boy, an older boy just short of teenage years, a boy with fair hair, assumes leadership to stir the others into some semblance of organization and survival mode, much like adults would do if adults were present. He also saw a need to defuse the web of fear of the younger ones. Where are we? How long will we need to wait before someone comes for us? All questions with no answers at this time.
Ah, yes, Golding tells us, everything goes well for a while. But remember the ""scar"" made by the crashing plane? Something ugly is on this island (but it's not the scar). It's in the bushes, in the dark, in the depths, in the depths of hearts, and it grows like the malignancy it is.
A blatant revelation of what is about to come occurs when Roger silently and stealthily watches a young'un, unbeknownst to the little child. All the young'un is doing is running a stick through the sand, disturbing a crab in a tiny pool of water. Even he imposes control and fear on a helpless creature as Roger boldly picks up a couple of rocks and tosses them the youngster's way. He deliberately misses but comes closer with each throw. Next time he will probably hit the young boy, but not yet. This taboo--deliberately and unnecessarily causing pain to one smaller than you--has not been broken--yet.
Although the dance of the spears, the primeval chants, the attack and killing of the pig, then feasting on its flesh, their kill, are shocking acts of savagery, this event is foreshadowed by the seemingly innocent lob of the stones. From a casual incident, but one with eventual intentionality, the ritualistic slaughter is not so far-fetched or surprising. Golding prepares his readers. This is how the chaos of society starts. It begins with one simple disconnect from the rules. It begins in the minds and hearts. Will I do what society expects? Will I follow the rules to keep things running and working? Do I break a rule or two for my own enhancement. Will I feel a power surge if my rock hits that young `un?
Ralph would probably speak of the terror of knowing that rules WILL be broken. He would speak of the utter horror that any rule can be and will be broken and he won't live to tell about it. Just ask Piggy.
This novel is the only one I taught over and over during the twelve years I worked with high school seniors. My other choices I would switch around those years, drop some, add some. This one I kept. It is that important. I think of ""Lord of the Flies"" as a necessary manual for societal behavior and an effort to keep the chaos of evil at bay.
Is it even necessary to ask how many times that rock has been thrown since this novel was published in the 1950's? Or how much chaos has imploded so many lives?
Like the way of manuals, some remain in circulation and are deeply read; others fall by the wayside out of disinterest. Some are thrown in the trash. ""Lord of the Flies""--what is its current status? And society--how is it doing? Reader, are you a little bit fearful?"
0,34_10_R2HAHA2X3YW5NF.txt,5.0,Funny!!!,"June 30, 2009",Heidi Dexter,Belly Laughs: The Naked Truth about Pregnancy and Childbirth (Paperback),"There are a lot of pregnancy books out there that just, in my option, want to just give you the facts, overlooking the fact that pregnant women need to laugh a little, too. Well, thankfully, there is Belly Laughs and while it is filled with the trials and tribulations of pregnancy, Ms. Mccarthy never fails to poke a little fun at it, too, and at herself. It's just a great read all pregnant women should read. I also liked and would suggest Really Pregnant! Confessions of a New Mom-To-Be or Why I Couldn't Stop Eating Brownies ."
0,6_14_R1GVEI41Q75EYH.txt,5.0,Book fills unfulfilled need in a unique subject field.,"May 7, 2010",A. Lani Teshima,The Guild Leader's Handbook: Strategies and Guidance from a Battle-Scarred MMO Veteran (Paperback),"First of all, full disclosure requires that I mention that I helped copy edit this book for the publisher. This means that I have a very thorough knowledge of the contents of the book.
This book is not for *everyone* who plays massively multi-player online (MMO) games, but is instead designed specifically for those who are--or are curious about becoming--leaders and officers of guilds, those organized groups that are the lifeblood of MMOs. The book covers a very wide gamut within this topic, but the main take-away is that this book is helpful for ANYONE interested in guild leadership. Those who are wondering what is involved in starting and leading a guild will find a lot of information about how to create a new guild from scratch, while those who are already officers or leaders will find a lot of helpful information for topics like how to deal with churn, personality conflicts, or drama.
The author includes numerous examples--many by way of personal experience--that make it easy for the reader to see how policies or situations may apply in a real in-game situation. Best of all, the author takes great care to ensure that this book is about the role of guild leadership in all MMOs; this is not a book about how to be a guild leader in any one specific game (that is, you won't feel left out that you are a guild leader in a smaller MMO instead of a behemoth like World of Warcraft).
The book is organized in a way that readers can easily go directly to a section and gather practical information, and in that way. Readers should get just as much out of this by picking a specific section to read, as if they sat down and read the book cover to cover.
I see this book as both a cookbook for guild leadership (that is, identifying and finding a particular topic that applies to your situation and looking up solutions), as well as a disaster prevention/management book for how to ensure that your guild runs smoothly.
All in all, this is a highly detailed and unique book that should be very helpful for both current guild leaders and officers, as well as those interested in what is involved in running a guild. If you're feeling generous, consider getting this for your guild leader."
0,7_19_RYVK0ZZOI5GEI.txt,5.0,Amazing Diapers!,"December 17, 2007",Sara M,"Seventh Generation Newborn Diapers, (Up To10 Lbs), 40-Count Packages (160 Diapers) (Pack of 4) [Amazon Frustration-Free Packaging] (Health and Beauty)","I first bought these diapers for my daughter when she got her first bad diaper rash at about a month old. It was one of those rashes that looked as though her skin had been set on fire and nothing seemed to be helping it. I had tried everything and thought maybe these chlorine free diapers and wipes will do something for her. To my amazement, her diaper rash went away within a day and a half of using the diapers and wipes from Seventh Generation. I wouldn't have believed it if I hadn't seen it for myself! I think that really speakes volumes about the danger of whatever chemicals being are put into the other diaper brands. These are now the ONLY brand of diapers I will buy for my kids."
0,46_14_RMROSIBS34R2K.txt,5.0,It actually works,"March 23, 2009",Alicia Wietholter,"Dermatend the Original Mole, Wart & Skin Tag Remover Natural At Home Removal System. Removing Moles, Warts & Skin Tags Has Never Been Easier. (Misc.)","I give it 5 stars just for the simple fact that it does what it claims. If you use this as directed, you'll be very suprised. It's a little messy, I had to do 2 applications, took about a day and a half til I could go 'bandaid-less' without the paste. 1 actually came off yesterday (started the whole process 4 days ago) and the others definitely look like they are going to soon. It is a little painful & itchy (not to mention gross) but nothing awful. Those small round bandaids are perfect for this. I'll update this once they start to heal (the one that came off kind of looks like a little burn wound right now) and maybe I'll have during/after photos then. Also, it didn't really affect the healthy skin around it very much, and I know I wasn't very careful about applying it. Overall, it's worth the money. Careful about putting this in a place where others can see, it'll take a bit to heal and it turns the spot BLACK until it falls off. Wanted to also say the customer service is GREAT, the guy was super quick to reply to my emails and very nice/professional. I'll update in a few weeks!
update 3/27: All gone but a few holes/divots are left behind, not healed yet though and still red. Using neosporin and bandaids 24/7.
update 4/6: Divots have filled in, looking SO much better, just a bit red and discolored. Just started using prefer on scar treatment.
update 5/26: about half of the moles are starting to grow back (although smaller and flat). others are scars that lighten every week but still quite noticeable. will reapply to the ones reappearing."
1,14_2_R23WDTYSUBOS2F.txt,1.0,an interesting first name,"February 6, 2010","Paul R. Galloway ""cov87""",Catastrophe (Hardcover),"Well so far I have read 37 pages of this and there is nothing in it that anyone with a grudge against Obama could not have written. The authors even use quotes from their previous masterworks to bolster their views. So far they have not offered one original idea on how to improve economic conditions, but they do want to take this country back. They don't say where to, the good old days of the 60's, 70's, 80's, maybe even the 50's, who knows.
Anyway, I will continue to read it, just to see why a person who must get paid plenty of money by the fair and balanced news station feels the need to take 10 dollars from the readers wallets."
1,34_5_R34QJNZJDT6KGA.txt,1.0,I hate it!,"June 29, 2010",MzNBTwen,HTC HD2 Windows Phone (T-Mobile) (Wireless Phone),"I have been with T-Mobile for years and they havent had the best phones. I'm coming from a iphone on tmobile service, so when this phone came out I figured this would be better. NOT at all!
During the first week the phone started freezing terribly, unlike the iphone it takes forever and a day to charge up, the marketplace sucks, the apps are very expensive, the keyboard is stupid and very sensitive which is a problem for me because I'm a fast typer. Sometimes the phone still shows im on a phone call for hours and when im not, and it's not connecting to the mircosoft exchange server for my email. Now the exchange server log in screen pops up every 5-10 mins. Even though the camera has 5 mega-pixels, the photos still are very grainy and not that clear.
I soooooo regret purchasing this phone, and because I've passed my exchanged period (14 days from purchase), my only option now is to sell it."
1,50_2_R1ZMQDIOL74E1N.txt,1.0,My Personal Rating is Zero! I am too heavy to use this. Be Warned.,"December 11, 2009",Dabraat,Wii Fit Plus with Balance Board (Video Game),"This is a fitness system. Who needs fitness systems the most? Heavy people.
Guess what? I got on the balance board to be weighed and it told me I was too heavy to use it. Mind you I am not a ""Biggest Loser"" Candidate. I am just over the 250 lb limit.
Why would you build this without making it capable of working for bigger people? These are the people who want to lose weight in the privacy of their homes, until they are gym ready.
Completely stupid, upsetting, annoying and unfair. Wasted money."
1,42_11_R1HNFW27RW2MWJ.txt,1.0,WARNING!!!,"November 17, 2002",A Customer,The Girlfriends' Guide to Pregnancy: Or everything your doctor won't tell you (Paperback),"If you are overweight, or even sensitive about your weight, don't read this book! Iovine can't resist saying ""fat"" without adding ""and ugly"" and she states in the beginning that overweight couch potatoes are not welcome in her circle of ""girlfriends."" Towards the end of the book, she discusses the pregnant waddle, and reasons that all fat people waddle a bit anyway. She sympathizes with her husband for not being attracted to her. After all, you wouldn't want to sleep with someone as fat as you, right? And she confides that her maternity wardrobe ran all the way up to a (gasp) size ten! The horror! Although this book was very entertaining and had some good information, I got tired of being slapped every couple of pages. The author simply can't resist seperating her temporarily round self from those of us who struggle with our weight all the time. Does she not realize that the average American woman is a size 14? I really felt like I was reading this book as an outsider, so I waited until a skinny friend got pregnant and gave it to her. And by the way, Ms. Iovine, I am a size 16 and my husband can't keep his hands off me. It would take a lot more than pregnancy and dark roots to push him away. If your husband is that picky about your looks, I feel sorry for you."
1,6_4_R1ATB6PSQ3HNTF.txt,1.0,Are White people blind? This movie was awful.,"May 30, 2004",D & A,Musa-warrior [dvd/ws Anamorphic/dd 5.1/dts/eng-sub] (DVD),"It's obvious to me the positive reviews here come from White people fascinated with Asian culture (anything Asian must be exotic and intriguing). Just look at the review entitled "multicultural Braveheart with Kim Chi." I don't see any reviews for Braveheart entitled "multicultural First Emperor with Haggis." There was no Kim Chi in this movie. There was also no "love" here, either. The movie had the potential to have a love triangle, but love was neither talked about nor seen. The closest that came to "love" in the film was an obsessive-psychotic guy who threw a spear at anyone who dared come within a foot of the princess. The princess was an annoying primadonna who wasn't worth anyone's time. There was no character development, and there were too many fight sequences. If you want to see a good Asian movie with a war epic and a real love triangle, see Hero."
0,36_13_R3IRVEEQAT85PE.txt,5.0,IPhone Users,"February 26, 2009","Shoe Shopper ""Shoe Shopper""",iPhone 3G Stylus (Wireless Phone Accessory),For those of my generation who keep up with technology but just can't get the hang of touch typing without hitting the right key the Apple IPhone 3G Stylus is the best thing for you. You are able to move faster and hit the right keys without mistakes. I love this tool I just wish there was a place on the Iphone to place it. If you have fat fingers or long nails this is the tool for you!
1,11_2_R1G60TXW3N8Z6E.txt,1.0,This must be some sort of parody,"July 10, 2010",gn47,Brothers (Audio CD),"I hope the real Black Keys have filed a cease and desist order against the impostors who created this cruel satire that sounds worse than anything I've heard in an elevator. I bought and then listened to some of this thinking it was to be genuine Black Keys music, and then felt like I had entered some sort of bizarro universe. Actually deserves less than one star."
0,13_17_RP2JQT0TRZO0Q.txt,5.0,EXCELLENT REALITY SHOW! GREAT FOR THE ENTIRE FAMILY!! GOTTA GET THIS ONE!,"September 6, 2007",Terri W,Little People Big World - Season 1 (DVD),"With three little ones in the house its hard to catch anything on tv that isn't a cartoon. My husband and I are hooked on this reality show which is still on TLC. Once you start watching it you want to see more. You can learn so much from the Roloff family. I have been waiting for them to come out with these DVD's by season. I'm excited to see they are putting out season one and hope that they continue release all of the seasons here on after. I plan on introducing this program to my children as they get older (my oldest is 6). You get a better understanding of what ""little people"" go through in our big world. It's really neat watching all of the Roloff children grow up. You won't regret it pre-order your DVD today!"
0,37_20_R2X5LF31122D2E.txt,1.0,BORING,"June 9, 2010",avid reader,Savor the Moment (Kindle Edition),"I've always been a huge Nora Roberts fan but lately her books, and especially this series, have been lacking... and at these prices I expect a good story!
The characters all feel familiar, the dialogue seems repetitive and the stories lack tension. This book in particular was a difficult read since nothing really happens and the main characters were bland, annoying and have no passion. I had to force myself to finish since mid-way through the book I just didn't care about them or the other too perfect couples."
1,49_7_R2WJ2OILNNPHLH.txt,1.0,Breaks in your pocket & Kodak warranty won't fix it.,"July 4, 2010","Lucas A. Miller ""LukeDawg""",Kodak Zx1 HD Pocket Video Camera (Blue) (Electronics),"I bought this camera for my deployment to Iraq. It was in my cargo pants pocket one day I took it out and the lens was cracked and the silver trim ring had fallen off. I don't know how it broke but it did. Anyways when I got home I contacted Kodak to fix it. They said ""Customer induced damage to the camera voids the warranty"" they want $63 + $10.95 + tax to fix it OR I can send it to them and they will take 15% off a new camera if bought from the Kodak store. No thanks, first and last time I'll buy a Kodak camera. It's going to be a nice paperweight."
1,51_14_R22TEMV2FB5OD.txt,5.0,The Loss of Innocence: How we can find meaning through love,"April 22, 2008","Bop Bop Peranu ""2008""","Tim and Eric Awesome Show, Great Job! - Season 1 (DVD)","Seldom a product comes around that arouses the senses in the way Tim and Eric Awesome Show: Great Job! does. When enjoying the show with my many coworkers and pets, I can't help but remember the great summer of 1993. For me, and many others, this is a return to the boldness yesteryear. It is a series that presents as many questions as it offers answers, sharing the joys of shrimp, sports and Bluetooth(tm) Technology with hundreds of millions of people across the globe.
Are Tim and Eric guide you like a Euchaetes egle? Maybe not.
Could Richard Dunn be the next Dick Van Dyke? Perhaps on a perchance.
Does David Liebe Heart tear at your heartstrings every time he opens his beautifully shaped mouth? A thousand times, yes.
Truly this 5-star cast will have you laughing as well as thinking within the first opening. Combine this with hundreds of celebrity guest appearances ranging from Oscar-winning Billy Crystals to music superstar DJ Douggpound and the viewer will have a euphoric experience presented in Digital Video Disk quality."
0,276423_6_R3HES3RAGMLGK.txt,5.0,Love it,"November 9, 2009",Chris G.,Motorola DROID A855 Android Phone (Verizon Wireless) (Wireless Phone),"The best Verizon phone available as of 4-14-2010. Runs the Eris and all other models into the ground. The phone is heavy, and the original backs of the phones were problematic. That is about the only cons that come to mind. App development has made a LEAP since I originally purchased the phone on launch date. Gaming in particular has really come into it's own. A lot of developers have given their approval, and starting to duplicate if not migrate their apps from the Iphone. I have 0 regrets in purchasing this phone, and I'm really hard to please. I am a bit biased as I insist on having a physical keyboard. Blackberry is nice in the fact you don't have to slide to access the keyboard, but the resolution and functionality more then makes up for it. This thing does 100x the functions of my old Blackberry."
0,32_2_R372S3MYF9S8WQ.txt,1.0,Hated it so much I returned it,"August 23, 2009",T. Gallagher,Cocktails for Three (Paperback),"I am a huge fan of Sophie Kinsella and normally love her books under the name of Madeline Wickham, too. This book, however, drove me nuts! I only made it about 1/4 of the way through before I returned it to the store - luckily I hadn't cracked the spine, and they took it back and refunded my money. This book is so terrible that I couldn't even make it past the first 1/4 of it - the characters were horrible, shallow people, and the plot is so see-through. Clearly, this book is one of Sophie's earlier works - the ""plot"" is terrible. Don't waste your money - don't take a chance in case you crack the spine - you won't be able to return it! Spend your money on one of Sophie Kinsella's novels instead - ""Remember Me"" is hysterical and a great, easy read. ""Cocktails for 3"" is painful trash."
0,276425_11_R2JWE8LYSNQA2U.txt,5.0,an excellent value,"April 8, 2004","Alejandra Vernon ""artist & illustrator""",Boldtext Pew Bible: King James Version (Hardcover),"Sturdy and quite heavy for its size, this no-frills Bible is an excellent value, and would make a very good second or third Bible. Well constructed with an imitation leather look on the cover, the font size is not large, but it is in bold print, and very readable and easy on the eyes.
What it has:
A presentation page.
""Daily Bible Readings,"" giving a table of three systems for reading the Bible in one year.
A seven page history of the Bible, and how the King James Version came to be. First published in 1611, there were several subsequent revisions, and the version we read today is most like the 1769 revision.
What it does not have that you would likely find in a better quality Bible:
It has no cross-references, making it a poor Bible for study.
The words of Jesus are not printed in red.
It has no concordance.
No maps.
No ribbon marker.
Many people use a modern language Bible for study, enabling greater clarity and understanding (and I recommend the New King James Version, or the one I have used for years, the Amplified Bible), but the King James Version is nevertheless glorious in its language, should be read at least once in a lifetime, and is invaluable for comparison of texts, and though I feel it is a sadly short-sighted view, some consider the King James Version as simply great ""literature,"" comparing it to Shakespeare, and read it only for the beauty of its prose.
Due to this edition not having cross-references, it does not make a good primary Bible, but will be more than adequate as a secondary translation, and the King James Bible is a version one should definitely own.
Psalm 66:19
King James Version: ""But verily God hath heard me; he hath attended to the voice of my prayer.""
New King James Version: ""But certainly God has heard me; He has attended to the voice of my prayer.""
Amplified Bible: ""But certainly God has heard me; He has given heed to the voice of my prayer."""
0,276424_7_RPMQWVJTTZF18.txt,5.0,"Finally, an enlightened leader","October 21, 2006",E. Wingard,The Audacity of Hope: Thoughts on Reclaiming the American Dream (Hardcover),"For any American citizen who is currently in resignation or despair over the abundant examples of unethical, immoral and abusive leaders who breed cynicism and apathy, The Audacity of Hope is a breath of much needed oxygen. Senator Obama may be considered ""soft"" by the media who enjoy taking down anyone who exhibits complexity of mind, paradoxical thinking and humanistic values, yet his writing inspires one to stop wallowing in helplessness and take an active role in our imperfect democracy. When Obama first spoke at the Democratic convention, Ann Deavere Smith wrote an op ed piece the next day saying that politics would never be the same because finally a leader spoke with a ""unifying fusion"" beyond partisanship, stereotypes and blame mongering. The senator's writing demonstrates that reflective, thoughtful consideration of apparent opposites is a leadership attribute needed urgently -- Obama speaks of the need to redefine power from its corrupt, controlling misuse as currently witnessed daily to an inclusive power that practices empathy, tolerance, and a reclaiming of core democratic values. Obama leaves the reader with a call to face our critical global issues by polishing the lens of our own perceptions rather than projecting and perpetuating fear and hatred. Whether he will be able to pass great legislation or run for president, this book provides inspiration to any leader who wants to demonstrate a capacity to connect with the hearts, minds and souls of generations seeking to be inspired and uplifted. He embodies the true sense of enlightened -""awake"" not perfect--able to use his intelligence for the greater good while demonstrating the humility of one who knows his own shadows. A highly recommended read for all would be leaders."
0,32_9_R196O16O1FBFG5.txt,5.0,Jigsaws falling into place...,"December 31, 2007","E. A Solinas ""ea_solinas""",In Rainbows (Audio CD),"At a certain point, a marvelous band will get a reputation so overwhelming, it's simply not possible for them to keep topping themselves.
And from the sound of ""In Rainbows,"" Radiohead has decided not to let their reputation loom over them -- and I'm not just talking about the online digital release. In their latest album, they reinvent their bittersweet pop sound -- they lose some of the trappings of their past work, in favour of warmer, more intimate melodies and traditional instrumentation.
It opens on an angular note with ""15 Steps,"" which is built around a jagged riff.The first couple minutes are full of fuzzy synth stabs and sharp drums, sounding like a jazz number that's being eaten by a computer. ""How come I end up where I started?/How come I end up where I went wrong?"" Thom Yorke sings mournfully. ""You reel me out then you cut the string...""
But then the guitars slide in and twine through the song, softening it into something very different. The scratchy synth beats and subtle guitar start building to a slow crescendo, staying energetic and almost reggae-esque right to the end.
See it as kind of a transition song for Radiohead; they're easing listeners into their new acoustic sound, rather than just dropping us in. But after that, they pretty much leave the ""Kid A"" territory behind them -- ""Bodysnatchers"" is an intense rocker brimming with chunky riffs and softly ringing guitars. It's a gorgeous piece.
After that, the songs gently slip down into more introspective territory -- smooth, dark pop songs wrapped in a heavy blanket of fluid strings and subtle slide guitar. Some of these are dressed up in thick guitars and clattery drums. ""Jigsaw Falling Into Place drops the strings for a vibrant guitar-rocker edged with synth, and it all finished up with the quivering, melodic finale ""Videotape.""
You know, I didn't think that Radiohead could surprise me. So many bands get mired in their best-known sound, and they keep turning out the same ol' because that is what the fans expect. But Radiohead has not only made an exquisitely bittersweet pop album, but they've also injected vitality back into their sound. They sound brand new.
Particularly, they've almost abandoned the cool, alien synth of their last few albums. It's still there in patches, but it's quietly overwhelmed by the layers of slide guitar, streams of piano, and smooth sweeps of elegant strings. These are seamlessly woven with clattering drums and cymbals, thick crunchy riffs. And yes, occasionally a little speck of synth.
But their songwriting is much the same -- simple, yet oblique (""I am a moth who just wants to share your light... I only stick with you because there are no others/You are all I need""). While Yorke's trademark wail is still in place, he sounds more melancholy and contemplative than outright woe-is-me angsty. He even sounds a bit cheerful in ""Weird Fishes/Arpeggi.""
Most long-standing bands can't summon up a new sound, and new freshness, this far into their careers. But Radiohead have created a quiet little masterpiece in ""In Rainbows"" -- beautiful, quiet, and melancholy."
0,276427_3_R1FW9J7CM7SSF9.txt,5.0,PS3 Slim + Netflix = Freedom from Cable TV...,"February 21, 2010",Honest John,PlayStation 3 120 GB (Video Game),"After much research, I purchased two PS3 Slim's for my HDTV's because they come with built-in Wi-Fi and a great Blu-Ray player, in addition to being an awesome gaming system. Plus, the HDMI connections are easy and excellent quality. I'm 62, and was looking for a box that would let me use the wide selection of Netflix instant download movies and programs. I'm happy to report that the picture and sound quality of Netflix downloads is very good on the PS3. Much faster and better than I expected. Not hi-def, but better than regular TV. And I have the Blu-Ray to watch movies by mail from Netflix at the highest quality. Blu-Ray really is an awesome experience if you have a big HDTV and a surround sound system. I use the Sony CT-500 sound bar and subwoofer that has amazing sound quality and separation.
Sony markets the PS3 as an ""entertainment system"" and I agree that it serves this function very well for me. I returned my hi-def cable boxes to Cox and am now saving $65 per month that was being wasted on crummy channels with endless commercials that I never watched. Now I can get quality programming that I choose myself instantly on demand from Netflix without any commercials. I can play, pause, and re-play a program as much as I like, just like playing a DVD. Sony PS3 plus Netflix really is wonderful and cost-effective solution for users like me...
Highly recommended!"
0,29_16_R39A7OQ1PHE1F1.txt,1.0,What the Dead Know: A Novel,"June 26, 2007","Virginia Lazar ""Ginny""",What the Dead Know: A Novel (Hardcover),Sometimes a novel that jumps back and forth in time works and sometimes it doesn't. I found this book very difficult to read and didn't enjoy it at all.
0,7_14_RG0C4MZEPSTNR.txt,1.0,Not a horror movie-the preview was misleading,"July 31, 2004","Johnathan Rodriguez ""vicecityjrod84""",The Village (Widescreen Vista Series) (2004),"ALthough "The Village" did have wonderful cinematography and an underlying story of facing your fears for the ones you love, I expected it to be a horror movie. I was waiting for some sense of action or suspense in the movie and this did not happen once. This was the first movie that I almost fell asleep watching. I was ready for it to finish. I'm glad that I saw it on employee preview night. It just went on and on. Thats just IMHO though. If you liked "Signs" or any of the book to movie adaptations of Bronte, I recommend this movie."
1,16_4_R2Z5QF7Y4LHPEO.txt,1.0,"Maybe my dog can become a recording star, too...","December 18, 2004",Forest Law,Speak (Audio CD),"...he's cute, knows how to bark in tune, and is quite the dancer - and he refuses to lip-sync. After all, they call them ""live performances"" for a reason, don't they?
If my last statement sounds ridiculous, it shouldn't. The media has come a long way in the last few decades. There was a time when a person or band really needed to work their way up to become successful, by performing in small clubs for chicken feed, hoping that one day a talent scout would recognize their talent and sign them to a recording deal.
But as the great Bob Dylan once said, the times they are a changin'. The fact is that in this day and age, you don't need any talent whatsoever to become famous - how else to explain the ubiquity of the irrelevant Paris Hilton?
To prove my point, witness the phenomenon known as MTV, which placed the music video medium on a widespread scale. Started in 1981, it began as an outlet for established acts, but soon came the emergence of disposible pop acts which greatly benefited from the visual exposure that MTV granted them - Milli Vanilli and Britney Spears are but two acts that would have gone nowhere without the network.
Second, let's look at multifaceted entertainers of years past. It's much easier to respect musical artists that cross over to acting (Elvis Presley, Cher, and Barbra Streisand are examples) - after all, they had the chops to make it in music and eventually went on to garner respect in acting roles. However, when an actor decides to take a stab at music, it makes the person seem desperate for a buck. The completely tone-deaf Don Johnson, Bruce Willis, and Eddie Murphy made ill-advised recording efforts, but got wise and quickly went back to what they do best. However, there are some exceptions to this rule - Jennifer Lopez is without question a below-average vocalist, but miraculously managed to sell millions of albums. She succeeded during a time where sex appeal was everything, and talent was not a necessity - which also explains the stunning success of lip-syncing flunkies like Spears.
This brings me to Lindsay Lohan. Once a clean-cut star of many a Disney film, upon reaching the age of 18, she has turned herself into a walking Girls Gone Wild show. The success of Spears and Lopez clearly paved the way for Lohan to receive a record deal. Because we all know that if you are attractive and famous for any reason at all, that must mean that you are talented enough to become a recording artist - or so we are to believe.
Despite all this, I cast aside all preconceived notions I had before I listened to this album. Now that I have, it's safe to assume that A & R people would have laughed hysterically at Lohan if she were an unknown - her debut album Speak is, in a word: abysmal. Modern technology keeps her voice in tune, but it doesn't help the slick, lifeless arrangements or the incredibly insipid lyrics (of which I can't be bothered to print). Given the minimal amount of effort spent on this release (including very few live instruments), Lohan might as well have phoned in all of her ""contributions"" to this recording. The worst offender of all tracks here has to be ""Rumors"" ... pity poor Lohan, who can't deal with paparazzi following her every move. Honey, if it's privacy you're looking for, you entered the wrong profession - leave Hollywood, become a coal miner, and I guarantee you that no one will ever bother you again. Problem solved.
In summary: Yet another actor who thinks she can sing, Lindsay Lohan put forth a very weak effort that isn't worth the disc it's printed on. There are far more talented artists out there performing in hotel bars just to make ends meet - by not giving your support to hacks like Lohan, record labels will have to work harder to discover genuine, deserving talent. Definitely pass on this release."
0,18_2_R2CSX5X1Q21T0X.txt,5.0,Great Watch,"April 27, 2005",Big D,CASIO CA53W-1 Watch with Calculator (Watch),I have had mine for eight years and have never replaced the battery. The original band just broke the other day. This watch cost about $18.00 eight years ago and it has performed very well.
0,33_11_R432NZW097LLE.txt,5.0,This is GREAT!,"June 23, 2009",C. K. Shubin,"Shark Deluxe Steam Pocket Mop, S3501 (Kitchen)","First off, I researched for days before buying this Shark Mop. Many of the reviews slammed it due to lack of pivoting head, small tank and flimsy handle.
Well, the NEW model has NONE of these issues! The head pivots, the water tank is much larger (I cleaned my medium sized kitchen and entryway floor and still have almost a full thing of water) and it feels pretty sturdy - not flimsy. The handle is also adjustable in height to make it easier.
Now to how it performed. Let me start by saying house cleaning week saw me with 2 or more different mops! I have laminated wood flooring, hardwood flooring and kitchen tile. The Swiffer Wet Jet I bought left streaks on my laminate, was afraid to use it on the hardwood and since my kitchen tile is bumpy and uneven it left puddles and some areas would not even get touched by Wet Jet pad. So, I would clean my laminate with windex on my knees, my hardwood with hardwood cleaner and mop and my kitchen with a rope mop w/ammonia and water (ONLY thing that would pick up the grime this horrible floor attracts). Having been diagnosed with a spinal disease, I would be hurting and exhausted from the bending, lifting bucket of water and mopping action. I finally got fed up and went to Bed, Bath and Beyond to try the Shark Mop - bad reviews and all.
I have NEVER mopped so many floors so fast, had them ALL looking great AND not be hurting or exhausted. I can actually say mopping if FUN with this! Now remodeling the second bathroom, it will have a different type of laminate - i'm so glad I will NOT have to have a 4th mop or system to clean it too. The grime on the horrible, bumpy white tile in the kitchen? It is so clean and streak free I'm keep looking at it with the thought of ""wow"" going through my head. It NEVER looked this good and ALWAYS had streaks unless I squirted some Jet Dry in the mop water.
In addition, after cleaning the kitchen floor, while preparing dinner, I had dropped the spatula with butter and egg on the floor. Then the youngest child decided to walk through the garage with bare wet feet and then onto my clean white tile floor. 30 seconds of heat up and less than 60 seconds later, floor was clean again. SO EASY. I will NEVER go back to regular mopping ever again. I can't wait to try it in the travel trailer (I do that linoleum on my hands and knees after trips).
You won't be disappointed in the new one - spend the extra $$$ to get larger tank, pivoting head, extra mop head attachments and steam duster!"
1,276427_10_R14TJ81X6JP3T.txt,2.0,Please Forgive me!,"April 19, 2010",Joseph K,Relaxman Relaxation Capsule,"I have found to my great horror that this Relaxation Capsule opens portals into other worlds, worlds that man was never meant to open. I have opened a portal to the realm of the Great Old Ones and unleashed them upon this world. I do not know how much longer I shall be able to maintain my sanity, that is if I should be fortunate enough to survive so long. If I am not able to somehow reverse this, using my Uranium Ore and banish The Old Ones back to their nether realm, it shall be the doom of all humanity! If I should fail, please forgive me.
Purchasers of this relaxation capsule should beware of opening other-worldly portals, as many powerful and dangerous forces lurk in hidden recesses of this universe, waiting to unleash terror upon this world."
0,2_13_R11NHXB9WZPEET.txt,5.0,Howling wolf Tee Shirt is awesome,"February 17, 2010","Patricia Esule ""Pattycakes""","Howling Wolf T-Shirt by The Mountain 100% Cotton Short Sleeve fitsl Kids, Teens & Adults (Apparel)","My 18 year old son hates every clothing article I have ever bought him. However, when he saw this shirt he loved it."
0,35_17_R3FPBFKQCOEOPS.txt,1.0,"TOO, TOO MUCH MARY ANN","May 9, 2010","AMERICAN TEACHER ""AMERICANS IN GERMANY""",True Blood: The Complete Second Season (HBO Series) (DVD),"I have read and own all of the Sookie books. Last summer, my husband and I started watching season 2 in the states. By the time that we returned to Germany, we knew that we would not rewatch season 2. We were sick to death of Mary Ann. We are not prudes, but just how many orgies do we have to watch. We will watch the finale, next Friday, because we have been told that Mary ann will die, and I will be so glad. Unless the story lines improve and move closer to the books, I will not waste my money on season 3. I am having my doubts about owning season 2. Just sign us as very disappointed viewers."
1,12_9_R3ADWLQ4AH7GNZ.txt,4.0,The inflatable toast to beat all other inflatable toasts,"December 4, 2009","Bojan Tunguz ""Dr. Bojan Tunguz""",Inflatable Toast (Toy),"In the age when almost every toy company is coming with their own version of inflatable toast, it is becoming increasingly hard to discern the true value form poor imitators and aspiring inflatable-toast creators. Therefore I am pleased to tell you that this particular brand of inflatable toast has justified all the hype that has been bestowed upon it. It is veritably the inflatable toast for the ages, and the one that you and your family will cherish throughout the years and pass down the generations as a family heirloom. Unlike the non-inflatable toasts this toast will retain its color and consistency for generations. And since it is made out of non-biodegradable materials, it will not be subject to the vicissitudes of time and decay. Furthermore, if emblazoned with an image of your favorite religious figure, it is bound to attract a lot of attention and customers on eBay. If you choose to go down this route you are guaranteed to multiply your investment many times over and finally achieve that financial security that you had been longing for."
0,9_3_R3ETDJECHUQ31R.txt,4.0,It works but isn't gonna change your life.,"July 14, 2010",E. Ford,"Rogaine for Men Hair Regrowth Treatment, Easy-to-Use Foam, 2.11-Ounce Cans (Pack of 3) (Health and Beauty)","I have used for the past 6-7 months. For the most part it thickens and I have noticed regrowth in some areas. However these are on the crown and my receding hairline. The only thing is, it slightly grows so you can see very minor growth but nothing ever really comes from it. On the crown of my head I have had a bald spot and only in a very specific area did hair growth occur. Other then that I have noticed increase in thickness and growth in the places I already have hair. If you are in the very early stages of hair loss, I think it would be much more effective. However if you are quite away into it, may be better to look at some other options."
1,15_15_R2P5ZKHROB75H1.txt,3.0,Synthetic turkey headware at long last!!,"May 11, 2010","Timothy Poteet ""Timboliah Pants on Fiyah""",Turkey Hat (Toy),"Like many of you, each Thanksgiving I purchase two turkeys, one for the family meal and the other to wear on my head. It has been a constant source of frustration for me that my organic ""turkey hat"" generally goes rancid after only a few hours of wear. The fit becomes too loose and the turkey tends to slide down over my face frequently. Not to mention the unpleasant smell as the meat decays. Sound familiar? At long last, someone has produced a synthetic turkey headwear product that should alleviate some of the problems I've mentioned above. Can't wait to try mine out this Thanksgiving."
0,1_8_R1UF897OQYNI0X.txt,1.0,Pointless,"December 15, 2009",Amy Graham,"Sex, Drugs, and Cocoa Puffs: A Low Culture Manifesto (Paperback)","I will be so bold as to say that I have a great sense of humor. When I first saw this book I thought it would be fantastic to laugh at myself and at recent culture for some of the silly things that we enjoy. Not taking things too seriously can be a very good thing.
But I could not come even close to finishing this book. Klosterman thinks he is cynically hilarious and it's just tacky. He goes on and on and on....... about something so that you forget what the main point is. It's not funny at all. He tries way too hard. I tried to pick out things that I could relate to or would find interesting and nothing helped. I felt like he was the awkward kid in the corner who thinks he's cool, trying to say something that will make everyone laugh but that really you feel sorry for, because he's trying so hard, but you can't help but walk away.
The book came up in conversation with a friend of mine, and I offered for him to read it to see what he thought. Needless to say, I wasn't surprised when he basically threw the book back at me a few days later and said that he could barely get through it and didn't come close to finishing it."
0,276424_9_R3OAZ607QXY668.txt,5.0,"Fast, Gorgeous, but Heavy","April 4, 2010",Daniel G. Lebryk,No name in the review header,"From the first announcement of this device, I was prepared to dislike the iPad, on paper it has way too many flaws. With one in hand and actually using the device, I can honestly say it is an excellent, gorgeous, piece of hardware. The biggest flaw, it weighs a ton. The weight doesn't sound like a bad thing, but after I held this device in both hands while laying down, my arms got sore. It's a small thing, but you should be aware that it is heavy.
Set up was super simple. Connect the unit to your computer, run iTunes, follow the wizard. About 5 minutes later the iPad is set up and activated. The wizard does call it an iPhone for some strange reason. If you have an iPhone already, the set up is a bit easier. It will inherit most of your settings.
Once activated, you have to unplug the unit and then go through the settings application to set up your wireless network and a variety of other settings. All pretty obvious, top to bottom, essentially all the same as the iPhone.
Do note that the charger is a 10W charger - much larger and different from the iPhone's 5W charger. So you'll have to use that charger. There is a big negative, you'll have to cart around that charger, most USB ports will not charge this device. My beast of a PC has plently of power on all the USB ports, and it will not charge my iPad. External battery packs will work with no trouble charging, or extending the use.
Battery life - I ran video, downloaded a ton of apps, and played with this thing for a solid 2 hours - 10% of the battery life was used. I would guess that reported battery life is right accurate.
Typing is easier than on an iPhone, but still not keyboard easy. There's a big problem with how to hold the device and type at the same time. I was a master at Blackberry typing with my thumbs. I can't seem to get it with the iPad. The other problem, the device has a rounded back, so if you place it on a table and try to type, the thing rocks back and forth annoyingly. I don't think I will spend a lot of time typing long emails on this device.
Apps that are built for or converted to the iPad format are simply gorgeous. They are full of detail and easy to read. Old iPhone apps that have not been upgraded are all blocky and not so great (useable but not great). You have the option to click the app back to native size if the jaggies bother you.
Safari works really well on this device. The browser is a real live browser that displays WebPages beautifully. Bookmarks snap up in an instant. Pages load at almost lightning speed, actually faster than on my desktop computer (quad core 3GHz, gigabit wired connection). There is almost no need to have multiple pages open, since load times are so fast and the favorites menu is so easy to access. There is just no comparison to the iPhone's horrible display of WebPages.
Email takes on a whole new look. Embedded pictures display beautifully. There is a pop up ribbon to select email from your inbox. Navigation is just a pleasure. Account switching is a little different from the iPhone, but still very intuitive. Apple seems to have figured out how to make the email experience more intuitive and remove the unnecessary from view.
Video is stunning. Netflix over high speed WiFi (my connection is 22Mbps) delivers full screen, highly detailed, smooth video with good sound. Any video created for the iPhone plays, but they are significantly pixilated or blocky, basically you've blown up a video designed for a three inch screen to three times that size. Those videos are viewable, but I will be reconverting my source video to the larger size.
Some of the free apps I've tried. ABC is simple and stunning for watching video, but lacks a lot of programs. Craigslist adds the ability to view pictures in the preview of a listing, something not available on any other computer - very handy feature. USA Today has done an awful job, the interface is horribly confusing and pretty well useless. Weatherbug is incredible, simple and to the point, but with a ton of forecast information (including webcams for different weatherbug stations). NASA is silly, an enlarged version of their iPhone app. Pandora works perfectly as expected.
The iPod / music side plays like I expected. Nothing really new there. The oddity though, iPod / music is on the home base menu, but video is a separate application. Everyone would expect that Apple got the music player right.
I've had an iPhone 3G for almost two years and have disliked almost every minute of use. I got it for work email and it sort of delivers on that promise. The iPad is what the iPhone should have been all along - fast, simple to use, and a gorgeous screen. I also own a netbook. The iPad is a much better device.
I love this device. Is it a revolution in computing? Only time will tell. For the moment, this is the best video, audio, email, web browsing device I've ever seen.
Go try it at a store. I think you will fall in love.
April 11 Update - Kindle versus iPad - I own them both. The Kindle is the better e-reader by a long long margin for avid readers. e-Ink is easy on the eyes, it looks just like a book. Where ever you can read a book, you can read a Kindle. The Kindle is light weight, about on par with a real book, maybe a bit lighter. And the plastic has a really fine satin feel. After about ten minutes reading on a Kindle, I don't think of the device anymore. The iPad - pages look gorgeous. Winnie the Pooh is absolutely stunning, with the color images, the perfect page layout, sharp beautiful type, fun page turning animation, and a kind of 3D look that mimics a book. But, it weighs a lot more than a book, more like a big old heavy text book. The hand feel - aluminum and glass - not as wonderful as the Kindle. I keep thinking, this is such a cool device that I don't lose myself in the reading.
Buying books with the Kindle is a super snap, under a minute and I've got my book. Buying them with the iPad? Sorry I'll never buy a book through iTunes, just like I've never bought a song at iTunes. Amazon has the review world covered and they know how to sell books.
But, and here's the big but, the majority of the public is going to love the iPad reader software. They will marvel at the color pages and love the book buying experience, just like they love buying music through iTunes. It will be a success. The avid reader will stick with paper or a Kindle, or a Sony reader, or a Nook. There just is no substitute for e-Ink. And, yes my eyes hurt reading the iPad screen; and no you can't read a book easily in the sun (especially not the beach).
And if you think I'm silly saying the device is heavy - there's three pretty savvy tech people that agree, Patrick Norton (a big strong guy) and Veronica Belmont of Tekzilla (an intense WOW gamer, so she has strong hands), and Molly Wood of CNet. Molly has returned her iPad because it is too heavy among other reasons."
0,39_18_R33CWJTU0SVQKG.txt,5.0,How to get a boy to read,"June 18, 2003","E. Barron ""alphabetjungle""",Popular Science (1-year) (Magazine),"This is it--the surefire way to get relunctant boy readers engrossed in cool and educational reading. My teenage son can usually find anything to do except read, but he reads this cover to cover and is always reading the highlights to me. The perfect gift for boys who are fascinated with science, flight, or interesting stuff such as the account of a couple of chemists who use liquid nitrogen to make ice cream in 30 seconds--OK so you don't want them to try that at home, but get this mag for your young scientists. They will love it."
0,14_15_R1K5MJLVEII12W.txt,5.0,Worth Its Weight in Gold.,"March 22, 2010",W. Phillips,"BugZooka Humane Bug Catcher (Wasps, Spiders & Flies)","This is the most useful product I've ever purchased. I use it probably 10-15 times a day, because we live in the woods where there are a lot of bugs. You can even catch flies with it with a little practice, but I use it mostly for ladybugs and stinkbugs.
It's very satisfying to use as well, and keeps bug stains off your walls. If you're a humane bug enthusiast, you can even set them free outside! :)"
1,16_3_R1BHO3XTFFAB84.txt,5.0,"Good for Writing on Paper - Terrible for Stirring Coffee, Prying things Open","December 14, 2007","R. Clark ""lexingtonguy""","BIC Cristal Stic Ball Pen, Medium Point , 1.0 mm, Black, 12 Pens (MS11-Blk) (Office Product)","Since taking delivery of my pen I have been very happy with the quality of ink deposition on the various types of paper that I have used. On the first day when I excitedly unwrapped my pen (thanks for the high quality packaging Amazon!) I just couldn't contain my excitement and went around finding things to write on, like the shopping list on the notice board in our kitchen, the Post-it notes next to the phone, and on my favorite lined A4 pad at the side of my desk.
My pen is the transparent type with a blue lid. I selected this one in preference to the orange type because I like to be able to see how much ink I have left so that I can put in another order before I finally run out.
When the initial excitement of taking delivery of my new pen started to wear off I realized that I shouldn't just write for the fun of it, this should be a serious enterprise, so by the second day of ownership I started to take a little more care of what I wrote. I used it to sign three letters, and in each case was perfectly happy with the neatness of handwriting that I was able to achieve.
I have a helpful tip for you that you might not know about - if you let the ink dry for a few seconds you can avoid the smudging that sometimes happens if you rub the ink immediately after writing. Fortunately the ink used in this particular Bic pen seems to dry very quickly.
On the third day of ownership I went on a trip to London and took my pen carefully packed away in my brief case, but I needn't have worried, this isn't some temperamental ink pen that leaks when you store it at the wrong angle. I sat at my meeting and confidently removed the cap from my pen and it wrote flawlessly, almost immediately.
I notice that the barrel of the pen has been crafted very carefully to fit in the pen holder down the edge of my Filofax. It's not so grippy so that it is hard to remove when I want to make a quick note, and yet not so loose that it falls out too easily when I open my Filofax in a hurry. Maybe the choice of surface texture on the pen has some part to play here, because it seems that the inside of the leather grip on the pen holder in my Filofax has just the right level of adhesion that I can be confident when I need to reach in and get my pen it's going to be just where I left it!
Today is the fourth day of ownership of my pen, and I have to say I'm starting to treat it like an old friend. I walk around the office with it clipped in to my shirt pocket and someone in the accounts department actually asked to borrow it while we were both standing at the photocopier. Would you believe it, they actually tried to walk away with my pen! They were very embarrassed when I called after them as they walked down the corridor and asked for it back. You will be happy to know that it is now back, safe and sound in my top pocket, ready and waiting to start writing again.
In summary, I would happily recommend this pen to anyone who is planning on writing on paper. If you are considering a writing implement for some other surface such as writing on a CD, or other non-porous substances then another pen might be better suited, but if it's just plain old paper then I think you will probably be well served by this particular model.
[tx to M Williams/amazon.co.uk]"
0,21_13_RYTFV168ISC08.txt,5.0,Does what its supposed to do,"February 24, 2009","K. Via ""Kevin""","Belkin Neoprene Kindle Case (Fits 6"" Display, Latest Generation Kindle) [Amazon Frustration-Free Packaging] (Accessory)","The Belkin sleeve does what its supposed to do, which is protect my Kindle 2. Nothing fancy about it. I wasnt a fan of the original Kindle's case so I opted for something that it just slides in and out of."
0,12_16_R3PUVLAQNCCCGP.txt,4.0,Works great overall.,"May 12, 2008",T. Hill,Harper Brush Works 24-Inch Rough Brissle Outdoor Push Broom 1243SC-7 (Lawn & Patio),"Brush works great but the only part I wasn't 100% pleased with is that I received a bent wooden handle. The long wooden handle has a curve to it if you look down its length. Overall it doesn't affect its performance if you screw the handle in so the curve bends like a camels back down to the broom brush. If you have the curve to the left or the right when your pushing it bends more & is harder to push forward when pushing much sand or gravel away from the cement.
The brush itself works great, some of the bristles fall out here and there but doesn't wear fast overall. If I didn't receive a bent handle I am sure I would have fully approved this product."
1,33_2_R3094B4G8A9SMQ.txt,5.0,For the figure conscious mutt,"May 19, 2010",S. Wolfe,"Bowser Beer, Low Cal Beer for Dogs (Grocery)","SO GLAD this product is low calorie! After all, my Fifi Trixiebelle has a hell of a time keeping her girlish figure on those regular ole' high calorie dog beers."
0,50_5_R3UFZDZQUEITCC.txt,1.0,Onkyo UP-HT1 HD Radio,"June 28, 2010",Atlanta David,Onkyo UP-HT1 HD Radio Tuner (Electronics),"Did not work with my Onkyo receiver; had to return the item. On the up side: the return process with Amazon was wonderful. I provided the necessary documentation and followed the steps outlined on Amazon.com re: how to return an item, and the return went VERY smooth."
0,3_9_R3GQYTPESJ75FX.txt,4.0,serves its purpose,"June 26, 2010","Cat comb ""global warmer""",Apple Car Charger for iPod iPhone 3G 3GS (White) (Wireless Phone Accessory),"It's a bit bulkier than the
apple one, but works just fine."
0,19_12_R28SS4DXV852A5.txt,5.0,One of the best action games I've ever played,"January 10, 2010",John C. Brandstetter,Bayonetta (Video Game),"I've been playing games for 20 years, and I honestly can't think of one quite as insane as Bayonetta. The character and level designs are gorgeous. The bosses are ridiculously huge, and there's lots of them. The combos and special moves are wicked and fun to pull off. And I actually liked that the soundtrack wasn't the typical heavy metal. The story is a little hard to follow, but you can seriously skip the cut scenes and still have an amazing experience.
Now, I heard some negative things about this game before I bought it. The biggest one is that the Xbox version is far superior, allegedly. While I can't compare the two, I can honestly say I was surprised at how much I enjoyed the game. Yes, it has frequent load times. But, you know what? There's so much happening on the screen sometimes, I didn't mind the break. The graphics seemed a little low-res, but the inventive style more than made up for it. I will say, though, that if there is a sequel, I hope the PS3 port gets the development attention it deserves.
A couple other things to consider: You can beat the game on easy in 8 or 9 hours (the difficulty is set so easy means normal and normal means you'll throw your controller a lot). If you want tons of play time for your money, you may want to rent this instead. Also, I'm aware some people are saying that the game is offensive. While the female characters are hypersexual, I didn't see a huge difference between this and something like Tomb Raider.
Overall, I highly recommend this game. It's one of the most memorable I've played in a long time. The good stuff far outweighs the bad. There's a tsunami of amazing games gushing out this year, but don't overlook this one."
1,15_5_R3UPN0Y95FJ8E.txt,1.0,THEY ARE STILL MAKING MONEY OUT OF MICHAEL JACKSON,"November 23, 2009","Mr Pineapples ""Mr P""",Michael Jackson: This Is It (DVD),"Even when he's dead the money men march in and make a quick buck - knowing that there are a lot of gulible drones out there - who will buy ANYTHING by Mike J.
How can a film about a bunch of dance practices mean so much? Any old rubbish will do as the fans desperately hold onto even the tiniest snippets of MJ.....the final hurrah.
It is sad that M J has died (and I like his earlier stuff - I really did) but he had gone past his sell by date so long ago. (I particulary loved that one about the little bird in the tree.....""rockin' in the tree-tops all day long...."").
That one.
He really could sing and dance in those days - but after that? - Well - let's be honest it became very same-old - same old dance moves - with a couple of subtle amendments.
YAWN.
And this film just bunches them up together and throws in a few group hugs to boot.
The poor chap is dead - Sad for his family - but come on people let's give it a rest now AND MOVE ON.....like the grown ups we all are."
0,49_1_R1UPK06A6O247U.txt,5.0,"Got this as a gag gift, but I was pleasantly surprised!","October 11, 2009",Becky,Snuggie Fleece Blanket As Seen On TV,"My boyfriend thought it would be funny, so he picked one up at Walgreens and gave it to me.
It started out as a joke, but guess what? I actually ended up liking this thing - a lot! I've had it for almost a year and I use it all the time (when the weather is chilly). The material is thin, and it looks cheap. I was not impressed with it when I first saw it, but after using it I discovered that even though it is thin, it's still really warm. I have washed it many times and it is still in great condition. It's soft and my dog really likes snuggling with me when I use it.
The other day we went to Petsmart and discovered the dog Snuggie. Of course my boyfriend had to get it. It was supposed to be another joke. Me and my dog with matching Snuggies! I honestly did not expect my dog to wear it, but he really loves it too. He won't let me take it off. The box is really funny. There is a picture of a dog relaxing on the couch with his remote control and another picture of a couple of dogs playing backgammon. (I'm easily ammused, I suppose)
In summary, it started out as a joke. The Snuggie has provided me with lots of laughs. But more importantly, I love my Snuggie because it does what it says it will do - it keeps me warm and comfortable, and yet, my hands are free!"
0,23_12_R2AU7PLY2ZKN27.txt,5.0,"More than a ""Best Bang for your Buck""","April 29, 2010","Beaver ""Beaverboy""",Onkyo HT-S3300 5.1-Channel Home Theater Receiver/Speaker Package (Black) (Electronics),"People say this system is a ""Best Bang for your Buck"" system...it's actually a best bang system period. I would've paid $499 for a system like this. Setup was easy, sound is incredible...OSD is fantastic. Sub is loud for being passive and audio is crystal clear. If you get sick of the speakers that come with the system you can easily switch the speaker setting to ""large"" and upgrade your speakers as you see fit. I have it hooked up to a PS3 (slim...and it plays DTS-HD and Dolby TrueHD perfectly), a XBOX 360 (Call of Duty with this system is rediculous...no more sneaking up on me), and a Wii (eh, it's a wii...my cd player sounds better but thats not the Recievers fault at all). Subwoofer is big (FYI) I have it in an apartment and this thing will rattle walls if I turn it up. Packaging was excellent...nothing is getting damaged in this box (though it is a rather big box). I'll extend my review after I play around with the system in the next couple of weeks."
0,34_14_R14HCKZ4NCNU58.txt,5.0,WONDERFUL PRODUCT,"August 20, 2008",George R. Chapman,WEN Sweet Almond Mint Cleansing Conditioner - 16 oz,"I ordered this product after watching the infomercial late one night. (Insomnia sometimes has it's benefits) As someone who used to do hair for a living, I have tried nearly everything on the market. My shower rack was always overflowing with numerous shampoos and conditioners, but no more. This delicious smelling, one-step cleanser/conditioner is the only product I use now. I have somewhat fine hair that's a bit dry from color treatments and I needed a product that would restore a healthy shine and manageability without over-conditioning. WEN cleansing conditioner does the job all in one step. I apply about two to three pumps to wet hair when I first get in the shower then rinse out as the last thing. You can add a tiny drop after as a leave-in conditioner. You'll be amazed at the results regardless of your hair type. One last tip, unless you have extremely thick long hair that's as dry as the Sahara desert, you do not need to use the recommended amount of 16-24 pumps. You'll figure out the right amount for your hair. Also, buy it here on Amazon and don't get caught up in the auto shipments required on the infomercial. Happy conditioning!"
0,36_3_R1SU6EHKW6TC3E.txt,5.0,If you loved 80's cartoon series this is a must,"January 5, 2006","Julius Vernon ""J Vernon""","He-Man and the Masters of the Universe - Season One, Vol. 1 (DVD)","If you love 80's cartoon series you are probably very familiar with He-Man, but if not you MUST see this. It's a terrific television series with enough depth to surpass most current television cartoons. If you are familiar with He-Man this set is a way better choice than the 10 best episode collection. The set includes many of the terrific episodes included in the 10 best and has many that finished just out of the top 10 (as voted by fans and supporters of he-man.org). The cost of this collection is only 60% more than that of the 10-best and contains nearly five times the material. Special features are great, and you won't get sick of watching several of these episodes over again. Also, the stories are wholesome and are not seeking chances for clever inuendos like some current cartoon series, so that they are appropriate for young children as well."
1,22_9_R39O2YE1B2TS7.txt,5.0,a must read!,"March 28, 2008",Ms. Sherry Liu,How to Avoid Huge Ships (Paperback),"This is a must-read for anyone who encounter huge ships daily and do not want to get run over by them. I found this book extremely helpful. To this day, I have never been run over by a single huge ship!!"
0,276427_8_R88LDP220TU8K.txt,3.0,"Inspiring, but a tough read","June 30, 2010",Christopher Kienle,The Singularity Is Near: When Humans Transcend Biology (Paperback),"I love the idea of the singularity. I think Ray Kurzweil is a god among men. His enthusiasm and passion make me want to believe. But it may take my entire life to finish reading this book. It's dense and not very beginner-friendly for those of us who want to learn more about the topic. Don't let that discourage you though. This is really powerful, interesting stuff."
1,34_10_R2HYEFMSKK0K7H.txt,1.0,Terrible!,"January 29, 2009","S. Madhavan ""Sangs""",Belly Laughs: The Naked Truth About Pregnancy and Childbirth (Hardcover),If you are a rich woman sitting at home with nothing else to do but analyze your pregnancy bit by bit and rant about it all.....then you should read this! Because that's this book is all about! It can be actually scary for first time pregnant women who read this. God knows how it came to the Best Seller list.
0,16_7_RS5YPVMYIM7JH.txt,4.0,A Very good TV for the money,"May 14, 2010","Techie ""Zeeboy""",Samsung LN46C630 46-Inch 1080p 120 Hz LCD HDTV (Black) (Electronics),"I have been using this TV for over a month now and everything is good about it so far.
The only thing that I would have loved in this TV was to have the Samsung Internet@TV feature, where I could directly watch You Tube videos, Netflix etc, but this TV does not have this feature, unlike some other high-end Samsung HDTVs. That was dissapointing. I wish I had spend a couple of hundered dollars more and got a model with Internet@TV feature.
But, you can still hook up this TV to your wireless router at home and stream videos and pictures from your PC/Laptop wirelessly.
Also, the sound quality is not so good. That is because the speakers are located in the rear.
I am planning to buy the Samsung Blue-Ray 5.1 channel home theatre system with the Internet@TV feature, and that would take care of everything that is lacking in this TV that I would like to have.
If you are not looking for advanced features, but a very good reliable TV with great picture quality, this is a very good buy for the money."
0,18_11_R210JL87BSOED6.txt,5.0,I'm in love and his name is KitchenAid!,"December 16, 2001",Aiacha,"KitchenAid K45SS Classic 250-Watt 4-1/2-Quart Stand Mixer, White (Kitchen)","I received a white one for an early christmas gift and just used it for the first time on he christmas cookies that are a tradition in my family. In the past years, I've used my mother's old stand-mixer, and I've also used a hand mixer, which is near impossible to do with this recipe. This year, I used my new mixer and I am blown away! These cookies, that usually take forever, were done in no time! And even though I didn't think the 4 1/2 quart bowl would be big enough for the whole recipe, I had no problem and room to spare! It's surprisingly deep. It also stayed relatively cool through the three batches of cookies I made (I'm used to beginning to smell smoke from my mothers!) I only used the flat beater yesterday, but have some bread recpies that I'm dying to use the dough hook on. Just a few concerns...The dough sticks to the side of the bowl, so I did have to stop from time to time and scrape it off, but that was nothing that I wasn't used to. And you cannot attach a larger bowl to this mixer...the only other bowl you can attach is one of the same size with a handle. And definately invest in a splash guard. You only get lemon extract in your eyes once to make that decision."
1,18_2_R1ENBGAF006HGL.txt,5.0,buy this watch and save kittens.,"November 20, 2009","S. N. Chalmers ""Satisfied Customer""",CASIO CA53W-1 Watch with Calculator (Watch),"CASIO watches are the best thing that has ever invented. I bought this watch a little less than a month ago and was shocked and awed by the amount of attention I received over it. Before I bought the CASIO CA53W-1 Watch with Calculator I was a nothing, I was no one, no one on my campus recognized me. All of the people I knew were stupid gaming retards, all they cared about was Modern Warfare 2 coming out soon. They were like ""Sean come play Modern Warfare with us, it totally is the best game ever. Play Modern Warfare to tune your skills for Modern Warfare 2."" and I told them to get some lotion and go into the bathroom because I wasn't playing any more video games, I was becoming a man. The first thing I did was to sell my xbox 360 and all its accessories on craigslist for $150 (I had a lot of stuff), the reason being was that I had an epiphany when they told me to play Modern Warfare with them. The epiphany is: there will always be new video games coming out, most of them aren't worth your time. Anyways so I sold my xbox, and then I got a haircut. Well I got many hairs cut and ended up getting a fashionable haircut like that of Edward Cullen on Twilight. I figure all the girls love him right? They all want to take him into the bathroom without lotion or Maxim, if I look like him, I will get all the babes. I also got a Bowflex PR3000 Home Gym, now I work out 3 times a week and I am totally ripped (well at least I'm ripping). I then purchased this CASIO CA53W-1 Watch with Calculator, the first girl that talked to me about it was Janet, from my circuit analysis class. She told me that she liked my watch, that maybe we should hang out sometime. Janet had always been my dream girl, smart, funny, engineering major, mildly overweight (but in a good way), and she loved CASIO watches. I mean who doesn't right? Well I decided that the first girl that talked to me about my watch was going to be the one. I left circuit analysis class walking next to Janet, my ex-friend Jake from Modern Warfare came up to me and asked if I wanted to play in 20 minutes. I asked him what 7251 times 8 was, he couldn't tell me. I flashed him my CASIO CA53W-1 Watch with Calculator and told him to go into the bathroom with some lotion and a copy of Maxim, he knew immediately that he would never talk to me again. I cannot more highly recommend this watch to anyone, it is comfortable, has a watch, calculator, alarm clock, and most importantly for Janet and I it has a stopwatch."
1,47_4_RP36XPONLM4YU.txt,1.0,be very CAREFUL!!!!,"May 14, 2008","Alain ""Alain""",Motorola Motofone F3 Unlocked Phone with Dual-Band GSM 850/1900--International Version with No Warranty (Black) (Wireless Phone Accessory),"This is good phone. It is a phone, not an operating control for the space shuttle.
the phone arrived in the appropriate cannister, but it seemed that it had been tampered with. at least it appeared to have been glued together. after one month of use the phone has come apart. I believe this is a recycled phone and so I would not recommend that you buy from this company.
finally, the phone is quite flimsy, if you put in in your pocket it will crack, if you drop it, it will break. love the epaper, disappointed with the fragility of the thing. imagine you are in the thirld world (the phone is designed to sell in poor asian and african markets), you put together a month worth of savings to buy this phone. then while carrying out your daily labors the phone cracks, which is very easy to do...can you imagine the heartbreak.
I will not rebuy this phone model, although I love MOTOROLA."
0,33_15_R1SOV8120H0XSS.txt,5.0,"Works as promised, and keeps you honest","January 24, 2008","AmazonComWoman ""AmazonComWoman""","Alli Weight-Loss Aid, Orlistat 60mg Capsules, 120-Count Refill Pack (Health and Beauty)","I've been using Alli now since the middle of November, and I've lost 12 pounds, on schedule with the promised 1-2 pounds of safe weight loss per week. They have a very robust online support site for people who purchase the pills and it provides useful tracking of weight loss and encouragement in more ways than I can use. The treatment effects that you read about are what keeps people honest with Alli and essentially make it work -- if you eat too much fat at one sitting, you'll be visiting the bathroom quite frequently. You learn quick. I made it through the holidays with continued weight loss, which I view as an amazing feat. I have 13 more pounds to lose on my plan and I'll weigh what I did before I had my two kids. Easy to use, promotes healthy eating habits and lifestyle changes, and self-critiquing when you stray from the plan. I would recommend Alli to others -- it's a little pricy but I'm getting my money's worth out of it."
0,19_9_R23V2PXGZUNWJ0.txt,5.0,"Great, and slightly odd, dance-pop music","March 28, 2009",Mike,The Fame (MP3 Download),"This album is kind of an odd duck. On the whole, it's produced a lot more like the European pop-dance music (vocal trance, etc) except it has some really odd instrumentation and song structures. Interesting musically. Reminiscent of electroclash with glam elements in the choruses. Lyrics are beyond dumb and occasionally autotuner is used to mask vocal deficits, but this is typical for the genre, since it's about the beats.
Oh, and boy will it get you moving. Real high energy stuff. Great for a workout or the morning drive to work. Every song is good. Nearly every track sounds like it could be a single. A very solid album.
Highly recommended for dance, glam, and electro fans. Most everyone else with a moderately open mind to dance or pop should like it too.
If you like this album, you should probably check out the Veronicas new album too. Another great electro/dance/pop album with rock song structures."
0,25_7_R3CAZ48CVXVUQ5.txt,5.0,As Good As They Come!,"August 6, 2008","Janette Adams Miller ""JAM""","Doc Johnson Lucid Dream 14 Multi-Speed, Waterproof G-Spot Vibrator, Twist-bottom Control, Purple (Health and Beauty)","I ordered this little beauty after killing my classic Doc Johnson...hehe. This one is definitely better than any other battery-operated vibrator I have owned. The unique shape makes getting those harder to reach ""areas"" much easier than using a traditional straight vibrator. The vibrator is soft and flexible and the motor is located at the uniquely-shaped head. One caveat: be sure to have plenty of AA batteries on hand because it does tend to drain them quickly! Overall, a great vibrator to have in your arsenal!"
0,23_4_R2J7DC81AD03VX.txt,5.0,Cuisinart DCC-1200 easily trumps Krups 180-46 Aroma Control,"December 1, 2001",Pawel Fludzinski,"Cuisinart DCC-1200 12-Cup Brew Central Coffeemaker, Black and Stainless Steel (Kitchen)","Two weeks ago, I needed a new coffee maker. The Krups Aroma Control maker is in all the stores and catalogs, so I bought one in the local mall BEFORE reading the Amazon reviews. BIG MISTAKE. Lesson learned - read the reviews - many negative comments. I used it for 3 days, and readily understood the description (...) of ""eye candy"" (looks nice, but seems like cheap plastic) and weak coffee (what they describe as a feature - allowing the coffee to steep - is really a euphemism for a poorly designed system that is guaranteed to give you a weak cup of coffee). One redeeming feature - the carafe is very nice. Within 2 days of having the Krups, i was on Amazon looking for a replacement coffee maker (a good cup of coffee is critical in the morning!). I went out on the risk curve and ordered the new Cuisinart - no reviews yet. The Cuisinart has a more classic brewing system (water goes through grinds via gravity), yields a delicious cup of HOT coffee, has a variable temperature hot place, and looks and feels solid. We happen to have stainless steel appliances (refrigerator, freezer, stove), and it matches beautifully. Best news - excellent coffee!. I would highly recommend the Cuisinart."
1,5_12_RAXJO3OXS1FP5.txt,1.0,caveat emptor!,"September 27, 2009",Oatimus,HP DeskJet F4480 Inkjet All-in-One Printer (CB745A#B1H) (Electronics),"A nice printer rendered nearly useless by 2 reasons (so far) to hate this thing, had it about 2 weeks. #1: snatches paper like a starving man grabbing bread. Has snarled EVERY sheet of glossy brochure paper I've fed it! #2: Who wrote the software, a pinhead? If you remove a paper jam (see #1), or even do something as simple as replacing a cartridge, it signals ""no paper fed"" and then you have to print whatever it wanted like it or not, or fight with it by unplugging, turning off & on, turning pc off & back on, etc. etc. and it still doesn't always reset. I am just about to throw it through the wall!
Update: two weeks later, after two printers and over 2 hours on the phone just now with amazon & hp, I can guarantee you I will never buy another HP product. Never. Ever."
0,36_15_R2GUCCGY87R48Z.txt,5.0,"Entertaining, informative and insightful - all at the same time","January 7, 2010","J. Hansen ""JBH""",Arguing with Idiots: How to Stop Small Minds and Big Government (Hardcover),"This is a great book. It's not what I expected - in a good way. The quality far exceeded my expectations - 100% full-color and packed with pictures, diagrams, charts, quotes, cartoons, and lots of Glenn's trademark ""A.D.D."" observations. Not what you get in a standard book of political commentary. The Presidential Smackdown is hilarious. But in spite of all that, the information contained in the book is excellent and it's presented in a way that makes it easy to understand and helps you see through the so-called ""facts"" that are being thrown at you from every direction, from media, from government, and from a generally uninformed populace. Highly recommended for anyone interested in liberty and freedom."
0,41_4_R11YFS6R6R8E4Y.txt,1.0,Ideazon Zboard Gaming Keyboard not working,"October 24, 2008","Ulises ""Uli""",Ideazon Zboard Gaming Keyboard (Electronics),"I bought this product, the keyboard, along with a keyset to play Warhammer online. When I got the Keyboard, the key set was not available, was out of stock. So I had to wait 2-3 weeks to get the keyset. Now everytime I turn my computer on, I get a Windows message saying that ZEngine has stopped working. And my keyset does not work. The keyboard just works as a regular keyboard. Ideazon sent me 2 possible solutions to my problem, but none of them worked. They say they are working on a fix, that should be ready in a week. No news yet. I'm very dissapointed."
1,38_2_R1JL3HUD2KZUFO.txt,1.0,"Cliched, sexist fiddle-faddle","April 30, 2004",Lilith M.,The Alchemist: A Fable About Following Your Dream (Paperback),"I read this book to find out what all the fuss was about. What followed was sour disappointment. Storyline: No more sophisticated than those shortened bible stories for five-year olds. Style: I have read microwave oven instructions with more literary flair. Characterization: Flat, lifeless ""characters"", distinguishable only through phrases like ""the boy"", ""the girl"", or ""the Englishman"". Tone: Preachy and patronizing to the point of being irritating. Message: ""Follow your dreams"". How deep, and original. Further Peeve: Coelho encourages men to follow their dreams, while a woman's destiny is to await her man (""She never asked you to stay because a woman of the desert knows that she must await her man"" - p. 126). This is not taken out of context. Throughout the book, the whole ""follow your dreams"" motto is limited to male protagonists. Don't be duped by the 'warm fuzzy feeling' Coelho tries to leave you with. This book is as deep as a puddle.(...)"
1,4_2_R1PNVXRNTGHK0A.txt,1.0,WARNING BUYERS...WON'T LAST VERY LONG!,"December 12, 2009","Wingman ""PT""",Waring Pro WMK300A Professional Stainless-Steel Belgian Waffle Maker (Kitchen),"You can expect to get, MAYBE, 20 to 30 batches of waffles before this thing will burn out. We gave one to my brother for Christmas two years ago and it died after about 10 batches. He took it back and the second one died; and the third one. I think he has given up on it. Same with my mother-in-law's waffle maker and now ours, a gift for Christmas last year, went D.O.A. this morning! I guess we'll have to go out for waffles today.
Hey Waring, you might want to re-think your engineering department! It's a waffle maker...not the Space Shuttle...how hard could it be to make it last more than 20 cycles?!"
1,18_18_RTDQDPC5X2LW4.txt,2.0,"Smaller than advertised, difficult to use.","July 15, 2010","Kyle Lyons ""Book Maven""","The Wine Rack, Small (Kitchen)","Good luck getting this on once you've filled it, and good luck filling it once you squeeze it on."
0,25_14_R167OPY31FJFQR.txt,5.0,Two young men at a fork in the road,"March 10, 2010",N. B. Kennedy,"The Other Wes Moore: One Name, Two Fates (Hardcover)","In 2000, a Baltimore newspaper ran a story with the headline, ""Local Graduate Named Rhodes Scholar."" It was a story about the author, Wes Moore, a young black man who rose from the drug, crime and poverty-stricken streets of the city to attain this prestigious academic honor.
Several months earlier, in the same paper, Mr. Moore had noticed a series of articles about two young black men who killed a Baltimore policeman while robbing a jewelry store. The name of one of the killers struck him: his name was Wes Moore.
This coincidence prompts the author to seek out ""the other Wes Moore."" He contacts Wes in prison. ""How did this happen?"" he asks. The question jumpstarts the story of these two young men whose life paths diverged, one into triumph, the other into tragedy.
The author comes to realize that this seemingly complicated story, a too-familiar story that is freighted with societal, economic and racial impact, comes down to a few simple moments in time. ""These forks in the road can happen so fast for young boys,"" he says. ""Within months or even weeks, their journeys can take a decisive and possibly irrevocable turn.""
I would more specifically pin the divergence on the boys' mothers. The author is born into a two-parent home, both parents college educated, but his father dies when Wes is just three. His mother moves to the Bronx, so that her parents can help provide a stable home life. She works multiple jobs so that she can put her boys in private school. When the author starts to feel the pull of the streets, she packs him off to military school.
The other Wes Moore grows up in a single-parent household of starkly different character. His father is absent and his mother frequently dumps him on friends and family so she can go out clubbing. Although she'd been attending community college, she loses her Pell Grant and simply gives up. Disagreements in the home are handled with beatings. The older brother gets into the drug trade, and all three of them, mother and two sons, bring babies into the world without the stability of marriage. It's no surprise when the other Wes Moore's run-ins with the law begin.
This is a compelling story told with passion and understanding. While the author is compassionate, he also makes clear that he is in no way excusing the other Wes Moore for his heinous deed. Even so, I imagine this is a tough book for the family of the slain policeman to read. If you want another great story of a young black man from Baltimore who succeeds thanks to his determined mother, read Byron Pitts's Step Out on Nothing: How Faith and Family Helped Me Conquer Life's Challenges ."
1,20_13_R3K82ZOBEZOH7W.txt,1.0,"Sad, shallow and morally depressing.","February 10, 2010","Salvavida ""Salvavida""",Going Rogue: An American Life (Hardcover),"I identify most closely with traditional Republican values. I don't know what the hell is going on in the minds of the people running the Republican Party, though. They need to shut this superficial, down (because you know the money used to make this book is directly from contributions) and get back to reality. What happened to content? Original, critical thought? Passion for upholding American ideals, which are deeper and more complicated than this buzz-word dropping, catch-phrase parroting fraud (Palin) can ever understand? This book is simply a regurgitation of the same vapid, smarmy drivel that we got in the campaign, but even more self-absorbed and pointless. The last election was truly an embarrassment, and I know Democrats are hoping that Palin is nominated to run for president in 2012. Didn't we learn anything last time? Unless Obama gets caught actually making casserole out of live Girl Scouts, he would win re-election in his sleep. It would be like playing chess against a fish. Or Sarah Palin.
This book is yet another blow to the already blind, confused, derelict and hopelessly adrift Republican Party. The Party leaders (and all leaders) ought to be re-reading the Federalist Papers, Common Sense and the Constitution instead of wasting their time reading or supporting this garbage. Please, please, make her stop!"
0,276425_4_R4JF6U2T5XA5G.txt,5.0,My daughter loves these,"January 12, 2009",H. Barclay,Geospace Walkaroo Stilts by Air Kicks - Light Weight (Toy),"We got these stilts for a gift for our daughter. She loves them. They are well built, but still just a little to big for her(she is 9). She can still manage to maneuver around the house quite well. I would recommend them for purchase."
0,9_1_R1ZHQEMLGNYB2A.txt,5.0,Future Big Loser,"April 8, 2008","Meghan L. Mclaurin ""Future Big Loser""",The Biggest Loser Workout: Cardio Max (DVD),"So I am hugely overweight, and just had a baby. I thought that I would give this video a try, and I LOVE it. I am still on the level 1 work out, but am getting better every day. I can now do the whole 30 minute level 1 work out. Next week I am going to be adding level 2. In only 2 1/2 weeks I have lost 14 inches and 12 lbs. Now I still have 80 to go, but it is a good start. Bob does the level 1, and he keeps me motivated thru the whole work out. Right when I think I am about to die, he starts counting down, and tells me I can do it, and I believe him. Rather than sitting on my couch hoping the Biggest Loser comes and casts me, I decided that the more logical option would be to bring the biggest loser trainers to me. I would recommend this to everyone, from those who only have 10 lbs to lose to people like me who have 50+."
0,36_16_R1F6NH926C1T6O.txt,5.0,Is this their second album of PERFECTION?,"May 8, 2003",waldo,Meteora (Audio CD),"How does linkin park do it. meteora has excelled all my expectations as I could not believe they could match the brilliance of hybrid theory....But they did. Track overview. 01.This is an awsome start to any album and blends perfectly with track 2. 02.Don't Stay- A great opener, fast and hard. The chourus grows on you but it is the brigde which stands out and you find yourself yelling with chester. 3.5/5 03.Somewhere I Belong- The single. The intro to this song is so addictive i find myself playing it over and over again. Good song, not the best. 4/5 04.Lying from you-Chester's voice in this song is so powerful and it is impossible not to yell with him. The chorus is again awesome but is let down by the rap. 3.5/5 05.Hit the floor- the major dissapointer of the album. The rap is to similar to previous efforts and the chourus offers very little. 2/5 06.Easier to Run- this chorus is one of the best in the album and blends perfectly with the brige at the end. One of my favourites. 4.5/5 07.Faint- The best song on the album. The intro is incredible and the rap blends so well with chester's chorus. A hard song with the best yelling bridge on the album. 5/5 08 Figure .09- Good song. the chorus isn't as catchy as others but the rap is a stand out. Not original enough. 3/5 09 Breaking the habit- An original an unlike any of their other songs. A quiet song in comparison and the opening scratch with the strings is awesome. Good for a change. 4/5 10.From the Inside- A major stand out. I love this chorus. It has awesome lyrics and is easy to sing with. The best mix of rap and singing to date with an awesome brige. 5/5 11.Nobody's Listening-Again very different.the intro with the pipes sounds sweet. Good rap. Good Chorus. 4/5 12.Session- Dissapointing. Nothing compared to track 11 on hybrid theory where Mr Hahn went off. 1/5 13.Numb- Another great song, easy flowing and again good to sing with. Great lyrics, another favourite, good closer. 4.5/5 *** An awsome album...linkin park has created another masterpeice with every intro being different from the next but being so effective. Best songs- 03,06,07,10,13"
0,12_5_R2VEG7AZOPYHAT.txt,5.0,For Real Housewives Fans,"July 13, 2010","G. Froelich ""Bleuangel""",Real Housewives Get Personal (Paperback),"I literally got this book hot off the press; the minute I could get it. And it was well worth it to me. I was first of all surprised at how up to date it is. I was afraid it might be a rehash of old shows, and it definitely is not. I found out things about the housewives that made a lot of the things that happen on the show make better sense. I so enjoyed this book, that I would love to see one put out every couple of years, to update things and tell about new wives. At the price it is, you can't buy 4 or 5 fan magazines for the price of this book. If you watch Housewives zealously as I do, you won't want to be without this book."
0,35_3_R35R77T6UU010C.txt,1.0,Dr. Scholls freeze away,"February 15, 2009","W. Ocampo ""Mr. Dream Escape""",Dr. Scholl's Dual Action Freeze Away Wart Remover 1 kit (Health and Beauty),I think there's a very little amount of content compressed on it. just 5 to 6 times of used then it's gone. Nothings really happened to my warts.
0,26_2_R276TPH13XHJY0.txt,5.0,Bill Clinton at his best,"September 4, 2007",Julie Neal,Giving: How Each of Us Can Change the World (Hardcover),"Even conservatives will like this book. It's interesting, inspiring, clearly written, not at all political and, believe it or not, only a tad self-centered. Filled with dozens, maybe hundreds, of specific examples of charitable individuals and successful grassroots programs, it argues -- in fact, proves -- that you don't have to be a big shot to make the world a better place. Clinton clearly believes in what he writes; the book is passionate and powerful on topics that, in other hands, would be detached and dull.
Besides the subject matter, what I liked best about the book is its organization. Written so you don't have to read it all at once, it breaks down philanthropy into six different categories, and gives each its own chapter. Those are:
* Giving time
* Giving things
* Giving skills
* Giving ""gifts of reconciliation and new beginnings"" (citing everything from the efforts of Nelson Mandela to PeacePlayers International, a group that sets up basketball leagues in the Middle East)
* Giving gifts that keep on giving (such as the work of Heifer International, which gives millions of poor farmers free cows -- as long as they agree to donate one its first offspring to someone else)
* Giving to good ideas
Clinton also includes descriptions of some successful charitable programs that are easy to use as model strategies for your own ideas, illustrates how businesses can make money out of acting in the public interest, and explains his views on what roles governments (not just Washington, but cities and states) can play.
In the last chapter, titled ""How Much Should You Give and Why,"" he argues that if the rich would donate five percent of their incomes to humanitarian causes, the rest of society would give even more, and that one reason to be generous and public spirited is simply that it makes you feel good. ""Who's happier?"" he writes. ""The uniters or the dividers? The builders or the breakers? The givers or the takers? I think you know the answer.""
Regardless of your political views, if you're a charitable person and seriously want to make a difference in the world, this is a must-read. You'll come away from it not only inspired, but with plenty of ideas on how to accomplish your goals."
1,36_11_R1TSBX8EQJ5OQ3.txt,1.0,Like Watching Old People #!@%,"March 2, 2008",El Kabong,Robin Hood - Men in Tights (DVD),"It's my own private theory that the decade between roughly 1966, and roughly 1976, represents not just a sea-change/high-point/Belle Epoque of the arts in this country, but the duration of a force-field imposed by aliens who briefly took over our bodies and spent a long arts and crafts holiday here, giving us 2001 and REVOLVER and BREAKFAST OF CHAMPIONS and CLOSE TO THE EDGE and CHINATOWN and much more in the process; and when they left at last for their home world, the bodies they inhabited reverted right back to their true selves. In the case of Mel Brooks, through whose corporeal shell the Visitors had crafted THE PRODUCERS, BLAZING SADDLES and YOUNG FRANKENSTEIN, that means a pushy, tiresome, obnoxious hack.
Well, it's as good an explanation as any, right? Brooks so totally lost the plot from the latter half of the 70s on that bodysnatching aliens and Faustian bargains spring naturally to mind as reasonable explanations: that's how fast, and far, he fell off the cliff. There isn't a single funny moment in his ROBIN HOOD spoof, but this is far worse than simply ""unfunny"". Few things in life are as painful to endure as third-rate comedy performed badly, by incompetents incapable of timing a gag or delivering even a throwaway line without stepping on the joke. Not that this is measurably worse than the half-dozen or so lead balloons Brooks made prior to this. On the other hand, it's every bit as wheezingly unfunny as they were. If it wasn't, would Dick van Patten even be in this? Yeah.... when I think of freewheeling, anything-goes absurdist satire, Van Patten's the first name that comes to mind.
Oh, yeah....about those jokes. They're about on the level of a Bob Hope Special from 1971, only with the racier, edgier material cut out.
""And this is my friend Will Scarlet.""
""Well, Scarlet's my middle name. (pause) My full name is Will Scarlet O'Hara. (longer pause) We're from Georgia.""
That's one of the better ones, folks. And even though the joke as written is terrible, and could never be made funny no matter how it was read, the tortuous Pasadena Playhouse pauses actually make the thing even worse than it already is. Which is pretty much this movie in a nutshell - bad ideas, made worse by terrible writing, further doomed by an unsuitable cast, all of whom flail away helplessly without any sort of competent direction.
If you must see this, see it on basic cable so you'll at least have the cell-phone and diet soda commercials to look forward to. And maybe you, too, will wonder how it was possible anybody ever thought Mel Brooks was a genius, and how in the world did he keep getting money to make these godawful comedies? I can't help you with the second question, but as far as the first goes, trust me; it was the aliens."
0,40_9_R25Y0TGOIE81WC.txt,5.0,Yodelling Picklw,"February 18, 2009",Richard Thomas,Novelty Yodeling Pickle (Toy),"It is the ingongruity of of a realistic looking pickle and the strong yodelling voice that comes out when you press the button that makes this toy so funny. When someone in the family deserves a thumbs-up, we often reward them with a yodel from the pickle. Good to have some silliness in the house."
0,40_3_RZUT6FH0CCLR9.txt,2.0,We returned this item.,"June 27, 2010",COB,Norcross Hawkeye H22PX Sonar System (Electronics),After much work we could not get this item to work. So we returned it.
1,47_13_R1NU5CFPVNSXA4.txt,1.0,You've got to be kidding me.,"June 28, 2009",Jackie M,The Sun Also Rises (Paperback),"This book is a classic..... by what criteria, however, is beyond me. The foremost impression it gives is that of an oppressive tedium. Read fifty pages, you'll be bored. Read fifty more, you will surely feel your brain turning to lead. If there are any real characters under the absolutely arbitrary routines of the wretchedly two dimensional people who populate this book, well then they are buried under the crushing weight of circularly formatted lists chronicling the daily activities of these fickle, unmotivated drunks with no imaginations. Who happen to be getting bored and drunk in pretty places. Trust me, absolutely nothing happens, WHATSOEVER.
The lost generation this may have been. Judging by this book, what they really were missing was personality, a sense of purpose, and the ability to conceive of even a single shred of worthwhile, memorable drama. Lost all right. I dare you to try and read this and not lose your mind."
1,23_14_R2SAZW3KRQ0AB6.txt,1.0,regenerates organ,"December 23, 2009",Dominic Florio,Guardian Angel (Health and Beauty),"I bought this item in case of ever I was in a car accident and lost an important organ. I have used it on my neutered dogs and cats, but nothing has grown back.
Is this what John Wayne Bobbit used to regenerate his organ?
If you buy this, the organ you have lost is your brain. There is no chance of getting that back.
I give it one star, just for having the nerve to make its claims."
1,18_10_R2W3ZBIJY957K2.txt,1.0,Zzzzz Zzzzz,"November 17, 2009","Mern ""meepers""",Fallout 3 (Video Game),"I was really looking forward to this game, man what a bummer. Now I know I'm in the minority here but it's my take on this game and here it goes.
Well, so far I've put in at least 6 hours...6 hours of agonizing bordom! I just don't get what all the ""hype"" is about. It's almost as if you have to like this game or you're not ""cool"" by the way people talk about it. Guess I'm not cool, I freakin hate this game.
I actually restarted the game to go ith my lowered my expectations and see if I could bare through it. No go.
The pace is so slloowwwww. My god people, how the hell can you deal with this? I would much rather read a good book than play this, it's far more exciting and stimulating.
The graphics are just so-so, nothing great here. The animations pretty much blow, pretty clunky to say the least. AI isn't the greatest either. And it's so wordy, like I said, if I'm gonna spend hours reading I would rather read a book.
Maybe I'm just spoiled when it comes to RPGs having an uber gaming computer and having played some pretty amazing RPGs.
The break down of this game is as follows.
49% Talking
49% Traveling
2% Action/picking up trash
I'm so glad I got it used, I would really be ticked if I wasted $60 on this.
You've been warned."
0,40_12_RMQFNCXZ9XJFX.txt,5.0,I like it.,"April 25, 2010",Jason M.,Toshiba 4 GB USB 2.0 Flash Drive (Electronics),"I bought this drive when Amazon offered it in the Gold Box for $8 and it is definitely worth it. I know that there has been some criticism of this drive for not having a cap or it's clean design. Neither of these points bother me and they certainly do not impact the performance of the drive. Put simply, if you're reading customer reviews because you want to know how well the drive performs, keep reading. If you're more concerned about a ""pretty"" drive, this isn't the review for you.
So far the drive has lived up to its selling points. I have three machines on Windows 7, one on Vista Premium and a netbook on Windows XP. I didn't have any problems using the drive with any of my machines. I am an avid photographer and I used several large photo files as well as some home videos to test this drive. File transfers to and from the drive were as fast as I've seen with other flash drives costing more. It really is a speedy little drive. This is also a good drive for ReadyBoost.
I've only had this drive for a couple of days and cannot make any claims as to long term reliability just yet but I've had good luck with other Toshiba products."
0,21_6_R33VLVL5IBLXE4.txt,5.0,Thought Provoking,"October 21, 2007","Paul Coleman ""psych/author at paul-coleman.com""",When Ghosts Speak: Understanding the World of Earthbound Spirits (Hardcover),"Many books on the subject of ghosts are either silly and trite or leave the reader with many unanswered questions. This book is different--and better. Mary Ann Winkowski claims to see ghosts (earthbound spirits) and is able to speak to them. If you accept that premise then the book's content is fascinating and answers many questions. Readers can and should be skeptical about such claims but if one reads the book with an open and curious mind it will be an enjoyable and enlightening read. It certainly makes you think. What happens to us after we die is always a compelling topic. ""When Ghosts Speak"" approaches the topic with ideas many people have not fully considered before. If you enjoy an easy, page-turning read about a topic that has always fascinated humankind, you will not be disappointed reading this book."
0,5_9_REOX5991UD9N.txt,4.0,My review of the Archos 5,"December 26, 2009","F. Carretero ""Metallica Guitar Newbie""",Archos 5 160 GB Internet Tablet with Android (Electronics),"Well Despite all the reviews, I decided to order the Archos 5 160GB version. I was a little worried about what I would encounter, however there worries would soon transition from worried to eased.
The make of this device is very solid and it is a little big for the pocket, but it's manageable. This device would be significantly useful for people on the go as it allows you to bring a large amount of media with you all in a neat little tablet that can handle HD output (Given some videos are going to be laggy, but this is normal for most hand held devices as they do not have the rendering capabilities that of a computer does). However to deal with this, Archos is trying to maintain regular updates. Just recently they released 2 updates for the Archos 5. If you go to the main Archos site, which is at [...] you can look at the updates that have been released for the device. It turns out that with each update they are trying to clean up the HD output given the limitations of the hardware also they are working on another update which is called doughnut, which is version 1.6 android, I believe (which will hopefully include the android market!! :)). This device also has a TON of space.
With all this space it can have other uses as well. I, Personally, have a large collection of books and music, I used this device as a backup of all my files so that in the event that anything happens to my main machine, I will always have the files I prioritized. Another neat little thing that the Archos 5 can do is it can read PDFs and Office Files, which is nice if you ever have to edit your office files on the go. With the amount of area that is displayed by the screen, it allows for a very nice and ease of reading. At times I can find myself reading a book on it and reading it with ease with the large screen, as well as the capabilities of the software to handle PDFs. One thing to be noted by this is the fact that due to the hardware constraint, it will have to load each page after you read about half of your current page and half of the next page in order to have it load the next page. This is done to save space and maintain its longevity due to its hardware constraints. However, the transitions is very fast, shouldn't be a pain, although a very minor annoyance. One thing I should note is that some people have claimed that some videos are not able to play, although I have yet to encounter this issue.
I feel that I got a huge bargain on this device. Given its updates and overall capabilities as not only an internet tablet but also its media playback along with its touchscreen capabilities (which is acceptable, in practicality -- Make sure that you configure the touchscreen when it seems to not be functioning properly) it almost feels like a steal. To sum up the review I'm going to make a list of pros and cons.
Pros
Large beautiful screen
Touch Screen
Variety of Media playback capabilities
Made with Android OS (very stable)
Can be used as a PDF Reader as well as do MORE
Has GPS capabilities
Lots of applications -- AppsLib (And much more will come when android market is finally released -- although there is a way to get market on it with a little trick-- but it does not include all the times that are in the CURRENT market, its a makeshift to get it to work AND Google applications be installed using this little trick, Google ""Android Market on Archos 5 Internet Tablet"")
Lasts a good amount of time
Easy to use
------------------------
Cons
No android 2.0 (yet..?)
Charging is somewhat slow (it will lose charge [when plugged in via DC-IN USB to MiniUSB] when transferring files to it, do it in chunks to deal with this issue, although you'll still lose battery life)
Somewhat laggy Video playback (should be remedied somewhat with updates)
Locks up sometimes (this was in the past, however with the new update they released I haven't seen it happen..yet?)
LONG start up time (use standby)
I hope this review helps you guys decide on buying one :)"
1,6_11_R3U5QR00VSNS3Q.txt,5.0,"The ""Plan Nine from Outer Space"" of Psychology Books","August 17, 2008","Avital Pilpel ""classics_lover""",Psychology of the Chess Player (Paperback),"This book is psycho-babble at its worst. (Why five stars, then? Read on...) The king, for example, is ""really"" a penis, and therefore the whole game is ""really"" an attempt at castration, because both players attempt to mate the enemy king. Castling is protecting one's penis from the castrating father because it ""hides away"" the game's ""penis"". Riiiiiiiiight.
The queen's power, on the other hand, shows the mother's female power, and players who tend to swap queens early are afraid of women. Well, either that, or they are stronger in queenless positions because they are better in positional endgames than in tactical ones. And what about languages where the piece is not called a ""queen"" at all, such as Arabic or Hungarian? No matter--the very fact that it's *powerful* is enough for it to symbolize the power of women. Again, Riiiiiiiiiight.
Worse than such nonsense is Fine's buying of, apparently, every single tall tale of the ""crazy chess player"" kind and attributing the ""real reasons"" for the apocrypical story to deep-seated psychological problems. Hence Morphy's ""fetishism"" with women's shoes (never happened) or Alekhine's ""throwing"" a king across the room when he lost (ditto) ""prove"" their sexual masochism and/or sadism; etc., etc., etc.
The most puzzling part of the book is where Fine attribues deep, hidden psychological causes for *specific moves* masters made--of course, ""proving"" them all deranged in some way or another (all except himself, that is). A blunder is never a bluner, but only a result of a deep-seated, subconscious ""masochistic"" desire to be punished (by that standard, I am the worst masochist in the world...) A move that makes many threats isn't just a (usually) good move, it shows the deep-seated ""agression"" of the player, while a quiet winning move shows his ""sadism"". And so on and so forth.
This sort of thing would, perhaps, be understandable if the writer was ignorant about chess. After all, total ignorance of, say, politics or economics didn't stop psychoanalysts from ""proving"" what the ""deep psychological reasons"" for war or capitalism (or whatever) ""really are"". But Fine was a very strong player! He, of all people, should have known that chess masters do not think like that. Of course his excuse is the pychoanalyst's eternal excuse: you may not *think* you think like that, but that just proves you're ""in denial"" about the ""deep subconscious roots"" of your actions. On the other hand a total stranger, like Dr. Fine, from decades and continents away, can effortly tell us the ""deep subconscious reasons"" some master ""really"" made a certain move. How did Fine aquire this magical ability? From St. Freud, of course. For the third time: Riiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiight.
In short, this books does, indeed, show us something about the psychology of the chess player. It shows us just how confused and laughable an obviously intelligent man, and a very strong chess player to boot--Dr. Fine himself--could become once he fell into the silly dogmatic nonsense of Fruedian psychonalaysis.
I therefore recommend you go right out and get the book! You'll never find a better example of rip-roaringly unintentionally funny psycho-babble. No comedian had ever a parody of psychoanalysis to match what's inside this irredeemingly awful book. It is *so* bad, it's good! This is the ""Plan Nine from Outer Space"" of Psychology books."
1,22_16_RKIAFJWXH2PY7.txt,1.0,Are You Serious?,"June 7, 2007",Samuel Shabrin,Memory Almost Full (Audio CD),"""Everybody gonna dance tonight. Everybody gonna feel alright. Everybody gonna dance around tonight""
What the hell is this tripe? Oh, wait... ""Someone's knockin' at the door. Someone's ringin' the bell. Do me a favor. Open the door. Let him in."" Yeh, deep reflective lyrics.
Paul's ""Chaos and Creation..."" CD was exquisite. It sounded like 1/2 of the writing team of ""Lennon & McCartney"", rather than just ""Paul McCartney"". Make sense? I was SO looking forward to a solid follow-up to that CD. But ""Memory..."" sounds like a senior high school project; music, lyrics and recording quality no better than a basement demo tape. Paul's falsetto on ""You Tell Me is"" bloody embarrasing, painful to listen to. Wonder what Simon Cowell would have to say about it???? I am NO FAN of American Idol, but I doubt Paul would have made the first cut with this junk.
Sorry. ""Chaos and Creation..."" restored my faith in one of the best songwriters and performers of our generation. This CD punctures a huge hole in that balloon."
1,3_14_R19JOCLZ482JMA.txt,2.0,almost completely useless...,"February 4, 2006",Eduardo Nietzsche,"Polk Audio PSW10 10-Inch Monitor Series Powered Subwoofer (Single, Black) (Electronics)","Polk makes great speakers (LSi series), good speakers (RTi series), ok speakers (Monitor series), and mediocre speakers (R series). But like most speaker manufacturers, their subs are horrible for the money. Why? Because they are betting that if you are already buying their speakers, you'll likely want to buy one of their subs too, especially if some slimey and/or ignorant salesperson tells you that you MUST ""match"" the sub and speakers.
Of course, those of us who know something about audio know that aside from a few rare exceptions (like Magnepan planar speakers which really require a super-quick musical subwoofer) there is ABSOLUTELY NO SUCH THING as ""subwoofer-matching""---just get the best-sounding sub you can afford. The best bang-for-your buck subs are made by the two dominant Internet-direct subwoofer specialists, Hsu and SVS.
This PSW10 is a prime example. If you are in a small room and listening to jazz or rock music, it's not too bad. Use it while blasting hip-hop, or watching a special-effects loaded movie like ""Jurassic Park"" or ""Fellowship of the Ring"" and you won't even know it's there---it simply does not go low enough nor loud enough (let's not even talk about if it's clean enough) to do the job. The only worse mass-market subs I've ever heard would be the Sony and Yamaha subs; the Infinity subs are slightly better.
For this price range you can do much better looking at the 12"" Dayton subwoofer from partsexpress dot com which goes for under a hundred fifty dollars shipped."
0,40_7_R2FC4HJR1DXWVZ.txt,5.0,Handy to have around,"September 12, 2005","daevactus ""daevactus""",Leatherman 934870 40 Bit Assortment with Nylon Sheath (Tools & Hardware),"At first I was disappointed to see the new style. I can see the locking mechanism weaaring out and bits just falling out of the Leatherman. Leatherman's never let me down in the past, let's hope they keep their good reputation with this new design. The usefulness of this bit set goes almost without question. I carry it with me all the time and it's proven itself on several occassions.
If you want to fix almost anything almost anywhere, this bit set is good to have."
0,34_7_R3UQF52QIXG9CP.txt,5.0,Works like a charm,"October 23, 2007","Jonas Salk ""Jonas""",Extended Cordless Phone Battery For Uniden BT-905 BT-800 NIMH 1800Mah,"My wife has the habit of leaving the cordless phone off the charger, so naturally, once the old battery wouldn't hold a charge anymore, I needed a new one. This battery went into a uniden phone and it seems to be taking all of my wife's abuse in stride. Everytime I need the phone now and can find where it's hidden, there is ALWAYS enough juice left to make my calls. I am very happy with this purchase"
1,51_20_R3DBA1R6YPXOJH.txt,1.0,More trash from the trashman,"July 1, 2010","M. Stameroff ""Coverchenko""",Sicko (Special Edition) (DVD),"I have to admit that i have never laughed that hard after seeing a movie then i did when i saw this one. I was laughing out loud because this film reminded me of the crap my proffesors used to make the class watch on ""the evil of america"" and ""taking down greed"". Such comical propoganda devices that resembled those used in the 1950s, only instead of targeting communism they target american business. The lies in this film were so blatant that i felt like i was watching MSNBC or Fox. As a third generation cuban, my great grandmother was cubano, it was rather insulting to show cuba as this garden of eden for equality and freedom.But i eventually got over this because you cant let blatant lies and propoganda get you down otherwise the bullies in our culture like Mr. Moore win. If there is anyone that actually believes that Cuba has an admirable, free, health care system let me state some facts gathered from actuall cuban doctors and patients who managed to escape.
-IF there is a complication with the fetus of a pregnant woman the government forces an abortion.
-If a child dies soon after birth the doctor will not record it as ever having lived at all (remember when moore stated that cuba enjoys a lower infant mortality rate? well there you go. thats the reason.)
-That UN survey that states cuba as having a better health care system than us is on the survey, however the UN does not investigate countrie's health care systems, they simply take down whatever the country decides to report. Hmmmm....why should we believe what a communist dictator has to say about his own country?
-Smuggled pictures show dilapidated hospitals, patients who are dying of starvation, neglect, and infection.
Those people that Moore shows in his film that have the high medical bills, you know the ones that are the helpless victims of our ""disgusting, greed driven society"". You will notice that all the people are middle class individuals with big screen tvs, 3 cars in the driveway, and an outstanding mortgage for a house that they cannot afford. Hmmmmm.....and im supposed to feel sorry for their utter stupidity and lack of regard for their own responsibility? Why is it that in this country people will pay $6 for a cup of coffee, and $50 for a videogame, but when it comes to their healthcare its simply ""too expensive"" and somehow the fault of ""greedy businessmen"". Maybe Moore should make a film about prioritization in america. About those people that throw their money away on material possessions but when their bills finally catch up with them they declare bankruptcy. It is trully a unique society we live in. their is such an utter disregard for responsibility and so many avenues and entitlement programs to cover your ass with."
0,8_7_R12M11BNM58XVN.txt,3.0,good to have but hard to use,"July 7, 2008",M. Vooss,Swiss+Tech UKCSB-1 Utili-Key 6-in-1 Key Ring Tool (Automotive),"I've had this attached to my key ring for a number of years. I don't need it often but when I have it's been useful as long as I am very careful while handling it. The knife is extremely sharp and because the key is pretty thin it can rotate easily in your fingers. It's not incredibly easy to close around a key ring with one hand, and does with a bit of a snap, so you need to make sure your fingers are well out of the way when you do. The Phillips screwdriver on the end of one of the tines is helpful for things like tightening eyeglasses, but it is slightly offset from the opposing blade and I've nicked or jabbed myself with it more than once while it's in my pocket. You're supposed to lock it at either 90 or 180 degrees when using it, but when you close it from 90 the keyring end easily grabs at your fingers. This isn't a product for kids, and only should be used with extreme care."
0,276426_10_R15XCKLDGHHUC1.txt,5.0,Way more than I expected!,"April 26, 2010","William E. Peterson ""Wepiii""","Leather Carrying Case Cover/Folio With Built-in Stand for Apple iPad 3G tablet / Wifi model 16GB, 32GB, 64GB (BLACK) (Electronics)","This case is way better than I expected. The quality is very nice. I was worried about the kickstand flipping out all the time, but it stays securely shut with a magnet. I would go as far as to say this case is way better than the apple case. Overall a great buy and extremely fast shipping! Thanks"
0,19_13_R2UB7A8LWN8DDZ.txt,5.0,Great construction and well worth the price,"November 3, 2009",John C. Yeung,Motogear 73807 Motorcycle Dust Cover - Sport (Automotive),I am very happy with the purchase. It is made of the thicker car cover like material instead of thin nylon. It is all black in color with a nice printed logo in the front. Fits my Kawasaki Ninja just fine.
0,42_13_R2WFA5PWCDPZC1.txt,4.0,A good post-apocalyptic tale,"January 15, 2010","William Merrill ""eclecticist""",The Book of Eli [Blu-ray] (Blu-ray),"The post-apocalypse sub-genre of science fiction has always been a place I like to go. I'll give movies of this type some slack I wouldn't always give other kinds, so that even a relatively weak post-apoc flick like Doomsday (in which Malcolm McDowell appeared, as he does here) still has its interesting moments. But if it's a good one such as I Am Legend, I'm really into it bigtime. So I've been eagerly anticipating The Book of Eli from the time the first trailers appeared, and now that I've seen it there were many things about it I liked. Start with the mythic prophet main character. His super-heroic weapons skills showed there was something unique about him early on. Those scenes were generally pretty cool, and they were spread out pretty well over the length of the film. (Any more fight scenes would have bored me.) Eli's story plays out with a kind of grim determinism, although it also has hopeful elements as well. I was glad I wasn't previously familiar with the story, as the major revelations about the Book in the final act were a complete surprise. Mr. Washington was an excellent choice for the lead. Other roles were well cast too, including (to my surprise) Jennifer Beals as the blind mistress of Gary Oldman's bad boss character. Oldman himself struck just the right notes of ego, madness & desperation. Anyway, as far as the post-apoc nature of the movie, it provides fascinating glimpses of which possessions would be really valuable in such a world (ex., chapstick yes; cigarette lighter, not so much), and other aspects of survival felt very authentic throughout the film. All in all, it wasn't quite the adventure I was expecting (with occasional pacing issues), but I still found it to be an enjoyable viewing experience."
0,8_16_R31N279HQNX86F.txt,5.0,Best Phone on Market,"April 24, 2009",Aussie,"Nokia 5800 XpressMusic Unlocked Phone with U.S. 3G, GPS with Free Voice Navigation, Wi-Fi, and 8 GB MicroSD Card--U.S. Version with Warranty (Black) (Wireless Phone Accessory)","I had owned various phones in the past and Nokia is the best on any comparison, for the Features available on this phone, had Apple had all these features it will cost 10 times more, most people don't even know it has extra camera on the front for video Calls along with the 3.2 MP on the back, Video is far better and there were no sluggish performance as far as I had used for more than a month, unlike iPhone this phone can run multiple applications at same time which is like multitasking in PC, so I can play music and browse websites at same time and switch to GPS , attend a call and type an SMS.. And it goes on...all at same time, iPhone cannot do more than one at a time, we get millions of free software, games, themes etc., unlike Apple App store, no need to pay more and more. Best feature, no MP3 conversion required, if you have lot of MP3 files on hard disk just drag and drop in few seconds, we can play, phone comes with 8GB of SD Card, can upgrade to 16 GB, that's more than enough, I had used the N95 earlier which costs double this price, this is not a NSeries phone from nokia, but it had all the features + touch screen of N series phone at half the price.
If you like Garmin for GPS, Garmin GPS software available for this phone and installing that will make it the best GPS (it comes with Nokia's map software too) and no data plan or internet required for GPS as maps are copied to memory. It comes with lot of add on and Its not too big like iPhone and not too small, exactly made for using with single hand and I had replaced the blackberry phone used for Office with this and configured my Office outlook exchange server along with Gmail, hotmail and yahoo, how cool is that.
It handles website just as a PC and there is no difference with any websites, I can login to bank accounts and do anything like PC, it has stereo speakers but the Nokia Headsets are far Superior in sound quality and build and it comes with built in Mic and buttons for music track change so we can play music and attend calls without touching phone.
And FM is there to use while driving and at the Gym, Google has lot of software available for this phone like latitude, docs etc. If you want free chat software Fring (www.fring.com) is available for free, it connects yahoo, hotmail, AOL, Gtalk and Skype users all in one place and we can even make voice calls to online users. It has the great sync software that syncs all your photos, videos, contacts, notes etc between phone and PC using Bluetooth, just switch on the PC and it does the sync automatically. We can import and export all contacts from outlook, Lotus notes etc.
And there is software to use the screen as a touch screen mouse for the PC like a wireless Bluetooth mouse and that's free too.
For brand conscious users like me, I want to buy a phone from a telecom company like Nokia than a computer (apple) or TV (Samsung) company, who were just trying phones as one of their business.
iPhone doesn't have many of these features and only selling because of marketing, if nokia did their part, this should beat any phone for sure, I don't want to lock with AT&T for lifetime with iPhone and pay $ monthly and pay for any applications and did I say its unlocked? What else you can expect from a phone?"
0,50_4_RI6LD0C4PET3V.txt,1.0,IMO Mr Washington was a pure Deist,"December 1, 2009","Mark A. Brochu ""Deist Reality""",George Washington's Sacred Fire (Paperback),"It seems the main reason Dr. Peter Lillback calls George Washington a Christian,and not a Deist is because he believed in Divine Providence,or the belief that God is active in peoples lives. When we think of Divine Providence we think of the word Theism, and all the Abrahamic faiths that claim God personally spoke to key individuals called Prophets in the form of personal revelations.
Understandably as words do change (proving that the written word is not a good vehicle for the ""word of God"") from their original meaning, Mr.Lillback confuses the word Deist with the word Atheist (non-Theist) which really is the opposite of Theist.
In todays world the word Atheist for the most part implies that there is no God. The word Atheist has changed from its original meaning,but we know that whenever you add an ""a"" in front of a word it means the opposite,so its the Atheist that believes in a inactive God,and not a Deist.
The word Deist is derived from the word Deism that is derived from the word Deity which is simply the Latin word for God. A Deist is just someone who believes that God is,and the word Deism just implies a path of understanding.
George Washington IMO was a Deist who was a Theist who followed the path called Deism. He believed in God,he thought that God was active in his life,and he knew to look towards the Creation (the product that comes from God) to gain true insight.
Since Mr. Lillback uses Thomas Paine for an example of a Deist we should at least take Thomas Paine's definition on who,or what a Deist is,and what a true Deist believe.
""Every person, of whatever religious denomination he may be, is a DEIST in the first article of his Creed. Deism, from the Latin word Deus, God, is the belief of a God, and this belief is the first article of every man's creed.
It is on this article, universally consented to by all mankind, that the Deist builds his church, and here he rests. Whenever we step aside from this article, by mixing it with articles of human invention, we wander into a labyrinth of uncertainty and fable, and become exposed to every kind of imposition by pretenders to revelation""
Thomas Paine thought that anyone who believes in God was a Deist (including all Christians) in the first article of his creed, which is the belief in a God.
Mr. Lillback states in his book that Thomas Paine was a ""hard Deist"". ""Hard Deist"", apparently a new title that Mr. Lillback says he made up to describe a Deist that doesn't believe in Divine Providence,or again the belief in the God that went away,and no longer intervenes in mans affairs. Again a ""Hard Deist"" if we must use the phrase describes what an Atheist would think,and not what a pure Deist would think.
Dr. Peter Lillback either never read Thomas Paines works,or he's out right lying about Thomas Paines character in matters of God. All self professed Deists in our founding fathers day believed in Divine Providence even Thomas Paine. So ""Hard Deist"",or even Atheist would not apply to Mr. Paine because Thomas Paine was a Deist (he believed in God) who was a Theist (he believed that God was active in his life) who followed the path called Deism.
In Mr. Lillbacks book he quotes Thomas Paine several times,but he takes his words out of context to make his point clear about who,or what a Deist is,and what a true,or pure Deist really believes about our Maker.
Before I quote some key phrases from Thomas Paine that clearly prove that he, like George Washington believed in ""Divine Providence"" I ask the reader to examine
""A Discourse At The Society Of Theophilanthropists""
This was a Theistic church that Thomas Paine was a key founder. Proving that Mr. Paine believed in an active God right up till the end of his life.
Thomas Paine called God ""the Almighty lecturer"". God had something to say to Thomas Paine,and luckily for us he wrote most of it down in all his Theological writings.
""The Almighty Lecturer, by displaying the principles of science in the
structure of the universe, has invited man to study and imitation. It is as if He said to the
inhabitants of this globe, that we call ours, 'I have made an earth for man to dwell upon,
and I have rendered the starry heavens visible, to teach him science and the arts. He
can now provide for his own comfort, and learn from my munificence to all, to be kind to
each other.' ""
""The world has been amused with the term revealed religion, and the generality of priests apply this term to the books called the Old and New Testament. The Mahometans apply the same term to the Koran. There is no man that believes in revealed religion stronger than I do; but it is not the reveries of the Old and New Testament, nor the Koran, that I dignify with that sacred title. That which is revelation to me, exists in something which no human mind can invent, no human hand can counterfeit or alter.
The Word of God is the Creation we behold; and this Word of God revealeth to man all that is necessary for man to know of his Creator.""
Mr. Lillback is using his own definition of what a Deist is to prove that George Washington wasn't a Deist,and his definition is wrong. Instead of making up your own definition of these words (Deist,or Deism) to prove your point why not get the correct definition from those who actually claim to be true,or pure Deists? Most (not all) of todays self professed Deists of today like days of old will tell you that they believe in a active God.
Did George Washington believe that our Creator overshadowed a young virgin girl who was engaged to be married to save us from the sins of the world,and all the mythologies that would also need to be believed as fact to prove this absurdity?
George Washington was enlightened enough to know mythologies from reality. Lets not taint this great mans legacy by saying he believed the Bible as an absolute literal truth just because you do Mr. Lillback.
This book IMO in no way proves George Washington was a true Christian. Like they did with the man called Jesus years after his death making him into something he was not Dr. Peter Lillback does this with our great American hero George Washington. Turning,or perverting true 'history"" into his story,and twisting reality in the process. People who look for truth will know the difference.
Mr.Lillback, we're all Deists who believe that God is. Where we differ is our path of understanding. If you want to learn all about the faiths of our ancestors then the Bible,Koran,and the like are a great place to gain insight, however if you want to learn about God then you must look towards the Creation,or all the products that come from God. I think George Washington knew this truth as he was surrounded by other enlightened ""pure"" Deists.
Mr. Washington knew that books prove that man is real,and the Creation proves that God is real.
This book will look great next to the other fat book in the evangelical library. Remember just because a book is thick,and fat doesn't make it fact."
0,276423_9_RYAERL1LAFLY1.txt,5.0,Xbox 360 Black Controller,"June 26, 2010",J. Jenkins,Xbox 360 Wireless Controller Black (Accessory),This is controller works like a charm. You save money and time by getting it from amazon too. All in all buy this.
0,31_5_R33WTZFA5EPSED.txt,5.0,Good Price for a Good Motherboard,"January 25, 2010","A. Nima ""Kreator""",Intel DG41TY Classic Series G41 micro-ATX Intel Graphics DVI+VGA 1333MHz LGA775 Desktop Motherboard (Electronics),"I bought this motherboard to build a descent mid-end system replacing a very old computer. It was very easy to install and the manual was very well explained about the MB's parts. Although I could not find the audio jumper configuration in the motherboard to choose between AC'97 and HD audio, I believe there was no need for it since the manual said HD audio was the default configuration and you would obviously prefer HD audio. Overall, very good price for a very good motherboard. Great for a mid-end system."
1,37_9_RSPTDHROM36NS.txt,3.0,Perhaps the most overrated RPG of all-time.,"September 22, 2009","Jack Treese ""Jack""",Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion Game of the Year Edition (Video Game),"I wish I knew before purchase that this RPG would be almost the EXACT same thing as every other one. The only difference is, this one comes with the expansions. Matter of fact, Fallout 3 is a better title than this crap-fest. The only good thing to have ever come from this was when I brought it to the local game store and traded it for Fallout 3.
The game starts when you're trapped in some castle. YAWN, like that scenario has never been played out. The game continues on to repeatedly slap the buyer in the face each time you kill a rat or some other enemy. I don't get how this has made so many Top 10 lists, this game flat out blows."
1,51_6_R28SE3EWABPNOM.txt,1.0,Worst customer service ever,"April 23, 2010",Olafhubel,"Baby Jogger City Select Stroller Second Seat Kit, Onyx (Baby Product)",I am now waiting on my second seat and car seat adaptor for months. I have written baby jogger 3 times now. They do not respond. This is just plain ridiculous. It now says on sites like Amazon that it will be late May before they ship. How can a company that ships baby products have such delays. By the time we get the car seat adaptor my daughter (already born last month) will no longer need it.
0,1_3_R33ZA4OFBTBDTS.txt,5.0,Exceptionally well-crafted story line,"July 12, 2004",J. E. Nelson,Armageddon (1998) [VHS] (VHS Tape),"For me, this is an incredibly difficult movie to review and critique. I feel that the movie did a phenomenal job of developing the story; however, the acting in the movie left something to be desired. In case someone has not seen the movie, I do not want to give much of the story away. An asteroid, classified as a global killer (a global killer meaning that if it impacts earth, there will be total destruction of life), is on a collision course with earth. NASA comes up with the idea of landing on the asteroid, drilling a hole, and dropping a nuclear weapon in the hole and blowing up the asteroid with the intent of splitting it in two and altering its path so it misses earth. While it is a simple story, the movie does an exceptional job developing the plot into a 2-hour movie. The movie incorporates a ""gloom and doom"" plot with a second story of love, romance, and hope. The first plot is about an oil driller and his band of misfits attempting to work with a group of highly educated astronauts and military pilots to drill a hole on the asteroid (and of course the work together as well as Worcestershire sauce and ice cream). The second story line involves one of the oil drillers falling in love with the owners daughter. The relationship reminds me of a terrible ""teen-age"" relationship with the seemingly perfect love that young people share coupled with a resentful father who seems to not want to lose his daughter. It is difficult to explain how well the two story lines integrate without ruining the movie for someone who has not seen it. While the plot is superb, the acting in the move is just so-so. I thought the acting of the three headline actors (Bruce Willis, Ben Affleck, and Liv Tyler) was weak at best; they had their great moments, but mostly their acting seemed almost emotionless. I did think a couple of the lesser known actors (mainly Michael Clarke Duncan as ""Bear"" and Peter Stormare as the Russian astronaut) were incredible in this movie. Personally, due to the overwhelming depressing plot about the end of the earth, I don't think this is a movie I would cuddle with on the couch with a new date. However, I nonetheless think the plot is excellent and I do highly recommend seeing this movie. I give the movie 5 stars for how the movie integrates the two story lines together and develops them into a great plot, not the acting in the movie."
0,13_4_R2TTHLARK5XBCJ.txt,5.0,ethics & legal issues in counseling,"April 28, 2009",Renee' Curren,Issues and Ethics in the Helping Professions (Paperback),"This text was assigned reading for a master's counseling course. It was thorough, reader friendly, and full of case studies that applied text material appropriately. I appreciated the thought-prompting questions that encourage the inexperienced reader to think like a counselor. The authors include a wealth of ethical and legal facts and information and then explore potential outcomes, sharing their own views while encouraging the reader to come to their own conclusions concerning personal values."
0,10_2_R17NHQUZQV7B30.txt,5.0,Simply Amazing,"March 31, 2010","William T. Mccullars ""Tim""",Sticky & Sweet Tour [Blu-ray] (Blu-ray),"I saw the show in Atlanta and this was by far her best tour ever. She keeps getting better, more creative and sexier with age. I was a few feet away from the catwalk and to see my idol that close was a dream come true. It will be awesome to have this tour on Blu-ray to enjoy for years to come. For those who didn't see her live or were too far away (been there before) to really see her perform I highly suggest you buy this and enjoy the one, the only, the superstar, Madonna!"
0,36_18_R3GCB9AC0TC6NG.txt,5.0,Teriffic Summer Reading!,"June 22, 2010",Jan Comsky,Family Ties: A Novel (Hardcover),"Family Ties of Danielle Steel is one of her best. I have enjoyed Danielle Steels last 2 books very much.
I am not going to go into a storyline here about the book, however, I urge Steel lovers to buy this book and enjoy the story lines of all four characters; Annie, Ted, Katie, and Liz. Each character is faced with life's choices and decisions (especially Ted - I was rooting for him; I enjoyed his storyline the most)!
Okay, enough...buy this Danielle Steel - it's fun."
1,36_12_R3W1O661T65OBH.txt,3.0,It's Just A Broom - No Handle!,"October 6, 2004",D. Richardson,WOLF-Garten Outdoor Broom B40M (Lawn & Patio),"Unless you want to sweep on your hands and knees, make sure you purchase the handle separately!"
0,23_1_R3DGPF3TTUEIOZ.txt,5.0,Good show.,"July 6, 2010",Ian Parker,Weider X-Factor Door Gym (Sports),Product arrived right on time. Everything is included and it's easy to set up ( although finding a door to use is more difficulty that I would imagine. )
0,8_4_R2YXG32QDNGF0I.txt,4.0,Better than I anticipated...,"April 3, 2010","J. Carroll ""Jack""",For Your Entertainment (Audio CD),"Lambert seems to be throwback to the ""bigger than life"" rock popularized by Bowie and Freddie Mercury and he pulls off this sound with sophistication and aplomb. Showing a very good range, Lambert hits both the rockers and ballads with a nice balance of hubris and control. The first three cuts hit hard, with up tempo beats and a surprisingly plaintive vocal on ""Whattaya Want From Me"" gives the listener a good indication of what Lambert can do. ""Strut"" then takes things into more stylized mode and Lambert shows a bit of the over the top quality so necessary to pull off this style of song. Throughout the CD he surprises with a variety of styles and contributors like Rivers Cuomo and Pink keep things interesting. He still needs to find his own true voice, many things owe a bit too much to those who came before, (""Soaked"" definitely seems to channel Mercury a bit too closely and a few others smack of pastiche rather than homage.) but overall this is an impressive debut."
0,2_7_R10L0PTEAY9OR9.txt,5.0,Works with iPhone 3GS using OS 3.1,"September 6, 2009",Jonathan Allen,Apple Composite AV Cable (MB129LL/B),"I was very wary of buying a composite cable for my iPhone, not knowing if it would work with the 3GS, or with the 3.0 software. This cable works! It plugs into the yellow/red/white ports on your TV, and has a USB port for power. I bought mine for use with my car stereo (JVC KW-AVX710 7-Inch In-Dash Double-DIN CD/DVD/MP3/iPod Bluetooth-Ready Touchscreen Receiver ) using a USB car charger (Scosche Dual USB Car Charger ) and, except for the very minor inconvenience of having to control my movies through the iPhone and not on the screen, I havent had a single problem yet. In fact, I am buying another for home use!"
0,43_3_RM2PRRDE2PU5D.txt,4.0,Young Girl Knows More than Most,"April 26, 2000",Brandon Cheney,Anne Frank: The Diary of a Young Girl (Mass Market Paperback),"Anne Frank: The Diary of a Young Girl tells of a young Jewish girl's experiences through adolescence in the midst of World War II and Hitler's genocide against her people. On her thirteenth birthday, she was given a diary in which to write her thoughts and feelings. She, her family, the Van Daan family, and Dr. Dussel tried to adjust to life in the Secret Annexe. Her diary, which she named Kitty, was written from her heart with no superficiality. This makes reading it a great experience. She discussed in the book many issues prevalent in her life as a Jew. She talked about the Zionist movement and the hardships Jews endured in Nazi Germany. They could only shop in certain stores designated for Jewish use. She wrote about her father and sister's fear of deportation, which would have almost definitely resulted in going to a deadly concentration camp. It is a good read because of the way it intertwines childhood and the Holocaust and speaks of both candidly. She wrote about her feelings and encounters with friends and family. She let out her anger at Hitler and described the new reforms that made her life much harder. She thought she had found a good friend in Kitty. Little did she know that one day her story would impact thousands around the world, even if she was only a young girl."
0,6_19_R2BCQXJ19K1RM5.txt,4.0,"I'm foreign","May 13, 2003",A Customer,Species (DVD),Pretty good sci-fi/action/horror/semi-comedy. Probably a must-have for sci-fi collectors and definitely a must-have for Natasha Henstridge fans. The best parts (and most humorous) are the scenes where Sil (Henstridge) is trying to figure out how to operate in Earthly society. I would have given the show five stars if a couple more such scenes were included in place of some of the slower and/or more predictable scenes in the latter half of the film.
0,1_12_R1SBNMA0KTUNJW.txt,5.0,The best single line phone design ever,"November 25, 2004","Martin Anderson ""Martin""",AT&T Corded Trimline Phone with 13-Number Memory (210) (Electronics),"I've loved the trimline phone ever since I got my first phone more than 20 years ago. Then, the trimline was a real, Bell System, telephone. Although this phone is clearly not the same as the real Bell trimline phones, it still has the great, comfortable design and the dialpad in the handset, which makes it an excellent choice. I've compared several other trimline phones and this is the closest phone I could find to the original Bell phones.
Northwestern Bell also makes a trimline phone, but the quality and comfort are nowhere near this AT&T version.
If you read the other reviews, you will see that at least one review (dated November of 2004) says that this phone was discontinued. Yet, here we are in late November 2004, and its still around. I'm guessing (could be wrong here) that this phone will be around forever, even though AT&T no longer promotes it on their web-site."
1,20_9_RKC5U9Q04XUEW.txt,1.0,"Broken, crashing, unfun 3rd installment in the Sims franchise","June 6, 2009","Nathan Beauchamp ""Dakotad555""",The Sims 3 (DVD-ROM),"Wow EA really jacked this one up. Sims 2 was probably the single greatest wide interest game ever made. Appealing to everyone from 8 year old kids to baby-boomers, there was so much right about the game (ease of use, the fun of designing and building custom houses, the excellent expansion packs, the fantastic user made content, etc.) that perhaps it would be unfair to expect Sims 3 to be better than Sims 2. However, I AT LEAST expected it to be playable, and reasonably similar to Sims 2 in quality and fun. To sum up the rest of this review: It's nowhere close. It stinks. It's unplayable due to crashes (for me at least). It's a buggy, unfun, massive step backwards from Sims 2.
So what makes it so bad?
First off, the game crashes nearly constantly. It is not my computer. I own and successfully play dozens of computer games including the most graphics intensive on the market. (For the nerds, I have a i7 processor, 6gb ram, and crossfired ATI HD4870s). These problems are due to buggy code and terrible beta testing. This game should never have been released in this state of unfinished unplayability.
They have also removed many of the things I liked best about Sims two like the ability to construct a neighborhood from scratch and then play each family and watch your Sims interact, make friends and enemies, get married to each other, etc... You are now forced to play a single family at a time. Start a new family and your old ones become NPCs (non player controlled) characters. You can never go back once you start a new one. Why EA, why? This singlehandedly ruined the game for me.
Next is the drastic step backwards in ease and fun of playability. Why they decided to jack with the control mechanisms that every Sims 2 player is accustomed to, or slow time down to the point that I started falling asleep watching my Sim sleep with nothing to do in the game to keep me interested, and why EA released the game with a deplorably low number of home furnishings, I don't know. It's like a horrible nightmare where instead of games progressing and improving, they're regressing towards oblivion. The menus are just clumsy, hard to use, and so very much worse than Sims 2. If you loved the Sims 2 menus, you will HATE these.
The camera is also bad, in that sort of early generations Nintendo 64 way where you can never get it to do what you want it to do with regularity. It seems to have a mind of its own, and controlling it is as frustrating as the terrible controls.
Making attractive Sims is about as easy as sculpting the masterpiece David from play dough. All my Sims look fat, ugly, and just not what I had in mind. It is Uber hard to get a face the way you want it to look. It is even harder to make a nice looking Sim than the character creation system in Oblivion: The Elder Scrolls. If you like plump, slightly froggish looking Sims, you'll love it.
For interior design, rather than giving you a solid and complete set of home furnishings, you are instead offered very few selections, but the ability to make them patterned. Oh joy! What I really want is about 6 options of sofas, most of them ugly, but that I can apply plaid or camouflage skins to! That's so much better than having say 12 sofa varieties right? Not so much. This strikes me as either laziness, or that EA released the game intentionally sparse so they can sell even more add on packs later. Except they missed the entire point: the reason they sold so many add on packs for Sims 2 was that the core game was so good!
Overall this might be one of the worst failures in modern PC game history. Destroying a famed (even legendary) series of games like the Sims franchise by changing core elements and just doing a flat out poor job of quality control is abysmal. EA will need to heavily patch this game to make it worth playing, and by the time they do that, it might be too late.
My recommendation: sell your copy on an auction site. At least then you can get back some of your money and buy something else."
1,3_1_RXPT8W9PZ4U1S.txt,5.0,Not a wallet for toast! Beware!,"April 8, 2010","Bookaholics Anonymous ""Bookaholics Anonymous""",Toast Wallet (Misc.),"Toast wallet, sez I, thinking, kewl, now I can pocket my breakfast in a handy wallet and pull it out along with a few bills to buy a Mickey Dee Latte. Breakfast? Done and done.
But no...this is a stupid rubber wallet that looks like TOAST. Oh, How Funny. I go to pull out a credit card and baffle hapless clerks with my novely wallet. Oh! Do not pay me with toast, sir, says the pimply-faced teenager with the cracking voice but Ahah! It is not toast, it is my wallet, you moron!
Why they don't offer one with rubber bacon, I'll never understand."
1,26_6_R1WVWREPM1TA6H.txt,1.0,How annoying can one man be?,"July 4, 2010",John Black,Greenberg [Blu-ray] (Blu-ray),"If you think the idea of watching a 40-something-year-old man attempt to minimalize his life to the nth degree could just be quirky enough to be interesting, think again. Written and directed by Noah Baumbach (The Squid and the Whale), Greenberg is an exercise in cinematic endurance that tests the audience's patience to the breaking point. How long you last will depend on how interested you can force yourself to be in the lives of Greenberg and the people he passes along the way. Chances are you will snap long before the movie stumbles to its pretentious ending.
[...]"
1,26_1_R183KYZI822C61.txt,1.0,Sophie has no spots now,"September 20, 2009",Bronwyn A. Shields,"Vulli Sophie the Giraffe Teether, Brown/ White (Baby Product)","This toy is WAY over rated. The spots rub off with water. Sophie is naked now and her eyes look like her mascara has run down her face. Not to mention that she feels and sounds like a dog toy, which is why my mom's dog ate her head."
0,5_4_R3RXBM0S6DS2ES.txt,5.0,Jake Barnes: Grace under pressure,"September 26, 1999",A Customer,The Sun Also Rises (Paperback),""The Sun also Rises" made a huge impression on me when I read it as a college student a number of years ago. It is true that one must look beyond the surface to get a clear understanding of any book by Hemingway. It is also true that the language that he used was not flowery, nor overly eloquent but the meaning revealed within the lines. It is also true that the characters are often expatriates; living on the fringe of society and hedonistic to the max. All of those elements are visible here, yet sometimes it might require a magnifying glass to see it. However, these are the qualities which make Ernest Hemingway, the seminal writer for a generation and certainly one of the best. I propose one hint when reading "the Sun also Rises." Pay close attention to the relationship between Barnes and Robert Cohn. Barnes laothes Cohn for being everything that he is not. What drives him over the edge (in the inner sanctum of his own mind and demons) is the success Cohn has insofar as his relationship with Lady Brett. Barnes is impotent and this is a crushing blow to his manhood. The tragedy here is his inability to consummate a sexual relationship with her. It destroys him--yet he is still accepting of his predicament. This is what allows this character to maintain "grace under pressure"-- as Hemingway once coined the term or the ability to stand or hold ones ground when all odds are against you. Certainly this can be a tragic flaw for any of Hemingway's male characters--the total loss of his virility. Yet he stands his ground and never loses it. He just hates Cohn from a distance and rationalizes that he (Cohn) is one who cannot do anything just for the sake of doing it---whether it be drinking, winning the Princeton boxing title, or being in love with Brett. It is complicated but one can come away with these qualities after finishing the novel rather than while reading it. I think his friend and sometimes rival, F. Scott Fitzgerald, summed him up best when he said of Hemingway: "He's the real thing.""
1,21_17_R3GOVNLIQQGHT9.txt,1.0,Grrrr.,"July 6, 2010",Susan Van Prooyen,In the Woods (Paperback),"I generally find the concept of ""I'm going to leave it up to the reader to figure out the ending"" a bit of a cop out but it does work in some books. Looking for Alaska by John Green is a great example of a book that doesn't answer all the questions but is still incredible.
This is a mystery for crying out loud! French gets to the end and says, ""Ummm, well it doesn't matter what really happened in the woods."" It's the freaking book title! You're the author. Write the story! And FYI, stories typically have ENDINGS!
I burned my copy of this book for fear of its being inflicted on some other poor unsuspecting reader. I do not suggest you waste money or time on it."
1,1_5_R4F7L5HVAZZHU.txt,3.0,Don't Believe the Hype,"November 29, 2009",Tony,Dyson DC25 Animal Ball-Technology Upright Vacuum Cleaner (Kitchen),"I purchased one yesterday and was very excited to try it out. It was so cool looking and easy to manuver. I eagerly turned on the machine and made a few easy strokes..... huh? Something must be wrong. It didn't even erase the footprints in the carpet and the suction was ok at best. I switched off the brush bar and looked in the end, nothing was wrong. I called customer service and after about 15 minutes on the phone with them figured out it was working properly. What the heck?
I expected this thing to suck so hard that it would lift the carpet and create perfecty groomed rows of nap...like a freshly plowed field. Not even close it barely even combed the top of the fibers.
Problem #1-No height adjustment for the brush bar. It barely even touches the carpet. Not enough to even give you that ""just vacuumed"" look. Talk about a suction leak.
Problem #2-It doesn't have very good sucking power. My old Bissel sucked 2x as hard as this dyson. Even the guy on the customer care line said it only moved about 50CFM of air compared to my old vacuum that moved much much more.
Don't belive the marketing hype. It's not worth the money. Ever wonder why consumer reports ranks the cleaning ability of the Dyson as average? Because it is. Consumer reports is dead on in their review. It's just not that good of a cleaner.
Sure it looks cool and you can park it in the driveway to impress your neighbors... but as far as cleaning my carpets, this vacuum sucks - Not in a good way.
I took it back to the store a few hours later and got my money back. If I want a vacuum that cleans just OK then I'm not going to pay [...] bucks. The 99 dollar ones at Target work just as good, if not better."
0,51_18_R3SU4CH5XHE2P1.txt,5.0,Excellent collection of material,"October 2, 2000",Charles Oppermann,Armageddon: The Criterion Collection (DVD),"The Criterion Collection release of Armageddon is a treat. It offers 2 commentary tracks, one featuring the director Michael Bay, actors Bruce Willis and Ben Affleck. Producer Jerry Bruckheimer has comments on several interesting things. Affleck's commentary is sometimes very funny. The other commentary track features the Director of Photography and special effects people. The commentary includes interesting details, including background information on the characters and filming locations. Note: The commentary is raw and sometimes laced with profanity, although the movie itself is rated PG-13, for reasons explained in the commentary. Although it's not much, this collection is also a Director's Cut and has a couple scenes added, notable of which is Harry Stamper's character visiting his father before launch. Some other scenes are cut slightly differently, adding some depth to the story. The Gag reel on the second disk is extremely funny, raw, and not your typical "behind-the-scenes" documentary. The second disk also features a tremendous amount of information on the special effects and includes many different trailers and promo material. The Aerosmith song video is also included. While the story can be nit-picked, it's still very exciting and enjoyable. Overall, if you liked the movie, the Criterion Collection release is the DVD to have."
1,25_4_R26TYS2WKXJO4R.txt,1.0,Offensive,"February 4, 2010",Magic Pink,Mass Effect 2 (Video Game),"Once again, BioWare uses their robust character customization system to let you make any kind of Commander Shepard you want - as long as it's not a gay male.
Straight guy? Natch. Straight woman? Of course. Bisexual or lesbian woman? Obviously, since it's just a kink for the straight guys.
But keep those homosexuals out of there, right guys? In a game where you can choose to date and have sex with an alien frog man, gay guys are just too weird."
1,11_1_R1R5V05EUS8DQB.txt,1.0,Notebook revisited,"February 22, 1999",A Customer,The Notebook (Hardcover),"What intrigues me is the number of five-star reviewers who seem to think that folks like me who dislike this book are hopeless, heartless cynics who have obviously never been in love. I might gently suggest that a lot of these reviewers are confusing giddy teenage infatuation with the idea of being in love to real, mature love. Mature love is not about magically finding your one ""soulmate"" (to use the currently fashionable blather) among the six billion on this planet. (We're supposed to give up Santa and Cinderella at eight.) Rather, it is about caring, willful commitment to people we occasionally can't even stand. If, as a number of reviewers have suggested, this book represents deep insight into the ""true heart of a woman"", the feminists must be beyond despair, and there are going to be a lot of disappointed lives out there.
What escapes a lot of enthusiasts for this book is that the author is essentially telling the poor drudges over at Iowa Writer's to forget their MFA's; if you want to be a successful (as opposed to great or even good) writer, get your MBA-marketing. Ironically (admittedly a distant concept to this author), that is exactly the advice philistine Lon would give Sensitive Poet Noah, while Allie sulks petulantly downstage right. Now, that's cynicism!"
0,276427_1_RN9O85V94LQ71.txt,5.0,"Obama's plan, Obama's poetry","September 9, 2008",Julie Neal,Change We Can Believe In: Barack Obama's Plan to Renew America's Promise (Paperback),"This calm, straightforward book reminds me why I have a ""Women for Obama"" bumper sticker on my truck. It's short on rhetoric, long on clear-headed, specific ideas on how to fix America's problems. In back are seven key speeches from this long presidential campaign, speeches so beautifully written they read like poetry. Any voter wanting to know more about who Barack Obama is and what he stands for should read this book.
In essence, it's a glimpse into what Obama will do as president, why these actions are smart, and how he'll get the plan done. It's like a presidential crystal ball, letting readers know what they're voting for -- or against.
Change We Can Believe In was put together by Obama for America, with a foreword by the candidate. Net proceeds from book sales will be donated to charity.
The speeches soar. The ""race"" speech Obama gave in Philadelphia is striking in its honesty: it is from a leader, not a politician. From the New Hampshire Primary Night speech: ""And so tomorrow, as we take this campaign south and west, as we learn that the struggles of the textile worker in Spartanburg are not so different than the plight of the dishwasher in Las Vegas; that the hopes of the little girl who goes to a crumbling school in Dillon are the same as the dreams of the boy who learns on the streets of L.A.; we will remember that there is something happening in America: that we are not as divided as our politics suggests; that we are one people; we are one nation; and together, we will begin the next great chapter in America's story with three words that will ring from coast to coast; from sea to shining sea. Yes. We. Can.""
Here's the chapter list:
Foreword by Barack Obama
Part One: The Plan
Introduction: Hope for America
1. Reviving Our Economy: Strengthening the Middle Class
* Provide immediate relief with an emergency economic plan
* Economic security and opportunity for all American families
* Affordable health care for all Americans
* Empower families to succeed
* Restore trust, return to fiscal responsibility
2. Investing In Our Prosperity: Creating our Economic Future
* Promote our energy independence and create five million green jobs
* A world-class education for every American
* Make America the undisputed leader in science and technology
* Build the infrastructure of the twenty-first century
* Help our small businesses and manufacturers thrive and create jobs
* Compete and thrive in the global economy
3. Rebuilding America's Leadership: Restoring our Place in the World
* End the war in Iraq responsibly
* Finish the fight against Al Qaeda and turn the tide against global terrorism
* Rebuild a strong twenty-first-century military
* Stop the spread of nuclear weapons
* Renew our alliances to meet new global challenges
4. Perfecting Our Union: Embracing America's Values
* Restore trust in government and clean up Washington
* Make voluntary citizen service universal
* Partner with communities of faith
* Strengthen families
* Advance equal opportunity for all Americans
* Secure our borders and reform a broken immigration system
* Safeguard the environment for future generations
* Honor sportsmen and protect the great outdoors
* Fight crime and promote public safety
Conclusion: Yes We Can
Part Two: The Call
Declaration of Candidacy, Feb. 10, 2007, Springfield, Illinois
Iowa Caucus Night, Jan. 3, 2008, Des Moines, Iowa
New Hampshire Primary Night, Jan. 8, 2008, Nashua, New Hampshire
A More Perfect Union, March 18, 2008, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Father's Day 2008, June 15, 2008, Chicago, Illinois
Renewing American Competitiveness, June 16, 2008, Flint, Michigan
A World That Stands As One, July 24, 2008, Berlin, Germany"
0,19_7_RA8D63UIU826V.txt,5.0,"A wonderful book dedicated to an astonishing, insightful species","February 10, 2008",multis e gentibus vires,Manipulative Monkeys: The Capuchins of Lomas Barbudal (Hardcover),"This book gives you and amazing and in depth look into the lives of these highly social, complex monkeys. Primatology has often been dominated by studies on apes, but the Lomas Barbudal project has brought us leaps closer to understanding primate behavior by dedicating decades of intense research to this species of new world monkey. Reading about some of the daily family, political, and terretorial dramas of the white-faced capuchins, you cannot help but see just how similar they are to us. These are some remarkable and intelligent capuchins just bursting with personality. They are problem-solvers, drama queens, pranksters, lovers and fighters. I highly recommend this book to any primatologist or person interested in social behavior!!! This book has some wonderful photos and gives you glimpses into what it is like to be a primatologist in the field. It is a great resource!!!"
1,13_12_R37XGBTD0KEF0P.txt,1.0,I guess I am the only one who didnt like it....,"June 24, 2008","Amber McCann ""Future Author""",Girls Next Door Workout (DVD),"I was curious when I first heard that the GND were going to put out an exercise video, since Im into exercise, I would want to try it out. Bleh, to that. I wasnt expecting the reincarnation of Tami Lee Webb. But I sure wasnt expecting camera shots and music that were based in soft core porn. Not one of those girls has ever hit the gym seriously in their life, because their form showed all. They all say ""I have to do this this and that,"" but their lack of safe technique and their uncertainty in doing even a push-up gave their claim up.
Some girls are naturally thin. Lucky them. Some arent. I have to work to stay slim, and I hate it when you have naturally slim girls pretending they work hard for their body. And truth be told....they are slender, and thats it. They could use less aerobics and a heck of lot of muscle toning, because their thighs shouldnt be jiggling if they want to promote (Or is it pornmote) a fitness video.
Kendra's was the worst, as the consensus showed. But Bridgit was not far behind as when she had to do her mountain climbers, she did them with the worst body mechanics possible, and her timing was completely off. All of their timing was off. This is NOT a fitness video, or exercise video. This is a novelty video for people who want to see three girls in non-exercise wear (the cleavage shots grew tiresome) doing soft porn type maneuvers all in the name of ""fitness.""
I cant believe Im the only one to not like this."
1,30_2_RMAE85IN28CGB.txt,1.0,You're gonna love my nuts.... or are you?,"May 11, 2009","Deborah K. Dobbins ""-Captain-""",Slap Chop (Kitchen),"As Vince says in the commercial ""you're gonna love my nuts"" but the slap chop doesn't do a very good job of chopping them. This thing is flimsy and cheap. It has a hard time chopping foods with peels. Food goes everywhere and gets stuck in the blades. I don't recommend this TV product."
0,24_5_RYHEHPZQFGDJL.txt,5.0,"Why pick up the DVD version of ""Anne?"" For the commentary.","August 29, 2001",Lawrance M. Bernabo,Anne of Green Gables [IMPORT] (DVD),"I picked up the DVDs for the first two ""Anne of Green Gables"" series after seeing the musical version of the story in Charlottetown. I lucked out because the DVDs have been out less than a month. The actual film, of course, is worth 5 stars all by itself and is a classic adaptation of a beloved novel, so what I want to talk about is why Anne's fans should pick up the DVD version as well. There are cast bios, previews of the other ""Anne"" works by Sullivan films, and some production stills.
However, the chief charms of the DVD version are the following: First, there is Megan Follows' audition for the part of Anne, which is fascinating to see her first attempts at nailing the character of Anne Shirley. You will notice considerably changes in her actual performance, but the raw talent is amply displayed. Second, there are missing scenes, most of which have to do with the wife of Reverend Allen. It seems the production was co-produced by a German company and so there was this extended subplot with Mrs. Allen, played by a German actress, that was fully integrated into the Germany version of ""Anne of Green Gables."" Third, there is Directors Commentary from Kevin Sullivan and the film's editor, although the latter is there mainly to given the director someone to talk to during the almost four hour film. The commentary is certainly fascinating, as we find out where certain scenes were short (mostly around Toronto, but some on Prince Edward Island), when scenes were shot (Megan would have to play Anne at 16 in the morning and 12 in the afternoon), as well as great stories about Colleen Dewhurst leaving a scene about to explode in laughter or adding a line.
However, for all these fascinating tidbits about the production you will find yourself surprised from time to time that Kevin Sullivan often does not have a clue about the story of Anne and why it works. He expresses surprise, for example, that audiences find the scene where Anne thanks Matthew for the dress with puffed sleeves to be so emotional. Sheesh. She is looking at him with absolute love and devotion in her eyes and he says, ""Don't you like it."" Of course it gets to you. But not Sullivan apparently. Still, the commentary is first rate and I thoroughly enjoyed listening to it and using it to track down sites I intend to visit later this week in Toronto (I am going to find THE BRIDGE!). Finally, there are some behinds the scenes clips. Warning, this was a television news story on the production and is not the excellent behind the scenes documentary that aired on PBS. Obviously, my only complaint with this DVD is going to be the exclusion of that documentary, which, I supposed, belonged to PBS and not Sullivan productions. So, I know that most of you reading this not only already have ""Anne of Green Gables"" on videotape, you have had it for a long time. I am just here to tell you that picking up the DVD version as well is worth the additional expenditure."
0,6_11_R1JTSLI61PAO70.txt,3.0,Some interesting and sometimes peculiar insights,"July 1, 2004",Kenneth Scheffler,Psychology of the Chess Player (Paperback),"This 70 pg. book was originally published in 1956 in the journal Psychoanalysis as ""Psychoanalytic Observations on Chess and Chess Masters"". As one can derive from this title, the author has attempted to present us with a deeper understanding of certain chess masters using psychoanalysis, and in the process comes up with some interesting but also peculiar (in my opinion, at least) insights. In particular, Fine discusses the following players: Staunton, Anderssen, Morphy, Steinetz, Lasker, Capablanca, Alekhine, Euwe, and Botvinnik. For someone not familiar with the personalities of these exceptional players, Fine's anecdotal accounts of their personalities and eccentricities is quite facinating. What kind of made me leary was the general remarks that the author makes in regards to chess and chess players, and how in particular he seems to sexualize the purpose of chess. For instance, on page 22 he states: ""The profuse phallic symbolism of chess provides some fantasy gratification of the homosexual wish, particularly the desire for mutual masterbation. This is, of course, completely repressed. Checkmate may be seen as rendering the father impotent, again part of the homosexual complex."" Oh, really? And here I thoight that chess was a game, to be played for fun and enjoyment, or in some cases competatively. I can't quite remember ever feeling that it was the expression of a ""desire for mutual masterbation""--well, how could I, because I can't, since I'm repressing it. Well, that's just pure bunk, in my opinion. Fortunately, this book isn't entirely like this, so it does have its merits, but it clearly isn't must-read chess literature."
0,20_16_RWD8I8HYX4L7A.txt,5.0,softest thickest pad i've found,"April 11, 2007","A. Trant ""Mom of 4""",American Baby Company Waterproof Fitted Quilted Porta-Crib Mattress Pad (Baby Product),"love it! made our mattress so much more comfortable. i liked it so much i got one for our regular sized crib too. i used it on a portacrib, not a playpen, so I don't know about fit on those."
0,10_11_R39E2L0925XWH1.txt,5.0,They make the growing pains sound good,"June 17, 2009",M. Phillips,"Lines, Vines and Trying Times (Audio CD)","First, I am not in the expected fan base for Jonas Brothers. Not by a long shot. However, their lyrics are clean and their hooks catchy and the boys aren't hard on the eyes; all of that has me won over before hearing anything else. In their new CD the songs aren't just catchy, they are flat out contagious. If I am not listening, I have found myself singing or humming the songs. Repeatedly. I have to hand it to JB for maturing their sound in the right way. Most ""boy bands"" go on the extreme of ""we're not kids anymore"" when they try to branch out their sound. JB has done it right: writing relevant songs to their lives in a sophisticated and mature way. The band boasts a wider variety of instruments and the metaphorical writing suits them wonderfully. Another positive (for me at least) is being able to hear more of Kevin's singing. He's still all harmony but at least you can tell it's him singing. That's not been the case in the songs I've purchased before. Overall, this CD is excellent. It's clear the guys will be around for a while and they and their fans won't be doomed to bubblegum for the duration.
World War III: 4/5 Angsty and fiesty and fun. A bit hard to listen to the first go round because it is so aggressive but by the end you're sold.
Paranoid: 4/5 Their first release from the album. Definitely one you'll find yourself humming when you aren't paying attention. I always think I am sick of it until I hear it again and then I realize that, nope, it's still pretty good.
Fly with me: 5/5 From Night at the Museum 2 and honestly, one of the best tracks. We still get the bubbly and sweet lyrics but the music is something more than just catchy. ""Peter Pan and Wendy turned out fine..."" lyric just seals the deal for me.
Poison Ivy: 3/5 Most contagious track by far, literally and of course, metaphorically. We all want what isn't good for us but we all hate that we want it. Redundant lyrics but insanely awesome music.
Hey Baby: 3/5 Good but not great. Catchy but not memorable. Filler song for me. (Update: After listening to this song more, I appreciate it more than when I wrote the review. If I had to rate it now, I would actually give it a 4/5. As far as songwriting and performance goes, it's probably a 5 but it just doesn't have the memorable catch that Fly With Me or Turn Right have, so I can't give it a full 5).
Before the Storm: 4/5 Thankfully Miley doesn't over-sing and the writing and performing of this song are tender and sweet. It is clear that Nick and Miley mean every word.
What did I do to your Heart: 5/5 This song is just F-U-N, fun! Love the country influence. The only improvement that could be made is Kevin on a banjo.
Much Better: 4/5 Brilliant. I'm a T.S. fan but what a joy to see her get a dose of her own medicine. While it's never stated to be directed at her, honestly, you can't help but to raise an eyebrow at: ""Got a rep for breaking hearts/ Now I'm done with superstars/ and all the tears on her guitar/ I'm not bitter..."" Really been waiting for Joe to get some sort of say in the matter and this satisfies me completely. My only issue with this song is that it doesn't need a horn and guitar solo both. I'm sure it will be great live, but too much for the CD. (Update, I did see JB live, with my daughter this summer. It wasn't their full set since they were actually only headlining a city celebration. They did play this song and I have to admit, I didn't notice the horn and guitar solo being as cumbersome as it was on the CD. Either they trimmed it, or it was just so amazing live that I didn't have time to notice it. It really does play better live.)
Black Keys: 5/5 Nick's experiment with writing on the black keys of the piano. Hauntingly beautiful melody is the result and the lyrics are typical, tender Nick.
Don't Charge me for the Crime: 2/5 Like WWIII, it takes a listen or two but then you can appreciate it. Complete metaphor for how far you should or shouldn't go to help a friend (are people actually taking the lyrics seriously?) Clearly an experiment and here you see(hear) some growing pains.
Turn Right: 5/5 My absolute personal favorite on the entire CD. The all acoustic suits them so well when they let themselves commit to it completely. Kevin played piano on this at the Wal-mart sound check concert but doesn't get any listing on the CD for it, so I don't know if he recorded the piano, but if so, it's cool to hear him play other instruments.
Don't Speak: 3/5 They say they wrote it in the vein of U2, Kings of Leon, Mutemath and some others. I hear U2 all over it the most. Not my favorite song but an absolute cross-over to my age bracket (mid-30s) if they were aiming for that. Definitely a slower paced song for them as far as story telling and theme. Will do well though on radio play if they choose to release it.
Keep it Real: 4/5 Bonus track from their sitcom. Classic JB, catchy and a little kitchy but absolutely fun.
Completely worth every penny whether you're 12 or 32.
Update: Even though very few of their songs actually rated the full 5 stars for me, the album as a whole is a great package, which is why I gave it 5 stars. Sometimes breaking it apart piece by piece you can see the chinks in the armor, but over all, 3 months later, I am still listening to this entire album almost daily -- not as a teenager, but a much older than these guys adult. That alone should hold up any 5 star rating in my book."
1,7_9_R11OYEZCXQ8KQF.txt,5.0,Little White Boy Soul in All it's Glory!!!,"December 1, 2009","musicismylife ""- T""",Middle Of Nowhere (MP3 Download),"If The Jackson 5 were little white-hippies, moved from Gary, Indiana down to Tulsa Oklahoma, had at least 2 less talented brothers, a lot less soul; a little less style, exchanged their Afros for some new goldy-locks, and were able to move from 1964 to 1997 then they might be Hanson. I love Hanson!!! Their raw talent to age ratio is absolutely undeniable in everyway. Anyone who denounces ""MMMBop"" is an absolute liar. 1997 didn't have the greatest music to offer anyway! One word: CREED was huge! Okay, that was 3 words, but anyway... Hanson had more soul in 1997 than most R&B artists. Come on, Hanson owned the Spice Girls! and everyone who ever bought Bop magazine knows that's true. Note: I've never bought a Bop magazine, because its trash. anyway...
""Middle of Nowhere"" is the best tasting bubble gum you've almost ever had. You know you're chewing bubble gum, you know what that is but you still want some, and you just can't get enough!!! [Middle of Nowhere yielded 5 hits: ""MMMBop"", ""Where's the Love"", ""I Will Come to You"", ""Weird"", and ""Thinking of You"".] If you weren't tapping your toe to ""MMMBop"" in 1997 then you were in a coma, or you just weren't tapping your toe in 1997. It's true and I can prove it. In closing Hanson could never be as bada>> as The Jackson 5, Creed isn't as bad as I made them out to be (but almost), and you should consider not being all high and mighty and buy Hanson's 1997 smash ""MIDDLE OF NOWHERE;"" if you play it in the middle of nowhere, no-one will make fun of you! You might also land a girl who was about 12 or 13 in 1997 and now desperate for love at 24 or 25, and that in and of itself is worth the $7.99 that Amazon is currently charging...
If you want the original and greatest child-star debut album off all-time then buy, ""Diana Ross Presents the Jackson 5"" it blows 99% of most modern music off the map. MJ was BAD every since he was 9!!! Sorry Taylor Hanson, you should have learned to moonwalk."
1,16_20_RJMTDU2GPCRPQ.txt,1.0,SO BAD IT'S GOOD!,"March 21, 2007",D. Myatt,Crossover (DVD),"My kidz and I enjoyed this dreadful exercise in predictability and bad acting for all the wrong reasons: We playfully wagered on what actors would say next (and I use that word ""actors"" very loosely). It's full of cliches of all kinds. We would rewind and laugh at the scenes containing Eva Pigford's unbelievably horrid acting (please, for God's sake, stick to simply being a model!). We'd pretend to be menaced and afraid by appearances of that definitive ""hood"" slickster, aka Wayne Brady (""New Jack City's"" Nino Brown has got nothing on him!!!). And we were amused at how surprisingly weak the basketball scenes were. The on-the-court scenes contained lots of edits and cut-aways that marked staged shots. And for a movie about b'ball, the court scenes were extremely minimal and unexciting. On a serious note, please observe this theory of mine if you rent this film (for God's sake don't buy it): Sometimes, being surrounded by bad actors and faced with a bad script can even make a good actor bad. Case in point, Anthony Mackie. He's clearly got skills, but he had no business being in this foul of a film! This movie surely falls under the ""So bad it's good"" banner. If you rent it expecting anything else, you will surely be disappointed."
1,40_4_R1NAVIYXOXR0Z8.txt,5.0,Three wolves is just two wolves plus another wolf,"May 19, 2009","Seth G. Macy ""friendship alliance""",THREE WOLF MOON SHIRT ADULT SIZE M (Apparel),"I had a two-wolf shirt for a while and I didn't think life could get any better. I was wrong. Life got 50% better, no lie."
0,5_15_R37Y7DE9BNSYZ3.txt,5.0,A lot of Camera for the Size!!!,"June 10, 2008",K. Thomas,Canon FS11 Flash Memory Camcorder with 16GB Internal Flash Memory and 48x Advanced Zoom (Electronics),"It is a tiny camcorder. It will easily fit inside cargo, jacket or baggy pockets. Of course with the extremely small size comes some limitations. This camera is not going to have the same picture quality as professional HD camcorders. But that said it is a very nice camera for shooting standard definition home movies. It has an excellent zoom. The battery and built in memory are going to give you about 3 1/2 hours of recording time. As for all the people who are complaining about trying to edit the footage (that is because they are not using Macs.) If you have an up to date Mac it is a breeze.
I have an Intel Mac. I convert the footage with MPEG Streamclip (Which you can download for free at the Apple Web site.) And then it works fine with Final Cut Pro 6. I convert it to Quicktime and then choose the DV setting. It works great. It also works just fine without MPEG Streamclip if you are using iMovie 08'. The whole process is quick and painless. No going through the whole tape to log and capture the footage. So If you are looking for a tiny SD camcorder that you can take anywhere and edit it with newer Intel Macs, this is a great choice. I think you will enjoy this camera."
0,36_12_R6Z2TUH37FFPN.txt,5.0,Greatest broom every made,"September 3, 2009","Ingrid Soldan ""whirlwindone""",WOLF-Garten Outdoor Broom B40M (Lawn & Patio),"I bought this broom from a local hardware store some years ago. It is so great that I decided to get another one for my house in the South. Everybody should have a broom like this. I use it with bleach and everything else. It just doesn't wear out. (Unfortunately,, the handle got lost in the mail and I will be ordering another one)."
1,37_5_R2UI4Z35NOUOEZ.txt,1.0,"Ugg, not again","October 2, 2008","D. Stathatos ""chinchaaa?""",The Hunger Games (Hardcover),"Seriously?? People, Suzanne Collins is stealing ideas from different books and movies and piecing them together, creating ""something completely new."" Come on. When I read this book, the only thing I could think was, ""Hmm, where have I seen THIS before? OH YEAH, ""Battle Royale"" by Koushun Takami, ""The Long Walk"" by Steven King, ""Lord of the Flies"" by William Golding, the movie The Condemned, et cetera."" This is plagiarism at its worst, I mean this book has been written a thousand times, and she didn't even try to change any circumstances.
...And now she is being recognized as inspirational, bringing a ""completely new concept"" of kids killing kids?? IT'S BEEN DONE! It disgusts me that no one has sued her for this second-rate version of amazing literature. Also, if she's going to completely steal their story lines, she could at least do it well; Her writing is terrible.
Not only that, but she's using a textbook example of a dystopian society. Like, there's not a thing that makes this society new or different. It's all so cliche! Can't she think of a single new concept? I mean, putting things in the blender isn't a skill.
Well, that pretty much ends my rant. Please, if you're going to buy something, buy an original! Try Battle Royale, that's a personal favorite of mine, but whatever you do, don't buy this unoriginal cra p.
Congratulations, Suzanne! You've just proven that idiots without brains in their heads can be successful too!"
0,45_10_R1N0J3VJ4X4MIJ.txt,3.0,okay romance,"June 20, 2008","Rachel Thern ""kiravae""","Anyone But You (Crusie, Jennifer (Spoken Word)) (Audio Cassette)","After getting divorced at age 40, Nina Askew moves into an apartment and plans to get a puppy to keep her company. Instead she ends up with Fred, a smelly and depressed beagle/bassett hound cross. Fred is instrumental in her meeting her downstairs neighbor, the ER doctor Alex. They are meant to be together, but Alex and Nina both think the other party won't be interested because of the age difference - Alex is ten years younger than Nina. The characters are likeable, especially Fred, but the book was rather predictable. At the end there are some easily-resolved misunderstandings thrown in that seem to be there just to make the book reach the 200-page mark."
1,35_3_R39RU0DF45AHMZ.txt,1.0,Horrible Product,"May 13, 2009",iHyphy,Dr. Scholl's Dual Action Freeze Away Wart Remover 1 kit (Health and Beauty),"this product only got one star because ""no stars"" wasn't an option. it didn't remove my wart at all, in fact all it did was make my thumb look ugly for a few weeks and it helped me develop another wart right next to it...it did the opposite of takin away my wart it help me get another one! i do not recommend at all, i did everything the instructions instructed word for word, and when it didnt work the first and second time i tried it for the third time...after the first time i had developed a second wart right next to the first one and the second and third treatments didnt do anything at all."
0,47_12_R23P866HQGDO92.txt,5.0,Definitely Worth Every Penny,"April 4, 2010",Nolberto E. Garcia,Ear Force X11 Amplified Stereo Headset with Chat (Accessory),"I bought my X11s to improve my gameplay in Modern Warfare 2 and to play at night while my family is asleep. I am so glad that I did. They have accomplished both objectives with flying colors. The sound quality is excellent. I can hear absolutely everything, even the faintest sound cues I could never hear before. Just the ability to hear footsteps, the direction that they are coming and what they are walking on makes all the difference in multiplayer. Before ordering them, I read many reviews that mention a hiss when the headset is plugged in and was a bit worried that this might be an issue. There is a hiss, but it is so negligible that it isn't even worth listing as a con. Almost all the other reviews that I've read that mention this hiss also mention that you can't even hear it during gameplay. Doesn't that pretty much disqualify it as a con? Honestly, these things could play Home On The Range until I put my MW2 disc in the drive for all I care. There has to be absolute silence in the game in order to hear the hiss. As soon as any music or in game action starts, it is gone, in no way hindering your gaming experience. I also didn't have any problem hearing this hiss while using the X11s with my iPhone for music or YouTube. The ability to control both the game and chat volumes works very well. I've played several very long MW2 multiplayer sessions with friends and I haven't had any issues with my friends hearing me or vice versa. I love that when you raise the game volume, it automatically adjusts the chat volume so that the game audio doesn't drown it out. Which is a good thing, because these bad boys are loud as hell when you crank them up. I have literally jumped in my seat during unexpected explosions. The volume and quality of the sounds make for a very immersive gaming experience. They are also extremely comfortable. Most of the time, I can barely tell they are there, even when I've had them on hours at a time. My old headset sat right on my ears, which would make my ears very sore, very quickly. Overall, I have to give these a five out of five. For the price, they just can't be beat."
1,8_8_R1UADG0E4JLKCE.txt,1.0,AWFUL PIECE OF CRAP,"August 24, 2009",M. Charles,One Tree Hill: The Complete Sixth Season (DVD),"Please don't even bother watching the first 3 season's of this series because watching the 6th season is like watching a totally deferent show. Nothing is cohesive and if your an actual fan of the core 5 characters don't even bother because theirs hardly any interaction between them. I remember watching the pilot of this show and thinking it had some potential to be great especially with the whole relationship with Dan, Lucas, and Nathan. Six episodes into season 1 I was hooked, everything was so realistic fun and new. I actually found characters that I loved and rooted for and character developement was at all time high. Two seasons later I would never have thought I would stop watching, all the character developement that was built during season 2 & 3 was shot to hell with season 4. Characters & storylines turned OOC and god awful. I thought season 4 was the worse but I still had hope for the new seasons. HAHAH big mistake, season 6 has taken the cake and I have to say I blame the writing. I mean come on how many times do I have to watch Peyton near death, I seriously could care less how a totally unrealistic character can be thrown into life and death situations just to see her cry 85% of the season. And Dan, jesus can the guy die already, he has been poisened, hit by a car, tortured by a pschotic nanny (lmfao yes that actually did happen), oh and let me not forget he needs a heart transplant. He was close to getting one but nah a dog seemed to come across his new heart and got hungry and ate it, WTF! It's so sad that this show has come to a dog eating a friggen heart to entertain people. No wonder the ratings fell from a 3.3 to a 2.8. I say season 6 is just a cheap imatation of a daytime SOAP, really the two most annoying emo twin couple is having trouble with their pregnancy - SHOCKER! oh c'mon will the writers try to be a bit more creative. It's already been said that Lucas & Peyton is one of the worse/awkward couples together so get over it and stop trying to get people to feel sorry for them. I don't even want to get started on the useless side characters hogging up the screen. Season 6 is just awful and worse season to date, the creator should just jump off a cliff because his show is DEAD."
1,48_5_R21A9WHOH6GAWU.txt,1.0,Poorly designed remote for Blu-ray (& DVD) use,"December 3, 2009",Glenn Camhi,Sony PlayStation 3 Blu-ray Disc Remote (Accessory),"Two design flaws render this otherwise fine remote too frustrating to use for controlling Blu-ray (and DVD) movies.
1. No backlight or glowing keys, so operation in the dark is difficult. This wouldn't be a big issue if the buttons were better laid out and had some clues by touch to clarify their functions. But this is a big issue because of flaw #2...
2. The giant Stop button is positioned between the Play and Pause buttons, and all three are the same large size and shape. It's also between the Skip Back and Skip Forward buttons, horizontally, putting it right in the middle of all the most-used buttons.
It takes an impressive level of ineptitude to design a remote like this. Years of R&D on DVD remotes have wisely made Stop buttons smaller than other buttons, and placed them out of the way. Sony seems to have ignored that wisdom. It's much too easy to inadvertently tap the PS3 remote's large, centrally positioned stop button. And unlike most DVD players, the PS3 has no ""Are you sure you want to stop the disc?"" warning, for when you do. So when you accidentally stop your movie (which you will), it's a long and irritating process to find your place again on a Blu-ray disc. It can take 5 minutes, depending on how many notices, previews, commercials and animated menus you have to get through again (some of which you can't skip past). And then you have to find where you were, risking seeing images or chapter titles that give away things you really didn't want to know yet. All this wasted time can kill the flow of a movie.
Hopefully there's a better remote that works with the PS3... one that was designed by people who test their products in real-world circumstances."
0,48_17_R3IEYXSA1M58DI.txt,5.0,Reese Witherspoon's Oscar came a deacde late,"November 5, 2006",Larry VanDeSande,Freeway (DVD),"Better than both ""Seven"" and ""Natural Born Killers"", director Matthew Bright's ""Freeway"" is a looseleaf modern view of Red Riding Hood where Reese Witherspoon plays Red traveling to Grandma's house.
Only she takes this trip after her prostitute mother and junkie stepdad are arrested, she escapes the cluthces of foster care, she says goodbye to her fiancee who is then murdered in a driveby shooting, she hitches a ride with a psycho who turns out to be a mass murderer, she kills a few people, ends up in lockup, escapes, finally makes it to Gradma's house, where some more bloody action takes place.
Oh yes, she has homosexual and heterosexual sex, spends a lot of time saying the ""F"" word, brutalizes most anyone that gets in her way, and otherwise creates mayhem for everybody. Sounds like your typical Reese Witherspoon role, eh? No, not by a long shot.
But one thing about her role -- she is fantastic, out of this world great. She is twice the actress in this role she was playing June Carter Cash, for which she won an Oscar as best actress. On the basis of these roles, Witherspoon must be considered one of the best actresses extant right now.
As the description here and on Amazon indicates, this movie presses the envelope of the ""R"" rating as far as possible without slipping over into NC-17. There is gory, bloody violence throughout this film, nudity and more ""F"" and ""F""ing talk than you heard by Matt Damon when he played that low-class genius at Harvard. Someone told me they said ""F"" 147 times in that movie. Witherspoon herself must say it that many times here.
But none of this diminishes the astonishing electricity and action that swallows the viewer right from the opening scene, where junkie-hooker mom gets arrested and weirdo-junkie stepdad forces Reese to do the nasty while mom's out earning a living. There is an uncompromising level of reality in these characterization, too, although it's clearly an over the top psycho young Sutherland plays.
In an astonishing bit of casting, squeeky clean prom queen type Brooke Shields is cast as the uptight, upscale wife to lurid pervent and child molester Sutherland, whose character is even more disgusting than Witherspoon's. While everyone wants Sutherland rubbed out, Witherspoon manages to keep viewer sympathy because of for her terrible place in life even throughout her ongoing antisocial activities. Other players, incluidng Dan Hedaya as a cop with sympathies all over the place, contribute a lot to this film.
This is recommended for viewers unafraid to look inside the dark side of our culture where youngsters like the one Witherspoon plays actually exist. There is nothing pretty or orderly about this movie; much of it seems upside down. But it is unrelentingly exciting and is full of action in almost every scene, action you may never have seen in a film before."
0,24_11_R3FLMWV7ZWXRUQ.txt,5.0,Excellent,"January 3, 2009",Jane,"Haier HNSB02 1.7 Cu-Ft Refrigerator/Freezer, White (Kitchen)","I had this unit for many years while living in the dorm. It's very convenient, it cools fast and is very quiet as well. I basically use it for milk, juice and ice creams, strongly recommend if you live by yourself and don't cook too much."
1,16_13_RGLC9TW764X01.txt,5.0,Changed my life for the better,"May 20, 2009","C. Y. Granere ""Andromeda680""",10 Kittens T-Shirt-XL by The Mountain 100% Cotton Short Sleeve fits Teens & Adults (Apparel),"Before I got this shirt I was just your average 400 pound Wal-Mart door greeter. After wearing this baby underneath my blue vest one fine day, I could see the new appreciation and even, in some cases, envy, as my customers passed through and noted the amazing sexual essence this shirt radiated. I met my white knight stallion that day, where he swept me off my feet and into the passenger basket of his motorized shopping cart. I now leisurely maintain our very own single wide because this shirt let me meet the man of my dreams, assistant manager at McDonalds where he makes enough money to support us both. I never have to work again!
With all this free time I have decided to pursue my passion and spread to others the joy that Kitten Shirt has brought me. I now make my own kitten shirt beaded jewelry which I sell on amazon"
0,24_1_R2JL3BJMTF3UNB.txt,4.0,Very Good All-purpose Electric Sweeper For Hard Floors,"August 28, 2009",Peter D. Mar,Swivel Sweeper G2 -2 Units Inlcuded!! Plus 2 Bonus Mini Sweepers!,"The Swivel Sweeper G2 works extremely well on hard floors. It's light weight and swivel to get around tight crevices. It also does a fairly decent cleaning job right up against the wall on hard floors and even carpets. Although for carpet cleaning in the central area of the room, you're better off using a conventional vacuum cleaner for that. The reason for this, that this sweeper is not a vacuum but a power brush system that would only get the surface dust off the carpet leaving the ground in dust.
We bought this sweeper to use on hard floors prior to washing them. For that function it does extremely well, keeping the mop relatively lint free. For use on carpeting, you have to be careful that you don't cause the sweeper to flip and spilling the contents back onto the carpet. Since this kind of sweeper with no suction doesn't clean ground in dirt well on carpeting, I would not recommend it for this purpose.
Previously, we bought the original Swivel Sweeper and now the Swivel Sweeper G2. When comparing the two, they both clean equally well. The Swivel Sweeper G2 is a little bit more convenient to use because of the refinement such as easier emptying as well as the articulating handle when you need to go underneath furniture."
0,12_12_R35Q3F7LPHITRU.txt,1.0,Rambling Disconnected,"July 12, 2010",Robert Adey,The Passage (Hardcover),"The premise of this novel held hope for a gripping
post apocalypticalstory. However, the author ended up
with several disconnected storie, none of which were
resolved in a satifactory manner.At the end of the novel, one is left wondering what just happened. In addtion, the story ( as weak as it is ) could have been told with a fraction of the boring,ramblin prose the author uses."
1,276424_9_R2M7LNBEK8SAMM.txt,1.0,"ipad, ipass !","May 15, 2010",T. J. Mclaughlin,"Apple iPad MB292LL/A Tablet (16GB, Wifi) (Personal Computers)","First off its an inanimate electronic device nothing more.
Save your passion and love for the PEOPLE in your life should you be so blessed.
No USB
No SD Slot
No Security software
No Camera or Video
No Tethering to anything
No Voice Recorder
No Calculator
No Weather
No Flash
Not a true user configurable tablet PC nor is it a true user friendly portable device (Room to Room) does not count.
It is a considerably dumbed down, denuded and stripped down iphone, iguess with no phone......wow.......how inovative.
Curious, how does it feel to be an unsolicited beta-tester ?
It is also a huge content pig providing considerable additional profit for apple by driving up the cost of ownership skyhigh........ca-ching.
App. buy ins could potentially soar into hundreds of dollars again rasing the cost of ownership...........ca-ching.
USB was specifically excluded to prevent users from connecting 3G broadband devices from providers other than at&t.........can you spell verizon ?
Any well configured HD notebook will leave this Gen-1 tablet in the dust and for similar dollars.
A failed attempt at being the first on the block with the newest thing mentality by Obi-Wan Jobs
and this from the same genuises who brought their customer base the NEWTON.
You apple weenies got seriously hosed.
Read and weep......""Engadget also suggested said that the next-gen Apple TV will essentially be an iPad without a screen, using the SAME HARDWARE, including the CPU OS, and 16-Gbytes of flash memory. To accommodate the smaller storage, Apple will EMPHASISE STREAMING CONTENT the report said"".
All that and more for only $99 bucks.....wow.....talk about getting screwed out of the contents of ones wallet.
Thats nothing, wait till the 2nd Gen ipad, better configured and cheaper hits the stores for xmas.
Apple-ites will be jumping out of their starbucks windows....eh !
Furthermore from the august pages of the ""No news is good news"" dept.
AT&t in partnership (co-conspirators) with snapple, royal screws its customer base.....again.
Read on; [...]"
0,16_10_R1VKVR1DKNJP7H.txt,5.0,Great Camera,"January 8, 2010",Crystal Howell,Olympus FE-4000 12MP Digital Camera with 4x Wide Angle Optical Zoom and 2.7 inch LCD (Dark Grey) (Electronics),"I have used Olympus cameras in the past without any complaints. This camera holds up to our expectations. The picture quality is amazing. The scene modes perform well, but we don't use them that often, we prefer to point and shoot with the auto-mode. This camera is replacing a 3MP nikon coolpix, that finally wore out. Just remember when you buy this camera, it is a pocket sized digital camera for around $100. Don't expect to be taking photos for National Geographic!! It is a great little camera :)"
0,51_12_RX3J7X7PYT5KH.txt,5.0,I hate shaving. I LOVE THIS TRIMMER.,"March 24, 2008","David G. Hanson ""Big Bad Dave""",Philips Norelco T980 Turbo Vacuum Trimmer (Health and Beauty),"THIS THING IS AWESOME. I AM NEVER SHAVING AGAIN. I just used it for the first time and have decided that I will never use a razor again. I am a guy who never likes to shave, I maintain the ""few days of stubble"" look throughout the week, and dread the day when I have to go through the hassle of lathering up & shaving. But this thing is so easy to use and it just cuts you down to whatever stubble-level you want in like 2 minutes!!!! PLUS it's got this vacuum-device on it that sucks up the stray hairs into a special chamber, which you then pull out and empty when you're done trimming. so to quote Wayne's World...""It SUCKS as it CUTS!"" I LOVE IT!! I AM IN LOVE WITH THIS TRIMMER! I have never written a review for Amazon before and I've been shopping here for years! That's how fired up I am about my new purchase!!!!"
0,1_1_R32P7K128XCLJV.txt,3.0,"Some good points, some things just put out there","November 26, 2009",FizzWiz,"If Democrats Had Any Brains, They'd Be Republicans (Paperback)","Coulter writes at what she does best, finding witty or witty sounding excuses to support Republicans over Democrats in any circumstance. Frankly, about the only thing she and Democrats probably agree on is that Bush Jr. did not do a good job with the war in Iraq, Afghanistan, and 9/11. But of course, Coulter has some kind of excuse to blame Bush's responsibility on ""any old Democrat"" even though Democrats may have nothing to do with Bush Jr.'s personal responsibilities or his decision for the country.
I think she makes some good points, and I think some things are just put out there and that she doesn't listen. She just wants only her opinion to be right to an extreme. She's good at analyzing situations, but she would not be good for a government position requiring much trust to keep stability, that is for sure. On the other hand, you probably want her to be your Republican lobbyist. A ""friend"" a ""Coulter Jr."" told me about how great this book is. He acts just like Coulter, but just doesn't publish books and goes out and speaks like she does. Otherwise, he would probably be doing at least okay- (Coulter created and kept her niche first.) I am not particularly Democrat or Republican, but I try to give everything a chance. This book, while giving some fresh perspectives I would not have thought of, is quite hit or miss, too opinionated, and not always reasoning things out enough."
1,36_1_R15E5F12IJPM35.txt,5.0,Heaven Sent,"July 31, 2009","Terry J. Ford ""Tford""",The Mountain Men's Bark At The Moon Short Sleeve Tee (Apparel),"It is almost blasphemic to use mortal words to describe this garment. A product that carries within it the power of not one, but three times the wolf intensity. I purchased this shirt (legally must be called so, although it more closely resembles armor) after months of debating how to survive taking tank rounds to the chest. Once equipped with this modern day chain-mail, I slammed a Rockstar and was well on my way to becoming more creature than man. I bolted out the door leaving a trail of fire and wolf fibers behind me as I was ready to take on any challenge the world through my way.
Cars and builings disentegrated when the shirt waved in the wind as I ran by, winds that even Tom Schilling could not predict. That is when I met my destruction. I approached a trailer park where a small lad about 7 years young stood with a shirt portraying 4 wolves. HOW COULD THIS BE??? I Remember yelling... HOW????? No punch or kick was needed to defeat me. I had been out-wolved. I returned to my nest to regather myself and await in teh darkness for a 5 wolf shirt that will bring about the end of man.
Til then.. $17 dollars of magnificance. Use at own risk."
1,39_1_R39ZFKP7TVWUB2.txt,1.0,Limbaugh to Aldrich to utter insanity,"November 12, 1997",A Customer,The Secret Life of Bill Clinton (Hardcover),"Imagine Kitty Kelley as a political reporter, with her unnamed sources and her dubious methods. Now imagine she's a total nutbar, someone hanging onto reality with one last cuticle as she rants, frothing, at the one man she believes responsible for her downfall. If you believe Bill Clinton is Satan, you're going to say "10! 10 plus!" If you have any capacity for rational thought and skepticism, you'll discard this book like a used tissue. Let my sacrifice of brain cells not go in vain -- pass this one up."
0,28_6_R1WTJJXMWSZWJD.txt,5.0,Great little compressor,"June 25, 2004",R. Koch,Makita MAC700 Big Bore 2.0 HP Air Compressor (Tools & Hardware),"I have had this compressor for a couple of weeks now and really like it. It is a high quality unit clearly built to last. I chose this model over the very popular oil-free pancake compressors mainly for it's compact size and low noise level....and it did not dissappoint me. I would say this unit is half as loud as those typical oil-fee models by P*rter C*ble. I can easly run it indoors while remodeling a bedroom, and hardly hear in the room next door. The unit is compact, but much heavier duty than similar Cr*ftman compressors I saw at Sears. It recycles quickly and fills the tank in less than 20 seconds. It came with a good owner's manual and a bottle of oil. I did have a problem where the plastic oil filler cap was cracked, but Makita quickly sent me a replacement part under warantee. I would recommend this unit to anyone looking for an occasional use compressor and does not want something large or loud."
1,46_17_R1QASQKKQX7OXN.txt,5.0,This is what REAL metal is all about,"April 2, 2005",MTV rocks,Fallen (Audio CD),"If you're looking for REAL heavy metal and if you are sick of that old fake crap (Megadeth, Dream Theater, 80s Metallica, Iron Maiden, Opeth, Queensryche, Borknagar etc - basically any of the clowns that only posers with no taste praise) then look no further. They show other talentless poser ""metal"" bands that solos suck and when they actually do solo - they do it better than any of those losers in the 80s. They show unknown posers with guitars like Malmsteen, Satriani, McLaughlin, Michael Romeo etc how to REALLY play an instrument. When I listen to this I feel soooooo deep. Like Amy lee, I am a tortured artist and too complicated and intelligent for the world to understand. That's why I'm anti-authority and anti-mainstream. Thankfully MTV caters to rebels such as myself.
LONG LIVE METAL!!!!1"
0,26_16_RKVORQRMQQWPS.txt,5.0,"SUPERB ARTICULATION OF A M,AGICAL TALE","March 15, 2001",Gail Cooke,The Alchemist CD (Audio CD),"British stage and screen actor Jeremy Irons is a beguiling reader whether sotto voce or thunderous declaration. His crisply articulate delivery is especially well suited to this contemporary fable reminding us of what is truly important in life. Santiago, a shepherd boy, dreams of treasure hidden in Egypt. So, he leaves his home in Spain to search for the most precious hoard imaginable, in other words, he follows his dream. His quest takes him to the markets of Tangier and across the Egyptian desert to forage among the Pyramids. During his journey he meets a Gypsy woman, a self proclaimed king, and an Alchemist, all of whom offer Santiago directions. Listeners do not know what the treasure is that the boy seeks, but they do learn that riches are not found in possessions but rather within our hearts and minds. Mr. Irons has already been lauded by his peers - he is the winner of an Emmy Award, an Academy Award, and a Tony Award. This reading will simply add luster to his already stellar accomplishments."
0,47_4_R21PXQGNMXO32D.txt,5.0,Common sense,"November 15, 2007",Josef K.,Motorola Motofone F3 Unlocked Phone with Dual-Band GSM 850/1900--International Version with No Warranty (Black) (Wireless Phone Accessory),"This phone is hard-to-find-common-sense approach in design and technology. I have never seen better phone. This is not a gadget that makes your life miserable because you need to worry every day that batteries are charged or you need to spend 1/2 day on setup or figuring out why current time does not show on screen. If you need features behind phone, get Apple iPhone if you need just a cell phone, get Motorola F3."
0,46_10_R2AVAXB69ZLL69.txt,4.0,really like it!,"May 10, 2010",novchyld,Pinzon Microtec Throw (Kitchen),"I bought this for hubby dear to keep warm when he plays his video games or while watching a movie. The throw is not as soft as I expected but it definitely makes up for that in terms of warmth. We really wish it were longer so we could snuggle in it together but it definitely is worth the price I paid for it ($12). My toddler started hogging the throw once she discovered how snuggly it felt and I bought her one for her very own, with which she is extremely pleased! It's the perfect size when used as a toddler blanket and she's kept very warm during cold Wisconsin winter nights."
0,49_2_R1WV9MAH5BMUZM.txt,5.0,June 24 2010 Release,"December 25, 2009","Holly Lewis ""Free-Range Librarian""",True Blood: The Complete Second Season (HBO Series) [Blu-ray] (Blu-ray),"Be aware that this is not out until next summer - June 24. Had it on order since Sept for an Xmas present and am disappointed no release date was listed or given by Amazon.
Can't wait!!! Great season - better than 1, even!!"
1,35_19_RK6ZNXRFKB6AZ.txt,2.0,It lost weight during shipping....,"July 9, 2010","D. MATHIAS ""Living in the REAL world...""",Shake Weight Dumbbell (Sports),"Notice description shows 3.5 pounds... It weighs 2.5 pounds... Submitted to Amazon, see if they will correct the AD ... It's not weighty enough to ""burn"" my muscles... My old hand weights are 4 pounds already, so probably why.... Be great weights for a beginner child, like age 12, when first learniing to correctly use to avoid injury"
1,23_20_RRQCUXE2L2YUX.txt,1.0,"Great Cast, Terrible Film","April 14, 2006",Scott T. Rivers,Meteor (DVD),"See the rare spectacle of Sean Connery covered in mud (or chocolate pudding) while maintaining a straight face! Hear Brian Keith's contrived Russian accent! Experience some of the worst special effects in film history! ""Meteor"" (1979) gives new meaning to the term ""disaster movie."" Unfortunately, a better-than-necessary cast is trapped in the wreckage, including Henry Fonda as the President of the United States. Good for a few unintentional laughs."
0,21_10_R4DHZNZKG5S1A.txt,5.0,Is There Anything Bioware Can't Do?,"November 20, 2007",J. Gable,Mass Effect (Video Game),"Bioware has a pretty impressive track record for RPGs. Their most famous work to date, Star Wars Knights of the Old Republic , garnered almost every ""Game of the Year"" award in the video game industry back when it was released.
Now a few years later, we get 'Mass Effect'. A Sci-Fi adventure that at times can seem as if it has endless choices for you to make. A few examples are things such as your character customization options (including gender and specializations), weapon and armor customization, and your ""good or evil"" path choices.
Actually, boiling it down to Good or Evil is a mistatement. It isn't that simple with Mass Effect. You are set out to be a 'hero', but how you get there is your choice. You can choose to work with the citizens you encounter to get complete your mission and be a Paragon. You can also choose to be a take-no-prisoners type of character and be a Renegade. If neither of those suit you, play it right down the middle a be a balance of both or neither. Your choice.
The story is Bioware's best plot ever. If you played the original Knights of the Old Republic, that's saying something. I won't give anything away, because the story is one of the main selling points of the game.
The combat is simple. In fact, some might find it overly so. However, I think people are missing the point. This isn't trying to be the greatest Third Person Shooter ever created. It's trying to revolutionize what RPGs can be.
The graphics are beyond stunning. Sometimes you will find yourself staring at your surrondings in awe and completely forget what you were doing. There is a minor buffering issue where all of the textures are loaded a second or two after you regain control of your characters, but it's nothing that really detracts from the games overall beauty.
In my opinion, I think Bioware succeeded in once again showing us the true potential of what the RPG genre can put forth. In fact, if there is one RPG out this year that is a must have, Mass Effect is it. Do not hesitate to order because you won't regret the purchase."
0,10_15_RGUHFZ9KHSUDC.txt,5.0,awsome machine,"January 2, 2007",Tyson J. Syverson,Hitachi Magic Wand Massager,"This was a gift for my wife. she wanted to use it for some sore muscles, but I gave it to her to pleasure herself. what a great gift. This tool has lots of power and it is capable of working sore muscles and pleasure. I highly recomend this over any wireless machine, beacause it has more power and it never runs out of energy. I finally got to use this for what I intended it to be used as and she must of had two or three orgasms in a matter of seconds, wow what a supprise. get this magic wand fast, your wife or girl friend will appreciate it very much.!!"
0,1_9_R5NG1J6G573IQ.txt,5.0,One of the best for the money...,"July 3, 2009",B. Campbell,Panasonic DMP-BD60 Blu-ray Disc Player (Black) (Electronics),"I purchased this player to replace a Samsung BD-P2500 that was giving me major compatibility problems with Blu-ray discs, and so far haven't been disappointed. Picture quality on Blu-ray is stunning and I've had no compatibility issues thus far; upscaling on standard DVDs is great. VieraCast is a novel feature that could someday find greatness if Panasonic expanded support to include Amazon, Netflix and Hulu. (I understand Amazon support is on the way.)
I have not experienced the freezing issues that some describe here, but I think that's due to how I use the player more than anything else. (I watch a disc or two at a time, then power the unit off between uses - for a technical explanation of why this apparently sidesteps the problem, see the next paragraph.) In any case, I've read online recently that Panasonic has finally figured out the cause of the freezing issue and is now working on a firmware update to fix it.
(For you techies out there, here's a bit more detailed explanation of the freezing issue, based on what I've gleaned online: Blu ray discs make heavy use of Java, and the BD60 apparently has ""garbage collection issues"" that cause the freezing. Powering the unit off periodically clears out what's in memory, minimizing the likelihood of another freeze-up. Since I tend to watch one or two Blu-Ray discs at a time and then shut the unit off for between uses, I haven't experienced any freezes.)
The only other quirk I can report is that while the unit does support 24fps playback on DVDs, you have to switch it on manually every time. Kind of a pain, but only a pain if you're a video purist.
That's it. No other issues. Sorry for the boring review, but this player just does everything that it's supposed to without complaints. I consider it one of the best A/V investments I've made in a long time, and would recommend it to others without hesitation."
1,40_17_R1YJHP9N0QZ1IG.txt,1.0,Corny and idiotic to the tenth degree.,"July 1, 2010",Razgriz1,The Lovely Bones (DVD),"I found this movie to be an incredibly stupid incoherent mess of scenes and CGI. I didn't get anything out of this movie except a couple laughs. My main problem is how unrealistic this movie is. In the first place you have Susie Salmon played by Saoirse Ronan who is a gullible girl in whom it's obvious her parents didn't teach her anything because she stupidly follows the neighborhood pedophile played by Stanley Tucci into some makeshift underground room/pedo-shrine where she gets raped and murdered by the psycho. Then it becomes even more disturbing when her soul gets transported to her very own cheesy CGI version of pergatory where she is able to go sledding on top of fake CG snowy mountains, dance like a hippy in front of a fake CG city (I cringed at that part) and she even becomes friends with a random victim of the same pedophile on the other side she then shoots the @#$# with. This movie has a disturbing undertone and sends the wrong message that she is better off being raped and killed just so long as when it's all said and done she can be transported to her own little wonderland of fun.
The movie then wants you to think that she can help her parents solve her murder but it becomes a useless plot line and nothing really becomes of it. Jack Salmon who is the father of Susie Salmon (played by Mark Wahlberg) basically transforms into a paranoid wreck because of the murder to the point of wanting the police to randomly investigate hundreds of people/neighbors on suspicion of murder without one single shred of proof. As if this wasn't laughable enough, Susie Salmon's little sister Lindsey Salmon is walking her dog after the murder and when she stops in front of the pedophile's house the dog begins to bark at it and this is apparently all the proof the Salmon family needs to know that the he's the guy that is responsible for the murder (lol). At this point the movie becomes ridiculous when Jack Salmon tails the pedophile with a baseball bat into a corn field for some revenge only to stumble onto a pair of high school lovers which results in Jack Salmon getting his ass kicked by a jock with his own bat no less which earns him a trip to the hospital. I can go on and on but I'll end this review by saying the movie reaches it's conclusion with the murder being unsolved; the presumption that it's okay to break into a person's house to obtain evidence; Susie Salmon ridiculously manifesting herself into the body of another girl order to obtain a kiss from a five minute crush whom she met at the start of the movie; a random miniature icicle brings ultimate justice when it falls on the pedophile with the force of a soft teddy bear causing him thus to fall off a cliff (lol). Thank heaven this was only a $1 rental. Since this movie is asinine to the tenth degree treat it like the plague and run, you'll be doing you and your family a favor. I'd imagine only a narcotics addict would find this movie remotely interesting."
0,25_2_R3LX5BDXTKRHV9.txt,1.0,"This author annoyed, angered, and, at times, insulted me.","July 7, 2010",AggieMom,Mennonite in a Little Black Dress: A Memoir of Going Home (Paperback),"I, like many, was very interested in this woman's journey. I kept reading hoping that there would be a moment when the author would reveal some revelation or personal growth out of her horrible circumstances. However, the book was unorganized and pointless. I found the author to be a typical academic stuck in a library and unaware of how to relate to the real world. Her condescension towards her heritage and anyone that isn't ""brilliant"" is ironic since she has made some really pathetic personal decisions in her life. I also was offended by what seemed to be her disdain for Christianity, which showed her true lack of understanding of it. I do not recommend this book, and I would be, quite frankly, embarrassed to pass it along. I found her comments about her own people disrespectful. And finally, as others have mentioned, if you are going to read it, have a dictionary standing by."
0,1_5_R3OE69970ZTQ3T.txt,5.0,The vacuum of my dreams!,"December 15, 2008",Vera Casdia,Dyson DC25 Animal Ball-Technology Upright Vacuum Cleaner (Kitchen),"I've owned just about every top rated vacuum that has been made. I was never satisfied, mostly because they where too heavy to handle, or the animal hair was blown about, rather than sucked up. I do have a canister vacuum that I have had for years, but I wanted a satisfactory upright that was light and easy to handle. I have a cat and a dog, and there is lots of shedding hair, all the time. Our house is mostly hard floors, stairs, and one large rug in the living room. When I saw the DC25 Animal, I decided to spend the money hoping that this vacuum would do the job. It has lived up to my wildest dreams, it is wonderfully easy to handle, so easy to maneuver, the 16 lbs make such a difference compared to those very heavy machines I had before, I had no problem carrying it upstairs. I love that with this vacuum I don't need to select different heights, it goes from floor to carpet to floor. I was even able to clean the dogs bed without the wand attachment. Speaking of the wand/handle attachment you simply flip open the top cap, pull up on the wand, and it disconnects from the vacuum and suction diverts to the wand. It took a little getting use to, the hose is a little stiff and took a while before I was comfortable cleaning the stairs. Most important, THIS VACUUM SUCKS, but in a good way!!
Assembly was fairly easy, suppose to be 3 snaps with no tools. But I had a heck of a time getting it out of the box, and being not mechanically inclined I would have liked better instructions.
I have never reviewed a product before, but this vacuum cleaner has me so excited that I had to share it with someone. I really love this machine!"
0,29_11_R2E59DVX6F0SOQ.txt,4.0,Great Desk Decoration,"December 26, 2007",E. P. Miller,Herpes Plush Doll - (Herpes Simplex Virus 2) (Toy),I bought this herpes as a gift for my brother. Came in great condition and sits great on a desk for intersting decoration.
0,9_20_R373IMM2CPYUVQ.txt,5.0,A Revolution Begun.,"May 30, 2002",Patrick Greenan,A Guide to Rational Living (Paperback),"The revolution I refer to is the one that followed in the wake of the original publication of this book in 1961. Ellis formally introduced his REBT therapeutic model in 1955, but at the time, few knew and fewer cared. However, this book would change that forever. No longer would we have to settle for self-help pablum like ""The Power of Positive Thinking"", because now we had a piercing book for the masses that explained both clearly and thoroughly three things that no popular work had ever told us before. First, we don't just ""get"" upset, we ""do"" upset. Or, in other words, we make ourselves emotionally disturbed. Second, the authors plainly explain how we make ourselves upset. We create our own emotional disturbances mainly through our irrational (aka, unhealthy, self-defeating) thinking. And third, Ellis and Harper give us many effective techniques to combat these thinking patterns. The techniques suggested are divided into cognitive, emotive and behavioral categories, although in fact there is significant overlap for the simple reason, as the authors point out, that we don't just think or feel or behave in a vacuum. Rather, we are thinking/feeling/behaving beings, and this interplay, luckily enough, offers us many ways to a ""profound philosophic change"" in our outlook, which is the goal of this work. Easily, the most influential self-help book ever written and rightfully so!"
0,44_13_R1V6PBUXJVCWJG.txt,3.0,Great deal and service.,"September 2, 2009","T. mcdowell ""Full time male""","Sanus Systems Wms5-B Wall Or Ceiling Speaker Mounts (Black, 5-Pk) (Electronics)","Good price, service and very fast shipping. Not really happy with this product cause it states that it can handle up to 8 lbs and in reality, it can't. I have 7 lb speakers that have stressed them to the point of almost failure (when mounting on the wall). After changing the mounting position from the side wall to the ceiling they are handling it much better. These mounts are only good for small speakers (like Bose) when wall mounting. If you are going to use them for heavy (capacity maxed) speakers, you should hang them from the ceiling."
0,12_3_RHOGQ4CK85EPB.txt,5.0,Thank you...,"July 11, 2009","Christy Linsk ""Christy Linsk""",Night Breed Wolf T-Shirt by The Mountain Evolution Tee 100% Cotton Fitted Short Sleeve Shirt fits Teens & Adults (Apparel),Thank you for sending the order so quickly. This was a gift for my son's birthday and he LOVED them.
0,20_15_R1EJGVKW1FA968.txt,1.0,PLEASE BEWARE!,"July 11, 2008","BleedBLSForever ""BLSFan""",SanDisk Sansa Clip 1 GB MP3 Player (Black) (Electronics),"I felt I needed to write a review to warn others about this tremendously awful product. I'll keep this short and sweet. This product stinks. I had the EXACT same problem as many others seem to be having: the battery simply will not charge. The recharging process is easy, though--you simply plug the device into the USB port on your computer. The only problem was that, no matter how long I kept the device plugged in, I continued to get a ""battery low"" warning. I plugged it in one evening and kept it plugged in overnight (for a minimum of 12 hours) but I could never manage to use it because the battery just would not take a charge. But hey--the thing looked really nice though."
1,33_16_R2097NO6B8QGI0.txt,1.0,Do not embarrass yourself by watching this,"December 14, 2006",overlook1977,My Dinner with Andre (DVD),"Apparantly my first review was censored by Amazon, so here goes again. This movie is, by far, the worst film i've ever tried to watch. I say 'tried' because after two separate attempts I couldnt bear to watch more than half of the film. This is coming from someone who gave Eraserhead 5 stars, so take this as a very bad sign.
Long story short, Andre is self-absorbed and does nothing but talk endlessly about insignificant, flaky, artsy stuff. For example, imagine the most self-important Art major you've ever met talking about how hot-gluing scraps of trash to a canvas represents the struggle a ham sandwich about to be eaten. Or anything completely nonsensical such as that, that is the level of conversation these men have in this film. I watched this movie because it was compared to a scene in Linklater's Waking Life (which was intelligent and thought-provoking). IF you pay the absurd amount of money they are asking for this DVD, there is something wrong with you."
0,7_6_R5YA6HVCMI8VW.txt,2.0,"Great Translation, Lousy Book!","January 9, 2010",B. Neal,The Qur'an (Oxford World's Classics) (Paperback),"M.A.S. Abdel Haleem's English translation of the Qur'an is the best that I have seen. Some of the other English translations available, use awkward forms and archaic words that are difficult and tedious for the modern reader. But Haleem's translation is easy to read, yet scholarly. His footnotes, chapter intro's, and the historical background preface, is highly informative to the western reader; who may not be familiar with the history of Islam.
My problem is not with the translation, it is with the book itself. For a supposedly holy book, the Qur'an is rife with errors. Take for example Chapter 20 (Ta Ha), where Pharaoh supposedly tells his magicians that for their betrayal to Moses, they'll be crucified. The Exodus took place around the 14th century B.C. however, crucifixion was not invented until the 6th century B.C. by the Persians. In chapter 58 (The Dispute) Allah permits lying, but he damns those who ""knowingly"" lie. Does that make any sense? The Quran also permits hitting women ch 4:34, lying (because Allah is a liar ch 3:54), Jihad (holy war against non-Muslims ch 3:168-175), and in no uncertain terms damns those who believe that Jesus is God (Christians) ch 4:170-173. The Qur'an is also very anti-Semitic.
The Qur'an does not even compare to the Bible in: reliability, historicity, complexity, beauty, or applicability. No, the Qur'an seems like a jumbled collection of chapters that are highly repetitive and lack any real sense of order or flow. The Allah of the Qur'an takes delight in damning the non-believers, and repeatedly states that those who ""ascribe partners with God"" (Christians and the Trinity for example), will be damned.
Don't believe me? I took notes throughout the entire book, noting the errors, contradictions, and hateful theology that are found in the Qur'an. I challenge others to do the same.
So people need to read the Qur'an before thinking that Islam and Christianity are compatible, because clearly they are not! The Jesus of the Qur'an is a prophet; the Jesus of the Bible is God, big difference people!! And it doesn't stop there! Haleem's translation is good, but the book that he translated is not!!!"
0,9_4_R32I1YPRLG6WJV.txt,5.0,Beats the compitition hands down,"August 27, 2006",Kate Katzban Beren,Cricut 29-0001 Personal Electronic Cutting Machine (Kitchen),"This product is fantastic! If you're looking for a personal die cut system I wouldn't bother with anything else on the market right now. It is compact when closed, so it won't take up unnecessary table space. It is also very light and has a comfortable handle for travelling.
Yes, it is a bit of an investment, but it is honestly a better deal than many of the cheaper systems out there. It can cut each shape in 11 sizes from 1 inch to 5.5 inches. Most cartridges are around $90; compare that to quickutz & sizzix alphabets which retail for $150, can only cut one size, and take up a lot more storage space.
Blades are easy to replace and the cutting mats seem to last longer than cricut suggests. You'll get more life out of them by rotating the mat each time you cut and also storing it with the plastic sheet to keep dust from accumulating on the sticky surface.
I've heard of people having difficulty cutting thicker cardstock with this machine, but we have been able to cut bazzil easily by setting the blade depth to 6 and the speed & pressure to their max settings.
I've used both the Cricut and Xyron Personal Cutting System extensively and would recommend the Cricut."
0,42_8_RG6FME7C5TUN.txt,5.0,Awesome HTPC,"February 19, 2010",D. Winterfeldt,ASUS Eee Box EB1501-B0167 Nettop PC - Black (Personal Computers),"Now that I've had the EB1501 integrated into my home theater for a few weeks, I thought I would update my review of it.
I have this connected via HDMI to receiver, surround sound and a 52"" HDTV. Due to the limitations of my setup (not the EB1501), I do not use HDMI for sound, so I will not say anything about the box's ability to carry both signals properly. If you use S/PDIF for audio, you are going to appreciate the included adapter (works great). I was going to use Boxee or XBMC, but I don't like the hassle of setting up and integrating Tv tuners into those, so I am using Windows 7's Media Center.
The EB1501 is EVERYTHING I have been looking for in a HTPC. It runs (very) cool and (very) quiet. It's barely noticeable yet attractive enough to not have to hide - which makes it easier to get to the DVD drive, power, ports, etc... The computer is stable and a workhorse for this task.
With the Atom processor, I wouldn't recommend trying to do too much gaming or heavy multitasking. As a component in a home theater, this thing runs circles around the almost useless Media Center Extender I was using before."
0,31_13_R2WZ3E55FTPSNM.txt,5.0,"Biting, Sarcastic, and Highly Intelligent","October 22, 2008",Irishgal,"If Democrats Had Any Brains, They'd Be Republicans (Paperback)","""If what I say is so outrageous, why don't they quote me accurately?""
- page 80 (Hardback edition)
Since she burst on the political commentary scene in 1996, Ann Coulter has been both adored and hated for her sarcastic conservative comments. With no attempt being made to hide her right-wing bias, she is unashamedly blunt about her views, often coating them in biting repartee. It seems that each time Coulter opens her mouth (or posts another column on her website), the mainstream media screams that she's ""done it this time!"" Yet her books are bestsellers, and she continues to be published. As she points out, if she's so over-the-top, why are people continuing to read her work?
In her sixth book, ""If Democrats Had Any Brains, They'd Be Republicans,"" Ann assembles a collection of her most famous quotes, columns, and interviews on subjects from airport security to taxes, and everything in between. Each chapter contains a brief commentary on the subject, followed by a collection of dated quotes illustrating her beliefs and opinions.
I must admit that, in the past, I have stayed away from political non-fiction. As a conservative Republican, I have found much of it to be in disagreement with my personal views on matters, and I like reading as a way to escape the seriousness of my everyday life. But as I thumbed through a copy of this book at Borders a week ago, I knew I had to read it. Coulter's wit and humor make the book a fast read, and her comments are intelligent enough to get you thinking while funny enough to make you laugh. And, while I can't say that I agree with her viewpoints on everything, I agree enough to have made this book worth my time.
If you are not a conservative, do not agree with Ann's points of view, or are a liberal Democrat, then you probably will not enjoy this book. If, however, you do enjoy reading an intelligent yet witty commentary on the current state of political affairs in the United States (with an admittedly right-wing voice), this book is for you."
1,26_11_RC5HSK44F9KSV.txt,5.0,OMG OMG!!!!!!!!,"May 5, 2005",MTV rocks,Under My Skin (Audio CD),"THIS IS THE MOSE PUNK ALBUM OF ALL TIME!!!! Avril is a goddess on the guitar and writes music better than ANYONE else. She is also da best s8kt0r in history. Her lyrics are genius. All the 5 star reviewers here are genius and cultered, just like myself. Like many people, I love talented musicians. And where do you find those? TRL of course!! You should get this if you want good music. If you want good music then also get:
-Nirvana (music became good after them and Kurt is second to only avril on guitar)
- Good Charlotte, Blink 182, Simple plan (brutal punk rock)
- g-unit (there is no greater team of musicians with more overall talent)
- Vanilla Ice (created Rap and hip-hop. Ice Ice baby!)
- Kenny G (he's sold more albums than any other instrumental ""artist"", so therefore he is better)
- Ashlee Simpson
- Limp Bizkit (created metal)
-Linkin Park
-Metallica (St Anger may be the best metal album ever that doesn't feature Fred Durst)
This is what you should not get:
-Miles Davis (this guy was a poser. Get Kenny G instead)
-baroque classical posers like Mozart, Bach, Paganini, Beethoven, Chopin etc
-self proclaimed ""rock"" bands ie Led Zeppelin, AC/DC, The Who, Queen etc
-posers who think they can play the guitar (Segovia, Rhodes, Satriani, Friedman, Holdsworth, Reinhardt, Van Halen etc)
- socalled ""metal bands"" like old Metallica, Megadeth, Black Sabbath and Iron Maiden
-any of that ""progressive"" crap like Dream Theater"
0,276423_11_R2WPF3H0VO2K3Y.txt,4.0,Good product but not without its flaws,"December 1, 2004",PK3DNow,Bell Night Trail Bicycle Light Set (Sports),"I purchased this to go with my new bike because I end up riding home late after work sometimes and in the city a light is a requirement. But this package comes with two products. The headlamp and a tail light.
Headlamp - This thing is great. I love the ability to switch between the Xenon bulb and the dual LEDs. The Xenon is very bright, more than adequate for night riding. The LEDs are a nice backup because the provide you with a nearly indispensable source of light as they use very little battery power. But if you find yourself running low it will automatically switch to a ""Take Me Home"" mode that uses less power for those long treks home (or unexpected detours). What gets me is a friend of mine purchased a much more expensive headlamp and this thing blows his out of the water.
Tail Light - This is why I gave the review four stars. This product at first seemed just as good as the headlamp. Plenty of options (on, blink, blink faster, varied LEDs cycling, and fast cycle). After mounting it I went to angle it down a bit and the casing came right off (the way your replace the batteries). The casing is rather poorly made, the bottom clip doesn't hold so well, it could be just mine but the design seems flawed. I had to remove it because a rough bump could easily knock it off and then it would be lost forever. A little bit of tape on the bottom solved this problem for me so it wasn't a complete loss.
Overall the products are nice. The headlamp made this purchase worth it for me since I already have a backup (reserve) tail light.
Best Wishes..."
0,276423_2_R2ZB4MJVHB19P2.txt,5.0,"Fantastic case, even better value","May 21, 2009","R. Race ""engineering nerd""","OtterBox Impact Case for iPhone 3G, 3GS (Black) (Wireless Phone Accessory)","I'm about as happy as I could be with the Impact case. Carrying around a slippery, glass-fronted device, I was primarily looking for a case that would provide good energy dissipation in the inevitable event that I drop-kick it across a room when fumbling for keys. As such, an unyielding hardshell case just wasn't ideal. The fitment, bracing, and silicone material of the Impact are a well-thought-out means of limiting shock intensity (although I thankfully haven't tested it to any considerable extent).
The Impact fits the phone snugly, provides a good textured grip for the hand, and doesn't drown out the mic and earpiece like poorly-fitted units. All slides and buttons are easily accessible - perhaps even more so than without case since my hand isn't slipping all over the glossy shell. Relatedly, the Impact adds very little size to the phone and weighs next to nothing.
The included screen protector works great too - I'd heard of rainbow refractions and a slightly-milky appearance, but cleaning the surface well beforehand and working carefully resulted in a crystal-clear application. Can't tell it's even in place. No complaints on that front.
I could do without the circular port on the back of the case, but it does nothing to harm structural integrity and it displays my MS sticker effectively. ;) It will certainly do the same for the Apple logo, however! The thickness of the silicone protects it from most direct scratchin' contact.
My second option in terms of cases was the Otterbox Defender, but I felt the Impact would suffice for day-to-day protection, and thus far this has certainly proven to be true."
0,36_17_R2HTWIAY6B3HZ5.txt,5.0,Love and death in Nova Scotia,"March 10, 2010",Frank J. Konopka,What Is Left the Daughter (Hardcover),"I have read 3 previous books by Mr. Norman (""The Bird Artist"", ""The Museum Guard"" and ""The Haunting of L."") and enjoyed them all very much. I therefore came to this book with high expectations, and they were not disappointed.
Mr. Norman has a way with his stories of telling them in a calm and sure voice that reassures the reader while at the same time advancing the plot effortlessly. This plot involves a protagonist whose parents both commit suicide on the same day, by jumping from different bridges. He's then taken in by an Aunt and Uncle who have a daughter about his age. The uncle has a sled and toboggan making business, and our young man joins him in this.
It is 1941 and, in Nova Scotia, the threat of ship sinking by German subs is never very far from everyone's thoughts.In fact, the uncle has become obsessed with it, and papers the wall of his workshop with newspaper clippins and pictures about subs and sinkings.
The plot really takes off when the daughter brings home a young German student whose family fled to Denmark to escape the Nazis. Despite this, he is looked upon as a potential enemy by almost everyone in the small town where the action takes place. His arrival sets off a chain of events that is both tragic and heartfelt. To say more would be to ruin the book for potential readers.
All that I can say is that, if you enjoy a small story with believeable characters that is told in an excellent way, you will definitely find this book to your liking. It is highly recommended!"
1,276425_6_R3OXIL2161A2TT.txt,1.0,Terrible,"January 31, 2010","Royal Book Sleuth ""Royal Book Sleuth""",Mommy's Little Girl: Casey Anthony and her Daughter Caylee's Tragic Fate (Mass Market Paperback),"I don't know where all of these people are getting their ratings from. Did we read the same book? The only possible reason this book could be a ""best seller"" is because of how notorious the case is. I have been following this case very closely, and am a huge true crime reader. I am also just an avid reader. This book was simply all of the information I had already read on the internet mashed together. Nothing new, no surprises no insight. I found it tedious to read page after page of law enforcement interviews verbatim--easily accessible from docstoc.com. There was little if any author input or insight and any insight or input given was delivered strangely and in a strange word order that had me re-reading sentences to make sure I understood. In addition to this the author's sentences were very clipped and short. There was no flow, no eloquence, no suspense. It is truly one of the worst books I've read, and it is a shame because I so looked forward to it--in fact, I followed the case so closely, I COULD HAVE WRITTEN IT BETTER! I'm sorry, but I feel like I wasted $7.00. In all fairness, perhaps my distaste for the book was in part due to my knowledge of the case. Maybe those who have no knowledge might enjoy the book. I wouldn't recommend it, but if you want the ""cliff notes"" to the case, this is the book for you."
1,16_7_R3A5H7G3IHZVO0.txt,3.0,Samsung LN46C630,"April 27, 2010",Luke,Samsung LN46C630 46-Inch 1080p 120 Hz LCD HDTV (Black) (Electronics),"This TV lacks a number of features. The sound is really poor, using built-in speakers. I called Samsung complaining about poor sound, they didn't like hearing it. Poor AVC...audio volume goes weak then strong and never the same strength when changing channels. One reason for poor sound, Samsung says, is internal speakers face backward, so if you have TV up against wall, sound hits wall. If they know this, why don't they mount them forward...? Owners instruction manual is absurdly poor. Written on cheap paper, small draft-quality text, poor descriptions, and ridiculously inferior setup information. Shame on Samsung. (This set is made in Mexico.....that explains a lot ! ). If you want good owner manuals, look to Panasonic, Visio, Toshiba, etc...but not Samsung...! The Samsung remote control is cramped & limited...! One good feature is picture quality and color tone when you use the 'Natural' setting....which is the closest thing to natural skin tone I've seen on any TV...and the sharpness is excellent....sharp, crisp, clear picture....just beautiful when watching the nature programs...!"
1,9_11_R2NCFG5IIH9B5.txt,1.0,Meyers' books are GREAT....,"April 4, 2008",Smarmstress,"New Moon (The Twilight Saga, Book 2) (Hardcover)","...if you're an aspiring writer in need of a primer that gives never-ending examples of what NOT TO DO.
I'm working on a teen fantasy novel of my own, and Meyers' Twilight series never fails to remind me of the things I want to completely avoid in my own writing. Let's consult the list, shall we?
1) THE BORING SUE HERIONE. You may have heard of the Mary Sue, the perfect female protagonist who can do no wrong, who has unnatural beauty, who is beloved by all; Bella isn't quite a Mary Sue. She's described (by herself, at least) as plain and is endlessly clumsy (though her clumsiness is so contrived that it seems like a magical Sue ability, practically). She also has no interests, hobbies, or anything that she excels at in particular. Despite these flaws, Bella nevertheless ends up a Sue because everyone loves her for reasons that defy explanation or logic. Even when she is behaving in a selfish, whiny, and intolerable way, Bella is never called out for her behavior. The only character who ever seems disgusted by Bella is Jessica, but since Jessica is written as a shrew anyway, we're clearly not meant to put much stock in her opinion.
2) FATED TRUE LOVE. In my world, Fated True Love isn't romantic, it's lazy. It says ""hey, instead of working out why these characters are attracted to each other and showing how their relationship develops, I'm gonna just put it in the hands of FATE and have them fall in love for no reason whatsoever!"" Edward loves Bella because she smells good, which means Edward loves Bella like I love freshly baked bread. Bella loves Edward because he's beautiful. God-like. So beautiful...really BEAUTIFUL, in case you missed it in all the numerous descriptive reminders. But really, why do they love each other? I have no idea. Shakespeare was all too aware of the ridiculousness of star-crossed love, which is why he was smart and killed his teenaged lovers off. But Bella and Edward's happiness hinges entirely on their togetherness. What a strong, solid message to send to the young women of the world: happiness isn't something you create for yourself, oh no, it's something you can ONLY find in a beautiful, immortal man. Bella's slow recognition of Jacob as a potential suitor was far more interesting and realistic, and it was teeth-gnashingly disappointing to see Bella repeatedly insist to herself that no one would ever do it for her again but Edward.
3) THE ZERO-HOUR PLOT. Nothing much happens in Meyers' books, aside from Bella's enthrallment/suffering over Edward. In the last few chapters, Meyers will attempt to inject some kind of conflict into the narrative, either in the form of James, Victoria, and Laurent (""Twilight"") or the Volturi (""New Moon""). It's difficult to get invested in this conflict at the last minute, and again feels like a lazy, tacked-on, ""oh right, I am writing a book, maybe something should happen!"" move from the author.
Of course, as someone who hopes to be successful at writing teen fantasy, it's depressing to know that all I would need to do to achieve this success is construct a BORING SUE HEROINE, a FATED TRUE LOVE, and a ZERO HOUR PLOT.
Or maybe it's not depressing...maybe it's an incredible relief! After all, coming up with those three things shouldn't be too hard. If a lazy writer like Meyers can do it, anyone can!
For readers looking for good, solid teen-level fantasy featuring interesting heroines, more complex and realistic portrayals of love, and truly gripping plot, I recommend Diana Wynne Jones and Libba Bray."
0,43_11_R25Y783G797QFE.txt,5.0,Not for Music Snobs...,"May 21, 2008",Ryan Simantel,Autobiography (Audio CD),"Ashlee Simpson is the girl who got caught lip-syncing on SNL, so her CDs must not be very good, right?
Wrong.
After all, everyone from KISS too Evanescence have admitted to using backing vocals live. But does that mean they make bad CDs?
Not at all.
Autobiography is am excellent teen-pop disk. Period. Most people will take their aggressions out on this CD since it has the name Ashlee Simpson attached to it, but that doesn't mean it doesn't contain some of the catchiest pop-rock tunes this decade.
Of course, it's not for everyone. Music snobs who like ""important"" tunes (i.e.: Death Cab for Cutie, Radiohead, etc.) will not like this CD. It's total fluff, but it's the kind of catchy, fun fluff you can't help but blast in your car and scream along to.
(In fact, you can practically hear groups of giggling girls at a slumber party somewhere singing along with you.)
Best Tracks: Autobiography, Pieces of Me, Shadow, LaLa (!!), Love Me for Me, Undiscovered
Don't be embarrassed! Buy this CD and let your inner teen loose."
0,29_10_R2WI3KARFYWX77.txt,5.0,Cheese Heaven,"February 26, 2008",C. Barthelmess,Drive-In Cult Classics - 8 Movie Set (DVD),"This is the best DVD value on Amazon. Eight movies for $10 and not a bad one in the bunch. These B movies have some well known actors, good stories and decent quality. Plenty of topless nudity too. A must buy. You won't be sorry."
0,11_19_RKKYEBNNEDDR2.txt,5.0,Love it!,"April 15, 2010",Sara Brown,Banzai Wipeout Curve Water Park (Toy),"We previously owned a smaller slide from a knock-off company and it finally tore apart after two summers of hard use. Despite the spotty reviews on this one, we bought it for half retail price in the Fall and gave it to our kids (4 and 6) for Christmas. Oh the pain of having to wait for warm TX weather to use it! But it was so worth the wait. We have used it several times now with no problems and the kids are THRILLED with it. Here are my tips and observations:
Dump a few ounces of tear-free soap at the top of the slide ramp and along the outer edge of the curve. This has many benefits: It helps to prevent fabric burns on knees, elbows, shoulders, etc that come into contact with a dry part during sliding. It makes the slide a bit faster. It creates bubbles in the pool part, which the kids enjoy. It helps to clean the fabric and gives it a nice scent (instead of mold).
When the kids are done, drain the pool, grab the top handle of the stair part and flip the whole thing upside down while it's running. This allows water to come out of the footholds and the air chambers. (I'm not sure why this slide takes water into the air chambers along the bottom, but it does. And for some reason it leaks back out much better upside down.) Finally, you're going to want to allow a couple hours after use to keep it up and running in order for it to dry. Be sure to drag it to a dry spot in the yard so it'll dry underneath too. If you fold it up damp at all, it will grow mold. (They all do that.)
Yes it's heavy. It's a huge water slide. But I'm a 5'3"" woman and I can set it up and take it down by myself. In fact, this is the very first inflatable I've ever had that I could actually get to fit in the storage bag provided. It takes some precision folding, but I've gotten that sucker into the bag all by myself every time.
My last tip is that this is actually fun to use dry as well. You won't be able to slide on it, but my kids have spent hours of imaginative play with it in the evenings after school this spring. They pretend it's a ship and they sit in the crow's nest (top of the slide) to look out over the ocean. They throw out anchors in storms and save mermaids and lots of other missions that require endless trips up and down the ramp. Our own backyard theater production.
So far no problems with any rips or tears in the seams, and that's even with two jack russells that constantly jump onto the lower air chambers, with their sharp little talons. I highly recommend this slide, but it's not worth retail price. Find it like we did at half price, no tax and free shipping... That's a deal worth buying."
0,2_3_RPVF83RK1ZUL3.txt,5.0,Impressive,"March 22, 2007",Paula C. Aird,Living History (Hardcover),"This book spans Hillary Clinton's entire life up to her election to the senate as a representative from New York.It is packed full of information and is very educational. Her writing style is excellent as is her sense of humour.
Mention is made of her parents and grandparents and her meeting with Bill Clinton. She speaks extensively of her life in the white house. Jackie Kennedy was an invaluable source of wisdon, advice and support to her at this time.She speaks in great detail of the opposition to health care, which was very well financed. She does not hesitate to expose her enemies. She has traveled frequently and extensively and scorns those members of congress who proundly announce they have never traveled outside the country. She feels that instead of being insular and uninformed Americans benefit from learning more about the world in which we live. Right on! I say. But she doesn't just visit an incredible number of countries,she is aware of the issues being dealt with in those places and in many instances has formed great ties with the people.
When the s--- hit the fan with Bill and Monica Lewinsky, Hillary does not shy away from it. It took her a while and good counseling to decide whether to fight for her husband and marriage but she resolved to fight for her president.
I think this book is a great campaign startegy for the presidency. She mentions her interest in guarding the social safety net. Her vast experience is impressive. Last but not least credit must be given to both Hillary and Bill for the raising of a well adjusted, independent and intelligent daughter. Bravo!"
0,15_12_R1YHDZO271VAHP.txt,5.0,Works great,"March 10, 2007","cw-mojo ""The Mojo""",Garmin Portable Friction Mount (Electronics),"Although I was skeptical, this holds onto the dash in both my Highlander and RX300. The ball attached directly to the mount that came with my Nuvi 360. No other kits were required."
0,25_8_R2L41FR3YCL368.txt,2.0,"Itchy, itchy, itchy","December 10, 2007",Nora L. Dalasta,"Glamourmom Nursing Bra Tank, Sm-XL (Apparel)","I love the idea of the glamourmom nursing tank tops but when I got mine in the mail, I was shocked by the inner lining of the bra tank! The part that goes around your areola is an itchy, meshy material. This makes it really uncomfortable for anyone experiencing nipple soreness. Also, you can't sleep in this top because when you roll over in your sleep, your breasts will slide and rub against this itchy, inner lining. I think I'm going to cut out the lining and just wear the cotton tank by itself. Wouldn't buy this again."
1,42_16_RPORPWO932O8R.txt,1.0,Complete Garbage...,"November 4, 2004","Karen L. Mcginty ""mcdisney2001""",Gravis Eliminator AfterShock Rumble Game Pad USB (G48031) (Electronics),"I bought this before reading the reviews, which is unlike me. Once I saw the experiences the other buyers had had, I was nervous, but convinced myself that it would be fine. I run XP, so I downloaded the software from the Gravis site, installed everything, and tried a game. The D pad wouldn't work, despite the fact that I had downloaded the XP software. If this had been the only problem, I would have figured that I had just done something wrong, but the joysticks were awful! Half the time, I would move the joystick up, to move forward, and when I released it my character kept going forward. Not great when you're standing on the edge of a cliff. I found it impossible to get any kind of control over my game characters, not nearly enough to even consider being able to use the gamepad for games.
Another thing about the gamepad is that, although I tried it in the store, to get a feel for it, I decided rather quickly that, regardless of how it worked, it just wasn't right for my small hands (I'm female, and have exceptionally small hands). I can't call this a complaint, just a matter of personal preference.
When I viewed the ""Read Me"" file on this thing, and came to the section about ""Known Bugs"", I about had a heart attack at all of the problems this thing is ""known"" to have! After every single bug listed, they gave a completely lame, unsatisfactory ""solution"". For instance, one bug said that games often take a moment to respond to input from the controller. Their solution? ""Please wait a moment after each button click, to give the game time to respond"". Erm, sure; I'll just politely ask 200 Orcs to stop attacking me while Aragorn takes a moment to respond, no problem.
I'm not by any means an extremely serious gamer with unrealistically high expectations for my equipment; I just like to play sometimes, and want moderately sufficient results. This controller came nowhere near that, and I'll be returning it tomorrow morning, after only owning it for about 18 hours."
1,25_12_R2MBG53YJEKQCI.txt,5.0,Solved Global Warming Locally,"June 16, 2008",Daniel A. Koblosh,Denon AKDL1 Dedicated Link Cable (Electronics),"After I took delivery of my $500 Denon AKDL1 Cat-5 uber-cable, Al Gore was mysteriously drawn to my home, where he pronounced that Global Warming had been suspended in my vicinity.
Yes, I had perfect weather: no flooding, no tornadoes, the exact amount of rain necessary, and he pronounced sea levels exactly right and that they were not going to rise within five miles of my house.
Additionally, my cars began achieving 200 mpg and I didn't even need gasoline. I was able to put three grams of cat litter into the tank and drive forever.
What's more, the atmosphere inside my home became 93% oxygen and virtually no carbon dioxide. In fact, I now exhale oxygen.
One heck of a cable.
Didn't notice any improvement in audio quality though.
The $800 Apple iCable is clearly superior."
1,44_5_R2WU0E5QFJ73TO.txt,3.0,Watch out for protein poisoning,"November 5, 2009","Samuel Horwitz ""wacky""",Fresh Whole Rabbit (Misc.),"I understand that most of the reviews are fake and I would like to say that while I find them all very enjoyable and humorous, there is a something that a real customer of this product feels should be known.
I purchased 10 of the rabbits for the purpose of making hare jerky (a tasty treat) when I was overcome with the desire to indulge in a bit of rabbit meat before the smoking process. Giving into my guilty urges, I took one rabbit for my own personal pre-jerky consumption and proceeded to eat the entire animal whole (I do not own a stove, only a plastic box and some firewood for smoking things, hence it was uncooked). After my little personal rabbit fiesta, I laid down to digest the food.
This was a mistake. Within two hours, I had never felt worse. I used the trusty search engine ""Bing"" to do some armchair medical research while clutching a trashcan in the most horrendous gastric distress you can imagine (I do not have health insurance so I did not call the hospital). Quickly, I found out that a side effect to eating rabbit was ""protein poisoning,"" a situation that arises when lean meat is eaten. It is also known as ""rabbit starvation"" because rabbit meat contains almost no fat whatsoever. Apparently, consumption of large amounts of protein with little or no carbohydrates or fat is dangerous. Well you imagine how much that tickled me angry. All ready to write an angry letter of protest to the rabbit meat industry about their marketing of a dangerous foodstuff, I stumbled to my writing desk but alas, I only made it 3 feet before collapsing in pain. The next 5 hours were like a blur as I lay on the floor writhing in my own waste seeing people and things from the past and quite possibly the future. I have experimented with drugs back in the day and let me tell you, nothing came as close to disconnecting me from the universe in the worst way possible, as this. No one ever wants to experience protein poisoning, I promise you.
At about 10 in the evening I came to and used a chair and the wall to help pull myself off of the floor. I still felt sick and I went back to my computer to see if there was a cure. Suddenly it hit me, I needed to eat other macronutrients! I remembered the tub of lard I had been saving in the fridge and stumbled across my apartment. The pain only grew worse. I remembered reading that bodybuilders eat lots of protein. I have no idea how they do it. It must be horrible for them. My vegan friend has always said that anything over 20 grams of a protein a day is overkill and I'm inclined to believe him now. He is the healthiest person I know, he is very skinny but he doesn't have visible muscle (which he says is the result of toxins and not enough body fat to properly survive). I finally reached my fridge and reached in for the I Can't Believe It's Not Butter container with my stockpiled lard. I quickly shoveled it into my mouth and wouldn't you believe it but it only made me feel worse! I passed out again, the cold air of the fridge blowing onto me.
I awoke three days later (according to my watch) at 7 at night. The fridge had apparently preserved my body as it fought the proteins for the first night but now my electricity was off because my bill was due yesterday. It didn't matter, my body had apparently started to win the fight around 2 nights ago and now I am pretty much back to normal. However, I SINCERELY DO NOT RECOMMEND RABBIT MEAT as it can potentially kill you, as it nearly did me.
Five stars - 1 for nearly killing me - 1 slightly chewy - 1 no head + 1 made great jerky = 3 stars"
0,39_7_R34N3HSY5727XV.txt,5.0,An Excellent SW for the Price,"December 17, 2008",TMStyles,Onkyo SKW204 Bass Reflex Powered Subwoofer (Black) (Electronics),"Believe it or not, I had never owned a powered subwoofer until I purchased the ""Onkyo SWK204"" after researching what I might need to complete my sound system after adding a new Panasonic Plasma HDTV, a Sony Blu-Ray DVD, and a new Sony receiver. After a week of listening to the SW in my home, I am thrilled with the purchase.
The ""Onkyo SWK204"" Bass Reflex powered subwoofer has a built in 230 watt amp which is more than adequate for the home theatre system I have installed in my large living/family room. It is a 10"" cone subwoofer that is attractive yet non intrusive in a basic black with silver cone and sturdy enough weighing in at 26 pounds.
I am NOT a techie so I will only say that with so many of the new movie sound tracks containing low frequency emissions (LFE), I was astounded at the difference this SW made in my home entertainment enjoyment. It has a frequency response of 25 Hz to 150 Hz and a continuously variable crossover (50Hz-200Hz) controlled by a cross over frequency control along with the customary volume control and a lighted standy mode.
There are certainly better and more powerful subwoofers out there and you will, of course, pay for the advanced power or features. As a home audio/visual amateur, I found this unit to be an acceptable and efficacious choice based on performance and price."
1,34_17_R1W83QE608Z29S.txt,1.0,AWFUL...AWFUL...AWFUL !,"July 7, 2010",SJ,The Search (Hardcover),"First, the audio narrator was UNBEARABLE...She had a small s-lisp that kept jerking me out of the story--which was bad enough without the constant interruption. She gave the main character a sickly sing-song voice and put a STRONG inflection on the last word of each of her sentences. It was maddening! On top of that she talked obnoxious baby-talk to the dogs--Ugh! The hero's charactor was so flat and unemotional while every other character came through like a small child trying to do voices...cringe-worthy.
Secondly, THE STORY STUNK! It was a boring manual on dog training with a few moments of babbling dialogue about NOTHING. The heroine/hero were bland and rude respectively and together they were totally forgettable. The serial killer was stuck in here and there like an afterthought. The ending was just as unimpressive. I'd rather listen to nails scraped down a chalkboard than have to endure this book again."
0,43_13_R2O1QXYL96JE6T.txt,1.0,Didn't work,"February 10, 2010",andrea m,Verseo Intelligent Air Pressure Leg Massager,"I ordered this for my grandmother, she has trouble with her legs. I got it, put he batteries in, and it didn't work. I called the company and they sent me a return lable to mail it back. I told them I wanted a new one to see if I could get one that worked and filled out the slip to get a replacement. A few days later I got an email from amazon for a refund. I don't know if there was a misunderstanding or maybe there weren't anymore in stock. I decided to not try to reorder this product. If I had to rate just the customer service, I would have given higher then a 1..The guy on the phone was very understanding and fast at getting the return lable to me."
0,8_9_R2UKINSKB40967.txt,1.0,Partially True Statement,"January 31, 2010",Michael John Nisbett,Birth Control is Sinful in the Christian Marriages and also Robbing God of Priesthood Children!! (Paperback),"First of all, I believe that children are a blessing as the Bible states. One blessing is that it keeps parents from living a self-centred life (a sin) and helps them become more like Jesus. I also firmly believe that having more children than you can take care of/support is a sin as well. When looking at the various types of birth control there are some that prevent fertilization and others that prevent implantation of the fertilized egg in the womb. The majority of pills do the later. Birth control using methods that prevent the embryo from living further breaks the commandment of ""Thou shalt not kill"" and constitutes a sin. I would love to hear what others think about these statements."
0,2_16_R3LKBHQYYG3P7I.txt,5.0,His best one yet.,"July 20, 2009","W. Rouse ""Scrap Reader""",No Mercy (Paperback),"Just when you think you have read his best he writes a better one. I have read all of Giltraps books and he keeps you in suspence all the time. Can't wait for the next ""Digger"" mission."
0,12_18_R2O08XKND08G6M.txt,5.0,Great pool for a small price,"July 5, 2002",Misty O.,"Intex 8' X 18"" Sun Fish Snapset Pool (Toy)","Having 2 small children I wanted a pool that they would enjoy and would be easy to set up. My kids loved it and my husband and I also lounged in it, it was very refreshing. It was easy to drain when we wanted to change the water. The pool is very well put together and I would highly recommend it to anyone."
0,19_4_R17XGO9DD9K9UQ.txt,5.0,"Fine Camera, what a Point and Shoot is supposed to be","September 1, 2009","Juan Carlos R. Laguardia ""Stat Grad Student""",Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZR1 12.1MP Digital Camera with 8x POWER Optical Image Stabilized Zoom and 2.7 inch LCD (Black) (Electronics),"Already being an owner and user of two different camera types, DSLR and film, I felt I was missing out on the point and shoot category. So, I researched upcoming cameras in June and heard about Panasonic's new Lumix lineup and didn't wait any time to pre order this guy. It is very compact (smaller than a deck of cards) with a serious range 8x zoom. Just be sure you want a camera that takes all the manual control of picture taking before you buy it. There is almost no manual settings, other than choosing which ""scene"" you think your shot will be. Panasonic has some fun settings - Pin Hole, film grain, and the key word that people love ""High Dynamic"" mode, which is their attempt to create a High Dynamic Range type of shot. They also have an underwater setting, for those who will later shell out the money for the casing to take this baby in the pool or some other form of wet. The Leica name on the lens is what got me looking at panasonic cameras, and as far as I can tell, its a fine lens. It is no DSLR, but it is a great incognito camera.
Video is Average, but I wasn't really concerned about it. -- When I say average, I'm comparing it to video I've seen taken from a camcorder. The HD component is nice, but you'd need to be still holding it and hope whatever you're filming is not moving too fast for a great recording."
0,12_14_REVFMK9V3SE3C.txt,1.0,Spore Breaks Windows Media Center,"September 10, 2008","Karl A. Hintz ""K""",Spore (DVD-ROM),"Spore breaks Windows Media Center. Once Securom was installed, I haven't been able to record any television with my computer."
0,14_9_R1SXRBW2TQZ9L3.txt,5.0,EXIT HERE!!!!,"April 21, 2009",Nancy Martin,Leaving the World (Hardcover),"Let me start off by saying that I never met a Douglas Kennedy book that I didn't love!! This book had arrived a few days ago (ordered from the UK because it came out there first) and, each time I passed the table where it was sitting, I actually got a tingle just seeing the name Douglas Kennedy on the cover and knowing that something great was between those covers.
I like to think I discovered Douglas Kennedy all on my own many, many years ago when I read The Big Picture. At that time, whenever anyone asked me to recommend a great book, that's the one I told them to read. Kennedy followed up The Big Picture with The Job....another great roller coaster ride of a book. I don't know if something changed in his life at that point because all of the following books were very different. They were specifically about women or couples who were going through major rifts in their lives. As far as I'm concerned, no one can get inside of the head of a woman like Douglas Kennedy can. I wouldn't want to be his wife.
Kennedy writes that ""All novels are about a crisis and how an individual -- or a set of individuals --negotiates said crises."" In Leaving The World, the main character Joan Howard lives in the world of academia having gotten her PhD from Harvard and is now working as a professor at a New England college. I think Kennedy makes her so intellectually superior so that some of the things she does end up making her look more than intellectually challenged. Obviously doomed by her impulses, Jane finds herself mixed up in one predicament after another. It's how she deals with her crises that gives this book the depth that Kennedy's readers know he will deliver. She cannot stick to anything or anyone and finds herself lost in a world of people who continually leave her.
Until one day she decides that she will leave them. This is where Kennedy shines as he now puts Jane in charge of her own life and her own destiny and where we see shades of the excitement found in The Big Picture seeping through each page. While some people might say this book starts out slowly, they would be right because this is the way Kennedy sets the stage for things to come. He wants his reader to be totally invested in his character before he asks them to understand her. When we first meet Jane, it is in the present moment but, like everyone else, she has a back story and it's the understanding of this back story that will eventually help the reader to understand why she does what she does. In the book Kennedy says, ""Life can only be lived forwards and understood backwards."" And so we really come to understand more and more what is propelling Jane. There are times in the book where I was screaming, ""NO Jane...don't do it"", only to have my words fall on deaf ears.
Jane's life is one of ups and downs never seeming to find that happy medium between living and actually being happy doing so. Kennedy says in the book, ""Unhappiness isn't simply a state of mind; it is also a habit."" Reading this book is a journey as Jane tries to break this habit. It's another examination of the psyche of a woman by a master storyteller. In the hands of Douglas Kennedy, it becomes an expedition and one I was happy to take.
I know I've quoted Kennedy a lot in this review but some of the things he says in this book had such meaning to me. I leave you with one of the best....""Conscience is the inner voice which warns us that somebody might be looking."" Well, I'm now your conscience looking at you and watching to see if you read this book!!!"
0,31_11_RFVHRJORBF6EX.txt,5.0,"Excellent quality, plays all types of DVDs, and it GOLD BOX SALE!","January 22, 2009","M. Su ""More Dessert""","Sony DVP-SR200P/B DVD Player, Black (Electronics)","I bought one of these before for $49.99, now it's on sale for $29.99, what a great deal. This DVD player is excellent quality, which is something I expect from Sony. Just about all the audio & video equipment I have at home are Sony brand, even though they are usually a bit overpriced, I'm just use to their menu system and stable quality.
Playability - Sony DVD players don't play the burned or foreign DVDs, this is an exception. It plays the Chinese Drama DVD's perfectly fine. Not that I encourage pirating DVDs, but this one plays those self burned backup DVDs as well.
Quality - The last one I got is about 1 year old now, plays perfectly fine. We use it about 2 hours every day. Even at $50, it's worth the $ by now.
Menu system - Well, I don't use much of the functions, but the fast forward is in place. Samsung has a wierd fast forward where it's 2x, 4x, ( too slow) then 64x ( way too fast). Also, this player will remember multiple DVD stop locations even after you remove it. Now that's really cool."
0,18_5_R1DMW2TKJGGK7L.txt,5.0,Great Watch at a Low Price,"July 31, 2007",A. Stagg,Citizen Men's AT0200-05E Eco-Drive Chronograph Canvas Watch (Watch),"This is my 2nd Eco-Drive Watch. Eco-Drive is by far my favorite watch brand. My other Eco-Drive is a moon-phase Calibre that I wear to work everyday. I wanted another watch that was less dressy, and was happy when I found this watch at a low price. However, this watch looks very nice, despite its price. Some reviewers don't like the watchband. I agree that a leather band would make it look more expensive, but this is a military watch and the band is quite appropriate. Although the description calls this a canvas strap, the inside is coated so that it does not absorb sweat. Also, I have small wrists and Eco-Drives are the only watches that I can wear without modifying the strap. It's VERY easy to set. It is more like a traditional watch; you only need to adjust the main crown. The other two buttons north and south of the crown control the chronograph. Seconds tick by on this watch on the small dial located just above the ""6"" on the watch face. The large second hand that you normally associate with the sweep second hand is part of the chronograph. By the way, the chronograph is EXTREMELY easy to operate. One of my favorite features of this watch are the extremely large, easy-to-read numbers on the dial. Only downside is that the three small dials on the face are smaller and more difficult to read, but I think that is an unavoidable consequence of the design. Overall, this is a great watch!!"
0,2_4_R1CY66TNX7N4RX.txt,5.0,An Inexpensive Gaming Console for the Whole Family,"November 19, 2006","Lisa Shea ""LisaShea.com""",Wii (Video Game),"The Nintendo Wii is the most inexpensive of the current generation of gaming consoles. It provides motion sensing controllers and 480p graphics. We tested the Wii before its launch day (I'm a game reviewer), and we had our own unit in our home the morning of launch day. Here are our findings.
The Wii is designed around a menu of ""channels"". There is of course the game-playing channel, where the Wii will play any Wii or GameCube game. Simply load the disc in and go. There is a Mii channel where you set up a profile and avatar to connect to all your game playing. The Photos channel lets you look at photos on your TV. Other channels for news, weather, and online shopping require an interent connection; the news and weather were not actually working at launch time.
The system does NOT have a regular network cable port, which both the PS3 and XBox 360 have. Instead, it works with built in wireless or with a USB network adapter. I am a firm proponent of wireless - less clutter! So I am thrilled that they offer wireless automatically. With the PS3, you have to pay extra for the 60 gig unit to get this built in. The XBox 360 requires extra hardware as well.
It's hard to generalize gameplay on any console - it really depends on what games you buy. That being said, the comes-with-it software of Sports is really quite fun and is about as basic as you can get. You swing at baseballs, lob tennis balls, bowl, box and play golf. A ""fitness"" mode puts you through a variety of tasks and then calculates your fitness age, sort of like how Brain Age keeps track of your mental age. If you did both every day, you could aim to be as fit mentally and physically as possible!
In a world where video games = couch potato, it really is quite amazing to have a game where it natively expects you to move and be active. You don't lounge back and gain pounds here while playing games. Boxing can be quite strenuous, jabbing, blocking and weaving in real life. Tennis involves quick reflexes and strong arm movements. Bowling might be the most relaxed of the sports, but even there you are standing, moving, swinging. You get your heart going at least a little, and get some exercise. My boyfriend had a sore arm after playing for a number of hours, in a good way, as he would from exercising.
The 480p resolution is certainly not high def 1080p like the other two systems. It's something you accept when you're paying such a low price for the console. But really, it's not that big a deal. I still play the old Zeldas and love them for their gameplay, even though you can't see the pores in Link's face. If they are going for the cartooney characters and environments, 480p is DVD quality and is quite good. If you really, really crave high definition super realism in your games, then the Wii might not be the best choice for you. However, if you're fine with playing games with a more impressionist / cartooney look to them, the 480p can show that quite nicely. For example, there aren't fans in the stands for baseball - there are colored blocks.
Nintendo has always been known as a ""Kid's Console"" - but I really do think with the Wii that they have become a ""Family Console"". It's not just kids who will enjoy this. Seniors can have fun bowling without knowing anything ""Tricky"" about how to use a video game unit. It's very intuitive. Moms can easily play with their kids, each with their own Wii profile. Adults having parties can have fun passing the controllers around. Family groups can share slideshows on the big screen while hanging out and drinking wine. Every person who has come over - from 8 to adult - has instantly understood and enjoyed the Wii, without much explanation at all.
With the price tag being so low, a gaming household that ""needs"" a higher end system can easily save up their money to get that XBox 360 or PS3 - and still be able to justify to get a Wii for the fun, casual gaming stuff to share with their non-gaming friends.
Well recommended! Since I own all three systems, and am playing all three wirelessly, feel free to contact me if you have any further questions.
================
Update: One year later, and the Wii is still going strong! It's really funny how many people said the Wii would bomb because it wasn't as good as the PS3 or 360 - and here we are a year later and the Wii is still the system that people are really wanting to get. Hospitals are getting Wiis for their patients to play with. Senior centers are getting Wiis for their residents to play games together with. I was just on a cruise ship and they had Wii tournaments going on every day! This is a fantastically fun system that we really enjoy playing with and that literally the whole family can have fun with. There are great games for kids, great games for teenagers, great games for adults. I am really very pleased with how the Wii has held up and the game set available for it.
Update 2: 2 years later! Our Wii is still adored in our household, used just as much as the PS3 and XBox 360. I was just at a bar and they had two Wiis set up for people to play with, and everybody loved them. This really is an ""every person's gaming system"".
I'm running out of space here, but my nintendo.bellaonline.com site has full articles on exactly what you get in this box, and what else you should buy so you have a full system to play with."
0,1_16_R2VJTB1Y0JMYX2.txt,5.0,Wonderful Wolf Shirt,"January 1, 2010",Mom of 3,The Mountain Men's Breakthrough Wolf Short Sleeve Tee (Apparel),"I bought this shirt for my daughter. She loves wolves and was so happy to get this for Christmas.
It is a beautiful shirt and well made."
1,44_2_R346THH403TN26.txt,5.0,Going away . . . to heaven!,"June 4, 2010","Joshua Rolando ""Rolo""",The Mountain Three Wolf Moon Short Sleeve Tee (Apparel),"I was given the Three Wolf Moon shirt as a gift for my departure from my current job assignment. Immediately upon donning the shirt, I was attacked by mobs of women at the pub. My wife was actually trampled to death by the sudden rush of women. Fortunately, the 3 wolves soothed my grief . . . and taught me to fly. After taking a quick aerial cruise around England, I returned to my compatriots. It was a difficult landing, due largely in part to the throngs of women in waiting. After using my laser vision to clear an LZ, I regained my Earthly contact (if you can call constant hovering ""contact""). The Ancient Egyptians believed that the difference between a king and a pharaoh was that pharaohs were actually gods on Earth. After placing the shirt upon my body, I was aware of the state of reverence in which pharaohs were held. This was due in large part to the fact that all about me (approx. 300 people/worshippers) were laying prostrate before my holy visage. King Tut has nothing on me thanks to Three Wolf Moon.
I did notice a minor drawback to Three Wolf Moon. It involved the inability to make things explode with my mind. I felt it was a basic application of The Shirt. Apparently, I bought a knockoff because my friend purchased Three Wolf Moon and was instantly able to blow up the head of the guy who was sleeping with his girlfriend. I wanted to use it to destroy Fenway Park and allow Wrigley Field to be the sole historical ballpark, but apparently I purchased The Shirt from a different supplier than Pocahontas."
1,276423_9_RBRBXDP3QTOOG.txt,5.0,Great to give to friends,"November 14, 2007","William Daniels III ""D""",Xbox 360 Wireless Controller Pink (Video Game),"Whenever anyone comes over to play, this is perfect. Give him the pink controller, and don't let him forget who's in charge."
0,30_2_R3HL2W1VXWAPGQ.txt,4.0,Pretty good,"June 13, 2010",Gary J. Edwards,Slap Chop (Kitchen),"Works fairly well, just a little dangerous to clean. But, it was fun to pound on the knob and see the results."
0,46_5_R1A0N911M3OMAH.txt,5.0,i'm italian but i love america,"April 14, 2010",antonio,O500 Otomix Baggy Workout Gym Pants - American Flag (Apparel),i love this product..Is very confortable everywhere and for the gym is the best choise if you train hard and need a tecnical product. The seller is very serious and i love to buy from him..good prices and good quality!! always the best
0,18_19_R35RY6MXF45F2F.txt,3.0,2 thumbs up for Molly,"August 4, 2007",Richard J. Roberti,Pretty in Pink (Everything's Duckie Edition) (DVD),"Molly really shines through on this movie. You just begin to realize how talented she really is. She can be sexy, sultry, emotional and funny.
Her acting is underated and the movie itself is excellent. This movie, as with the Breakfast Club, is an excellent learning lesson for teens.
I recommed this movie highly to all, as time has not diminished the message that this great film sends out."
0,42_14_REU85KX38F95L.txt,4.0,"Great review of the basics, additional interesting facts","December 10, 2008",Critical reader,Sex For Dummies (Paperback),"Despite the fact that this is a ""Dummies"" book, it is actually quite detailed and scientific in nature. A good review of basic facts in regards to male & female bodies, esp. for those of us who have been out of sex ed for a while now. Also provides some thoughtful information for ""beginners"".
It also includes interesting extra facts & information, like sex during pregnancy, sex during menstruation, the importance of prostate & other male/female exams, interesting pros & cons of different positions, etc.
Also, Dr. Ruth's personality comes through in the book, which is generally a good thing. She adds a touch of humor to this book, though at times a bit too quirky...
Overall, a good book for the topic and probably useful for parents wanting to speak to their kids about sex (or if they are too uneasy to give them the talk directly)."
0,276425_2_RP6UODS7J8N9D.txt,5.0,George W. Bush is a good review.,"February 6, 2004",A Customer,"George W. Bush on God and Country: The President Speaks Out About Faith, Principle, and Patriotism (Hardcover)","I found this book to be encouraging and intriguing. I learned a lot about the heart and compassion of President Bush. The book will help the reader realize the depth of President Bush's Christian faith and what motivates his leadership. He has always seemed sincere to me, but now through this book he has become even more real. It seems he cares about all aspects of our nation and each individual in it. Read this book for a fresh perspective and get away from the rehtoric of the common media."
0,44_19_R2937PJN7EWBIF.txt,1.0,WHAT HAPPENED?,"March 19, 2009",B. Adams,"Darkfever (Fever Series, Book 1) (Mass Market Paperback)","I just loved Karen's Time travel series, but when I started to read her new series, I was VERY disapointed!
She is such a good writer, but her new series is, well, not good....
I wish she would return to the writing she does best..."
0,4_5_R3TY5TI3ZHH449.txt,5.0,Best way I know to save furniture,"December 31, 2005","MattthewsMom ""stacylynn4""","Bergan Turbo Scratcher Cat Toy, Colors May Vary (Misc.)","I've been using the TurboScratcher since it came out in the early 80s as a toy and scratching item for my cats. I have NEVER paid for than about $12-13 for it, and the inserts used to be available from WalMart for 3/$9. The catnip helps get the attention for the scratching part, and once the see how much fun it is to scratch, they rarely go back to carpet or furniture. I've had more than one cat that never ONCE went for furniture because I made sure he/she had her own turbo-scratcher from the moment they arrived in my house. I have one that is a light blue from back in the 80s when everything was light blue and mauve. If left in the sun a bit too long, they do tend to get a little brittle, but while they feel a little flimsy, they are perfect for the cats. For those without carpet -- use the rubber shelf or drawer liner cut in a square or circle a couple of inches bigger than the whole toy and it doesn't move at all. I have never had any problem on any surface until I recently moved into a house with handscraped hardwood floors that are uneven. This trick worked wonders there and I suspect it would have been more stable on the tile floor in our last house as well, but our cat like to sleep on it in the window in the sun just as much as playing or scratching it. I recommend one to any cat that I adopt out at rescue, and for my foster babies, I give one to the family that adopts them because that's what I teach them to scratch on and I don't want them developing bad habits of scratching furniture or carpet in their new home -- where they are often trying to cope with the unfamiliar. I've been told by my adoptive families that this was a really great thing to send esp since it was familiar and they were surprised at how much it was used. Before replacing the cardboard circle, make sure you turn it over and use both sides! if they seem a little bored and you are out of catnip, just pic up a little bag of it and it will totally get their attention again."
1,37_10_R3KM9NLAEVGBC.txt,3.0,CatWenie Self-Washing Cat Box,"December 30, 2009","Bartok Kinski ""A casual stroll through the lunatic asylum shows that faith does not prove anything.""",CatGenie 120 Self-Washing Self-Flushing Cat Box (Misc.),"As a rabid, frothing cat lover, I picked up the CatGenie Self-Flushing Cat Box for a feral cat I found on the street. He never did use the cat Flushing Cat Box for reasons I suspect have to do with a fear of metal parts. I did everything I could for him to use the Flushing Cat Box but he refused. It was later that I found out that he was blind in both eyes.
The box itself is a superb, fake ceramic bowl type Self-Flushing Cat Box. It seems to have a little camera which detects Cat movements and has soothing sounds of ocean breezes or other music you choose. A little robot hand comes out to scoop the Cat waste and then shoves it towards the back where it accumulates for months in a smelly decomposition chamber that will make you vomit when you change it.
I really liked the manual Flushing handle for a cat's paw, not too big, not too small.
In all, you're still going to be doing tons of labor in regards to the Cat waste so you might want to consider the advantage of spending tobacco money on a small toilet that you stuff in the corner of your home that smells like a Formaldehyde fish bowl.
Eventually I gave it to a midget friend because I had sold all my cats to the lab."
0,2_17_R1HEYMNCN65TEY.txt,5.0,A great new toy,"November 19, 2009",AK,Roku HD-XR Player (Electronics),"I am really enjoying my new Roku XR. The setup was extremely easy and intuitive. I am running the ROKU XR wirelessly off of an N-Router (Trendnet 633) located on the other side of the house. I am getting ""4 dots and HD"" (best quality) with no interuptions in play.
My only complaint is that I have to go to Netflix and enter movies I want to watch on the Netflix Instant Queue before the Roku XR will play the movie. So basically, I have to go to my computer, find my TV shows or movies, enter them into the Instant Queue on the computer then goto the ROKU and my selections will be available to watch. I really wish I could scan for movies and shows thru the ROKU.
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